Yesterday was one of our worst performances this season, worse even than United's 1-0 defeat at home to Newport.. Let nobody kid you we are in a slump. The win against a very out of sorts Accrington, and it wasn't an over convincing win, covered up the cracks. The team needs new blood and some refreshing. Grainger's absence is hurting as is the lack of Miller (has he fallen out with Curle?).
Here are my ratings from Newport - it's not happy reading.
Gillespie 6 - He had little to do and the goal IMO wasn't his fault. Caught anything that came his way.
Atkinson 4.5 - Not his best game, but wasn't the worst player. I think he is a better central defensive player. He works hard at defending - he isn't a forward thinking defender but can break with the ball on occasion. Not today, sadly.
Raynes 4.5 - Headed everything. A collect failure to pick up Newport cost us.
Ellis 4.5 - Didn't do much wrong, but like all involved hoofed it forward for no obvious advantage.
Gillesphey 4 - He made two or three useful interventions, but looks weak in that position. He just doesn't fill me with confidence and Miller is the back four is a much better fit.
Comley 5.5 - Was one of the few who covered the mud flat with pace blocking and closing down the opposition. Was unfairly pulled up for a great tackle in the first few minutes and later booked for a trip/block. His sending off capped an abysmal refereeing performance.
Gillead 4 - A couple of runs but nothing else. A poor pitch but, you have to do more.
Kennedy 4.5 - Never got into his game and seemed unsure who to mark and close down at times.
Sweeney 4.5 - Works hard trying to link play with the forwards but, like Kennedy, I was unsure of his overall contribution as he never got going.
Wyke 4 - He seems to loose control of the ball too easily when going forward. His partnership with Jabo is non-existent. He looks very weak.
Jabo 5 - His work rate to defend corners etc is commendable as is his efforts to come for the ball. However, we want him up front holding the ball or better still scoring in the penalty box. However, he has no service, nothing coming in the box (well, very little) and nobody around him to pick off the ball when it does come to him.
Subs:
Joyce 5 - Battled for the ball but it was lost before he came on and he's a defensive midfield player - we needed creativity!
Hope 4 - Never got into the game
Asamoah N/A - Wasn't on long enough
Curle 3 - What were his tactics?? Ellis' long throw in were so tedious, never worked, easily defended. Ellis looked like he was bored at taking them etc etc. The midfield has no one with an ounce of creativity. It was hoofball all day long. He seems to have lost faith with Miller, the one defender who attacks a cross in the opposition box, who can defend and give support to Gillead. This match is as much to do with Curle's management style and tactically awareness as the players not being on their game. HOPELESS!!
Ref 1 - He was truly useless. He let Newport work him with feigning injury etc. He couldn't judge when a tackle was fair and not. He was the worst.
