Disappointing result in terrible conditions (first half), but promising performance. We need to be beating teams like Wimbledon. I think we are progressing and, with confidence rising, we will be beating a few teams in the near future.
Vickers - 8 - getting better each week. Pulled off three or four excellent saves. Couldn’t do anything about the goal.
Eardley - 7.5 - Getting back to his best, even without Anderson. Getting overlapping & a few good crosses.
Connolly - 7.5 - CB seems to be his better position. made several good headed clearances under pressure, but between him, Shackell & Eardley went to sleep for their equaliser.
Shackell - 7.5 - Cut out virtually everything and was bossing the defence again, minus late slip-up.
Toffolo - 7.5 - Another superb battling performance & charges forward to great effect.
O’Connor - 9.5 - my MoM. Been superb the last few games. Think the op to remove the errant staple during the close season has worked. Seems stronger and more involved than last year getting about the pitch and putting in some wonderful tackles, including the one that started the move for our goal. together with countless little passes & headers that relieve pressure or start moves. The glue that holds the team together.
Andrade - 7 - involved a lot in first half, including cross for Payne‘s goal. Faded a bit second half.
Morrell - 7 - did a lot of hard work first half but faded a bit second. Unneccsary booking leading to suspension (but decent timing ?).
Grant - 5 - As MA said, didn’t do enough.
Payne - 6.5 - played well first half. Well taken goal getting across defender for Andrade’s cross. Faded once moved out to left.
Walker - 7 - difficult one to score. Very mobile, won a lot of headers and defended near post well at corners, but just not in the right place at the right time for scoring.
Hesketh - 6.5 - battled hard & showed some nice touches with through balls. Need to see a bit more of him.