vickers - 6.5
dealt with the corners. one point-blank block from a header. no blame for the goals. good early distribution (and even pickford is below average at this).
eardley - 5.5
really like him, but if that 70minute tactic of bringing the pacy winger on to run at him is noticed elsewhere, which it surely will be, he has big problems. still not quite zipping in the crosses as he was in his first season.
bolger - 6.5
compared well with beevers, the huge posh centre back. had one free header chance from a corner, flashed over/wide. might have done more to prevent the second goal.
shackell - 7
moving the ball around much better. our defence did well to keep eisa anonymous.
toffolo and grant - 7.5 + 7.5
signs that they are getting the pass and move link up play. especially noticeable in the first half. kept maddison reasonably quiet.
o’connor - 8
brilliant effort, meant we were at least a match for them for 45 minutes. would most likely have been mom if he had stayed on.
chapman - 8 mom
one massive compliment in a game against a top L1 team, he didn’t look out of place. started by keeping it simple, but then did more as the game went on. was taking the ball off the defenders and the keeper towards the end. switching play, passing forward. good signs. pushing for a regular first 11 place if he keeps that level up.
andrade - 7
feels like a threat again when he gets it. add more frequent, and better quality crossing, and final decision making and he will be up there at the same potential ker£££ching value as maddison.
payne - 5.5
compared to andrade, doesn't feel like a threat when he gets it. regularly beats the first man, then regularly loses possession trying to beat the rest of them. give up trying to be messi and release the ball after beating the first man. will make him much more effective. and getting the number 10 role right would vastly improve walker’s chances of scoring. hopeful that the coaching will develop the quality of his decision making.
walker - 7.5
can’t fault him. doesn’t get anywhere near enough decent service. brought a great save out of pym with his one chance.
pett - 5.5
a bit less ‘on it’ than required. which was understandable. v difficult first L1 game to be dropped back into.
hesketh - 5.5
like payne, looks a bit small/lightweight when played centrally against L1 big guns. maybe understandable coming back after injury/loan/manager change. could well be much sharper given a few more games.
akinde - 6.5
big plus point, a decent centre forward’s header at goal, which needed a good save.