Agree totally with this, 90% of the team under performed today, I don't understand why so many did, or so many are making him the biggest scapegoat. For me the buck stops with the boss, he made the call to bring Timlin back and, much as I like Timmo, he just wasn't ready mentally or physically - anyone else see him beating his head and yelling in frustration? Lenny was having to cover both roles. Not enough ball being played to feet was the biggest problem and I have to be honest and say I didn't see their 2nd goal, I thought the days of conceding so soon after the break had gone and I was looking at my phone! :blush:
Bentley - 5, did next to nothing but pick the ball out of the net 3 times, is it time for Smith to be given a go? Wouldn't surprise me
White - 5, poor by his standards, did get forward a lot more as the game went on, and put some good work in but defensively, there's big question marks against the whole defence
Phillips - 5, looked knackered at the end, grow the beard back please, seems to be luckier than being clean shaven!
Prosser - 5, some decisive heading but far too much punting it forwards
Coker - 6, best player on the pitch apart from Hurst. Never gives up, continually offers the overlap, even if it is ignored far too often, puts a good cross in and delivers a good corner
Hurst - 7, MOTM by a mile today, delighted to see him come back and score on his first full game this season. Needs to work on building understanding with John White
Timlin - 4, really not in it at all
Leonard - 5, worked hard but he'll be disappointed with his efforts
Straker - 5, was he trying too hard? Take a step back and assess what's changed this month, then re-discover the earlier form and shut the doubters up!
Eastwood - 6, persevered, I thought he was fouled in the box and should have had a penalty
Woodward - 6, promising enough debut, he can develop and learn from the others, his pace and willingness to go for anything should be used to our advantage
Subs:
Atkinson for Timlin - 6, did ok when he came on, personally I'd have had him RM and moved Hurst to LM and brought Payne on at the same time. Pace had the chance to get us somewhere and we didn't use it enough
Payne for Straker - 6, energetic and willing to chase
Officials:
Far too many handballs in the last couple of games that aren't being given, couple of blatant ones today, including one we thought around where I sit, should have been a penalty in the 2nd half. Got the red card right but got Timlin's caution so wrong.
Poor atmosphere I thought today considering all those kids were in X Block, we really should have utilised their enthusiasm better.
Fab to see all those youngsters though, let's hope that the next generation of Kane Ferdinands, Dan Bentleys and Jack Paynes all enjoyed their day!
