Blimey, I think everyone has been watching about 6 different matches!
Before the ratings, my two cents on yesterdays game - which was similar to the few people around me as well as we were discussing it.
The first half was marginally better than the one last time out which was so awful I've wiped it from the memory and can't remember who the opponents were. Northampton were a big, physical side who I felt tried to bully us all over the pitch. Our defence was shocking, no-one looked comfortable, Bolger visibly panics when a forward closes him down, Thompson had a dreadful first 15 minutes and there was little to no communication between the centre backs. The fact that we didn't concede was because of the fact that a) the fantastic work rate by Weston, Timlin, Payne and Worrall in cutting the supply to Richards at source and b) Northampton didn't look like they even had a plan A, let alone a plan B. Their one chance came near the end of the first half when we were doing our level best to gift them the ball. The guy should have done a lot better than put a free shot from 8 yards over the South stand.
Having said that, there were glimpses - as there always are - of what happens when we do click. O'Toole's shot would have been a fairytale had it gone in, Timlin's free kick which caused havoc (I've seen it on the box and on another day we would have a penalty as O'Toole was shoved out of the way quite blatantly), the great ball across the box from Worrall and Corr's effort that just went over. No-one would have been surprised if we had been 2-0 up at the break. I know we all say the opposition is rubbish but you have to give credit to us for making them either look or play rubbish. This is something not many people actually get on here - it's not always what you do, it's also about what you stop the others doing. So much goes on that is unnoticed and is all part of winning a game at this, or indeed any level above amateur Sunday league stuff where there are practically no tactics and it's all about who does what when they have the ball.
In the second half we did step it up a bit and had a good start, with a few half chances, but were dead lucky when their guy had a free header from a corner that he should have scored with. I was waiting for the net to bulge and breathed a sign of relief when it didn't. Other than that, both sides nullified each other until the appalling ball in from Weston to nobody that bounced off the keepers knee to Corr. From my view alongside in the East blacks, he was just about to stroke the ball into the empty net when the keeper brought him down, a definite red card.
That was that and we nearly scored again straight from the kick off. After that we pressed Northampton everywhere and for once got the second goal to give us breathing space.
By and large, the defence had a much better second half and it's another 3 points. It wasn't a game I'll remember for long but, unlike mrsblue, I don't go for the entertainment. I go because at the age of 8, I started supporting my local football team and want to see them do well. Over the last 45 years I have seen them play much better than this and also much worse than this. I SUPPORT my team and have only not gone to matches due to other commitments, never because I can't be bothered. There have been plenty of times when I have felt like not going, but when matchday comes I'm there again because this may be the week where everything gels and we spank some team out of sight to send everyone home super happy. If we don't, well, we are a small club and it's League 2. If you want entertainment, can I suggest staying at home and taking your pick of the matches on the box? That way, if it's no good, you can either switch over or turn off.
Ratings -
Bentley - 7 - Nervy start, never tested, can't remember him making a save.
Thompson - 6 - Better second half but awful in the first - he is a long, long way from being a right back.
White - 8 - Candidate for MOM, great shot in second half and terrific work rate. Doing a very decent job at left back.
Bolger - 6 - Got better but awful start and panics when confronted by a striker. It always worries me when Bentley rolls him the ball. He is great in the air though.
Prosser - 7 - Again, not a great first half but didn't make any howlers.
Worrall - 7 - Not as attacking as normal but I put that down to his work rate in stopping Northampton in supplying the strikers. It seemed as though that was the order in the first half. Good finish too.
O'Toole - 6 - I don't think I've seen a more anonymous debut. For a big lump I was surprised at how easily he seemed to be knocked off the ball and how little he actually won in the air. Got his foot in a few times to break things up but also got caught in possession too. Nearly started off with a wonder goal and the guy does have ability... will the crowd allow him to show this or will we get on his back if we have another 2 or 3 average performances? I think I know the answer to that one but I hope I'm wrong.
Timlin - 8.5 - MOM - Was everywhere and barely put a foot wrong. Good to see him back to his best.
Weston - 6 - Great work rate but kept falling over the ball in the first half and the cross for the second was about the only good ball he put in all afternoon.
Payne - 6 - He was completely smothered by their big guys and lacks that explosive pace. he worked really hard though but I'd liked to have seen him play a little further forward alongside Corr.
Corr - 8 - This bloke runs through walls for us. No-one can ever question his desire or commitment. He won some terrific headers as well against a big lumpy defence and if Payne had been a little higher up the pitch then he may have had some better fortune.
Subs -
Atkinson - 6 - Did ok when he came on
Deegan - 6 - Ditto
The ref - 5 - Played advantage well on a few occasions but seemed very fussy and loved blowing his whistle 5 times in quick succession. I think he must also be one of the shortest refs I've ever seen (not that that's his fault, obviously)!
Finally, a word for Phil Brown. The guy has listened. He is trying to put bums on seats by playing an attacking line up and style. Let's him him just a little bit of credit, eh? We have a tough December and the team will need all the support they can get. Hopefully we won't have another disastrous month like October.
