Somerset Ex-TTB
Members
Just a few of my thoughts on last night as it was the first time I have seen the players this year.
Collis - Only made one save, no chance with either goal, good distribution.
Hunt / Wilson - Both had good games, defending well, and using the ball intelligently. Hunt linked up well with JCR, and also looked OK at CB in the second half.
Hammell / Gilbert - Hammell was steady, Gilbert looked very quick, and loves to bomb forward. Almost scored with a sublime chip, however like all Arsenal full back's, his defending looked a little weak.
Barrett / Liptak - Solid performance from Barrett. Liptak looked OK, a bit of a shaky start, with both him and Barrett going for the same ball a couple of times, but improved once he scored, and made some good clearances. Once settled, could be a very useful addition.
Bailey / Moussa / Maher - Bailey covered every blade of grass, and although not quite seeming to have the same drive and energy as Macca, showed enough to know he will be pushing hard for a start. Moussa took a time to get up and running, gave the ball away a few times, but also did well enough. A great prospect who will be a very good player in 18 months time. (Maybe needs a loan spell at a League 2 side?) Maher was Maher!
Foran / JCR / Black / Gower - Foran was immense, I think he ran more last night than all of last season. Chasing, closing down etc. Didn't create a huge amount, but the workrate was there, took his goal well too. JCR was out to impress the Barnsley scouts in the crowd! Worked his socks off, and all the attacking threat came through him in the first half. Poor final product at times, but is now not afraid to at least try and get the ball in earlier. Made a very poor defensive decision, that almost led to a clear chance. Black looked OK, made one good pass which led to Gilbert hitting the bar. Looks composed, and a very good signing as cover for Gower and JCR. Gower looked very sharp when he came on and was involced in some very nice passing moves.
Paynter / MacDonald / Hooper / Bradbury - I am sorry, but how Billy Paynter ever got to be a professional footballer I will never know. No attacking threat in the first half, and only found a blue shirt on a handful of occasions with his passing. If we start with him on this form I am going to be very worried. MacDonald reminded me of Michael Owen, willing runner, a few half chances. Maybe needs to be a bit stronger, will score goals given the chances, maybe not 20, but should end up with 15ish in a season. Hooper looked excellent, nice flicks, great play for our 3rd goal, looked to have bulked up a bit since last year. On this form he will have a great season. Bradbury showed Paynter how is should be done. Was strong, held the ball up well, chased, and put himself about. We showed more attacking threat in the first 5 minutes of the second half than the previous 45 mins.
Overall a good performance showing guts to come abck twice. Still a little bit worried about the defending, and also the options up front. However I think our midfield will overun most teams and create a lot of chances for the forwards.
My team for Orient, based on what I saw last night.
Flahaven
Gilbert Clarke Barrett Hammell
JCR Macca Maher Gower
Macdonald Bradbury
Subs
Collis
Hunt
Black
Bailey
Hooper
Next in line
Harrold
Wilson
Moussa
Liptak
Collis - Only made one save, no chance with either goal, good distribution.
Hunt / Wilson - Both had good games, defending well, and using the ball intelligently. Hunt linked up well with JCR, and also looked OK at CB in the second half.
Hammell / Gilbert - Hammell was steady, Gilbert looked very quick, and loves to bomb forward. Almost scored with a sublime chip, however like all Arsenal full back's, his defending looked a little weak.
Barrett / Liptak - Solid performance from Barrett. Liptak looked OK, a bit of a shaky start, with both him and Barrett going for the same ball a couple of times, but improved once he scored, and made some good clearances. Once settled, could be a very useful addition.
Bailey / Moussa / Maher - Bailey covered every blade of grass, and although not quite seeming to have the same drive and energy as Macca, showed enough to know he will be pushing hard for a start. Moussa took a time to get up and running, gave the ball away a few times, but also did well enough. A great prospect who will be a very good player in 18 months time. (Maybe needs a loan spell at a League 2 side?) Maher was Maher!
Foran / JCR / Black / Gower - Foran was immense, I think he ran more last night than all of last season. Chasing, closing down etc. Didn't create a huge amount, but the workrate was there, took his goal well too. JCR was out to impress the Barnsley scouts in the crowd! Worked his socks off, and all the attacking threat came through him in the first half. Poor final product at times, but is now not afraid to at least try and get the ball in earlier. Made a very poor defensive decision, that almost led to a clear chance. Black looked OK, made one good pass which led to Gilbert hitting the bar. Looks composed, and a very good signing as cover for Gower and JCR. Gower looked very sharp when he came on and was involced in some very nice passing moves.
Paynter / MacDonald / Hooper / Bradbury - I am sorry, but how Billy Paynter ever got to be a professional footballer I will never know. No attacking threat in the first half, and only found a blue shirt on a handful of occasions with his passing. If we start with him on this form I am going to be very worried. MacDonald reminded me of Michael Owen, willing runner, a few half chances. Maybe needs to be a bit stronger, will score goals given the chances, maybe not 20, but should end up with 15ish in a season. Hooper looked excellent, nice flicks, great play for our 3rd goal, looked to have bulked up a bit since last year. On this form he will have a great season. Bradbury showed Paynter how is should be done. Was strong, held the ball up well, chased, and put himself about. We showed more attacking threat in the first 5 minutes of the second half than the previous 45 mins.
Overall a good performance showing guts to come abck twice. Still a little bit worried about the defending, and also the options up front. However I think our midfield will overun most teams and create a lot of chances for the forwards.
My team for Orient, based on what I saw last night.
Flahaven
Gilbert Clarke Barrett Hammell
JCR Macca Maher Gower
Macdonald Bradbury
Subs
Collis
Hunt
Black
Bailey
Hooper
Next in line
Harrold
Wilson
Moussa
Liptak
