minesahartington

Boring 6-0

Wildsmith 7.5 A busy night; arguably his best performance; had quite a few saves to make but comfortably did so. Blotted his copy book with a poor kicked clearance that travelled 40 yards straight to a WBA midfielder but made amends with a clean, low-left take of a shot at the death.  
Knight 8 The mobile midfield machine ran for miles simply and effectively demonstrating why he just has to start there on Saturday.
Oduroh 7.5 Gone were the nerves. Defended staunchly; headed consistently. On the strength of this performance, I would start him in a League 1 game. Why have him otherwise? Manager talks about players being brave but he must be brave in his selections too.
Forsyth 9 A giant amongst boys tonight. Every minute of his 10 years' experience was packed into the 90 tonight. Cool, intelligent, robust and marshalled the youngsters around him like the consummate professional. My fears pre-match were that this defence would be picked apart by wirey-quick Albion forwards; not a bit of it. Forsyth was the lighthouse who steered any trouble away.
Roberts 7.5 Lovely levels of energy and skill, he clearly enjoyed his game and gave an unblemished showing.
Rooney 7 Really starting to like this chap. No frills, he kept WBA out with authoritative interventions that were crisp, neat, tidy and dispatched and dealt with. 
Korey Smith 7.5 Much improved performance. Was very energetic and wisp-like, tidying up lose ball and giving- and go-ing; he finally looked like he was playing for the shirt with a worker-bee kind of industry. 
Thompson 6.5 Slow out of the blocks but once he settled he gave a tireless, high-revving-engine, neat & tidy, quick-feet and tight-turns consistency.   
Dobbin 7 A real nuisance to WBA from the get-go when he could've scored within 30 seconds. Has a tendency to get clattered because he's too quick and mobile. Pushing for a start but a great gun to bring on with 15 minutes to go.
McGoldrick 7.5 A great foil for Sibley because he occupies defences and creates gaps for others with his tight-turns and quick feet, and dummy-runs. Must start on Saturday.  He will score and assist on a regular basis in League 1. 
Sibley 8.5 Incessant, incisive, aggressive power-running with the ball. Sibley is the wasp in your car on a hot day - you know if you don't deal with him, you will get a nasty sting. Stung WBA on 15 when receiving on the 18 yard edge, he danced into shape and unleashed venom. Did the same mid-2nd-half and but for a fine-fingertips save would have stung again. Simply has to start.  
Subs:
Hourihane 6.5 Came on for Knight on 61 when WBA were gaining a grip with the instruction to slow it down and reduce the heat with intelligent outlet and did precisely that.  
Bird ? 6 Came on to mop up with 10 minutes left and did precisely that.
Collins 6 Fresh legs and manned the barricades with presence and teamwork.
Barkhuizen 7 caused WBA several moments of concern with his power running down the right late on. An intelligent substitute.
I really enjoyed this game. Credit to WBA fans - over 2k of them - made for a cup atmosphere.  This was a very polished performance from a makeshift selection which merely reinforced my conviction that:
1. Knight must start in midfield
2. Sibley must start
3. McGoldrick must start.
4. Oduroh should get the chance to make his League start. He's more than capable and needs to have the faith put in him. 

Wildsmith 7
Knight 6
Oduroh 7
Forsyth 8
Roberts 7
Rooney 7
Smith 6
Thompson 7
Dobbin 8
Mcgoldrick 8
Sibley 8
Subs 
Bird 6
Hourihane 7
Collins 6
Barkhausen 6

Matt Clarke was good at corners. Unfortunately he has a square head and the bounced off anywhere but on target

Matt Clarke was good at corners. Unfortunately he has a square head and the bounced off anywhere but on target

Wildsmith 6
Knight 7
Stearman 7
Cashin 8
Roberts 7
Sibley 6
Bird 7
Hourihane 7
Mendez-Laing 7
Barkheuizen 6
Collins 6
Corey Smith 6
 
Dobbin 6

Well they have to go home after the game don’t they.

Well they have to go home after the game don’t they.

M1 divide

Was away and didn’t see game so not right to contribute this week

No worries @rammieib, I've got this covered. I've got it all set up, including pivots and might even do some SPC charts to show statistically significant deviations/variation. 

Wildsmith   7
Knight  7
Davies   6
Cashin   7
Roberts  7
Smith   6
Bird  6
Hourihane  7
NML   7
Barkheuizen   6
Collins 6
Subs
Sibley  8

You lucky lucky barstard..

You lucky lucky barstard..

Mendez Lang? Overrated!

Of course they are going to take the mick. As would we. Need to get used to it 

Haha I said the same thing earlier

I never knew Robbie Savage was a member here, learn something new every day!

Brilliant. If I could add a few ? ?
Some of our new players “seem to make their own space” We might for the first time in a while “have a fox in the box”
Of course it will be difficult if “they set up with 2 banks of 4” despite have “box to box players” and youngsters who are “Prem quality” and some “who aren’t good enough to play out from the back” 
Cliches  aside with Hourihan I think we do genuinely have “a midfield maestro” 

It’s gonna be a game or season of two halves with a lot of six pointers,  But we need to remember that goals wins games and we need to avoid the “They scored too early” excuse. But we seem to have players who “certainly knows where the goal is” and try to avoid “Schoolboy defending” But we have a “Good squad on paper” and have players with a “Yard of pace.”
So let’s forget the Rooneys/Lampards and enjoy the ride.

It’s gonna be a game or season of two halves with a lot of six pointers,  But we need to remember that goals wins games and we need to avoid the “They scored too early” excuse. But we seem to have players who “certainly knows where the goal is” and try to avoid “Schoolboy defending” But we have a “Good squad on paper” and have players with a “Yard of pace.”
So let’s forget the Rooneys/Lampards and enjoy the ride.

Yes it sure did, Someone should have told the French Police when they were CS gassing Liverpool fans in May, They just can't forget Agincourt ?

Just told the wife the footy is starting again today. 

Never recovered from being clapped for achieving 100 yds in year 6 swimming. Everyone else doing 1 mile,.

Never recovered from being clapped for achieving 100 yds in year 6 swimming. Everyone else doing 1 mile,.