Just back (Swindon)

And it's finally time to exhale...

Went to the game with the mind-set "this will be a waste of a tenner", was proved wrong, great value for money.

Fantastic to come home from a match and not have a voice, the 2600 or so tonight made more noise than the other home games combined, and yes, the drum certainly helped the atmosphere.

We played well, the 352 gave us width & while we were flowing, we were organised at the same time. I'll give Sheridan credit, he set up superbly.

Thoroughly deserved our HT 3 goal lead, we tore them apart first half, Lewi & Smalley looked a superb pairing. In the second, we lost guts upfront when Smalley came off, Reid looked lethargic, greedy and lazy. They came at us last 20 minutes, I was terrified, silly penalty to give away, then their 2nd came from us losing focus and not closing down. Luke made a truly incredible stop which was celebrated like a goal.

Bring on the 3rd round, I didn't expect to be saying that after tonight.

Sheridan - 8 - Set up very well tonight.

McCormick - 10 - Well, what did he do wrong? Nothing. What did he do right? Everything. 1 superb first half flying save, the save at the death was possibly the best save I've ever seen live.

Mellor - 4 - He started well, but didn't make a great LB when moved, understandably so.

Nelson - 7 - A good solid display.

McHugh - 7 - Now Obvious to me he's a CB and a good one.

Hartley - 9 - Absolutely excellent especially late on.

Thomas - 6 - Looked good in the time he was on at LWB, can only award 6 though as he didn't play for long.

Cox - 5 - I thought he had a good first half but a really shaky second. Guy needs to work on his shooting.

Norburn - 7 - Had a good game and proved me wrong about him being "just ok"

Harvey - 5 - Didn't do a lot wrong but I fail to see what he offered.

Alessandra - 8 - Up until Reid came on he was very good, formed a fine partnership with Smalley. Two great finishes.

Smalley - 8 - Good on him! Has taken a lot of flack but worked hard, was strong, and scored a great goal.

Subs:

O'Connor - 6 - Not great going forward but did what he had to do at the back.

Bentley - N/A - Not on for long enough but made his pro debut so full credit.

Reid - 4 - Hmm. Quite slow, quite greedy, quite lazy in general, lost our threat when he was on.

Cheers Cobi.

seadog wrote:

Cheers Cobi.

At least you could see the floodlights, Mike (unless youm home, of course)

Charlie Wood wrote:

seadog wrote:

Cheers Cobi.

At least you could see the floodlights, Mike  (unless youm home, of course)

I hope he is, I was a bit worried when I heard a boat sinking off Portland yesterday, good to hear from him.

It was Seadog that dismasted the scurvy dog.

Smalley moved like he was carrying two bags of cement on Saturday, three days later he's a world beater.

Nuts innit.

Sounds a pretty good example of how useless it is to put too much emphasis on stats

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I saw that Charlie, they had twenty odd shots on target, Luke is good innum?

Here are the goals from last night in case anyone hasnt seen them yet! Pity they didnt put McCormicks world class save on this as i want to see it

Pitbull wrote:

And it's finally time to exhale...

Went to the game with the mind-set "this will be a waste of a tenner", was proved wrong, great value for money.

Fantastic to come home from a match and not have a voice, the 2600 or so tonight made more noise than the other home games combined, and yes, the drum certainly helped the atmosphere.

We played well, the 352 gave us width & while we were flowing, we were organised at the same time. I'll give Sheridan credit, he set up superbly.

Thoroughly deserved our HT 3 goal lead, we tore them apart first half, Lewi & Smalley looked a superb pairing. In the second, we lost guts upfront when Smalley came off, Reid looked lethargic, greedy and lazy. They came at us last 20 minutes, I was terrified, silly penalty to give away, then their 2nd came from us losing focus and not closing down. Luke made a truly incredible stop which was celebrated like a goal.

Bring on the 3rd round, I didn't expect to be saying that after tonight.

Sheridan - 8 - Set up very well tonight.

McCormick - 10 - Well, what did he do wrong? Nothing. What did he do right? Everything. 1 superb first half flying save, the save at the death was possibly the best save I've ever seen live.

Mellor - 4 - He started well, but didn't make a great LB when moved, understandably so.

Nelson - 7 - A good solid display.

McHugh - 7 - Now Obvious to me he's a CB and a good one.

Hartley - 9 - Absolutely excellent especially late on.

Thomas - 6 - Looked good in the time he was on at LWB, can only award 6 though as he didn't play for long.

Cox - 5 - I thought he had a good first half but a really shaky second. Guy needs to work on his shooting.

Norburn - 7 - Had a good game and proved me wrong about him being "just ok"

Harvey - 5 - Didn't do a lot wrong but I fail to see what he offered.

Alessandra - 8 - Up until Reid came on he was very good, formed a fine partnership with Smalley. Two great finishes.

Smalley - 8 - Good on him! Has taken a lot of flack but worked hard, was strong, and scored a great goal.

Subs:

O'Connor - 6 - Not great going forward but did what he had to do at the back.

Bentley - N/A - Not on for long enough but made his pro debut so full credit.

Reid - 4 - Hmm. Quite slow, quite greedy, quite lazy in general, lost our threat when he was on.

Cheers..

This result will boost the confidence for Saturday.

A view from the away end.

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