WFC_Rob wrote:Dobson had a shocker tonight - he was worse than usual by a great deal. I would like to take this opportunity however to point out something worth considering before he gets battered from pillar to post:
What reasons are there behind players giving the ball away? If Dobson had an easy ball to play every time he receives it, he wouldn't give it away would he? Mr. Wright, Mr. Fox and Mr. Keates are nowhere to be seen when Dobson has the ball. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not so sure I can defend players who shirk away from responsibility and hide from the ball.
Spot on WFC_Rob. I've been a big supporter of Dobson's role in the team...but even I can't deny the fact that he had an absolute mare last night. BUT.......every time he got the ball, there were no simple options for him. Need to see the first goal again...but who passed it to him when he'd got an opposition player bearing down on him. Several of the other wayward passes he made....where were the simple 10 yard passes he needs to make to the more creative players?
I'll say this to all you Dobson/Wright/Taylor haters....WATCH the next time they play. These three, whether they're playing well or playing badly, always, ALWAYS offer themselves for the pass. They see more of the ball than anyone else so they make more mistakes. Simple equation really. Then, having noticed this, take a look at the likes of Fox, Pead, Keates, Wrack etc - do they make themselves available for the pass? No, they go hiding behind the opposition.
Fox in particular is the poorest excuse for a player I've seen in years...and yet he appears to be a manager's favourite with Taylor being the fall-guy. Butler was absolutely livid with him on one occasion in the 1st half. As Butler battled with 2 Lincoln men on him, all Fox needed to do was move a few yards and ask for the pass. Instead, he hid behind his marker, moved away from the action and we lost the ball.
Overall assessments;
Ince - this used to happen with Walker from time to time...whereas earlier in the season he was making a "wonder save" in most games, without doing too much wrong, when was the last time he actually made one of those saves? Seen the first goal again, may have done better with it.
Pead - I thought poor at full-back, occasionally effective in midfield
Taylor - thought he had a reasonable game. Yes, some wayard passing but see comments above re lack of options, particularly up the left wing, whenever he got the ball.
Westwood - ok at centre-half, quite simply outstanding at fullback
Roper - at fault for the 2nd goal, wholehearted as always.
Wright - our attacking outlet. Did some good work. A reasonable game I thought
Dobson - a mare! Although, doing the job he's good at, tracked a midfielder back and made one superb headed interception to stop a certain goal. Did you notice that Dobson haters?
Keates - considering his limited talents, I thought he had a decent game (take note MMF!). He is what he is, but he battled and showed a little bit of quality at times.
Fox - waste of space.
Sam - very effective 1st half. Have to say, by the time he was subbed, felt he had really gone out the game. Forget who the sub is for a moment, I think it was time for him to go off.
Butler - worked hard in all the "wrong" areas. Difference in the end between the two teams was Weir-Daley scored with two terrific shots, Butler had similar opportunities and hit weak shots.
Dann - thought he showed why he'd been dropped. Some wayward passing. Would love to see him get a game in midfield alongside Dobson though. Make Dobson the anchor and allow Dann to get into the box.
Wrack - see Fox!
Cederquist - jsut doesn't look like he's in the game at all. 3rd Division football is just passing him by.
One other point to note.....2nd half,we pinned Lincoln back in their own half. Thta's because we really attacked them (we had NO other option with a midfield like that). Yes, they had the odd break but we generally had incessant pressure without really being troubled at the back. Sort of makes me wonder whether, if we'd adopted this attacking approach all season, it would have been like this in most matches? I understand the "grind out 1-0 results" approach....but I actually think we're good enough to have not given quite so much respect to the opposition this season.