Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:10 pm
Just got back. That was as enjoyable as it was unexpected. Not many of us would have predicted a 2-0 win at 3:10.
Manny Smith's recall at the expense of Lancashire was the biggest surprise in the line-up, especially considering the other enforced changes. Playing a rookie goalkeeper and then changing your centre half for the same game IMO is a bit of a gamble. Added to Mackens injury and the recall for Chambers, we'd effectively changed the whole spine of the team. Jarvis and Grigg didn't strike me as a front pairing that would have the Bournemouth defenders quaking in their boots and, to be honest, I thought we'd be in for a long afternoon.
And we started very slowly, we could have been 2-0 down inside the first three minutes. Westlake showing once again the value of defenders on the post at corners by clearing off the line and then a shot across goal which their striker tried to slide on to and just couldn't reach. Think Paul Gascoigne's extra time miss against Germany in Euro 96 and you get the idea of just how close we were to going behind.
Gradually we started to find our feet but the penalty was still against the run of play, a Sadler cross smacking the full back on the arm. Our second penalty of the season and Jarvis's second in four days. Tucked away as if it were an action replay of the reserve one, low to the keepers right sending him the wrong way.
After that we grew in confidence, we got progressively better and they got progressively worse. They had a couple of snap shots that Grof dealt with adequately and he also seemed to grow in confidence as the game wore on. The second goal was nice as we don't utilise set pieces well enough usually, but the reserves winner on Wednesday and Jarvis second goal today have both been headers from corners. If we can get in the habit of scoring from set pieces then it will go some way to taking the pressure off getting the creative midfielder to open teams up in open play (although it is clearly still required).
Grof - His Walsall record in competitive games now stands at one game, one clean sheet. I've said before though he'll be fun and games and I've seen nothing so far to make me change that opinion. His shot stopping is adequate enough, his distribution is very good. You can't knock his confidence but he does need to learn how to catch as he flaps at balls in the air far too often. Also needs to know when to time waste by following the ball to the byline before picking it up (0-0 in the 4th minute is not that time). Areas for improvement but will be happy with his debut.
Westlake - Gets better and better. Lost the ball needlessly a couple of times in the first half when he dribbled it out for a throw, but made a vital goal line clearance in the first 90 seconds and was solid throughout. Progressing well and would like to see us tie him to a longer contract.
Sadler - Crossed for the penalty to add to the one he won against Hartlepool. Wasn't really troubled all day and is a very solid left back. Provides width by getting forward well.
Butler - To me, Butler opitimises how much better we are as a team compared to last season. He performs to the same standard, with the same effort and commitment as he did last season. But for some reason, he doesn't seem to stand out as much this season. To me, that's because we're a lot better as a team now. He's not the only one doing it anymore. Solid as ever, although personally I think he looks more comfortable alongside Lancashire.
Smith - Was surprised by his recall but justified it with a 'Manny of old' performance. Had a lot of aerial work to do and won everything. Ironically this is Lancashire's weakness, so if the change was tactical to cope with Bournemouths aerial threat then it was a masterstroke on Deano's part.
Chambers - My favourite stat of the day: We are yet to conceed a goal this season while Chambers has been on the pitch. Looked a lot more solid with him in the middle although Peterlin can consider himself unlucky to be dropped. Their number 2 did his best to get him into trouble by making out he'd made a late tackle on his ankle, but he was having a giraffe and soon sprinted back on when he realised he'd rolled off the pitch and play wasn't gonna stop.
Taundry - A now customary Taundry performance. Strong in the tackle, reliable with his passing, getting around the pitch well. Seems to have a bigger engine than last year and is growing in to his role. Complimented Chambers well.
Gnakpa - Another who is getting better the more games he plays. Supported Westlake really well today, made a few tackles. But at the other end was winning headers and linking up the play with the strikers really well. He does seem to be suffering from Hector Sam syndrome though whereby no matter what he does he keeps being replaced after an hour.
Hurst - I like him. Has a lot of the ball and usually does something with it. Cracking corner for the second goal. Really involved in the game and also has a really good engine. Solid.
Jarvis - Singlehandedly justified our entry into the reserve league. Prior to that game he'd looked lethargic, unfit, lazy and disinterested. However, looked full of confidence today after his MOTM performance on Wednesday and would probably win the honour again today, purely by virtue of his two goals. Having seen the reserve game I never doubted he'd score the penalty and, thankfully, neither did he. Getting your first league start and bagging a brace, can't ask for more than that.
Grigg - Could be the fall guy of Jarvis's performance, as Jarvis certainly doesn't deserve to be left out of the next game. Macken's place is a given so Grigg could find himself left out. Didn't do a lot wrong today but didn't really stand out.
Subs
Nicholls - Wasn't as bad as Wednesday, partly because it was humanly impossible. Was left isolated up front in the closing stages, chasing hard but accomplishing very little. Did manage one good cross.
Beevers - Late replacement for Jarvis, very little time to make an impact.
One final point. In the first half, every corner they had they put a man on Grof, and we had no defender marking him. Grof's job is not to mark at corners, and if they were any better than they were it could have cost us a goal. Thankfully, they were rubbish. We got away with it but wouldn't like it to find ourselves in that position regularly as it will cost us.
But all in all, cracking result. Away win, clean sheet and no bookings. Happy days!
Last edited by
priestley_saddler on Sat Aug 27, 2011 9:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.