Tue Oct 04, 2011 11:16 pm
Started of rather dreary, both sides lumping it up and down the field, Rochdale had greater possession, but weren't a threat. Walsall started to pick their game up in the last 5-10 minutes of the first half, with a couple of close (ish) chances. Second half started pretty poor and lead to Rochdale scoring, missed the goal due, after watching the chants between the Walsall lot and the Rochdale nursery in the stand closest to us. Gnakpa and Grigg came off for Jarvis and Hurst to try and liven things up, and after a few minutes, Hurst slotted home after some good build up play. Walsall started challenging a lot more, creating chances, and played a more passing game at quicker tempo. Nicholls squandered 3 good opportunities, Taundry came on with two minutes to go when it was evident penalties were taking place. Walsall took the first penalty with their keeper making a fine save. Rochdale scored, Hurst then had his shot saved as well, before Rochdale scored yet again. Nicholls stepped up and slotted home, Rochdale scored (Again ) before Jarvis sky'd high... :roll:
Walker: Made some good saves one on one, and met all of Rochdale's crosses. Good game, standard Jimmy. 8
Sadler: Solid at the back, good link up play with Martin, used the flanks well. League 1's answer to Ashley Cole (Minus the off field problems) 8
Smith: Couple of good headed clearances, but tended to hoof when in doubt, mainly in the first half though. 6
Butler: Couple of mistakes which almost lead to Rochdale scoring, apart from that had a fair game, but no where near the Butler we all know and love from last season. 7
Westlake: Couple of slips, but over all had a good game, look fairly comfortable, and progressing well from last year, linked up well when Hurst came on. 7
Gnakpa: All mouth and no action, all that nonsense in the express and star earlier about wanting to progress in the JPT, yet looked un-interested, even when the opposition had the ball around 5 yards away, he left it for someone else to deal with. When he did get the ball, he'd concede possession due to his non existent stability. About as useful as a dandelion. 4
Peiterlin: Wasn't awful, wasn't amazing, caught out a few times, and absent in other spells, some good passing at times, but not much else from today. 6
Chambers: Lost possession on numerous occasions, broke down our attack on more than one occasion, and had a couple of trips which lead to Rochdale attacks, rather sloppy today, couple of good spells, but a poor game in general from him. 5
Martin: Groaned a bit when I saw his name instead of Paterson's in the starting line up, but really impressed at times, his link up play with Sadler was probably some of the best I've seen so far this season. Beat his man on several occasions, and knew when to release the ball, probably my joint MOM with Sadler. 8
Grigg: Had one chance late in the first half, didn't do much, and was often out of place on the rare occasion that we crossed into the box in the first half. Didn't contribute much, but had little service. 6
Nicholls: Played in a strikers role today. Didn't do much in the first half, but tracked to defence on more than one occasion to get the ball, had a few good runs, but with poor end result. Should of scored 3 times in the second half. 6
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Jarvis: Had better service than Grigg, but didn't have any real shots. Some good passing play in the second half, but not much else. Penalty was awful, second time he's missed a penalty this year. 6.5
Hurst: Looked like Messi in comparison to Gnakpa. Linked up well with Westlake, decent all round game, and took his goal well. 7/8
Taundry: Only had 2 Minutes of normal time, in which I don't think he got a touch of the ball, shot his penalty at the keeper. Can't write much else given his lack of action.
Played some good football at times, but should be winning against teams like Rochdale. Can't understand what's happened since the first few games. My Promotion hopes seem tad premature now . As much as I like Smith, I think he's more of a Ginger Moyes than Mouriniho at the moment. (Small budget, etc... )
UTS!