Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:45 pm
Thought it was an ok performance today, nothing better. We at least showed some passion. The BIG BIG difference was the midfield. Two players in N'Dour and Dobson who were prepared to make themselves available for the ball, then pass, move and ask for it back.
Betsy had a superb game up front, really worked the channels. I thought it was a major mistake putting him onto the right wing when Deeney came on, It invited pressure onto us and didn't give us the outlet of his pace. Deeney, with his workrate, would have been far better employed on that right side.
Ince - a bit slow for the goal? It seemed to at the time to me, and I'm not one to usually criticise him
Weston - one of his poorer games I thought, in an otherwise excellent season
Taundry - yes, at fault for the goal but why did we leave him, a shortish player, against their tall player at the far post? After that, I thought he had a good game and it's incredible to see a player who has only just come into the team asking for the ball and being comfortable in possession of it. Needs to learn that sometimes you DO hoof it rather than playing football!
Gerrard - excellent game as usual
Roper - solid enough
Sonko - in and out of the game. Victim of a reckless challenge which the bizarre ref didn't even give a foul for
Holmes - very poor game I thought and, most worringly, didn't look interested at times
Dobson - superb. Does all the "dirty work" for which some fans never give him the praise but also plays some really good passes at times. It's a myth that he can't pass. He has the ability to play a superb 30 yard ball whilst at the same time having the ability to misplace a 5 yard pass! Yes, he's a donkey and too slow to turn....but he gives 100% and is a darn sight better than Wrack has been for most of the season
N'Dour - I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he had an excellent game and showed some real class at times
Mooney - woeful for a fair part of the match. Pretty awful penalty. And then he came alive late on. Great header for the 2nd goal. I think most of the crowd groaned when the cross went in, Mooney made it into something. Still looking like a player who's had it now.
Betsy - as noted above, superb, Caused all sorts of bother for the Tranmere defence, got both crowds going, won the penalty and the sending off and generally worked the channels brilliantly.
Deeney - worked hard as usual, about as effective as a chocolate teapot as usual
Bradely - certainly contributed when he came on
Demontagnac - brought some pace to the game and certainly worried the Tranmere defence. Great shot for the goal. But, as usual, threatened to ruin it with his petulance including swearing at the linesman from less than a yard away, could easily have been another sending off.
Mr Money - plenty of waves at the fans to keep the mob happy. Wrong tactics to switch Betsy to the wing and I was really surprised that he couldn't see that. We also sat too deep considering we were playing 10 men but I don't know whether that was orders or not
Referee - bizarre!! Truly bizarre. Penalty? Probably. Sending off? I guess so if it was a penalty. But then proceeded to have a 'mare. Definite pen for them 2nd half when their centre half was caught late. Not a single yellow card shown despite clattering challenges on Mooney, Ishmel and, worst of all, Taundry. No card for a challenge on Ishmel when the ball was 10 yards away. No yellow card or even a foul for a reckless kick at Sonko. By the same token, no yellow for Taundry 1st half for a nasty kick at their player. And then the "stamping" incident by their player, for which he awarded Tranmere a free kick!!! Bizarre!!