Just proves you can't switch off because we did soon as they scored it was all us again. luckily that was the FA Cup and not the league to learn lessons.
Meslier - 5. Only two Plymouth shots on target. Both beat him, only Byram clearing off the line spared him a 2nd goal concession. Shackleton - 5. Offered nuisance value in defence. Nothing in attack and was beat too often in the challenge. Window is still open. Rodon - 8. Another dominant display at centre half. Sign him up. Cooper - 7. Steady away. Decent. Byram - 7. Very reliable defensively and came away with an assist. Window is still open. Ampadu - 8. Back in midfield and ran the show for the most part. Gruev - 7. Asked to play further forward and did OK. Has to be said that his impact on the game was less than when he plays the pivot. Decent enough though. Gnonto - 4. Decent first twenty minutes then may as well have gone home. Window is still open. Anthony - 7. Great goal. Loads of effort and good skill. Impact on the game waned 2nd half. Rutter - 8. Really took the game by the scruff of the neck and always looked a threat. Man of the match. Piroe - 6. Nice to see him at 9. Good movement, the odd nice bit of hold up play but didn't quite get the service and never made the most of the odd half chance that came his way. Subs. Poveda - 6. Didn't really improve on Gnonto. Firpo - 6. Tried to get us up the field. Bamford - 6. Couple of solid chances came his way. Neither found the net. Got to be there to miss them I suppose which was more than Piroe managed. Joseph - n/a. Needs to settle down in these little cameos. He tries too hard and looks panic stricken. Send him out on loan to get some game time to calm him.
I didn't think much of Byram apart from his assist. He also gave away a lot of silly free kicks. If I'm honest after seeing some of our squad players, we're bang in trouble if we have to rely on them.
I only saw the last few minutes but it seemed that Plymouth were happy with the draw. From what I've read we should have been out of sight even with a reserve team so it's OK. We gave some fringe players a game and found out whether they're up to it. The replay replay will be the same. At least Plymouth are an in form Championship team and we're still in the draw, unlike Ipswich. I don't ever like losing "to concentrate on the league" because winning is a habit.
The absolute worst result today was a draw. Now we have to travel all the way down to Plymouth for a midweek game and then all the way back. It impacts preparation for the replay but also the league game the following weekend. It also impacts recovery between games. A replay really is not what we wanted from today.
I know. It still takes time away from recovery and preparation. Much more than not having to do it or even having to travel less distance.
Couldn't even fill top tier of West Stand. Keeper timewasting for a replay, I hope they get relegated!
