I think that basically sums this match up for me. Before the game, I'd probably have taken a 1-1 but the nature of the game and their equaliser left me fuming. Overall, I'd say we were the better side. Created more chances (I cannot recall one real opportunity for Tranmere before the goal) and Tranmere didn't look particularly threatening. The referee was, once again, completely awful. Some ridiculous inconsistencies and persecution of Morgan whenever he got the better of their centre back, and a complete refusal to give any vaguely contentious decisions to Morgan. Also missed a blatant penalty when Grandison was dragged down by their striker from a corner in the first half. Anyway, I'll try to keep it shorter this week, so I'll just go with player ratings. Weale: 7 - had little to do, but did it well. Commanding and vocal, very impressed. Nowt he could have done about the goals. Purdie: 7.5 - again was very impressive. He did very little wrong, controlled their tricky winger pretty well and won a huge amount in the air for such a little fella. Jones: 7.5 - I was again impressed with him. A lot quicker than I thought, very good organiser of the two younger players either side of him, and was often seemingly left on his own. Hector: 7 - dominant in the air and brilliant in the first half, he was fairly poor in the second. Frequently slipped over and gave the ball away, but overall was still good. I think he won 100% of his headers. Grandison: 6.5 - not hugely impressed by the tank. Several sloppy mistakes, as per, but had some very impressive attacking runs. Personally, I thought their tubby little number ten (hattrick hero Andy Robinson) was beating him too easily on the ground, and his positioning was wayward. Arguably his fault for the goal, as it came from him being out of position. Wright: 7 - Solid. Made a lot of attacking runs and Richards was always looking for him. Worked hard and tracked back - good to see. One real opportunity when he was clean through thanks to a delicious ball from that man Richards, but it wouldn't quite settle for him despite a super first touch and the defender all over his shirt meant he had to try and dink it over the keeper, unsuccessfully. Sensational ball in for the goal. Richards: 8 - Really impressed. Some sublime skill under a lot of pressure and he was always looking for the killer pass, as well as the usual defensive duties. Summerfield: [/B]6.5 - fairly subdued and he gave the ball away a couple of times, but covered ground well and was tidy. I thought he looked better on Tuesday. Parry: 6.5 - again, struggled to really get into the game. There were a couple of superb deliveries but his corners were poor and he didn't track back as much as against Preston, meaning Grandison's lollops forward were more critical. We have to remember that he's 32 - I personally would have brought on Taylor for him in the last ten to add more pace, energy and effectively another RB on. Morgan: 9 - brilliant. Caused their defenders all kinds of problems, won plenty in the air and scored an outstanding header. Was unlucky not to get a hattrick - the first came when he skilled two defenders and had his effort saved at the near post (with some help from the woodwork) early in the second half and the second immediately after their goal, a bullet header from a corner which was somehow kept out by their keeper and the woodwork. Gornell: 6.5 - held the ball up well and played some good passes. One amazing strike early in the second half which drew an incredible save from the Tranmere keeper, but he gave the ball away a fair bit and didn't look on the same wavelength as Morgan. No idea why he was taken off after 87 minutes - he was visibly tired twenty minutes beforehand and Bradshaw had no time to make any sort of impact. Hall (sub): 7 - his fresh legs in the middle were needed as we were being overrun. Two good tackles, and he looked tidy in possession. Overall, I think their keeper was the hero. We were unlucky, twice hitting the woodwork, and they are a decent side. Overall, four points from three games against side who will all harbour hopes of promotion (Tranmere will be lucky though, they looked poor) is a very good start, and 34 games unbeaten at home is outstanding. The fact we failed to win means Turner could theoretically make some changes before the next game, but nobody was poor enough to be dropped. I still don't think Gornell and Morgan will work together, but I'm prepared to give the partnership time to gel - both are superb players in their own right.
I agree with many of your points, Lenny -before the game I would have taken a draw (and I predicted a 1-1 ) but we were the better team overall and came up against an inspired goalkeeper today. I think Tranmere were more of a threat than you thought - they had a couple of clear chances apart from their well taken goal - but my main disagreement would be about Purdie. He was really floundering when they brought on a fresh winger and all their chances (including the goal) came from crosses from that side where the sub winger was going past him very easily. I think Jacobsen is a better natural left back than Purdie. Funnily enough, I am happier after this game than the Preston game because we were much more of an attacking threat and played some lovely passing football (with Richards mostly pulling the strings). I agree that three games in a week seemed to be a bit much for Parry and would have liked Taylor to be given half an hour at least. I do not think that Tranmere will be a top team in this league despite their good start but the important thing is we have played three games and not been outplayed once and it looks like we could be competitive in this higher division - especially if GT brings in a striker by Friday.
Agree - Bradshaw should have come on 20 minutes earlier and had no time to make an impact. We do need another option though - please GT work your magic. I like Morgan and Gornell but they just do not fit together well - we should have one on Saturday given the play and the chances we had; that's the difference between struggling mid table and being in the play-offs.
our midfield worked well together and at last Morgan looked a threat, Tranmere arnt good enough to go up this season with performances like that , but i was bitterly disappointed by the result, we should have won that game, we had a fair few chances to put to bed. but at least signs are good
look where tranmere are tonight, this may prove to have been one of towns better performances. how much better it would have been with 2 keen young strikers up front.
