Even though we lost, the team played reasonably well. Lost Marsden early on with a broken foot and Taylor got a knock later on. Striking crisis---alert!!!. Defence was OK against a decent outfit. Tavernier had his weakest game so far. Wildig (outstanding) and Summerfield are making a good partnership in the middle of midfield. We seem incapable of shooting on target from the edge of the area which was shown up by their first and third goals. Bradshaw was poor and it is no excuse to say he lacked support. When Marsden came off, he was replaced by McQuaide (Why?). He misplaced a pass in an attacking postion on the edge of the Bolton area directly leading to their third goal. Unfair on him because he is a defender. GT had the 16 year old striker on the bench, so why not give him a chance-nothing to loose.
looks like we need to get a ...may I dare say it ...'some loanees in', bloody nightmare Marsden breaking his foot, sounds like he will be out for a while. nice to see Wildig having a good game but he blows hot and cold, now needs to keep that form up!!
I went as well. Knocked the ball around nicely but none of the forward players looked like scoring, the only way we were going to hit the back of the net was through Wildig (superb performance) or Summerfield. I suspect the BBC's stats are wrong as I find it very difficult to believe that we had less possession. I thought the defence didn't look great; Tavernier was pulled to pieces by Hall (never heard of him before but he looks a cracking player) and David N'Gog caused Jones (less hoofing this time, though) and Mkandawire all kinds of problems. The three defenders standing in a vertical line for their third goal was comical. However, the real issue is out wide and up top. I thought Parry had another decent game, put a shift in, passed the ball well and delivered a sumptuous cross for the goal (taken nicely with a great deal of composure by Wildig, I've seen too many of those spooned over the bar or sliced wide), but Taylor clearly wasn't fit (although his technique has improved) and McQuade looked like a centre back out on the wing. I wonder why that was? What was wrong with bringing on Ryan Woods? Again when D. Mac came on, we were crying out for an injection of pace and directness in the side, and Woods would have been a better change for my money. Goldson coming on was bizarre - how was that going to change the game? Woods on and McQuade back to CB would have made more sense to me. I think you're being a little harsh on Bradshaw KDS. He never looked remotely like scoring, which is a great concern, but the lack of support clearly hindered him as he was being asked to win headers and hold the ball up against Zat Knight (i.e. Grandison on steroids) and I actually thought he did that quite well in the second half. There was one moment where he beat about three players, held it up and laid it off for Parry on the wing (who then lost it) and another one where he turned three defenders but was too hesitant to shoot and the opportunity passed him by. If he gets a goal soon, I think it could be a real boost to his confidence, but I'm not sure he will. Bare minimum of two strikers (or one and extending Asante's loan, assuming he is fit for Orient) and a winger needed, and competition at RB with a player who will be with us all season is also sorely needed.
Try reading the marks given to each player by the Sloppy Star-incredibly harsh-mostly 5 and 6 out of 10. Parry MOM-I don't think so!!!!
