All in all, a solid and efficient performance. Numerous factors meant we weren't at our free-flowing best, however I came away happy for various reasons. The first half we were slow to come out of the blocks, but once we had woken up I felt that we were very comfortable Ratings: Super Kelv: 7.5 - Made an absolutely blinding save in the second half, and was solid for the whole game. Luke Shaw: 7 - Thought he was really good today. Defensively completely solid, and looked to get forward often. Didn't manage to produce too many crosses though, so he get's a strong 7. Hooiveld: 8 - His best performance for us for a while. Won a load of headers against a direct Yeovil side. His passing was better again today as well. Yoshida: 6.5 - Personally I have never been his biggest fan, purely for his lack of composure on the ball. But he did defend very well today again, it was his distribution and passing choices that lowered his mark. Clyne: 7.5 - Had a really good game again today, helped out by a very willing JWP. This meant he could bomb forward a lot as the Yeovil boys tired. He was a real handful. JWP: 7 - A mature performance yet again from a young lad who has a really great understanding of the game. Covered for Clyne, Morgan and Cork all game if ever they ventured forwards. Does all the right things quietly. Cork: 8.5 MOTM - I thought he was brilliant again today. He wins the midfield battle by being so quick to react to knockdowns. If only he could shoot! Morgan: 8 - Morgan was Morgan, reads the game, tackles well, passes well. Guly: 11 - Im 99% sure the reason he got the penalty was because of the Northam singing for it, which made for a great story. I thought he did really well after his goal, you could visibly see his confidence go up. J-Rod: 7 - First half, up front on his own, I thought that he struggled to be honest. He kept making runs, but no-one was finding him. In the second half when he moved out wide and ran at people he looked much more comfortable. Adam: 7 - Again, Adam was Adam. Kept things ticking over, a joy to watch, such a great player. Subs; Gallagher: 8 - I really liked what I saw, his movement was really good and he kept finding pockets of space. Glad I wasn't a CB playing against him. Good feet and cross on him as well. Reed: Wasn't really on for long enough to affect the game, but did well in the little time he had. Davis: Again, not really much point in grading him, but he did well as well.
Skd 8 Clyne 7.5 Maya 6.5 Hovel 7.5 Shaw 7.5 Cork 8.5 Schneiderlin 7.5 Lallana 7.5 J-rod 7 Guly 7.5 Gallagher 8.5 Davis 7.5 Reed 7.5 Every player put in a shift. Exciting times ahead with reed and gallagher coming through.
Hard to disagree with the ratings. No one had a bad game. Cork 8. JWP 8. Shaw 8. The rest 7. Centre backs looked very good against lower championship level side but for me Yoshida edged Jos performance wise. What ever you think of Guly that was special today. It showed how much respect he has amongst the fans and players and I was chuffed to bits for him.
I also had money on Guly for last goal scorer so not happy with Gallagher!! The youngster looks good though doesn't he.
Guly has a great chance to get a consistent run in team now, if he doesn't take it, I can't see him getting a better opportunity here. I really hope he steps up.
Lallana threw the ball to J Rod to take the penalty. I think J Rod bottled it and gave it to Guly. I'm really pleased for Guly, but it does raise a question about Rodriguez' confidence. Glad Gallagher got a decent run as well, he looks really handy with good feet. Took his goal really well.
Guly said he asked Jay if he could take it and Jay said no. Morgan had a word with Jay and then Jay went to Guly and handed him the ball.
Perhaps that Guly had worked hard to come back from injury, most likely won't be here after the summer, has given a lot to the club, and doesn't get to score often so the PK meant a lot to him, and that Guly wouldn't have any trouble converting.
I Guly. Took a lot of courage to request the ball and slot the penalty away knowing that a noisy minority were ready to jump on him if he failed.
It says a lot for the stick he's taken that when he was lining up to take it, my fear that he might miss it was not based upon the fact that we'd have missed a goal but that he would get it in the neck from the numbskull contingent. He deserved it and it's a reward for keeping plugging on in the face of mindless hatred from some "fans". Vin
Guly was superb yesterday but I am now waiting for the morons to say "Yes of course but he was playing against a very poor Championship side".
