Performances V Coventry

[Thracian]

That was by far de lumps best game for city, but not mom. I would say Macarthy and Johanson. I thought they were solid throughout. Especially Johanson considering he wasnt in his best position.

I thought Hume was a class above what have recently become. Confidence is low, and Humey got the crowd going, which is exactly what a football phsycologist would advise

Douglas -7- controlled and when pressured, produced enough.

Stearman -7.- proved my point that attacking is well within his game, and although had a 1st half stinker (by his standards) he provided proof that maybury wont play soon.

Macarthy -7.5 Solid, like a leader, particuly 2nd half.

Dublin -6.5- first half to forget, but improved alot 2nd.

Johanson -7.5- a solid performance whilst out of position.

Sylla -7- bets game in a city shirt.

Gudjohnson -6.5- as dubs.

Kisnorbo -6.5- as dubs

Hamill -7- must/will start next game, didnt do a thing wrong and attacker at all possible times with his tricky runs.

MDV -7- although he scored 2, he is still a technically a lump. When i see this guy gain some balance skill and speed, will be the day i stope moaning about him.

Hume -7.4- had he finished the game, he`d have no doubt been MOM. His inteligence going forwad is what successfull teams are made of.

Subs:

Tiatto 5

Hammond 4

Its imperative that we apply an attacking policy V preston. The cardiff game is near meaningless, promotion, yes promotion is THE aim.

Can't agree the Cardiff game is meaningless at all.

a) No game is meaningless for a team at our stage of rebuilding. The side needs to keep building confidence and that means keeping a decent run of results going.

b) Players like Maybury, Sheehan, Tiatto etc need to keep match sharp if they are to remain useful players/substitutes within an increasingly big first team squad.

c) There is the opportunity to see how Gerrbrand/McCarthy function as a centre-back pairing - probably the most realistic chance they are likely to get.

d) There is the opportunity to play Chambers for a significant chunk of the match and see how much threat he poses and how he copes generally.

e) There is the chance to use Sheehan as a free-kick specialist and creative full-back. I note your rating of Nils but he really isn't a left back and it's no use any of us pretending he is.

f) Hammond will get a further chance to score. He, more than anyone, needs a confidence boost. It should have come at Derby but for the incompetence of a linesman. People seem to be writinghim off but he HAS got ability. And, like all strikers, his luck will change if he keeps persevering and keeps shooting.

I really could continue giving reasons why this game is important and does require the right attitude from everyone concerned. But that is enough to make my point.

[lush]

How could you see Thrach from the west stand?

[Louise]

Douglas - 7 - Made a good save in the second half to keep it at 2-1, seemed willing to pass out to feet and was quick to claim things in the air (something he's usually a bit weak on). Nice of him to give his shirt away at the end again...

Stearman - 7 - Generally poor first half although whenever he did make a mistake he always tried to clear it up rather than just standing around looking embarrassed like some players do (naming no names). Provided the cross for de Vries's first goal though and had a solid second half. Is a good attacking option on the right and linked up well with whoever played in front of him.

McCarthy - 8.5 - MOTM - He will be our next club captain. Passion, commitment and a desire to win. Still raw in places but has stopped picking up bookings every game now, touch wood. The thing I liked most was the way he played it out of defence, made a big contrast in this game especially because you had the reminder of what our defence used to be like (hooooof) and then Paddy at the back of our defence passing it to the midfielders and the fullbacks.

Dublin - 8 - As much as it guiles me to say it, another good game at the back for Dion. Won almost everything in the air and kept people calm and organised.

Johansson - 5 - Still not a left-back I'm afraid. Mildly better than he was on Tuesday, had obviously been told to help support the attack a bit more and so did get into a few good positions. Was at fault for their goal though I think, again, and although I think he's a good player I hope we play with a proper left-back in future games.

Sylla - 6 - Quiet game from Momo I thought, put in some good corners (especially the one for the second goal) but didn't do much else. Can't remember him ever getting to the byline and putting a cross in in the first half, pressed a little more in the second when we were playing well.

Gudjonsson - 7 - Had a few good shots on target in the first half, never stopped running from one end of the pitch to the other and was good when passing the ball about and switching the play. Got another booking though so he'll have to miss a game somewhere along the line... not that he'll get in with Hughes fit as Kisnorbo seems to be first choice in the centre...

Kisnorbo - 6 - Bit of an anonymous performance really, he did manage to pass to our players this time which I suppose is a start.

Hamill - 7 - Much more impressed with him than I was on Tuesday. On this showing I'd drop Sylla for Smith rather than Hamill. Looked a bit better when on the right though and had the protection of Stearman than when he was on the left with Johansson. Put in some good crosses and ran down the line to keep the pressure on.

Hume - 7 - Reminds me a lot of Connolly really. Nice touches, flashes of skill, good passing... unlucky in front of goal. The 'keeper just kept saving them. He still has this problem where he shoots to the near post rather than trying to put it across the 'keeper, he's a little too eager! But he's young and will learn. I think he needs to get a proper run in the team to show what he can do, I think once he scores a goal (and doesn't get dropped the next game...) he'll go on a scoring run.

de Vries - 8 - It's hard to find fault with Mark, he's got the commitment, he's got the goals, he's got the link-up play. And he does it all while being abused by sections of the crowd. Weakness is headers... but he still manages to score from them, and flick on a fair few balls as well. Thought he had a great game even without the goals but they were great of course.

Subs:

Tiatto - not on long enough

Hammond - not on long enough

[Ric Flair]

Douglas 6 - Didn't have alot to do, made a great save from Morrell's header. Nearly gave away 2 peno's though the clumsy twat. I think he's had alot of games this season where he has nothing to do for long periods, just like he did at Celtic and Levein obviously knew he'd need someone like that who can keep his concentration.

Stearman 7 - Dodgy spell in the first half but second half he was excellent and was immense supporting Sylla down the right. Love him.

McCarthy 7.5 - His best game for a while, having said that what he did to Stearman was bang out of order especially considering the crap backwards header he did. He's playing alot more freely now and it's great to see.

Dublin 8 - A rock. Nuff said.

Nissa 7 - He's not a left back, but got forward well in the second half and won everything in their air against Scowcroft.

Sylla 8* - Now that's what he's all about. He was really good in the 2nd half, really good. His crossing was good, his runs were positive and he looked interested for once. He's settling in well now and I hope he can keep it up.

Gudjonsson 7 - Did his job well in the second half, first half our central midfield was absent at times. He had some good long range efforts and didn't let Coventry settle second half.

Kisnorbo 6 - Decent, but ugly performance. I think he's just what we need at times and Coventry didn't fancy the battle with him second half. Is very good in the air but if you want to see passing through the middle he's sometimes not what you need.

Hamill 7 - Awful first half, brilliant second half. He's getting better the more he plays and is getting more confident, he's got the talent but I get the feeling that when the team struggles he'll hide. Unlucky not to score and played a magical 40 yard ball to Hume, who returned the favour in the second half.

Hume 7.5 - What a player he's going to be, his finishing wasn't brilliant but having said that Ince made a few good saves from him and once he gets a few goals he'll settle in nicely. Even if he doesn't score he'll always cause defences problems. Alot more effective than Elvis IMO.

de Vries 7.5 - Two headers??!! Unreal, he's well on his way to 15-20 goals at this rate and what an achievement that will be. He's so inconsistent but we can't afford to leave him out, if you take his goals away we'd only have 10 points and be out of the cup - priceless.

Subs:

Tiatto 6 - Didn't do alot, nearly but Elvis through with a ridiculous back flick.

Elvis 6 - Wasn't on long enough to do anything note worthy.

Overall we were awesome in the second half in my opinion, mainly because Coventry are a shocking outfit.