MK Dons Match - Player Ratings

[Tevez]

"Kingy"

The two sentances made me piss my self and stop reading it.

Oakley put himself about much much more.

[Bert]

Henderson 6 - Had nothing to do. Did it perfectly well

Gilbert 7.5 . Quite impressed. One thing I like about full-backs is being able to recover quickly and he did that. Suppoorted okay too.

Tunchev 7.5. Not faced by the likes of Phillips he looked a class act. What I liked was his positional sense and how, once he gained possession he passed the ball accurately and simply. How we've needed that.

Morrison 7. MK had very few chances and he was a part of the reason.

Mattock 6. Just a bog standard game but he played his part effectively enough and had his + moments.

Gradel 8. Made our second goal out of absolutely nothing and was a constant torment to the MK defence. His defensive play has improved beyond all recognition and while he can still improve his final pass he kept putting the ball in the box. Altogether played a big part in our win. I'm a big fan.

Oakley 6.5. Competent game. Showed some enthusiasm and got himself involved. Just not positive enough for a big mark.

King 7. Vital role in restricting MK and also found time to make a couple of breaks that might have produced goals. What the hell he was doing in the last five minutes I don't know but it cost him 0.5 of a point.

Dyer 5 Must be on better wages than Porter because thats the only reason I can imagine he was selected ahead of him. Had his moments early on but was like a bloke who'd lost his Viagra. If I was Porter I'd want to leave cos I wouldn't put up with it. Dyer's closing down was a token gesture.

Fryatt 8.5. Two goals to win the match. Looked in his element and confirmed my absolute faith in him at Division One level. Revitalised. Well done Matty.

Howard 5 - What was he for? Got injured and that summed him up. Howard or DJ? Don't be funny.

Subs:

Dickov 7. Love the guy. Almost fashioned a goal with his first contribution and when he closes people down like he really means it.

Hobbs 5. What the hell was that change about? He did nothing wrong but why make the change? Something to do with win bonuses is all I can imagine.

Pearson 2. What a waster. All close season I've wondered why he has such a shit record while he signs such good players and selects such well balanced sides. Well now I know.

He's a 1-0 merchant. Yes I know we won 2-0 but that was because Gradel was irrespressible and conjured something out of nothing. Basically Pearson quit when we were 1-0 up and simply had us fall back behind the halfway line and defend. Even on the rare occasions we attacked second half we got one bloke in the box, that was all. He won't kid me.

He may get us up from this shit division but unless he learns to have faith in his team and to push up when we get ahead I'd have him gone in no time cos he'll do sod all at a higher level.

Never once did I see him urging our team forward. He put two fingers up to the idea of entertaining the fans and finally presided over a 2-0 win that should have been five.

MK were wankers. It took them 39 minutes to mount a serious attack yet we conceded ground in the second half and might even have donated them a goal when their guy was left unmarked on the penalty spot.

If Pearson wants to be a proper manager he'll need to have much more attitude than he showed yesterday. Sorry to be critical but I'm right and I expect to see improvements. And a team that's picked on merit.

For a start Oakley was better than King.

Bold point number 1: For him it's about winning football matches.

Bold point number 2: No you're not.

[Bert]

I give up. Kingy plays defensive midfield, we don't concede a goal and he twice finds the time to burst through the middle and almost create a goal. Yet he gets a lower mark than Oakley from most. It's clear that I've forgotten Oakley's big moments. Will someone please remind me.

You always harp on that King is an attacking midfielder.

The majority ratings clearly show, that Oakley was better than King.

Oakley made more tackles, more accurate passes, and got into goal scoring positions as much as King.

[Guest nathan.]

Henderson - 6 solid

Gilbert - 7

Tunchev - 7

Morrison - 6.75

Mattock - 6

Gradel - CLASS ACT

King - 6.75

Oakley - 7

Dyer - 6

Howard - 5 lazy ****

Fryatt - 8 - Good movement and thinking with little dummies and nice passes

[volpeazzurro]

I thought Gilbert looked very good, & I didn't worry at all when their left winger was attacking him.

It would be tough to judge the lad on his first game but I have to be honest, I thought he was poor, did make a couple of good tackles though. I sit right behing Pearson and he was giving him some stick in the second half mainly due to his poor positioning and lapses in concentration. As I say, it's just one game and I think he'll come on for it, it's a new refreshingly young team after all and I think he and Gradel could be something special down that right flank! Overall a great performance with room for a lot of optimism for the future, when did I last think that.......

Cheers.

[Southern Fox]

Henderson 7

Gilbert 7 - Solid, Agressive, Right up the wingers bottom when ball to feet, Lacks concentration when marking, Pace makes up for it - Decent

Mattock 7 - Disappeared 2nd half but did well offensively first

Morrison 7 - Looked the better of defensive pair. Has resonsibly distribution too

Tunchev 7 - Quiet display, no nonsense, didnt pass the balll futher than 5 yards

Gradel 7 - Gives us something we have always lacked, Final ball was sometimes disappointing, Needs time to adapt

Dyer 7 - Gives the the team and gives us an outball. Played better yesterday that v Palace, Looks good signing

King 6 - Did well in midfield but disappeared 2nd half

Oakley 8* - Superb first half display. Tired in 2nd half but won the battle with Andrews,

Fryatt 7 - Leaner and sharper. Is this his level? Glad I put £10 on his before KO to be league top goalscorer at 33/1. Good performance and linked well with Howard

Howard 6 - Superb hold up/link up play first half and Howard of old 2nd half. Looked like he picked up hamstring injury as kept stretching it

[Guest ttfn]

Henderson 7 - Did what he had to do

Gilbert 6 - Looked shaky defensively but decent going forward

Tunchev 6 - No idea where all this praise was coming from. Keeping it on the deck is one thing but he repeatedly played Mattock into trouble. That said, he won his fair share of headers and was decent on the ground.

Morrison 6 - Similar to Tunchev

Mattock 6 - Same as Gilbert

Gradel 7.5 - Tenacious and direct. Genuinely excited to see how he progresses. Crap final ball.

King 4 - Pants. Wasn't in the game. At all. No matter what Thracian says.

Oakley 7 - Great first half but influence faded in the second.

Dyer 6.5 - Also direct but some terrible decision making

Howard 6.5 - Not too bad today. Good in the air, poor on the ground. Better than last year.

Fryatt 8 - Some prat in front of me kept slating him. But he scored twice and ran his heart out for the team. MOM.

Dickov 6 - Did ok but I'd like to remind people that despite being good for us when he was here, Dickov walked out on us when we went down, despite the fact that we stood by him throughout the La Manga debacle and then celebrated wildly in front of our fans the next season after scoring for Blackburn. Most people, it seems, have very short memories.

Overall, quite encouraged though.

[cowshedphil]

Hendo 6 - Nothing to do.

Gilbert 7.5 - Had a solid game today, always tight to his man, never gave him a second.

Mattock 6.5 - Fairly solid, dealt with what he had to fairly well.

Morrison 7 - Mostly good all round, positioning was sometimes not at 100%.

Tunchev 7 - Pretty much the same as Morrison.

Gradel 8.5 - The lad is awesome, never gives up, always looks to beat his man, if his crossing was better he'd be at a 9.

Dyer 7 - Started off strong with some good runs, should've played Gradel in, never gave up though.

King 7 - Started off stronger than Oakley, won a lot of niggly battles in midfield, seemed to just fade out of the game in the second half.

Oakley 7 - Grew in confidence as the game went on, won his share and played some nice balls.

Howard 6 - Didn't really offer that much, all he done was take their big centre back out of the game.

Fryatt 8 - Effort, endeavour, work-rate and 2 goals.

Dickov 6 - Made life hard for defenders, still closed down like he always did.

Hobbs - Not on long enough.

Can I just point that your title suggests they are our players

[Webbo]

Pearson 2. What a waster. All close season I've wondered why he has such a shit record while he signs such good players and selects such well balanced sides. Well now I know.

He's a 1-0 merchant. Yes I know we won 2-0 but that was because Gradel was irrespressible and conjured something out of nothing. Basically Pearson quit when we were 1-0 up and simply had us fall back behind the halfway line and defend. Even on the rare occasions we attacked second half we got one bloke in the box, that was all. He won't kid me.

He may get us up from this shit division but unless he learns to have faith in his team and to push up when we get ahead I'd have him gone in no time cos he'll do sod all at a higher level.

Never once did I see him urging our team forward. He put two fingers up to the idea of entertaining the fans and finally presided over a 2-0 win that should have been five.

MK were wankers. It took them 39 minutes to mount a serious attack yet we conceded ground in the second half and might even have donated them a goal when their guy was left unmarked on the penalty spot.

If Pearson wants to be a proper manager he'll need to have much more attitude than he showed yesterday. Sorry to be critical but I'm right and I expect to see improvements. And a team that's picked on merit.

A short lesson in how football works;

The away team usually tries to soak up pressure and then score on the break. If the away team concedes a goal it has to change it's tactics and become more direct and attack more, thus forcing the home side to defend more. This is not a negative tactic, just a response to the other sides tactics .This happens in 95% of football matches and is no surprise to most of us.

[Sparky]

Hendo 6

Gilbert 7

Morrison 7.5

Tunchev 7

Mattock 6

Dyer 6.5

Oakley 7

King 7

Gradel 7.5

Fryatt 7.5

Howard 6

Dickov 6

Dropped far too deep midway through the 2nd half but Tunchev and Morrison were more than equal to the task . Dont know why its a competion who got the higher mark out of the 2 centre midfielders , both ran the show in there , Oakley pulled the strings and King was always around him offering a pass , would like to see King get in the box a bit more , i certainly dont think Pearson has asked him not too i think its more a confidence thing but that will come if he continues in the same form as today

[Ultra]

Henderson - 7

Gilbert - 5

Tunchev - 8

Morrison - 7

Mattock - 5

Gradel - 7

Oakley - 7

King - 6 (and I'm told Kishishev can't play for 90 minutes? )

Dyer - 6

Howard - 6

Fryatt - 7

Dickov - 7

Hobbs - n/a

[Babylon]

babble babble

Shock horror...

Thracian calling for the managers head after one game.

Claiming King was better than oakley when everyone else knows he wasn't.

Marking down any player who plays on the left instead of his beloved porter.

You've become a bad parody of yourself.

[leicesterseddon]

Henderson 6 - Nothing to do 1st half. Didn't get the opportunity to make a good save in the 2nd.

Gilbert 7 - Made some decent tackles and tried to get forward a couple of times.

Morrison 6.5 - Not commanding enough, but not really much to do

Tunchev 6.5 - Defending was a bit frantic at times, but again not really tested yet

Mattock 6 - All their attacks came down his side. Didn't pass it brilliantly either

Gradel 7.5 - Thought he was quiet in the 1st half, but tackled well and attacked like a winger should in the 2nd.

King 6 - He might as well have stayed at home. Did nothing all day.

Oakley 7 - Fairly solid throughout, if lacking a bit in creativity

Dyer 7.5 - Much better than in pre-season. Energetic.

Howard 6 - Linked up nicely with fryatt a couple of times, but is still too slow and doesn't win enough headers in good areas

Fryatt 7.5 - A good penalty (which i'm not sure was a penalty). I think any player yesterday could have scored his second. looked better than last season tho

[Number 6]

Impressed with Gradel, thought he was great. Worried about some of our defenders getting turned too easily and may get punished by better strikers. Also loving Pearson, great value on the touchline perfect start imo but we don't want to get ahead of ourselves, build on this and continue to improve as a team.

[Number 6]

Henderson 6 - Had nothing to do. Did it perfectly well

Gilbert 7.5 . Quite impressed. One thing I like about full-backs is being able to recover quickly and he did that. Suppoorted okay too.

Tunchev 7.5. Not faced by the likes of Phillips he looked a class act. What I liked was his positional sense and how, once he gained possession he passed the ball accurately and simply. How we've needed that.

Morrison 7. MK had very few chances and he was a part of the reason.

Mattock 6. Just a bog standard game but he played his part effectively enough and had his + moments.

Gradel 8. Made our second goal out of absolutely nothing and was a constant torment to the MK defence. His defensive play has improved beyond all recognition and while he can still improve his final pass he kept putting the ball in the box. Altogether played a big part in our win. I'm a big fan.

Oakley 6.5. Competent game. Showed some enthusiasm and got himself involved. Just not positive enough for a big mark.

King 7. Vital role in restricting MK and also found time to make a couple of breaks that might have produced goals. What the hell he was doing in the last five minutes I don't know but it cost him 0.5 of a point.

Dyer 5 Must be on better wages than Porter because thats the only reason I can imagine he was selected ahead of him. Had his moments early on but was like a bloke who'd lost his Viagra. If I was Porter I'd want to leave cos I wouldn't put up with it. Dyer's closing down was a token gesture.

Fryatt 8.5. Two goals to win the match. Looked in his element and confirmed my absolute faith in him at Division One level. Revitalised. Well done Matty.

Howard 5 - What was he for? Got injured and that summed him up. Howard or DJ? Don't be funny.

Subs:

Dickov 7. Love the guy. Almost fashioned a goal with his first contribution and when he closes people down like he really means it.

Hobbs 5. What the hell was that change about? He did nothing wrong but why make the change? Something to do with win bonuses is all I can imagine.

Pearson 2. What a waster. All close season I've wondered why he has such a shit record while he signs such good players and selects such well balanced sides. Well now I know.

He's a 1-0 merchant. Yes I know we won 2-0 but that was because Gradel was irrespressible and conjured something out of nothing. Basically Pearson quit when we were 1-0 up and simply had us fall back behind the halfway line and defend. Even on the rare occasions we attacked second half we got one bloke in the box, that was all. He won't kid me.

He may get us up from this shit division but unless he learns to have faith in his team and to push up when we get ahead I'd have him gone in no time cos he'll do sod all at a higher level.

Never once did I see him urging our team forward. He put two fingers up to the idea of entertaining the fans and finally presided over a 2-0 win that should have been five.

MK were wankers. It took them 39 minutes to mount a serious attack yet we conceded ground in the second half and might even have donated them a goal when their guy was left unmarked on the penalty spot.

If Pearson wants to be a proper manager he'll need to have much more attitude than he showed yesterday. Sorry to be critical but I'm right and I expect to see improvements. And a team that's picked on merit.

This season is about getting results and getting out of this division as quickly as possible. I went away pretty happy too. We will lose at some point, come and moan then, but right now you can take your bollocks elsewhere.

[Thracian]

Shock horror...

Thracian calling for the managers head after one game.

Claiming King was better than oakley when everyone else knows he wasn't.

Marking down any player who plays on the left instead of his beloved porter.

You've become a bad parody of yourself.

I'm not calling for his head. I'm asking why it is that every manager we get seems to quit attacking once we get ahead. Seems to stop doing what we were doing so right.

You can be smug because we won but it won't always work that way - it didn't against Charlton at home for a start - and why we should ever have gone into blanket defence mode and given MK the sniff of a chance when we could have camped in their half I don't know.

[Simi]

I'm not calling for his head. I'm asking why it is that every manager we get seems to quit attacking once we get ahead. Seems to stop doing what we were doing so right.

You can be smug because we won but it won't always work that way - it didn't against Charlton at home for a start - and why we should ever have gone into blanket defence mode and given MK the sniff of a chance when we could have camped in their half I don't know.

You're not calling for his head then, just judging him after one game?

[TrickyTrev]

I give up. Kingy plays defensive midfield, we don't concede a goal and he twice finds the time to burst through the middle and almost create a goal. Yet he gets a lower mark than Oakley from most. It's clear that I've forgotten Oakley's big moments. Will someone please remind me.

Oakley and King were playing flat, crediting either with the clean sheet is silly, niether were defencive midfield players. MK Dons were a bag of shite any way.

There were plenty of moments where Oakley nipped in front of his opponent and distributed it sensibly to keep our attacks going and during our good period in the middle of the first half he was at the focal point. For the first 45 I thought he looked different class. Went missing in the second mind you, not as much as Kingy it has to be said.

Henderson 7 Didn't have to do anything but distributed well.

Gilbert 6 Has good gas, which made up for mistakes and allowed him to link up with Gradel. When those two have an understanding they'll cause better sides than MK Dons a few problems.

Morrison 7 Had no marking responsibilities and thus almost nothing to do. A few nice passes though.

Tunchev 6 Good in the air and with the ball at his feet but was far too tight to his man and thus got rolled a few times and gave away a couple of free kicks. Once he gets used to English football he'll be different class to the rest of this league.

Mattock 7 The amusing thing about Tharc's obsession with yoof is that he doesn't actually rate the best players that come out of the academy. I know Joe was fast tracked ahead of golden boy but surely you can see that he carries the ball really well and is fantastic in the air. Came forward with the ball well and as always was solid defencively. He'll have a good season and then sign for someone next summer.

Gradel 8 The boy has got heart and a lotta confidence. These two things, combined with sound technical ability, mean that he makes things happen. I'm sure we have a new fans favorite.

Oakley 7 Passes the ball well and by offering for the ball allows us to keep posession. Good start to the season. Was a bit dissapointed that he faded in the second half.

King 6 Quiet but competent. I think Wesolowski is the more natural partner to Oakley.

Dyer 7 Good in the first but poor in the second, when we were focusing everythign down the right. He carries the ball well when dribbling and is very direct but I wish he would have his head up from time to time, should have slipped in Maxi a couple of times in the first half.

Howard 7 WOn everythign in the air and was always offering for the ball. Obviously still ridiculously slow but his coming off was the catalyst for them coming back into the game, we suddenly had no out ball.

Fryatt 8 What a difference a good pre season makes. Confident, LEAN, and excellent movement. He'll bag 25 this season.

Dickov 6 He looked like a 35 year old who had missed pre-season.

[Bryn]

We didn't quit attacking after we went one up, we continued to attack for all of the first half and then then started the second half well, just before they got on top. You don't seem to grasp, Thracian, that there is another team on the pitch and that sometimes they start doing things right. And that our 11 players are human and they start to make mistakes. We had a blip but recovered to score a second and seal the game, why can't you see that? I'd love to watch you manage a team, stick a load of kids in and ask them to blitz forward for 90 minutes and then get shat on by all the other teams in the League, I really would.

[Babylon]

I'm not calling for his head. I'm asking why it is that every manager we get seems to quit attacking once we get ahead. Seems to stop doing what we were doing so right.

You can be smug because we won but it won't always work that way - it didn't against Charlton at home for a start - and why we should ever have gone into blanket defence mode and given MK the sniff of a chance when we could have camped in their half I don't know.

You know it's the managers instructions. Until you know for sure it is why don't you give the bloke a bloody break.

[Thracian]

You're not calling for his head then, just judging him after one game?

If you don't think we employed a blanket defence strategy after scoring by all means say so. But that's how I saw it and the shortage of players driving into the box second half was glaring.

Why we need to be so negative I don't know but it certainly isn't the first time.

It Pearson does it different in future I'll be happy to say so but, unlike some, I just don't subscribe to the idea that 46 cagey 1-0's will do.

I pay my money to be entertained and to see some football. Mandaric might be obsessed with reaching the Premiership and making some more millions but if that turned me on I'd support United or Chelsea or Arsenal. It doesn't.

I support Leicester cos they're my home town team and I see no reason they shouldn't try to play positively throughout.

[Number 6]

If you don't think we employed a blanket defence strategy after scoring by all means say so. But that's how I saw it and the shortage of players driving into the box second half was glaring.

Why we need to be so negative I don't know but it certainly isn't the first time.

It Pearson does it different in future I'll be happy to say so but, unlike some, I just don't subscribe to the idea that 46 cagey 1-0's will do.

I pay my money to be entertained and to see some football. Mandaric might be obsessed with reaching the Premiership and making some more millions but if that turned me on I'd support United or Chelsea or Arsenal. It doesn't.

I support Leicester cos they're my home town team and I see no reason they shouldn't try to play positively throughout.

I don't think we will be like that every game. It's first game of the season, the result is the most important thing. We have another 45 games to get some attractive football going, but Pearson must have just been dying to get that first win under his belt. It gives us something to build on. We were playing against a team who should do well yesterday, and outclassed them all over the place, a 2-0 win is a great result.

[jimmy7587]

Hendo - 7 - Not a lot to do, but looked comfortable and reassured me that he will be in goal for the season.

Gilbert- 7.5 - He did make a few minor errors, but easily rectified them. I like a pacey right back, and I prefer him to Stearman any day!

Tunchev - 6.5- In the first half, 30 mins in, he looked sloppy, but second half he won every header and commanded the position.

Morrison - 8 - Considering it was his debut, he was a great presence at the back, and formed a good partnership with Tunchev

Mattock - 7 - I dont see why there is fuss about Joe, get the money, and bring in someone else I say, but he did well.

Gradel - 8.5 - Was it his full debut? If so, a great start. He cant cross, but if he beats people and targets the goal then he will do well!

Oakley - 7.5 - The right choice of captain, made important tackles, and a good motor on him.

King - 6.75 - he is young, and should be given a go. Better than weso, get rid of him, but needs to work on stamina, sloppy passes at end...

Dyer - 7.5 - he only has a left foot, but its quite good to be fair to him, good corner taker.

Howard - 7 - won every header, give him time to prove himself boys and girls

Fryatt- 8 - scored twice, but missed chances. i would have preferred campbell starting, but he scored, so well done to him.

subs

Dickov - 7- a 7 for just signing for us!! obviously the 2 year contract made the difference, but he will score

Hobbs - 7 - he will be a good signing for us, any player that pushes ngotty down the list is fine by me!!

[The Reverend]

If you don't think we employed a blanket defence strategy after scoring by all means say so. But that's how I saw it and the shortage of players driving into the box second half was glaring.

Why we need to be so negative I don't know but it certainly isn't the first time.

It Pearson does it different in future I'll be happy to say so but, unlike some, I just don't subscribe to the idea that 46 cagey 1-0's will do.

I pay my money to be entertained and to see some football. Mandaric might be obsessed with reaching the Premiership and making some more millions but if that turned me on I'd support United or Chelsea or Arsenal. It doesn't.

I support Leicester cos they're my home town team and I see no reason they shouldn't try to play positively throughout.

I want to be entertained Thracian, but at the same time i want to be in the championship and then the Premiership. It's a results business, and 46 1-0's will do me fine.

Going back to King aswel, i just find it so hard to believe you thought he was better than Oakley. He was average at best. first half he was decent, second he was garbage. I dont remember him finding a blue shirt with a pass in the second half. Oakley kept it simple, put in lots of tackles, made some good runs, and King was pretty anonymous i thought.

[Thracian]

I don't think we will be like that every game. It's first game of the season, the result is the most important thing. We have another 45 games to get some attractive football going, but Pearson must have just been dying to get that first win under his belt. It gives us something to build on. We were playing against a team who should do well yesterday, and outclassed them all over the place, a 2-0 win is a great result.

There are always reasons for playing cagey football. I just don't accept them in general. The teams I admire are the ones who play their football regardless and actually believe in playing their football.

Like we did long ago.