* Firstly, take your rating on the chin if you dont like, that is the reality of what I saw. The thin line between ratings was made between work rate, battling qualities and actual impact on the game. We talked about it afterwards - I believe us to be a much better passing team than them, but we did not do it enough, we didnt demand the ball enough and when we looked to penetrate we did not have the precision or the choice of pass was wrong.
I thought we played well in phases. I actually thought we shocked them by the way we started - I thought it was excellent, a high tempo, good passing and movement and agressive in the tackle. However we did not cease the opportunity to score whilst on top. We needed to strike while the Iron was hot. They got a foothold in the game when, in the conditions, we did not keep the ball well enough. Do we ever learn that keeping the ball and possesion is crucial? we do not always have to be in a rush to do things, just get yourself available and possess the ball.
The most upsetting thing for me was the way that our attitude changes when the chips are down and start doing things that are uneccessary. Steveo, you cannot act the way you did and it is unacceptable. I understand that it is frustraing for all of you to see a teamate lose possession or not maintain, not check enough to the ball or be passionate enough about their business, or whatever it may be that ruffles your feathers, but their is a way to go about solving that and in my book it is to fight harder and lift your teamate not abuse him. We are all different in our temperament and motivation and some go about our business quietly while some are more animated. The message here is we are all different. A team accepts its weaknesses and knwos it strengths, so it is down to each individual to do this and tehn play to their strengths - why would you continue to do the bad when if you do the things you are good at we will be flying and confidence stays high? Have an image of the things you know you are good at in your mind - see yourself doing them well at game speed. contrastingly have an image of the bad and know that you hate that feeling when it goes wrong cos you made a poor descisions. Try to identify when and where on teh oitch this happens and when you are in that situation next time DO THE RIGHT THING!
There isn't anything else I want to comment on other than these factors I have addressed. We all know what happened out there.
Danny Long - Having a bad time of it lately, need to get your confidence back in a teamstats shirt. Didnt adjust your feet quickly enough for their first goal. I liked your willingness to continue to receive backpasses and play out of the back when you could.
Richie Bell - Totally out of sorts today mate, bad decisions and took too long on the ball. You could argue that their wasnt enough options but need to be quicker in possession.
Mark Moss - Didnt react quick enough to getting out to players and pressuring. and a few misplaced passes.
Lee Underhill - I cannot question your passion and desire to have an impact. Started strongly but made lots of bad decisions and got caught out of position, leaving them space to exploit too many times. Linked up well with Spagey and looked for forwards feet throughout.
Marlon Webb - Didnt really have a high enough impact on the game. Looked relaxed in possession and linked up well sometimes, while cancelled out others.
Andy Paterson- Playing with a tight hammy, it showed as didnt have as high an impact as Saturday. Still looked to get on the ball and start something.
Mitch De Felice - started like an express train and faded like a weak fart
Si Page - Liked your availablity. A lot went through you and your delivery was a threat throughout. Continued to play until the end.
Tom Stanbury - When you made yourself available was nice to see you bringing people into the game, but didnt show for it enough and make it stick when it counted.
Danny Greenwood - Did not have an impact on the game as we would have liked, Didnt work hard enought to get into positions to recieve to threaten. On the odd occasion you did, we looked dangerous.
Ciaran Finley - Showed willingness to get on the ball and get play flowing, but movement needs to be better in tandom with fellow centre midfielder to find space to play.
