JohnDenver
¡No Pasarán!
Both teams under-strength, United massively so, and it showed. It was a scruffy old game as a result, but both teams really wanted it and while PNE had more chances and probably more of the play, United played what little football there was on show.
We started with a 3-5-2 for which too few players were suited and too few properly understood. So PNE bossed most of the first half without showing too much quality themselves. Gallagher being the exception with a great free-kick (6/1 with Coral thank you!), though I suspect Howard shouldn't have been beaten.
About a quarter in, we switched to a 4-4-2, and slowly got a foothold. At the beginning of the second half we took some control, and Murphy's introduction made the difference, giving us a wide threat for the first time. He beat his man and
crossed for Diego to stick it into the roof of the net.
After the goal PNE pushed on again and whilst not pretty created most chances, often from set pieces. So all in all United will be happier with a draw - we looked tired at the end. Given a stronger XI we'll be favourites in the replay.
Howard 6/10 - Not too many saves to make, but will need to see the free kick again.
Alcock 5/10 - Started as left wing back and looked lost. Switched to left back and grew stronger.
Davies 5/10 - Looked rusty, but good to see him back.
Kennedy 7/10 - A defender's defender. Solid throughout.
Basham 7/10 - Was vital manning the pumps at the back and later in midfield against a big side, though his passing remains more suitable to deeper role.
HM2 6/10 - Looked very uncertain as the left sided central defender in a three, but really improved in an orthodox pairing.
Dimaio 5/10 - Was lost in the midfield at first, but got moved out wide (never his position), and applied himself.
Baxter 6/10 - The player who showed most quality on the ball.
Reed 6/10 - Good energy after the Spur game. Always looks to pass on the edge of the box - I'd like him to be greedy occasionally. Unlucky yellow, but he did jump into the tackle a little which refs don't like.
Diego 6/10 - Got the goal and had our other couple of notable efforts. Good to see him up top though he may lack the pace to succeed there. Looks at his best when rolling defenders and shooting.
Higdon 6/10 - Probably as well as he can play. Only had one chance from the best move of the match, but Simonsened it.
Subs:
Murphy 7/10 - Made a mahoosive difference. Set up the goal.
Harris - Not on long.
McNuts - Not on long.
Ref: not half as bad as some have made out. Needless argument with Clough, but think he got most things right. PNE didn't play the brutal game they did at BDTBL which helped. He probably should have booked one of theirs when Murphy was clogged. Reed was perhaps unlucky, and the other two were standard pull backs. Fair dos.
Still in the draw - I'm chuffed with that.
We started with a 3-5-2 for which too few players were suited and too few properly understood. So PNE bossed most of the first half without showing too much quality themselves. Gallagher being the exception with a great free-kick (6/1 with Coral thank you!), though I suspect Howard shouldn't have been beaten.
About a quarter in, we switched to a 4-4-2, and slowly got a foothold. At the beginning of the second half we took some control, and Murphy's introduction made the difference, giving us a wide threat for the first time. He beat his man and
crossed for Diego to stick it into the roof of the net.
After the goal PNE pushed on again and whilst not pretty created most chances, often from set pieces. So all in all United will be happier with a draw - we looked tired at the end. Given a stronger XI we'll be favourites in the replay.
Howard 6/10 - Not too many saves to make, but will need to see the free kick again.
Alcock 5/10 - Started as left wing back and looked lost. Switched to left back and grew stronger.
Davies 5/10 - Looked rusty, but good to see him back.
Kennedy 7/10 - A defender's defender. Solid throughout.
Basham 7/10 - Was vital manning the pumps at the back and later in midfield against a big side, though his passing remains more suitable to deeper role.
HM2 6/10 - Looked very uncertain as the left sided central defender in a three, but really improved in an orthodox pairing.
Dimaio 5/10 - Was lost in the midfield at first, but got moved out wide (never his position), and applied himself.
Baxter 6/10 - The player who showed most quality on the ball.
Reed 6/10 - Good energy after the Spur game. Always looks to pass on the edge of the box - I'd like him to be greedy occasionally. Unlucky yellow, but he did jump into the tackle a little which refs don't like.
Diego 6/10 - Got the goal and had our other couple of notable efforts. Good to see him up top though he may lack the pace to succeed there. Looks at his best when rolling defenders and shooting.
Higdon 6/10 - Probably as well as he can play. Only had one chance from the best move of the match, but Simonsened it.
Subs:
Murphy 7/10 - Made a mahoosive difference. Set up the goal.
Harris - Not on long.
McNuts - Not on long.
Ref: not half as bad as some have made out. Needless argument with Clough, but think he got most things right. PNE didn't play the brutal game they did at BDTBL which helped. He probably should have booked one of theirs when Murphy was clogged. Reed was perhaps unlucky, and the other two were standard pull backs. Fair dos.
Still in the draw - I'm chuffed with that.
