We're through against an injury ravished Championship side thank to a pen (although the ball was going in). We made hard work of it and except for a really good 10 minutes before the goal, we were way too slow. We were the better team throughout but There was always a nagging worry that they'd get lucky and back in it. McGoldrick can play the number 10 but he's not zippy enough like Duffy was. needs to be quicker and he has a naturally slightly laboured style. Still, we're through and it was pretty easy.
Ramsdale - 6 - Had next to nothing to do. Pushed an early shot straight out instead of to the side but otherwise steady.
Lowe - 6 Got forward well and you can see him improving with every game. Final ball is well off though. Defensively a bit suspect and made a few mistakes/bad choices. Unlucky to hit the bar but that was a sitter.
Ampadu - 7 - Good game throughout. He needs to take more care with his passing though. Overhits it through lack of concentration all too often
Egan - 7 - Solid. Little to do but did it tidily.
Bash - 6 - Got forward quite well without really causing that much trouble. A bit ponderous a few times at the back
Bogle - 8 - I'm still not convinced defensively, and he almost got caught napping near the end, but he's everywhere going forward. He has been the biggest plus this year.
Fleck - 5 - Poor, I thought. Very slow, clumsy and fouls far too often when not necessary. Played a bit deeper and defended ok
Lundstram - 5.5 - Such a mixed player. Slow and laborious to move the ball and got caught a few times but makes some good runs and offers. Need to put more conviction behind his shots and crosses.
McGoldrick - 7 - Did ok in the number q0 role, moved the ball around but needs to be snappy and drive with conviction. Had a few shots over and one tipped wide. Earned our penalty but should have buried it. He just seems a touch slower than last year. Age, I guess.
Sharp - 7 - Calm penalty and did a lot of running down the side of the back 3. held the ball up well and uses his years of experience in his favour.
Brewster - 4 - Looks lost. He's not making half the runs of a man with many years on him. Never seems to be in the right place. Makes so many bad decisions. Desperately needs a goal as looks like it has got to him.
Subs
Norwood - 4 - Boy oh boy, seemed to do everything wrong. First thing he did when he came on was give the ball away. Our midfield looked distinctly worse with him in it. fouls stupidly and needs to focus
Burke - 5.5 - Danger to come at the end. Had one run and shot when he should have passed and never fills me with confidence.
Wilder - 6.5 - Changed the formation and it kind of worked. We did have dangerous periods and we were the more likely.
Bristol - They have a crazy amount of injuries but I'm surprised they weren't more up for it. They didn't really look dangerous until late on. Kasey Palmer points more than I've seen any other player point. shame he doesn't tackle.
v.
Sounded like he was sat in the corner of a boozer reminiscing about old times.
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