Deadbat
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Pretty much a repeat of a week ago when we largely were outplayed but somehow stay in the game, get in front and hang on. We were second best for most of the game and Blackburn dominated possession, had more control and had several opportunities, pinning us back. Fortunately for us, they missed their chances, Cooper played well yet again and we scored two quick fire goals in the first half. Second half was much the same – we had a few chances on the break but overall, we sat so deep and despite switching from a 5-2-3 formation, back to a 4-4-2 we never really to stem the tide and they had several good chances until perhaps the closing 10 minutes when they only had one clear chance – after cutting through us at will up to that point.
Doherty, Phillips and Blaster helped us see it out and we kind of managed the very last bit ok but it was a rough result for Blackburn who were the far superior side but lacked the cutting edge/final bit. It worried me that technically, passing, dribbling and overall interplay, they were much better than us. We seemed to just cough up the ball/kick it long and retreat into a low block. It’s bewildering tactics and is not sustainable. We have conceded over 80 shots in 4 games, sit in the bottom 3 of nearly every category but the one that counts goals for/against and points, we are actually doing well! The start in terms of 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat is really positive but the reality is we could easily be sat on a single point (Swansea) as we have been second best in every other game. Do not think I am exaggerating and easily could have lost today 4 or 5-2.
However, we got a result, showed some battling qualities and at least did not wilt as the game went on. We hung in there and got some blocks/saves. I will credit the team for that but the overall shape, structure and patterns of play is nonexistent. We are just defending and hoping that Cooper bails us out. We seem to have lots back but don’t stop the crosses and also teams routinely get to the ball first in the box. The number of shots/chances coming in is frightening and you think when we play the better teams, we will be in trouble unless we improve in all aspects. I feel bad being so critical and sure Wilder will point to the results and the fact we ground it out but since the opening two games, we have been like tonight for four straight games and should have lost all four. The possession stats are frankly ridiculous and means we are just not wanting to have the ball and are just sitting back and defending. It’s so annoying as the few times we did break, we played some neat stuff and looked dangerous. I can kind of expect us maybe sitting in a low block and trying to be hard to beat, against the better teams but we are letting Cardiff, Blackburn and Bolton take the game to us and completely dictate? Surely this is not a plan. If it is, it is not working. He shifted the formation but we still were seeing gaps in midfield and between the back 5 and the 2 in midfield and the front three were just feeding off scraps. I think one of my biggest concerns if we are not really competing physically/sprints/50-50’s? We seem to be losing a lot of battles and thus the ball is coming at us. We just seem to not engage in pressing/blocking. The number of times players just ran past us, or ran down the wings as players like McCallum, Choudhury, BBD just stood there barely even trying to challenge/stop runs.
The positive though are that Cooper continues to perform well; I thought that Peck had his best game after a dodgy start and was involved in the two big moments. Cannon was very good and maybe his best overall game for us. Arblaster also did well when he came on and the midfield three that finished looked a lot better. Doherty also did ok but seemed to struggle even after a few sprints so another that does not look fit.
The biggest thing is we won, but we cannot pretend it was an even half decent performance. We were poor for much of the game but had some of the big moments and then did enough to see it out. They score one of the several chances 2nd half and they probably go on and win but they missed them and we take the result. Still have a lot of concerns at what the plan is in games and how we can not be so dominated in all aspects of play but a win, is a win. If tonight was a one off, you’d be ok and think we played poorly and won – that happens but we have seen 4 straight games now that have almost been the same throughout.
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Cooper 8/10 – No chance on the goal and then I thought looked a bit slow at times on a few shots and actually made a mess of the long range shot and was lucky Cantwell was offside. After this though he played very well again. He made a number of good saves, the one 2nd half that was hit after his original punch was a superb save. He made a few others low down and again was perhaps our best player. Seems to be almost single handedly keeping us in games.
Choudhury 4/10 – First half continued his wretched form as he seems miles off his man and totally out of position even with a 5, where there is more protection. The goal he plays a really poor ball into Peck and they intercept and score. Countless other times he was nowhere near it and seemed unable to keep up when running back. He is miles off for this level currently in all aspects. Credit him though for clearing that one off the line 2nd half and denying a certain goal which maybe gets him an extra mark! Maybe he can be an asset as a fill in, here and there but he is not the answer as a starter at all. Does not look the same player that did quite well in his loan spell.
McCallum 5/10 – Long throw early on nearly led to a chance but then forced back all the time and thought he was just sat back as we retreated and he was guilty of just hacking it away. They got down both sides and there were gaps all over, despite us having 5 at the back. Do not think he was great and they also ran past him too easily on a few runs. Not sure he is back to his best and maybe we forget he was out for a long-time last season.
Norrington Davies 5/10 - Played left side as a centre back and thought he was one of few who at least did the basics but they found gaps all over to begin the game. Came off at the half time but not sure he was the worst player but Wilder wanted to change his shape – back to the 4-4-2 it seemed?
Tanganga 5/10 – Started the season well but quickly dropped into the inconsistent form of much of last season. Won one tackle early but mostly loose in possession, not being tight on his man and generally affording too much space for forwards to run into. He did clear a few away second half but clumsy at times too and his distribution is shocking. Daft tackle which led to a booking – yet he got some of the ball but went through him. We look poor at the back currently not helped by having none of the ball and sitting so deep.
Kitching 5/10 – Not sure he has improved things at all but then probably shocked how much defending we are doing? Cannot recall any huge mistakes but rarely remember a header, clearance or tackle and they just seemed to get down the sides of the centre backs too much. He looked laborious and poor when on the ball. So many times, he just gave it away under no pressure. He is another that does not seem that dominant aerially but slow over the ground. Not any better than McGuiness on the evidence so far but surely he must be?
Peck 7.5/10 – Started the game poorly, off the pace, careless with the ball and him and Rothwell got overrun as they dominated. The goal came when Choudhury played a bad pass but he still took too long and got caught. Has to be quicker and move it on. After this mistake he gave it away a few times and looked well off it but then suddenly a lovely assist to Cannon. Buoyed by this he then scored a superb goal which was well set up but taken brilliantly with the flick up and shot from range. Second half became involved again with a pass to Cannon and then a shot he screwed wide. The few good things he did came from him. He was involved and looked better when more advanced and not as a defensive midfielder. Gets a lot of credit for the assist and the goal and thus along with Cannon our best outfield player.
Rothwell 4.5/10 – Thought he was largely anonymous. Blackburn passed through our midfield and they just controlled the game. The new shape did not help us have any more control than the 4-4-2 formation, as were so deep. He looked painfully slow in terms of running and physically not sure he is much of a tackler at all? He did then get involved in the 2nd with a near flick to Peck. Switched it back 2nd half to a 4-4-2, but we still had no more control. He is supposed to be someone that helps us have control of games but we have not done that all season.
Donovan 5/10 – Odd one to assess as he started the only one looked like he wanted to get on it and make things happen but often took too many touches. Got a whack early but recovered. Least he tried things but he was guilty of some poor passes that put into trouble. The goal he should have moved it on before the Choudhury/Peck mistakes. Stupid foul to pick up a booking and then second half took off. Not his best night but did try things still but some careless moments too.
Brereton Diaz 4/10 – Played down the middle, which he has not done for a while. We were so deep defensively and sitting back so he had little of the ball. When it was punted forward, the young centre back had the better of him. He kept trying but looked slow. Went back wide left after the change. Just looked so slow and could not really get into the game. Few flicks and helped it on for the 2nd but overall, just not influential, granted little service. The moment when he was defending and they just ran past him,
Cannon 7.5/10 – He gets a lot of criticism and rightly so but there have been plenty worse this season and he has shown some flashes at times and at least scored a few goals now. Today was his best overall game for United. Won headers, worked hard and tried his best to keep the ball/link with others. He took his goal really well and does show at times he can finish but often needs it right on a plate but he had a bit to do with that chance. He won the header on the goal too. So was involved in both goals (as of course was Peck). Had a shooting chance 2nd half but took too long when Campbell might have been the ball. He continued to be an outlet and still looked more lively than the tragic Campbell.
Subs –
Campbell 4.5/10 – He did have a few moments where he flicked it on and twice, he ran down the left and at least linked a bit but overall he looks woefully out of shape and exhausted after even a basic 5-yard job. Gave us an outlet in terms of someone to hit/find but then quickly players caught him up. He was holding his back and then his leg. He is a decent footballer and can be a threat but he just looks physically miles off it. Did have one shot at the keeper on the break. I am surprised we gave him another deal as he has done very little this calendar year (one goal is it at QPR?). To say he only played 45 minutes, he looked like he could barely move the final stages of the game. When he has the ball he often does ok and is quite intelligent but his lack of conditioning is really restrictive.
Phillips 5.5/10 –Better than Rothwell even if we still did not have any real control, until the final stages of the game. I thought they still went past the midfield too easily and he was not really up to the pace of the game. He did improve the final stages of the game and helped a few passes on and saw us have some control but this was only for a small period (but did see the game out)
Doherty 6.5/10 – Did well when he came on and we looked more solid. Defended well and played some nice passes and helped us get up the pitch. He is another that seemed like he struggled, even with limited time but he did ok today and showed his experience. If he did that for us in limited time, when Seriki is back, then that is what he was brought in for. Clearly, he is not fit enough to play longer, or surely he would have been brought in for the hapless Choudhury?
Arblaster 7/10 – Best he has been for a long time. Played wide left but tucked in and saw some of the Blaster of 2 years ago. He played some nice passes, was positive and showed his intelligence. He set up a few half chances and just kept it nice and simple but played progressively, rather than back and side all the time. Promising that we looked better with him and Peck in front of Phillips -ideally, we have a run of games with those three but sadly 2/3 look like they are not ready to log big minutes – but Riedewald and Rothwell cannot do that either! Well, done tonight though. I have been critical but he was much better.
Baptiste – Came on final few minutes. Panicked a bit and cleared it to no one when needed to be a bit calmer.
Manager Rating: Wilder 5/10 – Made giving a manager 5/10 for a win away from home and coming from behind but the result does not tell the story of a game where we were outplayed. He was outcoached again in terms of an opponent completely dominating us in all areas except the goals! I am struggling to see what the plan is to have any control of games. The chances we are conceding (80 shots in 4 games) means 10 per half and means every 5 minutes teams are getting in or finding a shot. Cooper has saved a large number and there are some big chances coming in too. We must get up the pitch and try and keep the ball. When we do this (Cardiff and tonight) we have looked dangerous and scored (From the few chances we have created – so we have been clinical I suppose!). He keeps flicking the formations around, the personnel but we have not improved at all and if anything are getting worse (despite the two wins this week). For all the sales and issues he had to deal with, the comment about no other manager in this league having to deal with him is ridiculous- we still have a top 10 wage bill as the owners admitted. Also, despite the sales of the three best attacking/creative players, we still have some decent and experienced players. To see us getting outplayed routinely at the moment, and against teams picked to finish bottom, is a major worry. He has to find solutions and fast or the results will not continue, as current performances are not sustainable in terms of yielding such wins, we have somehow picked up.
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Blackburn – Played a largely different team to the cup game and were much better. They took the game to us, deservedly led with a great goal and could have been a few goals up long before the turnaround. Poor defending on the goals with a centre half being too deep meaning Cannon could stay onside and score. The second was a good goal but lost three challenges in quick succession – this was the only time this happened all night. Overall though they won many of the loose stuff and played far better football than us. They were more positive, had more chances, shots, touches in the box and dominated possession. They defended poorly in those big moments and then despite dominating most of the 2nd half, they could not take their chances. Cooper made some big saves but they had enough clear chances (the one off the line has to be finished) to score at least a couple of goals and probably win the game. Will be gutted they lost but then the flip side is, you have to finish and do the right thing in both boxes. They did not do that. The lack of forwards due to injuries and general poor depth means they had little in reserve but I was impressed with a few of their players that were positive, quick footed and always tried to attack. Sadly, for all the good play, they did not quite have the final bits that their good approach play and domination deserved. I thought at the start of the season they would struggle and tipped them to do down. I still think that could happen but seen them v Wolves and us and they should have won both games. I would not get too excited if I was a Blackburn fan though as even Cardiff and Bolton have dominated us! They played well and deserved to get the win but were not clinical and we were.
Opposition player of the match – Montgomery looks a good young player and was their best player on the night. Scored a great goal and was up and down, decent on the ball. The lad at the back Atcheson played well too and barely gave BBD a kick but Cannon did better against his partner. Fevrier was a threat too and always looked to get his shots away.
Opposition weak link – Pears looked ropey all night. The first maybe he should have stayed and then did not cover the angles and then it makes a howler 2nd half, that nearly leads to a third for us.
Referee – Matthew f-ing Donoghue. We had him years ago against Blackburn (1-0 win) in one of the worst performances from a referee I have ever seen at the Lane. Had a few other dodgy games but we normally win when he refs. Tonight he continued to be frustrating with a number of fussy fouls given. Could not wait to book some of ours but then the lad Montgomery got booked and then cynically brought Peck down and perhaps a touch lucky not to go off. United were crap but there were a lot of 50-50 calls that I felt went for Blackburn, especially as we hardly tackled.
Doherty, Phillips and Blaster helped us see it out and we kind of managed the very last bit ok but it was a rough result for Blackburn who were the far superior side but lacked the cutting edge/final bit. It worried me that technically, passing, dribbling and overall interplay, they were much better than us. We seemed to just cough up the ball/kick it long and retreat into a low block. It’s bewildering tactics and is not sustainable. We have conceded over 80 shots in 4 games, sit in the bottom 3 of nearly every category but the one that counts goals for/against and points, we are actually doing well! The start in terms of 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat is really positive but the reality is we could easily be sat on a single point (Swansea) as we have been second best in every other game. Do not think I am exaggerating and easily could have lost today 4 or 5-2.
However, we got a result, showed some battling qualities and at least did not wilt as the game went on. We hung in there and got some blocks/saves. I will credit the team for that but the overall shape, structure and patterns of play is nonexistent. We are just defending and hoping that Cooper bails us out. We seem to have lots back but don’t stop the crosses and also teams routinely get to the ball first in the box. The number of shots/chances coming in is frightening and you think when we play the better teams, we will be in trouble unless we improve in all aspects. I feel bad being so critical and sure Wilder will point to the results and the fact we ground it out but since the opening two games, we have been like tonight for four straight games and should have lost all four. The possession stats are frankly ridiculous and means we are just not wanting to have the ball and are just sitting back and defending. It’s so annoying as the few times we did break, we played some neat stuff and looked dangerous. I can kind of expect us maybe sitting in a low block and trying to be hard to beat, against the better teams but we are letting Cardiff, Blackburn and Bolton take the game to us and completely dictate? Surely this is not a plan. If it is, it is not working. He shifted the formation but we still were seeing gaps in midfield and between the back 5 and the 2 in midfield and the front three were just feeding off scraps. I think one of my biggest concerns if we are not really competing physically/sprints/50-50’s? We seem to be losing a lot of battles and thus the ball is coming at us. We just seem to not engage in pressing/blocking. The number of times players just ran past us, or ran down the wings as players like McCallum, Choudhury, BBD just stood there barely even trying to challenge/stop runs.
The positive though are that Cooper continues to perform well; I thought that Peck had his best game after a dodgy start and was involved in the two big moments. Cannon was very good and maybe his best overall game for us. Arblaster also did well when he came on and the midfield three that finished looked a lot better. Doherty also did ok but seemed to struggle even after a few sprints so another that does not look fit.
The biggest thing is we won, but we cannot pretend it was an even half decent performance. We were poor for much of the game but had some of the big moments and then did enough to see it out. They score one of the several chances 2nd half and they probably go on and win but they missed them and we take the result. Still have a lot of concerns at what the plan is in games and how we can not be so dominated in all aspects of play but a win, is a win. If tonight was a one off, you’d be ok and think we played poorly and won – that happens but we have seen 4 straight games now that have almost been the same throughout.
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Cooper 8/10 – No chance on the goal and then I thought looked a bit slow at times on a few shots and actually made a mess of the long range shot and was lucky Cantwell was offside. After this though he played very well again. He made a number of good saves, the one 2nd half that was hit after his original punch was a superb save. He made a few others low down and again was perhaps our best player. Seems to be almost single handedly keeping us in games.
Choudhury 4/10 – First half continued his wretched form as he seems miles off his man and totally out of position even with a 5, where there is more protection. The goal he plays a really poor ball into Peck and they intercept and score. Countless other times he was nowhere near it and seemed unable to keep up when running back. He is miles off for this level currently in all aspects. Credit him though for clearing that one off the line 2nd half and denying a certain goal which maybe gets him an extra mark! Maybe he can be an asset as a fill in, here and there but he is not the answer as a starter at all. Does not look the same player that did quite well in his loan spell.
McCallum 5/10 – Long throw early on nearly led to a chance but then forced back all the time and thought he was just sat back as we retreated and he was guilty of just hacking it away. They got down both sides and there were gaps all over, despite us having 5 at the back. Do not think he was great and they also ran past him too easily on a few runs. Not sure he is back to his best and maybe we forget he was out for a long-time last season.
Norrington Davies 5/10 - Played left side as a centre back and thought he was one of few who at least did the basics but they found gaps all over to begin the game. Came off at the half time but not sure he was the worst player but Wilder wanted to change his shape – back to the 4-4-2 it seemed?
Tanganga 5/10 – Started the season well but quickly dropped into the inconsistent form of much of last season. Won one tackle early but mostly loose in possession, not being tight on his man and generally affording too much space for forwards to run into. He did clear a few away second half but clumsy at times too and his distribution is shocking. Daft tackle which led to a booking – yet he got some of the ball but went through him. We look poor at the back currently not helped by having none of the ball and sitting so deep.
Kitching 5/10 – Not sure he has improved things at all but then probably shocked how much defending we are doing? Cannot recall any huge mistakes but rarely remember a header, clearance or tackle and they just seemed to get down the sides of the centre backs too much. He looked laborious and poor when on the ball. So many times, he just gave it away under no pressure. He is another that does not seem that dominant aerially but slow over the ground. Not any better than McGuiness on the evidence so far but surely he must be?
Peck 7.5/10 – Started the game poorly, off the pace, careless with the ball and him and Rothwell got overrun as they dominated. The goal came when Choudhury played a bad pass but he still took too long and got caught. Has to be quicker and move it on. After this mistake he gave it away a few times and looked well off it but then suddenly a lovely assist to Cannon. Buoyed by this he then scored a superb goal which was well set up but taken brilliantly with the flick up and shot from range. Second half became involved again with a pass to Cannon and then a shot he screwed wide. The few good things he did came from him. He was involved and looked better when more advanced and not as a defensive midfielder. Gets a lot of credit for the assist and the goal and thus along with Cannon our best outfield player.
Rothwell 4.5/10 – Thought he was largely anonymous. Blackburn passed through our midfield and they just controlled the game. The new shape did not help us have any more control than the 4-4-2 formation, as were so deep. He looked painfully slow in terms of running and physically not sure he is much of a tackler at all? He did then get involved in the 2nd with a near flick to Peck. Switched it back 2nd half to a 4-4-2, but we still had no more control. He is supposed to be someone that helps us have control of games but we have not done that all season.
Donovan 5/10 – Odd one to assess as he started the only one looked like he wanted to get on it and make things happen but often took too many touches. Got a whack early but recovered. Least he tried things but he was guilty of some poor passes that put into trouble. The goal he should have moved it on before the Choudhury/Peck mistakes. Stupid foul to pick up a booking and then second half took off. Not his best night but did try things still but some careless moments too.
Brereton Diaz 4/10 – Played down the middle, which he has not done for a while. We were so deep defensively and sitting back so he had little of the ball. When it was punted forward, the young centre back had the better of him. He kept trying but looked slow. Went back wide left after the change. Just looked so slow and could not really get into the game. Few flicks and helped it on for the 2nd but overall, just not influential, granted little service. The moment when he was defending and they just ran past him,
Cannon 7.5/10 – He gets a lot of criticism and rightly so but there have been plenty worse this season and he has shown some flashes at times and at least scored a few goals now. Today was his best overall game for United. Won headers, worked hard and tried his best to keep the ball/link with others. He took his goal really well and does show at times he can finish but often needs it right on a plate but he had a bit to do with that chance. He won the header on the goal too. So was involved in both goals (as of course was Peck). Had a shooting chance 2nd half but took too long when Campbell might have been the ball. He continued to be an outlet and still looked more lively than the tragic Campbell.
Subs –
Campbell 4.5/10 – He did have a few moments where he flicked it on and twice, he ran down the left and at least linked a bit but overall he looks woefully out of shape and exhausted after even a basic 5-yard job. Gave us an outlet in terms of someone to hit/find but then quickly players caught him up. He was holding his back and then his leg. He is a decent footballer and can be a threat but he just looks physically miles off it. Did have one shot at the keeper on the break. I am surprised we gave him another deal as he has done very little this calendar year (one goal is it at QPR?). To say he only played 45 minutes, he looked like he could barely move the final stages of the game. When he has the ball he often does ok and is quite intelligent but his lack of conditioning is really restrictive.
Phillips 5.5/10 –Better than Rothwell even if we still did not have any real control, until the final stages of the game. I thought they still went past the midfield too easily and he was not really up to the pace of the game. He did improve the final stages of the game and helped a few passes on and saw us have some control but this was only for a small period (but did see the game out)
Doherty 6.5/10 – Did well when he came on and we looked more solid. Defended well and played some nice passes and helped us get up the pitch. He is another that seemed like he struggled, even with limited time but he did ok today and showed his experience. If he did that for us in limited time, when Seriki is back, then that is what he was brought in for. Clearly, he is not fit enough to play longer, or surely he would have been brought in for the hapless Choudhury?
Arblaster 7/10 – Best he has been for a long time. Played wide left but tucked in and saw some of the Blaster of 2 years ago. He played some nice passes, was positive and showed his intelligence. He set up a few half chances and just kept it nice and simple but played progressively, rather than back and side all the time. Promising that we looked better with him and Peck in front of Phillips -ideally, we have a run of games with those three but sadly 2/3 look like they are not ready to log big minutes – but Riedewald and Rothwell cannot do that either! Well, done tonight though. I have been critical but he was much better.
Baptiste – Came on final few minutes. Panicked a bit and cleared it to no one when needed to be a bit calmer.
Manager Rating: Wilder 5/10 – Made giving a manager 5/10 for a win away from home and coming from behind but the result does not tell the story of a game where we were outplayed. He was outcoached again in terms of an opponent completely dominating us in all areas except the goals! I am struggling to see what the plan is to have any control of games. The chances we are conceding (80 shots in 4 games) means 10 per half and means every 5 minutes teams are getting in or finding a shot. Cooper has saved a large number and there are some big chances coming in too. We must get up the pitch and try and keep the ball. When we do this (Cardiff and tonight) we have looked dangerous and scored (From the few chances we have created – so we have been clinical I suppose!). He keeps flicking the formations around, the personnel but we have not improved at all and if anything are getting worse (despite the two wins this week). For all the sales and issues he had to deal with, the comment about no other manager in this league having to deal with him is ridiculous- we still have a top 10 wage bill as the owners admitted. Also, despite the sales of the three best attacking/creative players, we still have some decent and experienced players. To see us getting outplayed routinely at the moment, and against teams picked to finish bottom, is a major worry. He has to find solutions and fast or the results will not continue, as current performances are not sustainable in terms of yielding such wins, we have somehow picked up.
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Blackburn – Played a largely different team to the cup game and were much better. They took the game to us, deservedly led with a great goal and could have been a few goals up long before the turnaround. Poor defending on the goals with a centre half being too deep meaning Cannon could stay onside and score. The second was a good goal but lost three challenges in quick succession – this was the only time this happened all night. Overall though they won many of the loose stuff and played far better football than us. They were more positive, had more chances, shots, touches in the box and dominated possession. They defended poorly in those big moments and then despite dominating most of the 2nd half, they could not take their chances. Cooper made some big saves but they had enough clear chances (the one off the line has to be finished) to score at least a couple of goals and probably win the game. Will be gutted they lost but then the flip side is, you have to finish and do the right thing in both boxes. They did not do that. The lack of forwards due to injuries and general poor depth means they had little in reserve but I was impressed with a few of their players that were positive, quick footed and always tried to attack. Sadly, for all the good play, they did not quite have the final bits that their good approach play and domination deserved. I thought at the start of the season they would struggle and tipped them to do down. I still think that could happen but seen them v Wolves and us and they should have won both games. I would not get too excited if I was a Blackburn fan though as even Cardiff and Bolton have dominated us! They played well and deserved to get the win but were not clinical and we were.
Opposition player of the match – Montgomery looks a good young player and was their best player on the night. Scored a great goal and was up and down, decent on the ball. The lad at the back Atcheson played well too and barely gave BBD a kick but Cannon did better against his partner. Fevrier was a threat too and always looked to get his shots away.
Opposition weak link – Pears looked ropey all night. The first maybe he should have stayed and then did not cover the angles and then it makes a howler 2nd half, that nearly leads to a third for us.
Referee – Matthew f-ing Donoghue. We had him years ago against Blackburn (1-0 win) in one of the worst performances from a referee I have ever seen at the Lane. Had a few other dodgy games but we normally win when he refs. Tonight he continued to be frustrating with a number of fussy fouls given. Could not wait to book some of ours but then the lad Montgomery got booked and then cynically brought Peck down and perhaps a touch lucky not to go off. United were crap but there were a lot of 50-50 calls that I felt went for Blackburn, especially as we hardly tackled.
