Deadbat
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Too tired and late so report is brief.
We were not spectacular but Fleetwood were very poor. We scored in a minute after good work from Basham and a keeping fumble saw Adams smash home from close range. After this we were poor and never really got going and kicked on. We were too slow to move the ball and the tempo was slow. They had a decent half hour but did not actually create anything really and were equally ponderous in possession. The game sort of limped by with nothing happening with the crowd getting frustrated with many wanting us to knock it forward quicker and some happy with the ball being kept. The crowd were a little harsh but it was poor and very slow. Fleetwood were there for the taking. Second half Coutts came on and made a difference and helped us move it quicker and the tempo increased for a 10-15 minute spell. We created a few more chances and Adams scored another opportunistic strike after good work from Wallace. The same man created the third with Sharp tapping home. It was more poor defending but showed how easy it was to get through. The last 15 minutes was like a practice game as Fleetwood were well beaten and United could now play keep ball and not have too go forward.
All in all; United deserved the win. We began the game well but then regressed badly but fortunately Fleetwood created only one half chance Howard patted out and despite frustrations from crowd we never looked in danger. We made things hard with poor passing and lack of tempo but it was still relatively comfortable. Second half we stepped it up for a spell and got the killer goals.
Fleetwood were dreadful. Maybe the worst side we have seen at the Lane. They were not much to beat with a poor slow defence, they gave it away as much us all and had nothing up top. How they beat Burton 4-0 I am not sure. United will have to play much better to beat the better teams and even though it was 3-0 it was still not convincing with the side still lacking shape, cohesion and confidence. Too many players are still passing the buck and we lack leaders still all over the side. Adams quality showed a few times and a few others did ok, Sharp worked hard with little service and Wallace and McGahey both were decent in different ways. Coutts was one of better players.
Howard 6/10 - May seem harsh but he patted two weakfish shots out making them harder than they should have been. He also fisted two crosses from his chest that should have been caught. His distribution was also poor again including one throw to no one when no United players were even looking. To defend him he has been told to go short though but he struggles to find shirts even at close range!
Freeman 7/10 - Steady enough. Got beat once near the end but made a few tackles and has still been one of our more consistent players this season.
Collins 6.5/10 - Was ok but still sold players short a few times and he lost his man badly second half when the forward's touch was poor and the striker miscontrolled a golden chance which could have converted. Still not convincing but faced poor strikers tonight.
McGahey 7/10 - Did ok tonight. His touch and technical play is limited but he kept it simple. Gave it away once first half but he did not make any other errors and just kept it simple.
Wallace 7.5/10 - Our best player for me. Got up and down the left wing. Defended sensibly and passed it well. Always looked to go forward both on and off the ball. Involved in 2nd and 3rd goals with good runs and nice crosses. Quietly becoming one of our better performers this season which I never thought would be the case but he is a far better footballer than I thought.
Basham 6.5.10 - Mixed. At times made good tackle and covered well but also was hiding behind men at times and game passed him by. Him and Hammond might be a bit similar as holding players in this area. He does not influence games enough for me and can have long spells where we don't see him.
Hammond 6.5/10 - Carrying a bit of weight and looks unfit but he did move off into space and was always willing to go square but his passing was mixed. One of few wanting to get on the ball and tried to always be available but need to see more of him. Looked another functional Basham type and hope he can offer a but more when he gets fit and more game time.
Done 6/10 - Got booked for a daft tackle and was not in the game much attacking wise. Worked hard as he always does but did not create much or have any goal chances. He was taken off after he committed another foul.
Cambell Ryce 4.5/10 - Thought he was really poor tonight and lucky to last 80 minutes or so. Gave it away constantly first half and then when he got it second half he over played or his final ball was poor. He is a great impact sub but not sure he does it when he starts enough. Was never really a threat and just gave it way too much tonight.
Adams 7/10 - He was not in the game too much and at times went down blind alleys but he scored two goals. Both were just about being in the right place but he was there. Had a few other runs and for some of his tactical flaws still is one of few players who you think might create problems for opponents.
Sharp 7/10 - Worked hard and did not get many chances before he scored a simple finish towards the end. Needed that goal after a few weeks without and some bad misses. He did a lot of his good work away from the area but the way the formation was saw all three of the most forward players interchange a lot.
Subs:
Coutts 7.5/10 - Given him a rating as he was excellent when he came on. Won the ball and moved it forward and at pace. He really did help improve the tempo and I felt he changed things a lot. Shame he struggles with 90 minutes due to fitness and he often cannot run for long periods (even seemed to run with a limp when he came on today!). I have criticised this lack of match fitness or ability to run / track back but today he looked excellent and his touch and passing was crisp and incisive.
Baxter - His first touch was poor and he gave it away a few times with erroneous touches but he also played a few neat balls too. Off at moment as he seems in and out of the side. I think playing him in front of Basham and Hammond with the three strikers might be the way to go at moment.
Woolford - Had one long range shot and then a mixed bag but game was decided by then.
We were not spectacular but Fleetwood were very poor. We scored in a minute after good work from Basham and a keeping fumble saw Adams smash home from close range. After this we were poor and never really got going and kicked on. We were too slow to move the ball and the tempo was slow. They had a decent half hour but did not actually create anything really and were equally ponderous in possession. The game sort of limped by with nothing happening with the crowd getting frustrated with many wanting us to knock it forward quicker and some happy with the ball being kept. The crowd were a little harsh but it was poor and very slow. Fleetwood were there for the taking. Second half Coutts came on and made a difference and helped us move it quicker and the tempo increased for a 10-15 minute spell. We created a few more chances and Adams scored another opportunistic strike after good work from Wallace. The same man created the third with Sharp tapping home. It was more poor defending but showed how easy it was to get through. The last 15 minutes was like a practice game as Fleetwood were well beaten and United could now play keep ball and not have too go forward.
All in all; United deserved the win. We began the game well but then regressed badly but fortunately Fleetwood created only one half chance Howard patted out and despite frustrations from crowd we never looked in danger. We made things hard with poor passing and lack of tempo but it was still relatively comfortable. Second half we stepped it up for a spell and got the killer goals.
Fleetwood were dreadful. Maybe the worst side we have seen at the Lane. They were not much to beat with a poor slow defence, they gave it away as much us all and had nothing up top. How they beat Burton 4-0 I am not sure. United will have to play much better to beat the better teams and even though it was 3-0 it was still not convincing with the side still lacking shape, cohesion and confidence. Too many players are still passing the buck and we lack leaders still all over the side. Adams quality showed a few times and a few others did ok, Sharp worked hard with little service and Wallace and McGahey both were decent in different ways. Coutts was one of better players.
Howard 6/10 - May seem harsh but he patted two weakfish shots out making them harder than they should have been. He also fisted two crosses from his chest that should have been caught. His distribution was also poor again including one throw to no one when no United players were even looking. To defend him he has been told to go short though but he struggles to find shirts even at close range!
Freeman 7/10 - Steady enough. Got beat once near the end but made a few tackles and has still been one of our more consistent players this season.
Collins 6.5/10 - Was ok but still sold players short a few times and he lost his man badly second half when the forward's touch was poor and the striker miscontrolled a golden chance which could have converted. Still not convincing but faced poor strikers tonight.
McGahey 7/10 - Did ok tonight. His touch and technical play is limited but he kept it simple. Gave it away once first half but he did not make any other errors and just kept it simple.
Wallace 7.5/10 - Our best player for me. Got up and down the left wing. Defended sensibly and passed it well. Always looked to go forward both on and off the ball. Involved in 2nd and 3rd goals with good runs and nice crosses. Quietly becoming one of our better performers this season which I never thought would be the case but he is a far better footballer than I thought.
Basham 6.5.10 - Mixed. At times made good tackle and covered well but also was hiding behind men at times and game passed him by. Him and Hammond might be a bit similar as holding players in this area. He does not influence games enough for me and can have long spells where we don't see him.
Hammond 6.5/10 - Carrying a bit of weight and looks unfit but he did move off into space and was always willing to go square but his passing was mixed. One of few wanting to get on the ball and tried to always be available but need to see more of him. Looked another functional Basham type and hope he can offer a but more when he gets fit and more game time.
Done 6/10 - Got booked for a daft tackle and was not in the game much attacking wise. Worked hard as he always does but did not create much or have any goal chances. He was taken off after he committed another foul.
Cambell Ryce 4.5/10 - Thought he was really poor tonight and lucky to last 80 minutes or so. Gave it away constantly first half and then when he got it second half he over played or his final ball was poor. He is a great impact sub but not sure he does it when he starts enough. Was never really a threat and just gave it way too much tonight.
Adams 7/10 - He was not in the game too much and at times went down blind alleys but he scored two goals. Both were just about being in the right place but he was there. Had a few other runs and for some of his tactical flaws still is one of few players who you think might create problems for opponents.
Sharp 7/10 - Worked hard and did not get many chances before he scored a simple finish towards the end. Needed that goal after a few weeks without and some bad misses. He did a lot of his good work away from the area but the way the formation was saw all three of the most forward players interchange a lot.
Subs:
Coutts 7.5/10 - Given him a rating as he was excellent when he came on. Won the ball and moved it forward and at pace. He really did help improve the tempo and I felt he changed things a lot. Shame he struggles with 90 minutes due to fitness and he often cannot run for long periods (even seemed to run with a limp when he came on today!). I have criticised this lack of match fitness or ability to run / track back but today he looked excellent and his touch and passing was crisp and incisive.
Baxter - His first touch was poor and he gave it away a few times with erroneous touches but he also played a few neat balls too. Off at moment as he seems in and out of the side. I think playing him in front of Basham and Hammond with the three strikers might be the way to go at moment.
Woolford - Had one long range shot and then a mixed bag but game was decided by then.
In effect he was hugely disappointing - pedestrian, nervous, didn't particularly want the ball even when it kept arriving at his feet, not apparently strong and no sign of leadership qualities. However, I'm too long in the tooth to write off any professional footballer on 60 minutes showing. I await expectantly.
