Fuck me, what a shambles
First half, started well. Lots more energy, movement, organisation, pressing. Moving the ball quickly and look really up for it. Still, they had the best chance from a Stevens mistake and we made a number of mistakes and bad choices in our own half. We had more possession and more of the ball but we were a bit kamikaze going forward (Luckily they were offside when Egan completely missed a header when they were two on two). Got the goal and then the penalty (was a penalty, bit dubious about the card as it looked like Brewster's touch was heavy but no attempt at a tackle.) He look better with Norwood and Hourihane because other teams can't double-mark both playmakers. Gives them both more time.
2.0 at half time. In control. All we needed to do was retain possession and move the ball round them
and then.....
The fucking second half. Sure, we missed a few decent chances but they looked much more dangerous going forward as the game went on and seemed to have twice the fitness and mobility of our players. Terrible substitutions didn't help. They were more determined than use. They looked more up for it after the sending off. We were shit.
Wes - 6 - Fuck me, lad has the first touch of doom. Made a few decent saves, but shots he should be saving, but like a bombscare when he had the ball at his feet. Very lucky that their strikers didn't anticipate his shitness. We need someone more solid in goal.
Enda - 7 - We looked so much more solid with him back in the team. Seems to be playing with an injury given the amount of padding he had in his pads and had to go off. Looks like a calf injury. I think people overlook the impact he has on our attacking when he comes infield. He makes the extra man and the overlap. Lovely ball to Brewster and involved with much of our good attacking play.
Robinson - 3 - Almost made several mistakes first half. Unlucky on a couple as he got hospital balls, but still. Another with a heavy first touch and a lack of thought into what he's going to do with it. His throws are dangerous and he got forward well and supported first half but defensively he just seems flat footed and always a step behind the striker. Not terrible tonight but I'll be glad when Davies is back.
Egan - 5 - Let a(nother) straight high ball bounce and was lucky to get away with it. Should have done better in several occasions. Another lucky moment when a striker got goalside of him second half and he pulled him back but offside again. Slow and sloppy.
Bash - 5.5 - Got forward well but there were a lot of misplaced passes today. Gave Robinson a hospital ball and should have done better on the first.
Hourihane - 6 - One of his best games for us. Got forward much more and looked much more up for it. Made a brilliant tackle back after Berge gave it away. Some interesting set-piece corners which we're trying on his watch, but needs better delivery.
Bogle - 6 - Much more dangerous going forward and got his goal. Looked to take men on more but got booked for stupidity and again weak defensively.
Norwood - 5.5 - Pings the ball around nicely as usual but defensively so slow and weak. Players run passed him at will. I noted the first jog after and point on around 9 minutes tonight. They were just running through him second half.
Ndiaye - 6 - Game of two halves. Looked dangerous first half and had a good run and shot. He flatters to deceive though. There's little end product and the defensive side of his game, whilst willing, is sloppy. Guilty of losing the ball too often.
Brewster - 6 - He's getting (very slowly) better. Should have done better with several shots but won the penalty with his movement and starting to make much better runs and much better movement.
Sharp - 5.5 - Kept going and kept making runs. He always offers himself and uses his experience well but not really got the legs or sharpness anymore.
(Disastrous) subs
McGoldrick - 5.5 - Did ok. We held up the ball better with him on but had little or no one helping him.
Berge - 4 - Slow and sloppy again. Looks half arsed. I want to see much more. Almost gave them a winner but saved by Hourihane's brilliant tackling back
RND - 4 - Got forward but didn't offer much defensively.
Heck -5 - Much better first half. They looked much better set-up and much more organised. You could hear them being much more vocal on the pitch. The decision to bring on McGoldrick was patently wrong. We needed more strength and legs in the centre and that was not what we needed as Ndiaye and Sharp both tiring. Poor game management second half on and off the pitch.
Preston - Fair play to them. They kept playing good passing football and got what they deserved.
V. 
