Quick player report vs Brentford

[Bergen Blade]

BLACKMAN 9 - Saved us on a few occasions.


FREEMAN 6 - OK, not too involved. Will probably be difficult for him to have that kind of impact, as we'll be up against better players.

BASHAM 9 - Fantastic game, in full control and took the piss with that dribble

STEARMAN 7 - Not too much to do, but looked comfortable

O'CONNELL 8 - Amazing last ditch tackle. Another strong performance

STEVENS 7 - Like him a lot. Looks strong and solid and quick.


COUTTS 8 - Did well, good on the ball and even fitter than last season

FLECK 8 - Strong perfomance, much like last season

CARRUTHERS 6,5 - Struggled at times first half, being closed down quickly and touch a bit off. Improved


SHARP 7 - Good headed goal, decent play overall

CLARKE 8 - Tremendous work rate and caused them trouble

----

LUNDSTRAM 6 - Came in to solidify us a bit, lining up to Coutts' right. Doesn't look like he's really made for that role, chase and get stuck in, but made a few interceptions and made sure we had an extra body in midfield

LAVARY 7 - Not too much time, but the right substitution as he's always busy and full of running, offering an extra threat in behind. Nearly scored

--------------
I was impressed with Brentford's players and definitely noticed the higher standard compared to last season. But we managed to keep them out, then started outfighting them and got ahead. Great game to watch and a superb start to the season.

 

[Whiston Blade]

I though Samir had a great game, linked up well and was disappointed he was brought off. Bash was a beast.

 

[Reedy1889]

Just about how I would have marked them, maybe a tad harsh on Samir there though imo.

On a side note - I just love watching Coutts play football, he makes it look oh so easy.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

I though Samir had a great game, linked up well and was disappointed he was brought off. Bash was a beast.

Me too. I thought Carruthers was a real creative spark for us. I'd also mention Clarke who I thought had a great game and really put in a shift.

 

[Rusty view]

Agree apart from Samir. Thought he ran the show. At least 8 or 9 out of 10 in my humble opinion

 

[SteveBlade]

Thought Samir was very direct and dangerous. Didn't always come off but he was always a threat.

Agree about Freeman though. Didn't have much impact, but still part of a solid defence.

 

[McGrath]

Thought Stevens was an 8 attacking and a 6 defending

 

[PokerBlade]

I though Samir had a great game, linked up well and was disappointed he was brought off. Bash was a beast.

Started off weak for me. We had most of the possession at the start, but seemed like a fair few of our team got a bit of a shock at how quick the opposition were when they came at us early on. Carruthers got caught a couple of times and wasted possession. Improved as he went on, and what he played of the second half he was exceptional.

 

[Sharp as a blade]

Not sure how Fleck gets an 8 and carruthers a 6.5. Fleck made a few misplaced passes / errors and Samir looked our biggest threat on the ball.

I would have given fleck a 7 and carruthers an 8.

Agree on most of the others though. Clarke absolutely terrorised their CB's and put in a great shift.

 

[Ricky]

Blackman - 9 - What a debut. Won us the game.
Freeman - 6.5
Basham - 9 - What a guy. He's a fucking tackling machine.
Stearman - 7
O'Connell - 8.5
Stevens - 7.5
Coutts - 8
Fleck - 7.5
Carruthers - 8
Clarke - 8.5 - Put in a great shift. Had a hard job to do and did it very well.
Sharp - 7.5

Lundstram - 6
Lavery - 7


It has to be said that Brentford made it very hard for us and deserved a draw. And they're probably only a mid table side. Ryan Woods bossed the second half and never stopped getting on the ball, and obviously Jota's a very good player too. They were sharper than us, more mobile and they have more ball carriers than us. That's why they had more of the ball. It was hard to get close to them at times, and I thought we should have increased our central midfield numbers - Carruthers had a lot of space to cover on his own and that's probably why he was taken off - he will have been knackered.

A really committed performance from us and a great way to start the season but at the same time it was a reality check for a lot of our fans. The difference in quality is significant, in case anyone doubted it.

If you look at these ratings for a 1-0 home win against a mid table side, it tells you quite a lot. We're going to have to be at it this season to stay out of trouble.

 

[Lard_Lad]

Freeman was a lot better 2nd half, also think Carruthers was excellent, he's something a bit different and is always looking to start an attack.

 

[zablade]

It has to be said that Brentford made it very hard for us and deserved a draw. And they're probably only a mid table side. Ryan Woods bossed the second half and never stopped getting on the ball, and obviously Jota's a very good player too. They were sharper than us, more mobile and they have more ball carriers than us. That's why they had more of the ball. It was hard to get close to them at times, and I thought we should have increased our central midfield numbers - Carruthers had a lot of space to cover on his own and that's probably why he was taken off - he will have been knackered.

A really committed performance from us and a great way to start the season but at the same time it was a reality check for a lot of our fans. The difference in quality is significant, in case anyone doubted it.

A pretty decent assessment apart from I think Brentford will be more than mid table side, would not be surprised if they aren't in contention at least for top six.

 

[Wards]

Thought Carruthers had a really good game.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

Blackman - 9 - What a debut. Won us the game.
Freeman - 6.5
Basham - 9 - What a guy. He's a fucking tackling machine.
Stearman - 7
O'Connell - 8.5
Stevens - 7.5
Coutts - 8
Fleck - 7.5
Carruthers - 8
Clarke - 8.5 - Put in a great shift. Had a hard job to do and did it very well.
Sharp - 7.5

Lundstram - 6
Lavery - 7


It has to be said that Brentford made it very hard for us and deserved a draw. And they're probably only a mid table side. Ryan Woods bossed the second half and never stopped getting on the ball, and obviously Jota's a very good player too. They were sharper than us, more mobile and they have more ball carriers than us. That's why they had more of the ball. It was hard to get close to them at times, and I thought we should have increased our central midfield numbers - Carruthers had a lot of space to cover on his own and that's probably why he was taken off - he will have been knackered.

A really committed performance from us and a great way to start the season but at the same time it was a reality check for a lot of our fans. The difference in quality is significant, in case anyone doubted it.

If you look at these ratings for a 1-0 home win against a mid table side, it tells you quite a lot. We're going to have to be at it this season.

Agree with all of that. Presumably Ryan Woods is the No 15 (ginger kid?), if so he was outstanding. If we could buy him and play him along side Fleckiesta and Coooooouts we would be unbeatable.

UTB

 

[bornablade]

Let's give ourselves time to settle in to this new league. Give it a few more weeks, probably about September 24th and we'll be flying.

We're 3 points better off than we were at this stage last season and look how that finished.

 

[JohnDenver]

Agree with all of that. Presumably Ryan Woods is the No 15 (ginger kid?), if so he was outstanding. If we could buy him and play him along side Fleckiesta and Coooooouts we would be unbeatable.

UTB

As he was for Shrewsbury when they played here a few years back. Wish we'd signed him back then.

 

[Ricky]

A pretty decent assessment apart from I think Brentford will be more than mid table side, would not be surprised if they aren't in contention at least for top six.

They have plenty of ability, but they'll lose games like today's. They're a young side and perhaps lack that nous required to kick on a level. But you could be right. We'll see.

Agree with all of that. Presumably Ryan Woods is the No 15 (ginger kid?), if so he was outstanding. If we could buy him and play him along side Fleckiesta and Coooooouts we would be unbeatable.

UTB

Yes, that's him. He played against us for Shrewsbury about 3 seasons ago (at right back) and looked outstanding. He's gone to Brentford and got even better and made himself first choice in central midfield. They did very well to get him. He obviously has excellent stamina as well as ability. He never stopped moving into space, getting on the ball and driving them forward.

 

[sufcboy95]

Thought Clarke was quality today, really put a shift in

 

[LSF]

As he was for Shrewsbury when they played here a few years back. Wish we'd signed him back then.

Yep, he played rwb that day and looked excellent. We did a look up on him and marked him down as one to watch.
His promise that day has come to fruition. Their stand out player today.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Just backing what others have said; I think Samir was a strong 8 today and we lost impetus once he went off.

 

[Harry's Game]

Just backing what others have said; I think Samir was a strong 8 today and we lost impetus once he went off.

He was knackered though, can fully understand why he was brought off.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

He was knackered though, can fully understand why he was brought off.

Agreed but altering the formation with a deeper midfielder affected us and allowed them to push onto us. Again I understand why but I thought we were lucky to hang on in the end.
Riskier but I did wonder if we'd bring on a bit of pace or even Brooks for him and offer a threat as they continued to press forward.
All's well that ends well, however.

 

[Harry's Game]

Agreed but altering the formation with a deeper midfielder affected us and allowed them to push onto us. Again I understand why but I thought we were lucky to hang on in the end.
Riskier but I did wonder if we'd bring on a bit of pace or even Brooks for him and offer a threat as they continued to press forward.
All's well that ends well, however.

I would have brought Duffy on for Samir, they were pushing so far forward at that point he could have exploited the space in between the midfield and attack.

 

[Fulwood Blade]

A really committed performance from us and a great way to start the season but at the same time it was a reality check for a lot of our fans. The difference in quality is significant, in case anyone doubted it.

This is not a complaint with that statement - but if Brentford are to be as good as some neutrals have said - and some have them 3rd to 6th, then some of our fans may actually be correct with pre-season thoughts of where we could possibly finish, especially if we grow into the season as we did last.

UTB

 

[Boxer Blade]

Derby fan in our car cominghome thought Samir was mom, most of us said it was a toss up between him and Clarke, why did Samir go off was it tactical or did he take a knock because I was disappointed to see him being substituted

 

[Jehovah]

Interesting. I thought carruthers was frustrating. Holds onto the ball far too long.

 

[Snowman]

Blackman scares me.Can't put my finger on quite why. I think that game will have done his confidence the world of good and settle him in. 8
Clarke work rate was immense and gave the back line a hard time. 10.
Apart from 10 minutes when he was seeming to take a rest Carruthers gave us that "drive into the box". He's something different. 9
Not yet impressed by Stevens in defence mode. Was caught ball watching as they floated it over him with the diagonal ball. 7
O'Connell. No problem stepping up. 8
Basham.Thank Fuck he is as fit as he is. 8
Freeman. A bit lost on occasions. Good enough. 7
Stearman. Did enough 8
Coutts. Faded a bit late on but it was tough in that midfield because Brentford were bloody good there. 8
Fleck. Must have been me, I didn't see much of him apart from chasing Jota 7
Sharp. Good movement and link play. Effort as usual and a well taken goal. 8

Team. Had to cope with a very good opponent who were technically and tactically excellent. However, we had enough skill to cope backed by excellent teamwork.

 

[seanbeenstattoo]

BLACKMAN 9 - Saved us on a few occasions.


FREEMAN 6 - OK, not too involved. Will probably be difficult for him to have that kind of impact, as we'll be up against better players.

BASHAM 9 - Fantastic game, in full control and took the piss with that dribble

STEARMAN 7 - Not too much to do, but looked comfortable

O'CONNELL 8 - Amazing last ditch tackle. Another strong performance

STEVENS 7 - Like him a lot. Looks strong and solid and quick.


COUTTS 8 - Did well, good on the ball and even fitter than last season

FLECK 8 - Strong perfomance, much like last season

CARRUTHERS 6,5 - Struggled at times first half, being closed down quickly and touch a bit off. Improved


SHARP 7 - Good headed goal, decent play overall

CLARKE 8 - Tremendous work rate and caused them trouble

----

LUNDSTRAM 6 - Came in to solidify us a bit, lining up to Coutts' right. Doesn't look like he's really made for that role, chase and get stuck in, but made a few interceptions and made sure we had an extra body in midfield

LAVARY 7 - Not too much time, but the right substitution as he's always busy and full of running, offering an extra threat in behind. Nearly scored

--------------
I was impressed with Brentford's players and definitely noticed the higher standard compared to last season. But we managed to keep them out, then started outfighting them and got ahead. Great game to watch and a superb start to the season.

Sorry.
Carruthers was fantastic and Coutts should have come off instead when Lundstrum came on. Thought he was lethargic the more the game went on and offers nothing defensively which he needed to today.

 

[TheGoatPenguin]

Blackman - 9 MOTM saved us today
Freeman - 5 quiet game some good tackles though on Henry
Bash - 8 immense as usual
Stearman - 6 did what he had to
O'Connell - 7 grew into the game
Stevens - 7 looks great going forward
Coutts - 7 looked bright all over
Fleck - 6 quiet for him only saw glimpses of his usual self
Carruthers - 6 for me tried but a bit slow in possesion and a few things didn't come off
Sharp - 7 quiet again but did what he had to and great header.
Clarke - 6 slow in possession like Samir but held the ball up well at times and good cross for the goal.

Brentford are a really good starter game and showed what the division is going to be about. They moved the ball about better than us and probably deserved the draw. Vibe was a handful at times. Blackman saved us today and we only saw glimpses of our usual selves. We need to work on the movement and our speed of decision making but all stuff we'll hopefully grow into as the season goes on.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

Clarke, Blackman, Basham and O'Connell excellent for us today. No weak links throughout the squad.

Thought Brentford looked very good at times with some classy players. However, their number 3 (Henry) was awful and the centre half (Bellend) lived up to his name.