Phillips: 7.5 (for save from Marquis). Dijksteel; 7 Decent game. Bauer: 7 Allowing for elation from new addition. Sarr: 6 Hope he is back to normal form for final! Purrington: 7 Nothing wrong. Bielik: 7.5 Really rate this guy, if only we could keep him for another season. Cullen: 7.5 Decent game. Aribo: 7 Seen Joe play a lot better but sure he will at Wembley! Morgan: 6.5 One for the future, nearly scored early on but bullied by their no. 7. Taylor: 7.5 Joint MOM with all my 7.5's! Parker: 5 Sorry admire that he is a tryer but we need Igor, even half fit offers much more! Pratley: 7.5 saved us with the equaliser very decent game! Williams: 7.5 Should have been on much earlier, surely a must for Wembley with his International experience!
Referee: 4 Bottled penalty decisions, suppose he did't want to be surrounded by players, not up to this league!
Phillips: 6.5 - No much chance with any of the goals Dijksteel; 7 - Did well against Wilkes when he had to Bauer: 7 - Went missing for third goal but other than that a good game for the new father! Sarr: 6 - Nowhere near his recent game levels and embarrassed by Wilkes late on Purrington: 7 - Decent game Bielik: 6.5 - Good goal but then seemed to be trying too hard Cullen: 7 - All over the shop Aribo: 8 - Fabulous first 75 minutes but then ran out of steam Morgan: 6 - Did OK before being hauled off at h/t Taylor: 5.5 - Worked hard but didn't get much out of their centre backs Parker: 5 - Ditto but lost the ball a lot Pratley: 7 - Did well and immediately involved Williams: 6.5 - Still falls over too much Referee: 7 - Not too bad for a big game
Phillips: 8 Leadership and pen save Dijksteel; 7.5 Would have been MoM if not for losing possession for them to break for third Bauer: 5 Looked like he'd had no sleep while his wife was having in a baby... Sarr: 5 Looked like he'd had nothing to eat or drink all day because of Ramadan... Purrington: 7 Same as usual Bielik: 6 Gave ball away too much Cullen: 6 Gave ball away too much Aribo: 6 Gave ball away too much Morgan: 5 Too much, too young on this occasion Taylor: 6 Trying too hard - also wonder if carrying a knock Parker: 6 Tried hard Pratley: 8 Lifesaver Williams: 7 Gave them some trouble Referee: 4 Looked like he was losing control at times
Phillips: 8 - Caught out by the first time rocket shot and will be disappointed because it didn't go in the corner. But overall was excellent in his handling of low balls and penalties! Dijksteel; 7.5 - Good marks for his strength, drive (that part of his game has come on bundles in recent weeks), touch/skill but lower marks for his awareness in picking up from crosses. Bauer: 6 - Out-muscled for late header (yes a bit of push but needed to be stronger). But also did a lot of good things and is so important. Had one of our few on target attempts with a good downward header. Sarr: 6 - Yes, a bit dicey and some mistakes. A ball under his foot (ok), went into a midfield area to win a ball he couldn't get which resulted in a shooting chance (goal) and a stupid barge on Marquis on the goaline. But still did some very fine passing down the line, a fantastic last ditch slide back to Dillon when Marquis was through from a ricochet and a last minute body block. Penalty was not awful either. Firmly struck and a good save. Purrington: 6.5 - Not a bad outlet on the left but isn't really a wing-back. Bielik: 7 - On the ball he was quite good with some mistakes. Did some very classy things but ultimately got a tidy lesson from Donny's ever-rotating midfield. Lovely headed goal. Cullen: 7 - Had so much ground to cover because of Donny's movement. Very important clearances from our penalty area. Aribo: 6.5 - Some good things but faded a bit and cocked up the pass to Parker in the 2nd half when a good chance looked on. Did carry a threat driving into the penalty area and did put one fine low ball in 2nd half. Morgan: 6 - Some good flashes but was starting to lose the battle out wide. Got in a tussle late 1st half and was clearly told (audible on TV) by coaching staff to calm down. Taylor: 7 - No shots apart from the "was he off-side?" one late on but tons of effort. His battle with the centre-back was 50/50 and both were guilty of holding. Lucky not have given away a clear penalty on 77 mins....massive shirt pull. Talisman though. Parker: 6 - Actually did quite a lot of good things and brought others into play but ultimately he was out-played and starved of service. Pratley: 8 - Thought so at the time and confirmed by TV coverage, he was excellent. Forget LB being negative; LB was being realistic because we were being over-run in midfield. Pratley made a big difference and without him, we could've lost the whole tie in normal time. Williams: 7 - More for his energy and getting us going rather than for any decisive product. Very important player and I wonder if Wembley will be his crowning glory? Referee: 6.5 - Having watched it again on TV, he coped with a feisty game without any reds. He did miss two or three penalties for Donny....certainly two clear ones (Taylor and Sarr) and possibly the late Bielik sliding challenge.
Solly: n/a - The Captain set the tone with a superb penalty.
Lee Bowyer - Some say tactics were wrong but I say he could see we were being over-run by Donny's movement and quick passing, so he adapted. 1st half he moved Parker slightly deeper and wider to give us a bit more against their wide men and 2nd half he introduced Pratley, went to a back three and we at least looked more solid. He knows Williams can't last 90, so would rather he came on for impact. It was a late set-piece that did us....up to then, we had weathered it ok 2nd half and restricted them to pot shots. AFTER the late goal, Marquis was inches away from winning it as he slid in at the far-post. Ultimately, tactics weren't a massive factor....Donny were simply too good all over the pitch and made us look 2nd best.
Phillips: 7 - another good performance and an excellent temperament. He certainly won’t be fazed by Wembley Dijksteel; 7 - did well up against their most dangerous player, Wilks. Must start in the Final Bauer: 5 - below par and lost Butler for the 88th minute goal. Given that he’d just become a dad and has been our most consistent defender over the course of the season, we’ll forgive him Sarr: 5.5 - not Naby’s best game but his passing out from the back is integral to how we play and, for me, he must start on Sunday. The big pitch at Wembley should suit his raking cross field passes Purrington: 6 - did ok, given Donny’s dominance of midfield and the problems they caused us throughout Bielik: 6 - did ok in both roles and has a good habit of popping up with important goals Cullen: 7 - misplaced a lot of passes by his exalted standards but he covered a tremendous amount of ground and helped to just about hold things together and prevent us going totally under in midfield Aribo: 6 - below par for Joe Morgan: 6 - did alright but struggled to make an impact on the game - in common with his senior colleagues Taylor: 6.5 - not much went right for Lyle but he had little service to feed off. Battled away as he always does and a trademark cross for Pratley’s goal Parker: 4 - a poor performance, I’m afraid. His touch and hold up play was poor and he is not on the same wavelength as the rest of the team. Assuming Igor is not fit (and sadly, that is probably a safe assumption), he’ll have to start, given that Williams doesn’t seem to have 90 minutes in him. I think that a second striker is also needed to occupy their second central defender and to create space for Taylor and I can’t see Williams performing that role Pratley: 8 - carried on where he left off at Gillingham and in the second half last Sunday and really helped stifle Donny’s dominance Williams: 7 - looked very lively against tiring defenders. I think he will have an important role to play from the bench (as to which, I see that a 4th substitute can be made if the game goes to extra time) Referee: 5 - he irritated me but the level of tension and the need to find a scapegoat when things aren’t going well may have contributed to that.
Comments
Dijksteel; 6.5
Bauer: 4
Sarr: 5
Purrington: 6
Bielik: 6.5
Cullen: 6.5
Aribo: 7
Morgan: 7
Taylor: 7
Parker: 6.5
Pratley: 7.5
Williams: 7.5
Personally thought Bow got his tactics wrong, second best for most of the night.
Phillips: 7.5 (for save from Marquis).
Dijksteel; 7 Decent game.
Bauer: 7 Allowing for elation from new addition.
Sarr: 6 Hope he is back to normal form for final!
Purrington: 7 Nothing wrong.
Bielik: 7.5 Really rate this guy, if only we could keep him for another season.
Cullen: 7.5 Decent game.
Aribo: 7 Seen Joe play a lot better but sure he will at Wembley!
Morgan: 6.5 One for the future, nearly scored early on but bullied by their no. 7.
Taylor: 7.5 Joint MOM with all my 7.5's!
Parker: 5 Sorry admire that he is a tryer but we need Igor, even half fit offers much more!
Pratley: 7.5 saved us with the equaliser very decent game!
Williams: 7.5 Should have been on much earlier, surely a must for Wembley with his International experience!
Referee: 4 Bottled penalty decisions, suppose he did't want to be surrounded by players, not up to this league!
Solly: n/a (But good Penalty)
Dijksteel; 7
Bauer: 7
Sarr: 6.5
Purrington: 7
Bielik: 7
Cullen: 7.5
Aribo: 6.5
Morgan: 5.5
Taylor: 7
Parker: 5
Pratley: 7
Williams: 7.5
Referee: 4.5
Joint MoM's Phillips (good saves), Cullen (industrious in midfield), Williams (should have been on earlier, but caused them problems)
Dijksteel; 7 - Did well against Wilkes when he had to
Bauer: 7 - Went missing for third goal but other than that a good game for the new father!
Sarr: 6 - Nowhere near his recent game levels and embarrassed by Wilkes late on
Purrington: 7 - Decent game
Bielik: 6.5 - Good goal but then seemed to be trying too hard
Cullen: 7 - All over the shop
Aribo: 8 - Fabulous first 75 minutes but then ran out of steam
Morgan: 6 - Did OK before being hauled off at h/t
Taylor: 5.5 - Worked hard but didn't get much out of their centre backs
Parker: 5 - Ditto but lost the ball a lot
Pratley: 7 - Did well and immediately involved
Williams: 6.5 - Still falls over too much
Referee: 7 - Not too bad for a big game
Dijksteel; 7
Bauer: 6.5
Sarr: 5
Purrington: 7
Bielik: 5.5
Cullen: 8
Aribo: 6
Morgan: 6
Taylor: 6
Parker: 6
Pratley: 8
Williams: 6.5
Referee: 2
Dijksteel; 6.5
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 6
Purrington: 6.5
Bielik: 6
Cullen: 6.5
Aribo: 6.5
Morgan: 6
Taylor: 7
Parker: 6.5
Pratley: 7.5
Williams: 7
Ref 3
Dijksteel; 7.5 Would have been MoM if not for losing possession for them to break for third
Bauer: 5 Looked like he'd had no sleep while his wife was having in a baby...
Sarr: 5 Looked like he'd had nothing to eat or drink all day because of Ramadan...
Purrington: 7 Same as usual
Bielik: 6 Gave ball away too much
Cullen: 6 Gave ball away too much
Aribo: 6 Gave ball away too much
Morgan: 5 Too much, too young on this occasion
Taylor: 6 Trying too hard - also wonder if carrying a knock
Parker: 6 Tried hard
Pratley: 8 Lifesaver
Williams: 7 Gave them some trouble
Referee: 4 Looked like he was losing control at times
Dijksteel: 7.5
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 6.5
Purrington: 7
Bielik: 6
Cullen: 7
Aribo: 6.5
Morgan: 5
Taylor: 6
Parker: 5
Pratley: 6.5
Williams: 6.5
Referee: 6
Dijksteel; 8
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 7
Purrington: 8
Bielik: 6
Cullen: 6
Aribo: 7
Morgan: 7
Taylor: 7
Parker: 6
Pratley: 7
Williams: 6
Referee: 6
Solly: n/a
Phillips: 8
Dijksteel: 7.5
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 6
Purrington: 6.5
Bielik: 6.5
Cullen: 6
Aribo: 6.5
Morgan: 5.5
Taylor: 6.5
Parker: 6
Pratley: 8
Williams: 7.5
Referee: 5.5
Dijksteel; 6.5
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 6
Purrington: 7
Bielik: 6
Cullen: 7.5
Aribo: 7
Morgan: 6
Taylor: 7
Parker: 6
Pratley: 7
Williams: 7
Ref 4
Dijksteel; 5
Bauer: 5
Sarr: 5
Purrington: 6
Bielik: 7
Cullen: 8
Aribo: 7
Morgan: 6
Taylor: 6
Parker: 5
Pratley: 6
Williams: 7
Ref 4
Dijksteel: 8
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 6
Purrington: 7
Bielik: 6
Cullen: 6.5
Aribo: 6
Morgan: 5.5
Taylor: 6
Parker: 5.5
Pratley: 8
Williams: 7
Referee: 4
Dijksteel; 7
Bauer: 6
Sarr: 6
Purrington: 6
Bielik: 7
Cullen: 7.5
Aribo: 7.5
Morgan: 7
Taylor: 6.5
Parker: 6
Pratley: 7.5
Williams: 7
Referee: 3
Solly: n/a
Phillips: 8 - Caught out by the first time rocket shot and will be disappointed because it didn't go in the corner. But overall was excellent in his handling of low balls and penalties!
Dijksteel; 7.5 - Good marks for his strength, drive (that part of his game has come on bundles in recent weeks), touch/skill but lower marks for his awareness in picking up from crosses.
Bauer: 6 - Out-muscled for late header (yes a bit of push but needed to be stronger). But also did a lot of good things and is so important. Had one of our few on target attempts with a good downward header.
Sarr: 6 - Yes, a bit dicey and some mistakes. A ball under his foot (ok), went into a midfield area to win a ball he couldn't get which resulted in a shooting chance (goal) and a stupid barge on Marquis on the goaline. But still did some very fine passing down the line, a fantastic last ditch slide back to Dillon when Marquis was through from a ricochet and a last minute body block. Penalty was not awful either. Firmly struck and a good save.
Purrington: 6.5 - Not a bad outlet on the left but isn't really a wing-back.
Bielik: 7 - On the ball he was quite good with some mistakes. Did some very classy things but ultimately got a tidy lesson from Donny's ever-rotating midfield. Lovely headed goal.
Cullen: 7 - Had so much ground to cover because of Donny's movement. Very important clearances from our penalty area.
Aribo: 6.5 - Some good things but faded a bit and cocked up the pass to Parker in the 2nd half when a good chance looked on. Did carry a threat driving into the penalty area and did put one fine low ball in 2nd half.
Morgan: 6 - Some good flashes but was starting to lose the battle out wide. Got in a tussle late 1st half and was clearly told (audible on TV) by coaching staff to calm down.
Taylor: 7 - No shots apart from the "was he off-side?" one late on but tons of effort. His battle with the centre-back was 50/50 and both were guilty of holding. Lucky not have given away a clear penalty on 77 mins....massive shirt pull. Talisman though.
Parker: 6 - Actually did quite a lot of good things and brought others into play but ultimately he was out-played and starved of service.
Pratley: 8 - Thought so at the time and confirmed by TV coverage, he was excellent. Forget LB being negative; LB was being realistic because we were being over-run in midfield. Pratley made a big difference and without him, we could've lost the whole tie in normal time.
Williams: 7 - More for his energy and getting us going rather than for any decisive product. Very important player and I wonder if Wembley will be his crowning glory?
Referee: 6.5 - Having watched it again on TV, he coped with a feisty game without any reds. He did miss two or three penalties for Donny....certainly two clear ones (Taylor and Sarr) and possibly the late Bielik sliding challenge.
Solly: n/a - The Captain set the tone with a superb penalty.
Lee Bowyer - Some say tactics were wrong but I say he could see we were being over-run by Donny's movement and quick passing, so he adapted. 1st half he moved Parker slightly deeper and wider to give us a bit more against their wide men and 2nd half he introduced Pratley, went to a back three and we at least looked more solid. He knows Williams can't last 90, so would rather he came on for impact. It was a late set-piece that did us....up to then, we had weathered it ok 2nd half and restricted them to pot shots. AFTER the late goal, Marquis was inches away from winning it as he slid in at the far-post. Ultimately, tactics weren't a massive factor....Donny were simply too good all over the pitch and made us look 2nd best.
Dijksteel; 7 - did well up against their most dangerous player, Wilks. Must start in the Final
Bauer: 5 - below par and lost Butler for the 88th minute goal. Given that he’d just become a dad and has been our most consistent defender over the course of the season, we’ll forgive him
Sarr: 5.5 - not Naby’s best game but his passing out from the back is integral to how we play and, for me, he must start on Sunday. The big pitch at Wembley should suit his raking cross field passes
Purrington: 6 - did ok, given Donny’s dominance of midfield and the problems they caused us throughout
Bielik: 6 - did ok in both roles and has a good habit of popping up with important goals
Cullen: 7 - misplaced a lot of passes by his exalted standards but he covered a tremendous amount of ground and helped to just about hold things together and prevent us going totally under in midfield
Aribo: 6 - below par for Joe
Morgan: 6 - did alright but struggled to make an impact on the game - in common with his senior colleagues
Taylor: 6.5 - not much went right for Lyle but he had little service to feed off. Battled away as he always does and a trademark cross for Pratley’s goal
Parker: 4 - a poor performance, I’m afraid. His touch and hold up play was poor and he is not on the same wavelength as the rest of the team. Assuming Igor is not fit (and sadly, that is probably a safe assumption), he’ll have to start, given that Williams doesn’t seem to have 90 minutes in him. I think that a second striker is also needed to occupy their second central defender and to create space for Taylor and I can’t see Williams performing that role
Pratley: 8 - carried on where he left off at Gillingham and in the second half last Sunday and really helped stifle Donny’s dominance
Williams: 7 - looked very lively against tiring defenders. I think he will have an important role to play from the bench (as to which, I see that a 4th substitute can be made if the game goes to extra time)
Referee: 5 - he irritated me but the level of tension and the need to find a scapegoat when things aren’t going well may have contributed to that.
Dijksteel; 9
Bauer: 7
Sarr: 7
Purrington: 8
Bielik: 7
Cullen: 5
Aribo: 5
Morgan: 6
Taylor: 7
Parker:7
Pratley: 8
Williams: 6
Referee: 2