I honestly think we need to cut Banton some slack. He is the type of player who will make things happen in games (e.g. in the first-half yesterday he went past the full-back and crossed the ball on a couple of occasions and also cut inside for a shot once). But he is playing in League 2 because he is inexperienced and inconsistent. If he wasn't then he would be playing at a higher level because he has skill and trickery on the ball (at times). What I did like is that he kept trying (which, sadly, makes it all the more obvious when what he tries fails) and he has also clearly worked on tracking back and defensive work. So, for now, we must expect him to be inconsistent but if we stick with him there is every chance that he will become progressively more consistent and dangerous.
The same idea applies to McHugh I think. There is the basis for a good player in him, even at left-back, but that will only emerge if he continues to build his experience. Personally, I have never been particularly convinced by Purrington (who is even more inexperienced) so I would stick with McHugh for now.
It seems to me thought that we are completely obviously crying out for at least one more midfield player. When you end a game with a midfield of O'Connor, Allen, Banton and Alessandra then it is pretty obvious the squad is lacking. We've now lost Cox and Norburn in successive games and cannot expect to always get a positive outcome with Harvey and Allen as their main replacements.
I think Mellor is settling in pretty well and seems to be a player who is quite thoughtful with the ball.
One other thing. I give a lot of credit to the players like night for never, ever giving up. Okay, so perhaps this should be a given, but we all know how sometimes teams just drift to defeat when up against it. Last night you got the feeling that the players would keep trying and keep pushing for the equaliser to the very end. And so they did.
