This was the one where it all clicked. Everyone played well. Good at the back and going forward. Fifth clean sheet in a row. Things are looking up.
PLAYER RATINGS:
McCormick - 7 - Didn't have all that much to do but did it very well. A few great takes from crosses/corners.
Nelson - 7 - Pretty good, but still probably the weakest of our back three. Not bad by any stretch, but outwitted to a few balls and occasionally had to rely on his pace and physicality to bale him out as he did sometimes dally too much.
McHugh - 8 - A few little lapses in concentration aside, he was immense. Wins everything in the air. I think he's most like Branston/Trotman out of our current centre-backs, without as many drawbacks.
Hartley - 8 - A 'bit of everything' centre-half. Not quite as dominant aerially as McHugh but less clumsy with the ball at his feet. Not quite as physically gifted, or capable of charging forward with the ball, as Nelson - but better at positioning himself. Our best centre-back at reading the game and passing too. ACTUALLY SCORES OFF SET-PIECES! He's really good.
Mellor - 8 - You won't find a more complete full/wing-back at this level - tall, quick, good positionally, good in the air, technically able, excellent in possession AND offers flair and trickery. His only real weakness is that he's a little inconsistent/a confidence player but even that isn't really very noticeable at the moment: he's settled well after a shaky(ish) start. His little chop turn thing for Reid's goal was beautiful.
Bobby Reid - 9 (MotM) - I'm very surprised that he's not got many votes for MotM when I thought this was comfortably his best performance in a green shirt: in his other games he's got loads of votes. Seemed to operate the ball on a string to keep it away from defenders, and showed composure and creativity with his passing. Good set-piece delivery. Assist for Alessandra's goal was real take-the-breath-away stuff. Provided great energy on the defensive end too.
O'Connor - 8 - Provided the base on which our attacking performance was based. Squeezed the ball in the midfield, won it a lot and laid it off consistently well. A few interesting creative passes too.
Blizzard - 8 - He's a different player this season! Negotiates the ball about the midfield and keeps it moving. Pressed and defended unusually well too. The facilitator to Bobby Reid's 'creator' and O'Connor's 'destroyer'. Think I've pretty much completed my full 180 on him now.
Kellett - 8 - Very impressive home debut. Looks short and frail but isn't afraid to put a tackle in, and often comes out with the ball. Made a lot of interceptions. Stronger than he looks, and can jump. Quick and eager to support the attack: generally quite effective but did sometimes wait a bit too long before making a decision. A little Duracell bunny.
Reid - 8 - Great goal. Generally posed a menace with his complete range of skills: really don't think the Cheltenham centre-halves enjoyed playing against him.
Alessandra - 7 - Well-taken goal. Put a lot of effort in as usual, and did manage to go on a couple of signature slaloming runs but end product was a little inconsistent for me. Back amongst the goals, and seems to score when he's not having a great game elsewhere at the moment, which is encouraging.
SUBSTITUTES:
Smalley - 4 - Bleurgh.
Harvey - 5 - Played it safe, did what he had to do.
Banton - 6 - Sparky, but it's desperately obvious he NEEDS to add strength. Didn't see him not acknowledge the fans after the game - but if it was me, after Smalley missed a very easy square ball that everyone in the crowd saw, that would have provided a chance anyone should convert, then I'd be thoroughly p*ssed off too. Especially if I'd been frozen out of the team for the last few games and was desperate for a chance to impress. Especially if the fans seem to have double standards against me. It was only this pre-season that everyone was gushing about Banton's improved attitude. Now they're saying he should leave now. Sure, he should be playing better than he is, but incessantly criticising him (especially unfairly re. his attitude) isn't going to help anything. Some people just need to find someone to criticise even after we've won 3-0. It's like when Reuben 'needed to get his act together' after not scoring for two games.
