- Oct 31, 2010
- 24,446
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That's more like it!
It was easily the best performance of the season, 3-1 flattered Gillingham because we deserved to win by five or six.
The whole mindset of the team was totally different and light years ahead of that poor second half display against Oxford.
Each player chased, harried, closed down and tackled, typified by Ness and Fox. They played just in front of the back four and were instrumental in this new found belief, they blocked, tackled, passed and often just got a toe in to break up a Gillingham attack.
It was a bold move by Derek Adams to change three quarters of the back four and Peter Grant was unlucky to be dropped but the replacement centre-backs Songo'o and Canavan put dangerman Tom Eaves in their back pocket.
Conor Grant played as a makeshift left-back and his performance looked like he played his whole career in that position, he was also dangerous when taking our set-pieces, his delivery is excellent.
So credit to Adams for making the changes which paid off.
The football was neat passing into space or playing on the counter attack. The second goal was a thing of beauty, we were under pressure but several clever passes allowed Conor Grant space on the left and his perfect cross found Ladapo. The TV highlights probably won't show the whole move for that goal.
The build up to the game was just horrible, something needed to change so Adams made five changes, out went Peter Grant, Lameiras, Edwards (completely from the squad), Smith-Brown and O'Keefe and in came Songo'o, Canavan, the Grants - Joel and Conor - and Ness.
You could tell within the first 10 minutes that the players had a different mindset, Saturday's attacking performance was not too bad, it was the defence that had a nightmare but against Gillingham the players were determined not to let Gillingham get near Macey, highlighted by Fox and especially Ness closing down and flying into challenges. This set the tone for the rest of the match.
The new back four quickly settled down and had time to pass the ball along the defence, probing for an opening further forward - it's something we hadn't done much this season but regularly started play from the back four last season.
Carey, as ever, assisted for the first goal when he laid a ball inside to Ladapo, his shot found the roof of the net. So simple. 1-0.
We had to protect that lead, mindful of recent collapses after scoring so the players again closed down space and put pressure on Gillingham.
Once we got the ball we played through the midfield with long balls to Ladapo a rarity and played only when necessary.
Gillingham did have several free-kicks and corners and from one of these we scored our second goal!
We defended well, passed around and found Conor Grant clear on the left his inch perfect cross was deftly headed in by Ladapo. 2-0. Some strikers might have tried the bullet header but Ladapo very cleverly just glanced the ball in.
The weight of desperation suddenly lifted from the pitch and the stands, only a condescending club statement could spoil this night!
The players left the pitch to a very good reception at half time.
Carey picked up an injury just before half time but came out for the second half.
The game continued in the same way, although Gillingham had to push forward which left gaps at the back, chances fell for Carey and Joel Grant while Sarcevic had two great chances but on one he slowed down and the ball was cleared and the other he shot just wide when it looked easier to score.
At the other end Macey didn't have a lot to do except for collect a few crosses, which in this game he did with ease.
Carey limped off and was replaced by Lameiras and soon after scored our third. He played a long one-two with Ladapo and just squeezed the ball over the line. 3-0 and surely game safe!
Unfortunately Lameiras showed in a space of a few minutes why he is so good at attacking but a liability at the back because he gave away a needless free-kick and from it O'Neil scored with a deflected shot. 3-1.
We didn't crumble and played the same way and created more chances, scoring 4 goals would be the stuff of fantasy so we settled for 3 goals and 3 points that lifts us off the bottom of League One and within 2 points of safety.
Ness had a storming game and made a huge difference, along with Fox he dominated the midfield.
Sarcevic played further forward, almost in the number 10 role, and had an influence on the game before tiring.
Have we found a 20 goal a season striker? Ladapo is red hot at the moment and should have had a hat trick, he did tire late in the game and if he's ever injured we'd lack a cutting edge.
Conor Grant was a revelation at left-back, strong and tidy and should nail down that position, although his lack of pace might mean he would struggle against pacy wingers. Our fourth left-back this season.
Canavan and Songo'o were solid as our new centre-back partnership and kept Tom Eaves in check.
The performance was similar to the performances in the second half of last season, the key is to repeat the performance game by game. The only way to stop criticism of players and manager and patronising statements aimed at fans is to win games, so we should look forward to a peaceful few days in Argyle land.
Man of the match - Ness.
Macey 6, Moore 6, Songo'o 7, Canavan 7, C Grant 8, Fox 8, Ness 8, Sarcevic 7, Carey 7, J Grant 7, Ladapo 7. Subs Lameiras 7, O'Keefe 6, Jephcott n/a.
It was easily the best performance of the season, 3-1 flattered Gillingham because we deserved to win by five or six.
The whole mindset of the team was totally different and light years ahead of that poor second half display against Oxford.
Each player chased, harried, closed down and tackled, typified by Ness and Fox. They played just in front of the back four and were instrumental in this new found belief, they blocked, tackled, passed and often just got a toe in to break up a Gillingham attack.
It was a bold move by Derek Adams to change three quarters of the back four and Peter Grant was unlucky to be dropped but the replacement centre-backs Songo'o and Canavan put dangerman Tom Eaves in their back pocket.
Conor Grant played as a makeshift left-back and his performance looked like he played his whole career in that position, he was also dangerous when taking our set-pieces, his delivery is excellent.
So credit to Adams for making the changes which paid off.
The football was neat passing into space or playing on the counter attack. The second goal was a thing of beauty, we were under pressure but several clever passes allowed Conor Grant space on the left and his perfect cross found Ladapo. The TV highlights probably won't show the whole move for that goal.
The build up to the game was just horrible, something needed to change so Adams made five changes, out went Peter Grant, Lameiras, Edwards (completely from the squad), Smith-Brown and O'Keefe and in came Songo'o, Canavan, the Grants - Joel and Conor - and Ness.
You could tell within the first 10 minutes that the players had a different mindset, Saturday's attacking performance was not too bad, it was the defence that had a nightmare but against Gillingham the players were determined not to let Gillingham get near Macey, highlighted by Fox and especially Ness closing down and flying into challenges. This set the tone for the rest of the match.
The new back four quickly settled down and had time to pass the ball along the defence, probing for an opening further forward - it's something we hadn't done much this season but regularly started play from the back four last season.
Carey, as ever, assisted for the first goal when he laid a ball inside to Ladapo, his shot found the roof of the net. So simple. 1-0.
We had to protect that lead, mindful of recent collapses after scoring so the players again closed down space and put pressure on Gillingham.
Once we got the ball we played through the midfield with long balls to Ladapo a rarity and played only when necessary.
Gillingham did have several free-kicks and corners and from one of these we scored our second goal!
We defended well, passed around and found Conor Grant clear on the left his inch perfect cross was deftly headed in by Ladapo. 2-0. Some strikers might have tried the bullet header but Ladapo very cleverly just glanced the ball in.
The weight of desperation suddenly lifted from the pitch and the stands, only a condescending club statement could spoil this night!
The players left the pitch to a very good reception at half time.
Carey picked up an injury just before half time but came out for the second half.
The game continued in the same way, although Gillingham had to push forward which left gaps at the back, chances fell for Carey and Joel Grant while Sarcevic had two great chances but on one he slowed down and the ball was cleared and the other he shot just wide when it looked easier to score.
At the other end Macey didn't have a lot to do except for collect a few crosses, which in this game he did with ease.
Carey limped off and was replaced by Lameiras and soon after scored our third. He played a long one-two with Ladapo and just squeezed the ball over the line. 3-0 and surely game safe!
Unfortunately Lameiras showed in a space of a few minutes why he is so good at attacking but a liability at the back because he gave away a needless free-kick and from it O'Neil scored with a deflected shot. 3-1.
We didn't crumble and played the same way and created more chances, scoring 4 goals would be the stuff of fantasy so we settled for 3 goals and 3 points that lifts us off the bottom of League One and within 2 points of safety.
Ness had a storming game and made a huge difference, along with Fox he dominated the midfield.
Sarcevic played further forward, almost in the number 10 role, and had an influence on the game before tiring.
Have we found a 20 goal a season striker? Ladapo is red hot at the moment and should have had a hat trick, he did tire late in the game and if he's ever injured we'd lack a cutting edge.
Conor Grant was a revelation at left-back, strong and tidy and should nail down that position, although his lack of pace might mean he would struggle against pacy wingers. Our fourth left-back this season.
Canavan and Songo'o were solid as our new centre-back partnership and kept Tom Eaves in check.
The performance was similar to the performances in the second half of last season, the key is to repeat the performance game by game. The only way to stop criticism of players and manager and patronising statements aimed at fans is to win games, so we should look forward to a peaceful few days in Argyle land.
Man of the match - Ness.
Macey 6, Moore 6, Songo'o 7, Canavan 7, C Grant 8, Fox 8, Ness 8, Sarcevic 7, Carey 7, J Grant 7, Ladapo 7. Subs Lameiras 7, O'Keefe 6, Jephcott n/a.
