Shrewsbury Town (A) - Saturday 4th

I don't think we lacked fitness yesterday, you build fitness up over a couple of months, pre season then in games they were out on their feet at the end of the game, I can't see how anyone could question yesterdays game or commitment from either side.
It could well have been a 3/3 or even a 4/4 scoreline, not a classic but in those conditions good end to end battle.

 

I would put Chicksen's performance up there with anyone elses yesterday, the lad had a good day at the office. Shaun Whalley was the best player on the park first half, Shrewsbury faded when Whalley became less of a threat and that allowed Payne to run the show. Loved the latter part of the second half, we looked more of an attacking threat than i'd seen for a long time.

 

I agree when I saw it was Doyle with the ball at this feet baring down on goal I'd have bet my house on 2-0 and as yourself very surprised he played the ball cross to Miller, did you see the expression on Eoins face when he missed it, good job the off side flag went up .

 

For what it’s worth;

O'Donnell 6 - prob unfair but just didn’t have anything to do
Mellor 7 - played in a couple of roles and equally adept
O'Connor 8 - very good performance and that goal-line clearance... wow
NKP 7 - solid enough from NKP. Used pace and strength well & took booking for the team
Chicksen 7 - did his job well and saw danger when crosses came in from their left
Riley 6 - tidy enough but little end product and lost possession a few times
Akpan 7 - looked busy and broke up many moves. Tired towards the hour mark
Wright 7 - like Akpan, he tired after an hour, but had put in plenty of yards by then
Scannell 8 - always looked dangerous and when switched to the right wing, had the LB on toast
Payne 8 - always looking to be involved and some intelligent through balls. Top debut
Miller 6 - didn’t do enough for me. Easily beaten in the air and other than a couple of runs, wasn’t good enough. And to get caught offside and miss the open goal was inexcusable
Doyle 7 - did well when he came on. Hit the post with 1 effort, drilled one just wide & put 1 on a plate for Miller
Robinson 6 - disappointed. He had 1 good run but poor cross which almost squirmed in. Didn’t always track back
Seedorf NA - not enough minutes to judge, although did show his pace once or twice

 

O'Donnell - 7
Mellor - 6.5
O'Connor - 8.5
NKP - 8
Chicksen - 7
Wright - 6.5
Akpan - 6.5
Riley - 7
Payne - 9
Scannel - 8
Miller - 6.5

Doyle - 7
Robinson - 6.5
Seedorf - 6.5

 

Still a shot off target though

 

Of course we all see the game differently, but I’d say the Wright and Akpan ratings are a little low. Shrewsbury managed to find a lot of space between Payne and two CMs until Collins cleverly changed formation in the second half, which immediately limited them. Before then and following the change, I thought Wright was very tidy and a stronger in the challenge than I expected. Equally Akpan made a lot of important interceptions yesterday to break down Shrewsbury threat. For me, they were a 7.

Same for Chicksen. I’d swap his rating with NKP. Thought he had a good game, best I’ve seen since he joined us.

As said earlier in the thread I thought Miller did a lot of ‘un-noticed’ hard work running the channels, which was refreshing to see versus the hoof up to Wyke which we became a custom to at the end of last season. Meant we pushed them back at time and made them start again.

Finally I’d agree with Mellor. He didn’t have a bad game IMO but did look a little off the pace but solid. To be expected given the late signing, but plenty of indications he’s a very solid signing.

As for the rest, MoM had to be Payne or O’Conner. Very excited by both of these guys.
Also seeing Scannel run with the ball is going to get crowds going. If we can get him doing this in and around the opposition area I can see him causing all sorts of issues for the opposition.

All in all, IMO not an amazing performance but for the first time in a long while, looks like we have a TEAM. Hallelujah!!
O’Donnells celebration when we scored was ace!

 

Don't disagree with most of the ratings, but I thought Miller had a good game, especially as he was up against two large central defenders by himself for the first half and part of the second. Never stopped running and should have an assist for the goal.

 

Thats the way i saw it. I'd probably give Mellor a 6 but i'd put that down to being signed a couple of days before his first game. Miller put in a shift but that miss is inexcusable. Thought our central midfielders looked more at ease when Riley went off. O'Donnell had nothing to do apart from watch the ball hit the bar. You can tell Payne and Scannell are different gravy at this level and out two centre back were solid.

 

I have download the 90 but not watched it yet . Pleased Chicksen had a sound game. Tbh he’s not had much luck with injuries and therefore not had a consistent run since we recruited him. Time will tell. He won’t come up against the Shaun Whalley’s of the world too often. It wouldn’t surprise me If Ipswich came in for him as well in the next 6 months!

 

Whalley would be a good signing for any team looking to get a player to build their attack around. Bossed the game in a first half in which Shrewsbury were arguably the better side. They keep him and they have a chance of the play offs.

 

That’s the key, old manager as we know, is raiding their squad for Ipswich. Depends on the player really

 

Went yesterday good game. Good team performance, one of best goal line clearance ever seen by O'Connor. Payne just looks the business, going to create lots of chances. Still early days for this new team, optimistic going forward we will have good season.

 

Short and sweet @Tez, and very much to the point good post mate :thumbsup:.

 

FFS! This is the first time this defence has played together in anger, in an opening fixture against a tough playoff team from last year. And we kept a clean sheet. Obviously the defence will benefit from more time together.
And we hit tthe woodwork twice too. Does that make their defence poor?

 

Careful, I got accused of over reacting by posting something similar in reply to Telesto yesterday.

 

That was me. You did over react.

 

Whoever edited the football league highlights of yesterday's game must be a Shrewsbury fan. Ridiculously biased and makes it look like we got battered.

 

Lol ok.

 

Spot on, I thought I was ploughing a lonely furrow yesterday at times!