Great fun. What a Saturday, we win 4-0, go top, see the skate lose and go into the bottom three. Smile, days like these don't happene every week.
For those not been for a few weeks, we are back on track and perhaps stronger than ever. Once Chaplow gets his full match fitness back (and Richardson and Jos return) we are going to be unstoppable. The squad looks powerful, fit and full of confidence. Lallana is back to his best, Ricky is running games and we seem to have the odd goal in us too.
This game wasn't all one way traffic, certainly the first half was, but the first five or ten of the second were Derby's as we were incredibly sloppy, but second goal in the bag it was all over despite a spirited effort from the away side. The third goal was as good as you'll see all season, brilliant break away that had the fans off their seats. The fourth, well, out of this world.
Davis 7 not much to do really, but when very good save from a shot that came through a crowd. Kicked well. Came and just about got one punch. A couple of times I thought he should have come and swept rather than let the centre back deal with it but no danger.
Harding 6 Not exposed like in the Leicester game, but don't let this relatively easy (for him) game fool you, he is not comfortable at right back and he didn't offer anything going forward because of being left footed. At times he gets cramped for space as he has no right foot. Nasty and deserved yellow card, but you need a horrible streak in defenders. Is Stephens not ready? Surely he is worth a debut?
Jos 8 Outstanding first half, very worrying his injury has nit cleared up. Hopefully a precaution.
Fonte 7 Defensively sound, although beaten in the air too often by the tiny Ward for my liking, his distribution, and specifically his choices have at times been terrible in the last few games. He put Davis in trouble a couple of times and on a poor pitch who knows what might have happened. Needs to sort that out.
Fox 8 better game for me and at last he surged forward playing a major part in the third goal. Need to see more of that, he doesn't do enough in games and take the easy way out, but he clearly has it in him. Passing a little less long than normal. Not really tested by a winger though so had an easy ish ride.
Lallana 10 back to his brilliant best. Skills, touches, dribbling, crosses, chances goal....when on song no one can touch him at this level
Cork 9 another great display. games are won and lost in the middle and the partnership between him and Morgan is working well. They seem to know their roles and they have got the positional play right defensively. Full of energy as always, but a bit more dangerous going forward. Still can't shoot, but I can live with that. He seems to get better as the game goes on and when it becomes stretched he is the man.
Morgan 8 another good display. Not his best in my eyes, but still good. He's set such high standards that's the kind of game I expect from him. One thing I like a lot is that he keeps nipping in a stealing the ball from opposition throw ins. Tiny things like that change the defence to attack and that's why we dominate and win games.
Chaplow 6 much much better than the Millwall game, but still not anywhere near his best.First touch was poor at times, but did have a positive affect on the game too. Showed just a glimpse of the interceptions and straight running into the box that we have missed so much. Not fully match fit, but getting there. Boy are we going to be good when he is.
Lambert 8 First half he was 10 out of 10, perfect display, won everything in the air, linked the play, the works, second half he seemed to disappear a bit. I £50 on him to be NPC top goalscorer so I want to see him getting in the box a bit more to get his goal but he seemed content take it easy today rather than really get in the danger area. I thought he'd stopped doing that - hanging back.
Sharp 6 I said before we signed him that I slight doubts as all I have ever seen with Billy is a finisher. If he doesn't score he doesn't really add a lot. Today he showed how slow he is. Connelly slow. He also showed that he doesn't really work that hard either. This idea that he just needs games is ********. He has played most of the season for Donny, this is his regular fitness level, something that needs to change IMO. On the positive side he links up well with Ricky and has a decent touch. I still think he will score goals,we create a lot or chances, but I don't see a Premiership player there at all. We're four games in, so don't take this as me writing him off, not a chance, just writing about what I have seen so far.
Martin 7 some poor decisions/passes early on - he does seem the nervy sort to me, but he settled down quickly again and was very strong in the air. I'm not a huge fan, but he has done very well indeed when called on. Took his goal well. Chuffed for the lad. Proper fairytale story really. Not sure he will ever be top class, he just seems too fragile on the ball, but defensively he will improve and after all that is his first job.
Lee 8 could you ask for more? He scores wonder goals but also slides in for tackles. Great work rate and movement, nice touches and strength to go with it. He looks a little headless chicken, but I think that's more the fact that he is constantly moving and making runs. Must be a nightmare to mark. Will he start the next game?
Puncheon 4 thought he was pretty poor when he came on. I know its the fashion to like Puncheon these days, but he bottled out of a tackle, touch wasn't there and generally didn't do anything. Shooting back to its worse. In a previous spell he'd of had the mongs at SMS booing him. I've backed him through thin and thin, but even I wasn't impressed. At 4-0 perhaps it matters not.
