Just got back.
First half we were absolutely awful, the system wasn't working at all, Mcgoldrick was playing far too deep, we weren't closing down the Exeter players and allowing them far too much time on the ball, couldn't string any passes together, schneiderlin at centre back was dodgy and Bialkowski was DREADFUL.
Wotton was the only player to come out with any real credit IMO, he got forward well to assist Holmes for his goal and got back on a number of occasions to clear the ball in scrambles, no nonense football, just a player we need in our team.
Second half was much better, put Wotton at centre back and moved to Schneiderlin to midfield - who unfortunately was still having a poor game, completely anonymous throughout.
The main change was that we brought on Stern John for Jake Thompson - this changed the game SIGNIFICANTLY. This system worked much better, as John was holding up the ball expertly and this boded well for the whole team as our passing and link up play was much better.
Lallana seemed to link up much better with John who was holding up and laying off, than he did with McGoldrick who was previously chasing lost causes.
But even though we moved McGoldrick out wide, he seemed to benefit with general link up play too, as John held off up to three players at a time, to lay the ball off in neat moves, which involved neat moves between Lallana and McGoldrick and much more chances were created.
Lovely goal by McGoldrick
I really hope we play the following team against Birmingham on Saturday
Davis
James
Svensson
Perry
Surman
Gillett
Wotton
Lallana
McGoldrick
Holmes
John
Subs: Forecast, Thomas, Schneiderlin, Dyer, BWP.
Bialkowski -3- awful, wasn't concentrating for a backpass and almost let it go straight in, spilt a really tame shot straight into the path of one of exeter's strikers, parried a shot right into the path of exeter striker and they should have scored rebound, Spilt a shot Lee Bowyer against Dida style and almost dropped it in the net, should have claimed cross for exeter's goal.
James -6- was solid, defended when needed, but seemed to take far too long to clear the ball sometimes - tried playing his way out of trouble, rather than getting clear like Wotton for example.
Schneiderlin -5- looked uncomfortable at centre back and was largely anonymous when moved to midfield too.
Perry -6- generally solid, overhit backpass caught bart napping in goal, poor positioning for a few shots which exeter lashed wide and should have scored
Surman -6- Didn't really notice him, not a bad thing I guess...
Thompson -6- worked hard, but with little success.
Wotton -7- one of our better players in the game, great assist for Holmes' goal and put ina good shift, making lots of no-nonense clearances - rather than the usual ****ing around with the ball of our other defenders/midfielders
Gillett -5- a couple of mis-timed tackles from him and didn't break up play as well as previous games.
Holmes -6- took his goal well, should have scored a second - was clean through and had ages to compose himself but shot straight at keeper, didnt prove to be a big enough attacking threat down the left hand side..
Lallana -7- struggled in a unsuccessful system in the first half, but linked up really well with Stern John in the second half, showing some neat passes and flicks to create chances for teammates.
McGoldrick -7- was chasing shadows for most of the first half, but like Lallana, benefited from feeding off of John and at right wing looked much more threatening - did really well for his first goal and a dangerous run into the box earned him a second goal, which he tucked away nicely, his confidence will be sky high.
Stern John -7- his arrival changed the game, his hold up play was great and at times he was holding off three players at a time, we look far more dangerous with john in the team and he should be a dead cert to start in a lone striker system, with McGoldrick wide right.
