Paxton Dazo
Up The Spurs.
- Mar 11, 2007
- 9,719
Dickinson narf goes down easily, considering he's a big fella'. Navarro and Crofts were poop.
Kuipers save
Kuipers save
Kuipers 7 - Outrageously good save from a Parkin header, it was genuinely superb. Savfe of the season, no question. His kicking was good, and he dominated his box.
Whing 7 - Great goal, well guided header and I'm glad he's finally broken his duck. Solid at right back, a few cracking interceptions in the first half, and he looked ok.
Jake Wright 6 - Shaky, stand offish and defensively a little bit suspect on his debut. But it was his debut, so he'll get better and he looked good and composed when on the ball.
Elphick 8 - Stood out for me, solid and reliable, some good tackles and fantastic spacial awareness. Defensively I think we're going to be very good this season, we only conceded to ourselves today remember. Very good performance today.
Virgo 8 - Just as good, his use of the ball was disappointing at times, but defensively he was sound and he dealt out alot of punishment to Parkin, who looked pretty damn good to be fair.
Mark Wright 8 - Encourgaging, attacking and extremely bright. His final ball was criticised by the people around me, but I don't agree on the whole, I thought he played well and certainly looked the best player on the pitch.
Crofts 6 - I don't really think he was needed in the first half, I don't see what he offers in a 5 man midfield, he seems a bit of a Thomson type who is "all action" but rarely involved, too early to judge him properly, but the first impressions aren't good to me.
Navarro 7 - He looked particularly good in the first half, really competitive and strong on the ball. I think he'll prove to be a quality signing, but I would rather have him next to Dicker than anyone else.
Thornhill 6 - Not in the game, showed a few good touches though and certainly he looks a good prospect.
Cox 6 - Not on the ball enough, but very busy in general. Him getting that guy in a headlock and dragging him to the ground is the early highlight of the season! Hilarious moment, and Cox certainly seems to have the drive and direction he didn't have under Micky. He'll be a big player this season.
Dickinson 8 - His touch looked good after a few dodgy early moments, his was strong in the air and held the ball up well. He looks quick and he looks to have a decent shot on him, it's a massive shame we didn't give him any service today.
-Subs-
Forster 6 - Not in the game, but fashioned a couple of chances for himself and showed that he's still extremely dangerous for us and I still think he's got LOADS to offer.
McLeod 3 - What on earth is the point? He is useless, rubbish and dreadful. Up there with Livermore and Hawkins in the unneccessary squad members list.
Murray 6 - 10 minutes? Why? What was he meant to do. Brilliant player, and it's good to see him in an Albion shirt again, though it could be the last time for me. Stay, Murray!
Disappointing result, encouraging performance.
Blimey, a home defeat and 4 8s and 3 7s - what ratings are you going to give when we win?
I'd disagree with that. Whing got himself in all sort of problems with the goal, and simple communacation from Kuipers would have meant Whing could have left the ball. But Kuipers didn't open his mouth, Whing was caught in no mans land and it was the softest of own goals. So I for one think Kuipers played a big part in the goal.
Regarding the save, it was obviosuly off side, but even so, it was still a cracking save. Shame it don't count
Is this going to be one of your "repeat a point often enough and the slander might stick" points?
He wasn't the best in the air we have seen but he was pretty sound and showed promise. Given that most balls were just lumped forward somewhere near him during the first half I think he did well.
Absolutely. The flag went up of course, but there was no way either the striker or Michel knew anything about it. Even as Michel's biggest fan I can hold my hands up and admit he's had a shocker on occasions. BG really needs to learn to do the opposite and just give praise when it's deserved.
Michel 7 - Did nothing wrong all day
Whing 4 - I kid you not I am gutted we did not sell him, his endeavour flattered to deceive last year, he completed pass ratio is poor, his distribution is poor, some times he can defend, cost us so many goals last season and he is off the mark already.
Virgo 6 - ok, normal hoof distribution where he thinks he is hoddle, great defending though
Elphick 6 - solid enough, like virgo poor distribution
Wright 4 - Sorry based on first half is another Whing, on 4 occaisons sttod too far of his man to allow a cross in, hope he learns quick
Wright 8 - Excellent signs for the future
Navarro 4 - I could distinguish between our midfield especially in the centre, all non existent
Crofts -I could distinguish between our midfield especially in the centre, all non existent
Thornhill 4 - I could distinguish between our midfield especially in the centre, all non existent
Cox 4 -A lot of peole think he did alright but non existent for me, he was torn between hogging the touchline and coming into the centre
Dickinson 8 - Best player in first half by a country mile, question is when he has held the ball up the rest of the team do need to join him to make it worthwhile.
I am not too disheartened but wish to see some midfield at some point and two full backs that can do the basics.
Dickinson - 8 - Great first touch, capable aerially.
When he does well I will admit so.
Isn't it amazing how opinions can differ on here? I thought he was poor in the air and slow off the mark.
Absolutely. The flag went up of course, but there was no way either the striker or Michel knew anything about it. Even as Michel's biggest fan I can hold my hands up and admit he's had a shocker on occasions. BG really needs to learn to do the opposite and just give praise when it's deserved.
Kuipers 6 - Decent game, kicking was initially wayward to Dickinson when only one up front, though that improved, fabulous save when Parkin was flagged off from 6 yards
Wright 6 - Had a nervy start, he was beaten down the wing for the cross that led to the goal. He looked increasingly assured, with good distribution once settled down.
Elphick 7 - Good solid display
Virgo 7 - Good Solid display
Whing 6 - O.G is was a poor mistake, but made several good last ditch clearances and never really allowed Jones into game.
Cox - 6 - Worked hard, worryingly still got very frustrated (and commtiting silly fouls) just before he was subbed
Thornhill - 4- May well of been below full fittness, and may well of looked better in a normal 4 in midfield, but was poor. Would have made a good ref as he always seemed to be 10 yards from ball!
Navarro - 5 - Clearly technichally most able m/f, some good touches, but lacking in full match fitness and had a penchant to give ball away in dangerous situations. Can do better...
Crofts - 6 - Worked hard won ball back often, decent debut.
Wright - 6 - Again a decent debut, though he will only influence the game if we get the ball to him quickly, he wont go getting it for himself.
Dickinson - 7 - Good debut was given a difficult task playing by himself 1st half, much better second when he looked strong and fast with a decent shot. If he can finish, a very good signing.
Forster - 6 - worked hard improved the shape of the team, but missed his main chance unfortunately.
McCleod - 6 - looked to have worked hard over pre-season, apart from one poor cross interventions in match were mostly constructive in attack. Will be a regular used substutute/ challenge for 1st XI on that evidence.
Murray - 5 - To little time to make real impact
All in all first half was poor an we were unlucky in the 2nd not get an equaliser...
And if Elphick had volleyed the ball into the back of the next from 80 yards in the first minute, it would still be the goal of the season. Brilliance can happen at any time.
But if that goal is ruled out for an offside or infringement would it still be the goal of the season? Of course not. It was great reactions from Kuipers, but as the player was offside it can't go down as a save I'm afraid. Walsall won the game yesterday without a single shot on target.