Player Ratings Today

[Gwylan]

Kuipers 8 - Excellent saves but still doesn't command the defence
Hinshelwood 7 - Solid. Great tackle at the end
Butters 7 - Doesn't miss a header.
Cullip 6 - Still short of his best
Harding 7 - Much better today, a left back who can pass
Nicolas 8 - Got involved and manages to pass to Brighton players nearly every time
Hammond 7 - Gave a good account of himself
Currie 8 - My MOTM; superb delivery and oozed real ability
Jones 5 - Ran around a lot but achieved too little
Virgo 8 - Worked hard and held the ball up well - but lacks a striker's instinct
Knight 5 - Lazy sod

Sub
Mayo 1 - Piss poor. On for 10 mins, gave away 3 free kicks and hoofed the ball in touch when he could have set up attack

 

[Stoaty Ferret]

Kuipers 7 - Made some great saves at the end to keep us in it
Hinshelwood 5 - Not tight enough on Lewis
Butters 6 - Solid but not spectacular
Cullip 6 - Will hopefully get better as the season goes on
Harding 7 - Tired at the end but his passing was good
Nicolas 7 - Growing in confidence, looking forward to seeing him and Chippy link up.
Hammond 7 - Why has he not been given his chance before now. Definitely worth a contract and needs games now.
Currie 8 - Poor mans Beckham but his delivery from corners is top drawer and his cross field balls all came off today
Jones 5 - Did Ok but would have replaced him with Jarrett
Virgo 8 - A revelation I thought, not the long term answer but he did his job very well
Knight 6 - Needs that first goal for confidence

Sub
Mayo 5 - Wanted to see Jarrett on but Mcghee was trying to stem the threat from Lewis

 

[Zebedee]

Kuipers 8 - One of the FDM's better games. Commanded his area well and kept up a good dialogue with his back four. Made three excellent saves that kept us in the game. Good to see the big man back to something like his best. Long may it continue.

Hinshelwood 6.5 - Had a sound if unspectacular game. Looks much more comfortable at right back than in the middle of the field. Generally had Lewis in his pocket and is improving with each game. A good prospect.

Butters 6.5 - A solid game. As usual, he won a lot of headers but he is never going to get any quicker and against pacier opposition he will remain something of a liability. But for all that, at present, we'd be a poorer team without him.

Cullip 6 - Not the DC of old me thinks and seems to have lost a little of his sharpness and enthusiasm for the game. Thankfully much more vocal yesterday but still far too inclined to hoof the ball without looking up first.

Harding 7.5 - Great to have a full back that can actually pass the ball. Not one of his best games but like many of our players he will improve as the season progresses. Hanging on to him will not be easy, especially if he impresses for England.

Nicolas 8.5 - A super display from a cultured, skillful midfielder. Tackling and distribution were first class and covered acres of ground during the game. I am looking forward to seeing him and Chippy playing togther in due course.

Hammond 7.5 - Showed no difficulty in adjusting to the pace and requirements of the Championship and is well worth an improved contract at the end of September. His muscular presence is just what we need in the midfield and I thought that he had a very good game.

Currie 8.5 - Another excellent game. Easily the most naturally skillful player on the pitch. His vision and distribution of the ball was top drawer and the corner that led to the own goal was one of the best that I have seen for many years. A terrific signing.

Jones 5 - Had a poor game. Drifted out of position too often and seems to have lost (hopefully temporarily) his ability to go past players. Too often left Harding unnecessarily exposed when he wandered to the middle of the pitch. Would have preferred to see Jarrett on in the second half.

Virgo 9 - I thought Virgs was terrific yesterday. He chased every ball and put the fear of god up the Preston defence. Also won a lot of useful headers and his lay off of the ball was, on the whole, very good for a makeshift striker. Well done to McGhee for taking the risk of playing Virgs upfront. It paid off handsomely and we should continue the "experiment" at Leicester.

Knight 7.5 - Ran his socks off for the cause and linked up well with Virgs. It won't be long before he scores his first goal. Took a a lot of knocks during the game but just bounced back and got on with the job in hand. Well done Leon.

Sub

Mayo 4.5 - Did very little when he game on other than concede fouls or give the ball away in dangerous positions. I remain to be convinced of Mayo's ability at Championship level. I would be surprised if his contract is renewed with all the defensive options we now have at our disposal but Kerry has been a major asset to the club over the years and I would never doubt his commitment.

 

[Exiled in Exeter]

Kuipers 8
Hinshelwood 7
Butters 7
Cullip 9
Harding 6
Nicolas 7
Currie 7
Hammond 7
Jones 5
Knight 6
Virgo 8

 

[m20gull]

Kuipers 7
Hinshelwood 5
Butters 6
Cullip 7
Harding 6
Nicolas 8
Hammond 7
Currie 7
Jones 4
Virgo 8
Knight 6