A Win At Home Please

Going to the game today I really did expect a victory, not hope for, I expected. I'm not really sure why this was so, as you should never expect anything from the 'pool, apart from the unexpected!

Wasn't a thriller today, but we did get a point against a fairly decent Gillingham team who had a good back line, with Brent Sancho and former Clampet Ian Cox. Michael Flynn and Andrew Crofts were exeptional in the middle of the park, with Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu (the PA announcer didn't do a bad job prenouncing his name!) and Matt Jarvis supplying decent fire power up top.

Blackpool looked OK, not brilliant, but OK. We looked steady at times at the back, but only at times. Michael Jackson is clearly there for his organisation, and I'm sure he's mighty glad he has that skill, otherwise he'd be nowhere near the first team! A plus was watching Danny Coid start a match for the first time in a while. He did, like the team, OK. That's what it was like today. You cannot say the team played poorly, because they didn't, but they didn't really play that well. The midfield looked all over the place for a time. Larry continues to tell Forbes and Hoolahan to switch wings, which in turn leaves the midfield confused until the shape is restored -which is often too late, as the opponents today showed as the broke on the attack whilst the 'tactical switch' was being put into force. Vernon again looked far superior to the Scott Vernon of 05/06, winning balls in the air and having a great contribution in the build up play, which he lacked last year. After seeing Andy Morrell twice now (which isn't enough to judge a player, but I will do anyway!) I am not convinced with him. He does work hard, I'll give him that, and he works hard well. He doesn't seem to have that striking instinct. All of his shots or efforts are weak or mis-hit. I'm not so sure about him. Hopefully there will be another striker arriving at Bloomers this coming week.

Onto the match action. Gillingham went ahead very early in the 3rd minute, through Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu. This was a horrific goal to give away. First of all, Danny Coid wasn't quick enough to shut the winger down as he paraded forward. Shaun Barker was nowhere to be seen at Right Back either. The ball was finally recovered by the defence, only for Michael Jackson to pass back to Ndumbu-Nsungu to poke home.

Our goal, coming after 35 minutes was excellent. Wes Hoolahan worked superbly well down the left, crossing the ball well under pressure, albeit behind Scott Vernon, but SS (Super Scott) cranked his head back and planted his header inch perfectly into the corner. That's how it stayed, 1-1.

The second half was huff and puff on our part. We had alot of the ball, knocked it about for 25 minutes very comfortably but lacked any penetration. Keigan Parker and Marcus Bean came on after an hour for Andy Morrell and skipper Jackson, neither did anything in all honesty, although Bean came close from 20 yards. When Wes Hoolahan came off on 70, we looked abject there-after. Nothing was created, it was a backs to the walls job in the end with an occasional break. Hoolahan looked to tweak his hamstring.

Wes Hoolahan - Fanastic game. Ran the show. Everything went through him.
Nothing to do. Isn't a Right Back for me. Did OK considering. Good come back. Partly at fault for the goal. Evatt and Barker in the centre next week please! Wasn't at his best, but won a fair amount in the air. Excellant game. Looks to be a good signing. Ran hard. A few slack passes, but he did well. Fantastic. Poor by his standards. Still gave 100% though, that's all you can ask for. Completely different player! Good work-rate. Poor finish in front of goal. Had the chance of the second half.

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