Although not at your absolute peak you were fairly sharp, quick to the ball and won a lot of the second balls which was pleasing to see. Another couple of games will see you back to top form.
Defensively you were solid and gave Darwin little opportunity to break you down. I've said it before I'll say it again, if you've got the ball and are attacking they can't score. Ok you can get caught on the break but our back two always seem to be there or there abouts. Any critisism I put on here is always meant to be constuctive and it's as I see it so here goes. When you tackle and are down on the floor it's not job done, you need to be back up on your feet and track back to tackle again or cover the open spaces.
I try never to single out individuals for critisism but as we've only one keeper in goal it needs addressing before it costs. A throw out is fine to an unmarked player in plenty of space but that rarely happens at this level so it's imperitive the ball is cleared by the keeper to a safe distance. That means a big kick forward out of the danger zone. Several times today my heart was in my mouth with throw outs that just weren't on, a slip by the defender or a quick tackle from the opposition and it's a goal against. My opinion, something to work on.
What about strike force Rooks, how many lads did we have on the scoresheet today? Some super goals and for the life in me I can't remember just who was involved in most of them, that's my age. How many times over the years have we scored dirct from a corner, well done Ben. I think it was the second goal that was an absolute peach, a cross from the right and a super finish I think from Jay, apologies if it wasn't.
Sudds had his shooting boots on and could have scored the goal of the season were it not for it going just inches past the post. Dec scored a couple of crackers as well and his second was a superb strike.
Curtis came close on a number of occassions through sheer pace and effort and really deserved a goal after whiping several accross and at the goal from the left.
Think Connor got a couple as well but I could be wrong
the first a delightful chip over the keeper.
If I've missed anyone I apologise in advance but I'm sure James will get it all on the match report and probably more accurate than me.
No complaints about the midfield and strikers, although ring rusty you were fairly sharp and dominating. I don't know who got MOTM but if I had to pick one I think on effort and skill Ben might just have edged it today, he caused them all sorts of problems down the right.
What I'd like to see a bit more of is switching play to the other side of the pitch, several times today we had players bunched to a degree on the right attacking or playing the ball and Curtis is out mid left on his own with no player within 20 yards, a ball swung accross to him would have the goal at his mercy, not many players in the league will catch Curtis in full flow. It's just having the vision to see it then do it.
All in all a satisfying result from Saints point of view, some good football played, occassional flashes of brilliance and a victory ground out by shear effort and determination. Three more points toward the league title and another clean sheet to boot. I haven't checked the stats but I'd like to bet that no other team in the league has a better defensive record than Rooks, that speaks volumes for our defense and the team as a whole.
Well done to the entire team today and let's hope we can get in a good run of games.
Final mention before I forget and that's about the pitch, what a superb playing surface that was today given all the inclement weather we've had, well done to whoever takes care of it.
