Ratings.

[Cheshunto]

I think a draw was a fair result and like others, couldn’t really see us scoring.
Ruel’s strike was quality but I’m not sure why FGR pushed so many players forward, leaving huge gaps at the back which Ruel thankfully punished.
Anyway, KJ must be concerned at the lack of creativity in midfield and the lack of chances created tonight.
It was good to see Dan Kemp get his chance as he is one of our more skilful creative players, but we really created very little for the Smith’s and this must be of concern.
Ogie was head and shoulders our MOTM tonight and it’s great to see a home grown youngster come good in our 1st team.
We badly need a win at Stevenage on Saturday just to boost confidence.

[RedDwarf 1881]

Never looked like scoring until the lovely finish from Ruel. Smith needs to be dropped, he is one of our better players but his presence is doing us no favours whatsoever. We just lump it up to him over and over.

Vigouroux. 5.5. Back to his wonky kicking.
Wood. 5.5. Not playing particularly well lately.
Ogie 8. MOM by a country mile.
Beccles. 6. Fairly solid.
Mitchell. 6. A couple of Miss-kicks and he does have a habit of that. Otherwise another decent game.
James. 7.5. Good game and one great tackle to prevent a goal. Not sure who lost their man for the goal? If it was him then minus 1.
Kemp. 6. Not great. At least he never dropped his head and kept on going.
Hector. 5.5. Need some competition for him and Pratley. Both are struggling a little
Pratley. 5.5. Workhorse.
Smyth. 6. Some nice touches but not yet fully fit.
Smith. 6. Always involved but I think that’s part of our problem. His headers go all over the show.

Subs. Ruel. 7. Great strike. Archibald. 6.

Forest green. 7. Will win the league IMO.

Jacket. 6. We are too predictable.

Thanks for your ratings Beradogs . I couldn't get to the game tonight due to work commitments so everybody's ratings are much appreciated . I agree about Smith . While he was out injured we were playing at a high tempo with Drinan and Archibald playing at pace . It was proving successful so I think we should go back to that style of play. I'm pleased with tonight's draw but we need to start turning these draws into win's. I'm hoping when Callum Reilly is fit again he can add something extra to our midfield .

[BIGRON]

Never looked like scoring until the lovely finish from Ruel. Smith needs to be dropped, he is one of our better players but his presence is doing us no favours whatsoever. We just lump it up to him over and over.

Vigouroux. 5.5. Back to his wonky kicking.
Wood. 5.5. Not playing particularly well lately.
Ogie 8. MOM by a country mile.
Beccles. 6. Fairly solid.
Mitchell. 6. A couple of Miss-kicks and he does have a habit of that. Otherwise another decent game.
James. 7.5. Good game and one great tackle to prevent a goal. Not sure who lost their man for the goal? If it was him then minus 1.
Kemp. 6. Not great. At least he never dropped his head and kept on going.
Hector. 5.5. Need some competition for him and Pratley. Both are struggling a little
Pratley. 5.5. Workhorse.
Smyth. 6. Some nice touches but not yet fully fit.
Smith. 6. Always involved but I think that’s part of our problem. His headers go all over the show.

Subs. Ruel. 7. Great strike. Archibald. 6.

Forest green. 7. Will win the league IMO.

Jacket. 6. We are too predictable.

Thanks for your ratings Beradogs . I couldn't get to the game tonight due to work commitments so everybody's ratings are much appreciated . I agree about Smith . While he was out injured we were playing at a high tempo with Drinan and Archibald playing at pace . It was proving successful so I think we should go back to that style of play. I'm pleased with tonight's draw but we need to start turning these draws into win's. I'm hoping when Callum Reilly is fit again he can add something extra to our midfield .

A lot of people think Reilly may be the answer , I just hope he's not another sick note ☹

[Rich Tea Wellin]

End of the day it's about having players that win us promotion, whether we develop their careers isn't the primary objective.

The midfield definitely needs some spark in there but can't see us bringing another CM in until Reilly has had opportunity, just hope he hits the ground running.

Developing our own players is absolutely the objective.

So they can wander off to a Championship side for peanuts? Promotion is the objective, couldn't care less if we develop players or buy them in as long as we get the prize come end of the season.

If they're good enough they play, if not send them to the bench / Papa John's plastic cup games.

The two dont have to be mutually exclusive...theres loads of examples, but a recent one being Josh Koroma. We gave him a chance in the first team which ultimately helped us get promoted, it also netted us a fee when he did go. Another scenario may have been that he continued to develop with us and help us in the future. If we had him on the bench/papa johns (which we did for a while) his development would have been halted and we wouldn't have benefitted in any way.

It's very short sighted to say that the kid, who is clearly rated, hasn't been outstanding (by all accounts he hasn't been bad) in about 20 professional starts and wont help us achieve our goals.

No doubt, we need other options to help him/take the pressure off. Koroma developed faster because Bonne played next to him, but that's not his fault.

[Scuba Diver]

Thanks also for the ratings Beradogs- appreciated.

I too thought Shadrach had a cracking game, and showed a lot of composure throughout. The young man looks very promising indeed, and slots in great on the left of a back 3.

I think Smyth will come good for us once 100% match fit: you can see the way that opposing defenders try to flatten him that they are terrified of his pace. As Saturday, he got very little protection.

Harry Smith was poor, as he has been last few games, and looks languid too- not a great combination. Needs either resting, or a rocket from KJ. Everything went through him, and everything broke down due to his play. Half the time, he just looked to back into the defender and fall over to gain a free kick - agricultural stuff. Drinan should return on Saturday- he is much more mobile, and is able to carry the ball.
It's notable that when we Did score, it involved the ball on the floor at all times. Hoofing it at Smith is too easy to defend against.

I don't want to criticise Hector particularly, but with the ageing Pratley next to him, I just don't see this as a midfield pairing that will get you promoted. I think this area needs addressing too.

[theballmagnet]

Cleared off the line a certain goal and also saved us against Walsall.

Well pointed out

[LittleMate]

Anyone else think Shad reminded them of big Kevin Austin, both in defending and in possession?

As for the midfield it looks as if Kyprianou and Pratley are too similar/cautious in possession. There were many instances last night where they both played the safe ball back to the defence when in no immediate danger. They are not the sort of player that plays on the half turn, like Kemp, but Kemp does not have the same defensive attributes. Personally with 3 centre backs playing already I'd sacrifice one of the two for a more creative influence. Its for KJ to sort because we just had 1 shot at goal in 2 games.

[Story of O]

Our weak point is centre midfield. We have good options in attack and defence although I would like back up for right back just in case James is injured. Because with Clay stepping in that would leave us with two to choose from or three if Reilly is ever fit

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Anyone else think Shad reminded them of big Kevin Austin, both in defending and in possession?

He does remind me of a young Kevin Austin, to be sure.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

As for the midfield it looks as if Kyprianou and Pratley are too similar/cautious in possession. There were many instances last night where they both played the safe ball back to the defence when in no immediate danger. They are not the sort of player that plays on the half turn, like Kemp, but Kemp does not have the same defensive attributes. Personally with 3 centre backs playing already I'd sacrifice one of the two for a more creative influence. Its for KJ to sort because we just had 1 shot at goal in 2 games.

Kyprianou literally never plays safe.

[MrB]

Anyone else think Shad reminded them of big Kevin Austin, both in defending and in possession?

He does remind me of a young Kevin Austin, to be sure.

Fair comparison but Shag will go on to be a better player…I think..More skilful

[Mstevens1959]

Vig 6
James 6.5
Beckles 7
Ogie 8
Mitchell 7
Wood 6
Pratley 5.5
Kyprianou 6
Kemp 6
Smyth 6
Smith 6

Clay n/a
Archibald 5.5
Sotiriou 7

Not sure what’s happened but our attacking impetus has gone out of the window. Port vale we didn’t create much but scored 2
Barrow we created nothing bar the scrappy goal and Theo’s 2 efforts. Walsall absolutely zilch, last night again next to nothing bar the breakaway goal. First 7/8 games we looked like scoring 2/3 game and we was a constant threat down the flanks, balls in the box etc. We have since probably Mansfield reverted to type and it’s been very long and straight balls down the centre of the pitch. Smith to his credit has won some but teams have worked that out and some have doubled up on him or like last night let him win the first and then mop up the second. Not sure why we have started playing direct and long when it’s clear we need to use the width of the pitch as this is where we got a lot of succes for the first 7/8 games like I said. For me a 4-3-3 is the best way to go for us.

Vig
James
Beckles
Mitchell
Ogie
Pratley
Kypri/Reilly (when fit)
Kemp
Smyth
Smith
Archibald.

Pace down the wing is vital and is where we look our best.

[LittleMate]

As for the midfield it looks as if Kyprianou and Pratley are too similar/cautious in possession. There were many instances last night where they both played the safe ball back to the defence when in no immediate danger. They are not the sort of player that plays on the half turn, like Kemp, but Kemp does not have the same defensive attributes. Personally with 3 centre backs playing already I'd sacrifice one of the two for a more creative influence. Its for KJ to sort because we just had 1 shot at goal in 2 games.

Kyprianou literally never plays safe.

You cannot be watching the game if you really think that - and if you do then he's not creative enough.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

As for the midfield it looks as if Kyprianou and Pratley are too similar/cautious in possession. There were many instances last night where they both played the safe ball back to the defence when in no immediate danger. They are not the sort of player that plays on the half turn, like Kemp, but Kemp does not have the same defensive attributes. Personally with 3 centre backs playing already I'd sacrifice one of the two for a more creative influence. Its for KJ to sort because we just had 1 shot at goal in 2 games.

Kyprianou literally never plays safe.

You cannot be watching the game if you really think that - and if you do then he's not creative enough.

If anything, he doesn’t play safe enough and takes too many chances IMO.