A well deserved 3 points in a game some will describe as workman like but I would describe as an accomplished performance. I actually enjoyed the game and felt we played well. Our shape and movement was excellent and we murdered them first half yet went in at half time goalless, mainly due to some good saves from their keeper but also a howler of a shot from O’Kane, who did a D’Sane (cleared the away end stand from 18 yards, there is an art to that).
The front 3 were outstanding in the first half, their movement both with the ball and without it was excellent. The changed positions so many times I was confused who was playing where. Robinson was on fire, he had the measure of his man and made the most of it. By half time he would have been a shoe in for MoM. Zebs had a few mazy runs but didn’t pull the trigger early enough on 2 occasions and when he did it brought about a good save from their keeper. Was it a penalty?? Definitely NOT, Zebs let the fall run away from him as the defender slipped, but Zebs also lost his footing. I will watch the highlights when it comes out but I’d be surprised if anyone truly believes we should have had a penalty.
I wasn’t sure of the formation at times and don’t want to get into a debate over it, suffice to say we had 1 goalkeeper, a back 4 and 6 other guys in front of them. But whatever system it was, it worked. We had a good shape throughout and were untroubled by ultimately what is a poor Burton side. Other than their lanky centre forward who was a bit of a handful, but that’s all he was a bit of a handful, he didn’t really threaten to score.
For me, not only have the departures during the transfer window not really affected us but I would go as far to say that we are a better side because of it. Rash statement maybe when you consider we lost our top goal scorer, however we were playing 1 up front on his own and it looked a struggle and our shape and movement was awful at times. However now we play 2/3 up front, the shape and movement is better now than it has been for a long time. As for Stanley replacing Wroe, no brainer, Stanley a much better player and let’s hope we get to keep him because he was outstanding last night, yes he tired in the last 15 minutes but look at the ground he covered, all on a heavy pitch. Fully deserved him MoM. Also since the new players have come in haven’t they won all of the MoM’s since they have been here.
I really like the look of this ‘new’ team and if we can carry on playing like this, we won’t be looking over our shoulders at the relegation zone but over our shoulders at who is trying to take our place in the playoffs. One swallow doesn’t make a summer, but the indications from last night are that it’s getting warmer, let’s hope it’s not an Indian summer (I think I may have taken that metaphor a bit to far?). I will be the first to admit that after the week that was I was critical of the tea, the management and the club and lost enough interest not to make the trip to Barnet last Saturday, however after last night I have my enthusiasm back now let’s hope that a few more do as the crowd last night was poor. The players deserved better than that.
Potter: Not a lot to do, but what he did have to do he did well. He appears to be more mobile than Bevan, but we need to see him tested, what is he like as a shot stopper?
Rowe Turner: I thought he did well with some great tackles, doesn’t get forward as much as Nicho but a much better ‘defender’. We do lose the long throw option but its no coincidence that we haven’t conceded whilst he has been in, albeit against weaker opposition. So another who I would like to see tested.
Robertson: Steady game, won a few headers and didn’t get caught flat footed like he can do at times. Scored the goal, apparently’ ? All i could see was a melee of players and the ball end up in the back of the net.
Branston: Outstanding, as you might expect against his old club. Fully committed to EVERY challenge and header. Appeared desperate to score as he went forward more times than I have ever seen him do before. Unlucky with a few chances at goal, especially the overhead/bicycle kick that brought chants of Rooney from the crowd. I initially thought he was our goal scorer but Robertson claimed it.
Mansell: as per usual for Manse. Solid, gets about, gets stuck in, nearly punished for a misplaced pass but overall the best right back we have and definitely the man for the job right now as our midfield is looking good.
O’Kane: A quiet game by his standards, but made quite a few telling tackles and also some really good balls played through. 2 absolute howlers of shots at goal. If there was anyone at the club you would want to receive the ball in front of gaol 20 yards out he would be him, but not only did he fail to hit the target both times, I’m not sure he kept it in the ground. Should have finished 1 of those.
Oastler: I would imagine some people would say ‘was he playing’? but again I thought he had a good, solid game. Did what a good battling midfielder does, wins the midfield battle, gets the ball and gives it easy, nothing fancy just a good battling performance and a simple ball to the more creative player.
Stanley: MoM and fully deserved. Got forward to support the front men and back to support the back 4. Creative and hard working with and one particular pass that would not be out of place in the premiership. He held onto the ball just long enough to draw in the opposition, then threaded a sublime pass through 2 defenders, that was weighted perfectly, for Zebs to run onto. Pure brilliance and worth the admission price alone.
Zebs: Not at his best and could have/should have scored a couple, but he was part of a front 3 that ran them ragged first half.
Kee: Again a solid performance from Kee. He brings others into the game more than Benyon ever did, holds the ball up well and not afraid to shoot. Again part of an excellent front 3. They don’t all need to be brilliant but if they work well as a unit the unit thrives, which it did last night.
Robinson: Outstanding first half. Contributed more to the first half than anyone. Had the beating of his man, who knew it, whenever he wanted. Unlucky with a couple of his shots but the lynch pin in the performance of the front 3. The only disappointment was that even though the 3 of them played well then didn’t score.
Funniest moment of the game was a free kick from one of their guys. Direct, from 25 yards and after a major faff in getting the wall back 10 yards, the players having a few handbags etc, he eventually stepped up and ‘shanked’ it right, which very nearly went for a throw in. That just about summed up there threat in front of goal.
A quick word for the ref, we are quick to give them a hard time when we don’t get what we think we deserve. I thought the ref was excellent last night. Kept the game flowing and didn’t make it about him. One of those games that you didn’t realise he was there until after the game, which is always a good sign
Overall I was pleased with the performance and good value for money, I can feel the fluff returning.
Very poor gate indeed, I’m starting to believe it has nothing to do with fans not having the money to go tonight, but more the case more damage was done by losing to Crawley than most of us 
