Not our best in the first half where we got an early lead but was then under the cosh for the rest of the half. I thought the Viking kept us in the lead with a couple of outstanding saves and to say he needs dropping is very harsh. Lindsay went off early in the half and he was missed, not just because of his energy but he wins a lot of second balls and once he went off we hardly won any. We improved in the second half and worked a lovely goal with Wing showing what he is capable of. They got back in the game with a goal from a goalkeeping error imo. He had taken a heavy knock in the first half and needed stitches in a face wound i believe. I still believe he should have dealt with the goal. Smith came on and made a difference and we saw out the game well with Ihiekwe being the pick of a strong defensive performance.
I thought Ladapo did ok and he will play his part in the rest of the season. Still feel Hirst is out of his depth in this division at this stage in his development. Our work ethic,teamwork and a fair slice of luck got us over the line yesterday to achieve mission impossible. My one worry is our ability to hold onto the ball when we are under the cosh. In the first half it was constant pressure mainly because of our ability to hold on to possession. If we do that on a regular basis we will get punished. Still a long way to go but as usual the effort these lads put in should make us all proud millers.
Watched game live & quest highlights last night. It was clear their goal our keeper couldn't deal with the challenge. None of the 3 talking about the game on quest thought any different. Even the most bias millers fan can't say it didn't go for us yesterday. Take best out of that game & take it into tues game. Though Wiles scored he doesn't seem on his game. Our back 3 did their job, Harding also. Wing looks a good addition. Giles quality. Better when Crooks & Smith came on.
Not our best in the first half where we got an early lead but was then under the cosh for the rest of the half. I thought the Viking kept us in the lead with a couple of outstanding saves and to say he needs dropping is very harsh. Lindsay went off early in the half and he was missed, not just because of his energy but he wins a lot of second balls and once he went off we hardly won any. We improved in the second half and worked a lovely goal with Wing showing what he is capable of. They got back in the game with a goal from a goalkeeping error imo. He had taken a heavy knock in the first half and needed stitches in a face wound i believe. I still believe he should have dealt with the goal. Smith came on and made a difference and we saw out the game well with Ihiekwe being the pick of a strong defensive performance. I thought Ladapo did ok and he will play his part in the rest of the season. Still feel Hirst is out of his depth in this division at this stage in his development. Our work ethic,teamwork and a fair slice of luck got us over the line yesterday to achieve mission impossible. My one worry is our ability to hold onto the ball when we are under the cosh. In the first half it was constant pressure mainly because of our ability to hold on to possession. If we do that on a regular basis we will get punished. Still a long way to go but as usual the effort these lads put in should make us all proud millers.
A very fair summary Whiston, if I may say so.
Not picking on Ched Evans, but he was involved in two big moments yesterday.
When he injured Johansson, Evans had time to see that Johansson had the ball under control and to pull out of the challenge. Instead he chose to go through with it with studs up, which is highly dangerous on a keeper who can not use his hands and arms to defend himself because he is holding the ball. Some might call it a cheap shot. Keepers are over-protected, but if there is one situation in which they should be protected, that is it. The consequent damage was plain to see. The ref clearly thought it was a foul as he gave a yellow card to Evans for it. In my opinion, in the modern game that would be a red card more often than not.
For the goal, whilst I agree that Johansson could and should have done better, Evans definitely (cleverly) knocked Johansson's left arm as he went to catch the cross. Not heavily, but enough that he didn't take the cross cleanly. Again, in the modern game that would be given as a foul more often than not.
For those reasons, I don't quite agree that we were lucky yesterday. We definitely did get some luck at times, particularly with the Whiteman free kick and perhaps with the offiside equaliser which looked very tight, but a couple of very big decisions also went against us. We also did arguably create more clear cut chances in the game than they did. I don't think it was a smash and grab job by any means.
You make a great point about Lindsay and his ability to win second balls. Wing looks a good athlete, as is Wiles, and we will need their energy in those midfield areas if Lindsay is out for a spell because Lindsay has probably been our most influential player in our recent good run.
-- Edited by smiler on Sunday 7th of February 2021 09:57:07 AM
Spot on gwru rode our luck ref correct about their goal the officials got it right about the offside swings and roundabouts. Wish we still had Iverson he is a big lad. A good win is it a good omem when things are going your way anyway onto Cardiff warney don't give them a welcome in the hillside on Tuesday at the NYS UTM.
Whiston/Smiler - both good analyses of the game. Our inability to hold on to possession was largely caused by Hirst/Lapado's inability to control and hold up the ball in comparison to Smith/Crooks. Our midfield engine room looks healthy but our lack of second balls after Lindsey's early departure was critical. If Lindsey is out long term, we desperately need S Mac fit to fill that role.
As an overall performance, any criticism of the Viking is unwarranted. Every player makes errors throughout a game but only purported supporters with their own corrosive agenda would seek to disparage him for one blip in an otherwise excellent performance.
Cardiff will be another tester following their excellent away victory yesterday. However, I feel confident that we can take on any team in this league at the moment which is a major change from the last time we were in this league!
