[evospire]

very encouraging signs. it's the first time i've seen us this season and we looked very bright.

1st half they started very well and we struggled to cope. the LHS was vulnerable and Mcdermott needed to help out more defensively. their 1st goal was appalling defending from us.

second half we looked sharper and fitter than i've seen us.


my assessment of the players

Lee - played well
Gray - looked poor (substituted for picks)
Picken - very impressive - looked very quick and gritty
Breckin - good - calm and no nonsense led the line well
Hall - good but disappeared for the 1st goal
Talbot - played quite well first half - caused problem with his pace 2nd half
Allott - very assured in the middle
Harsley - best i've seen him play
McDermott - awesome performance particularly 2nd half worthy of comparison with super Kevin Davies - he went passed 4 players on one particular run - loved him
Gritton - stronger more agile - looked up for it
Bowery - impressive

Niven - gave the ball away but broke things up
Currie - some good moments - great pen and well taken near post corners


on the evidence of tonight against a team 2 div higher i think we will have a better season than the last 2. but it is early days.

really really enjoyed it - despite the result

[DIFH]

evospire, on Aug 11 2009, 11:13 PM, said:

very encouraging signs. it's the first time i've seen us this season and we looked very bright.

1st half they started very well and we struggled to cope. the LHS was vulnerable and Mcdermott needed to help out more defensively. their 1st goal was appalling defending from us.

second half we looked sharper and fitter than i've seen us.


my assessment of the players

Lee - played well
Gray - looked poor (substituted for picks)
Picken - very impressive - looked very quick and gritty
Breckin - good - calm and no nonsense led the line well
Hall - good but disappeared for the 1st goal
Talbot - played quite well first half - caused problem with his pace 2nd half
Allott - very assured in the middle
Harsley - best i've seen him play
McDermott - awesome performance particularly 2nd half worthy of comparison with super Kevin Davies - he went passed 4 players on one particular run - loved him
Gritton - stronger more agile - looked up for it
Bowery - impressive

Niven - gave the ball away but broke things up
Currie - some good moments - great pen and well taken near post corners


on the evidence of tonight against a team 2 div higher i think we will have a better season than the last 2. but it is early days.

really really enjoyed it - despite the result

Just to let everyone know Scunny had mainly their first team out.

[BozaBlue]

I know there's been a lot of talk about the need for a striker and I agree but I'm sure that there is goals in this side, at times tonight we had scunny on the ropes with our attacking play and they was rattled into hoofing the ball upfield especially for the last 10 minutes. And the goaline clearance must have been very close to being a goal

[Larkin around]

I'd go along with the OP.

First and foremost; I really enjoyed the game! I didn't go to Torquay either, but being amongst the Chesterfield fans again felt great. Great support - it's a shame the stewards forgot they were at a football game.

Ok - we lost, and that's all the papers will say in the morning, but there is a lot to take from the game (albeit, a few things we can work on too!). Very encouraging signs though.

First half, our defending was shabby; they always looked a few paces ahead of us, and our full backs were exposed consistently. Second half, we had shape and intention, and almost got the just rewards for it.

Some surprising performances IMO - namely Gritton. And Donal McDermott - well, what can you say? The boy oozes class. Definitely a 'bums off seat' player. Here's my run down:

Lee - 8/10 - Felt sorry for him, although he justified his selection. Made countless saves but was punished by poor marking for both goals. He should keep his place for Northants though.

Gray - 5/10 - Was his omission tactical? If so, good call. He was exposed far too many times and didn't get to grips with him. One to forget for Dan.
Hall - 5/10 - Probably our weakest link. His marking was poor and distribution out of defence likewise. Made a few strong tackles but never imposed himself.
Breckin - 7.5/10 - Led by example. At times, brilliant. Although I think he was doing too much work for one player at the back. Played with passion - that's what we love to see, right?
Austin - 6/10 - I guess you could argue he was the worst player on the pitch, but I think it's unfair to criticise him too much when he's playing out of position. He ain't a left back, and hasn't got the pace to keep up with Championship wingers. Tried, but couldn't hack it.

Talbot - 7.5/10 - Again - at times, great to watch. First half, on the right wing, he caused a lot of problems. Second half, he got better and better and a lot of our attacking play came through him. Won the penalty after consistent pressure.
Allott - 6/10 - Disappointing. He'll want to forget this one. The game passed him by, although he almost imposed his quality on the game when he had time on the ball, but it was too infrequent to make a difference.
Harsley - 6.5/10 - Tried, and looked good and full of intent and times, but the center midfield was outmuscled by Scunthorpe's.
McDermott - 8.5/10 - Got better and better as the game went on - how many times have we said that about a CFC winger? Not many, that's for sure! He is in the same calibre of player as Jamie O'Hara. I'm not saying he's a similar player; but that he has the same quality. He knows how to use the ball and Scunthorpe couldn't cope with him and got more and more frustrated as he weaved in and out. Great to watch. Worth the admission alone. Let's hope he's consistent.

Gritton - 7 - Thought he put in a lot of effort tonight - as if someone has had a word in his ear and upped his game. Didn't get much in front of goal, but chased a lot of lost causes and looked effective at times with the ball. Hopefully he's being polished.
Bowery - 7.5 - Started to link really well with McDermott towards the end and got better and better too. Understood how to use his pace and presence and almost scored the equaliser with a header near the end.

Picken - 7.5 - Tightened the defence when he came on, looked good going forward and made some full-hearted tackles.
Niven - 6.5 - Didn't make much difference, with CM's outmuscled. But was contributing in the onslaught near the end.
Currie - 7 - Good impact for a brief moment. Needs to put more pace on his crosses though. Good, confident penalty.

Sheridan was proactive tonight and identified how to improve as the game wore on, and that's very encouraging. At times though, we looked off the pace and cut open far too easily. All in all though, I came away from Glanford Park in a cautiously optimistic mood - despite the defeat.

[Bankrobber]

I liked how Picks came on for Gray, and the first thing he did was give Woolford a kicking whilst winning the ball with a lovely tackle. Just what the doctor ordered, as he'd been a real threat getting in some superb crosses.

Scunthorpe's attacking play was quality. Hooper and Hayes make very intelligent runs and allied to a bit of pace it makes them a real handful. I thought we struggled to cope at times, but it's ironic that we conceded as many today as we did at the weekend when Scunny's forward play was far more dangerous than Torquay's.

McDermott was excellent...and he'll get more effective the more time he spends with us. Season long loan please!

[Larkin around]

Bankrobber, on Aug 11 2009, 11:59 PM, said:

McDermott was excellent...and he'll get more effective the more time he spends with us. Season long loan please!

Was thinking the same. It's a double-edged sword; we need him to do well, but don't want other clubs to take him after the three months! We've been crying out for a player like him for 2 seasons at least. Perhaps even since Hurst left.

[Sabreman]

Listened to it on the radio with a smile on my face especially second half, it sounded like we played extremely well with superb support so credit to our supporters for that. I think it's clear we have a manager who knows what he's doing, he's also not scared to change the team and say it how it is i think we will do well this season i'm very positive atm.

[dim view]

evospire, on Aug 11 2009, 11:13 PM, said:

McDermott - awesome performance particularly 2nd half worthy of comparison with super Kevin Davies - he went passed 4 players on one particular run - loved him

He aint that good.
I'd say he is more of a Messi

[moondog]

dim view, on Aug 12 2009, 08:02 AM, said:

He aint that good.
I'd say he is more of a Messi

Quality player, promises to be the best loanee we've ever had

[Blueprint]

sounds like Gray didn't do so well as he was ill. Good to hear stuff like the above posts, should make people more positive about saturday and beyond. After all we lost to a former conference side 2-0 on saturday but lost last night by a tighter margin to a team two levels above us. As for the 4 goals conceded, i didn't expect us to keep a clean sheet last night, plus half the defence was different to what it was saturday so can't really blame the same players.

Looking forward to seeing McDermott on saturday, and us playing our first home game of the season, playing someone our own level, with jack back and the better players from last night kept in the line up we should (hopefully) get our first win of the season, which should go some way to bringing back fortress saltergate. Be great to get it back for the last time ever.

Also good interview with Shezza on player, talking about the mistakes and basically saying it shouldn't be that hard to concentrate all the game. What with him and Wrighty giving the orders i don't think the players will want to keep giving away unavoidable goals.

[JonB]

Didnt got to Torquay but having read reports i wasnt overly hopeful of a result tonight and was more interested in a good performance and to be fair we got that and possibly a bit more. Sat in the main stand near the dugouts so had a slightly different view to most town fans and will be interesting to see how my view compares. Firstly on Sheridan and the management team, they give no one a minutes rest and are not scared to hand out the rollickings and most of it seems to go through Breckin who must be fed up of Shez shouting "Brecks" by the end of games!! Good to see though.

The opening 10mins or so of each half cost us tonight as they got on top in those periods, as they probably should being a home side two divisions higher, and scored their goals then as well. They looked lively and full of pace getting forward. Bit unlucky with the first goal as we were down to 10 men so lost our shape a little from our corner after it had been cleared of their line. After the goals we looked really good going forward with just the final pass, touch or finish was missing.

Lee - Did really well, didnt have a chance with the first goal and needed that bit of luck for the second after making the initial save. Was solid with his kicking and on crosses.
Gray - Struggled and the game, and the winger, passed him by very easily. Seemed to be struggling fitness wise so not a surprise to see he was suffering from illness and he disappeared to the dressing rooms as soon as coming off.
Hall - Did ok but given the run about a bit by two very good strikers who he wont face week in week out in League 2
Breckin - Led well and constantly talking to players and acting as the managers voice on the field.
Austin - Did what he could but he wont be first choice at full back and once Robertson or Goodall are fit they will play. He actually played a lot better second half and coped with the winger a lot better.
Talbot - Great to see pace on both flanks and two guys willing to run at the full backs. Never stopped and caused just as many problems when moved up front.
Harsley - Thought he did really well, took the Niven role but was able to pass the ball as well.
Allott - Dont think the game passed him by as mentioned previously as his style will probably mean that he isnt noticed that much. Gave a steadying influence in midfield sitting in front of the back four and putting his foot on the ball.
Mcdermott - Excellent performance and looked threatening all the time. Didnt always pick out the right ball but kept getting into the right positions and against League Two defences he will cause a lot of problems. Always wanted the ball but most of the time managed to stay wide and along with Talbot doing the same gave us a real attacking threat
Gritton - Gave a good performance against a couple of rugged and in the case of Jones big centre halves. Got into some good positions and also played the holding up role very well when the ball was played into him in the right areas. Also won plenty of headers.
Bowery - An impressive first start (i think?), still very raw but will good to see him learn as the season goes on. Has a bit of a young Caleb Folan style about him. Very mobile, good touch and decent in the air as well.

Picken - Was excellent when he came on and also interesting to see he did a very good job with balls in the air against two noticeably taller wingers.
Niven - Ran around and was probably the impetus for the increased tempo and pressure in the last 20 mins or so. Constantly niggling at their players and also managed a couple of good passes.
Currie - Not scared of putting his foot on the ball and delivering a decent ball in. Very confident penalty. Still think he has a major part to play.

[evospire]

JonB, on Aug 12 2009, 10:16 AM, said:

Didnt got to Torquay but having read reports i wasnt overly hopeful of a result tonight and was more interested in a good performance and to be fair we got that and possibly a bit more. Sat in the main stand near the dugouts so had a slightly different view to most town fans and will be interesting to see how my view compares. Firstly on Sheridan and the management team, they give no one a minutes rest and are not scared to hand out the rollickings and most of it seems to go through Breckin who must be fed up of Shez shouting "Brecks" by the end of games!! Good to see though.

The opening 10mins or so of each half cost us tonight as they got on top in those periods, as they probably should being a home side two divisions higher, and scored their goals then as well. They looked lively and full of pace getting forward. Bit unlucky with the first goal as we were down to 10 men so lost our shape a little from our corner after it had been cleared of their line. After the goals we looked really good going forward with just the final pass, touch or finish was missing.

Lee - Did really well, didnt have a chance with the first goal and needed that bit of luck for the second after making the initial save. Was solid with his kicking and on crosses.
Gray - Struggled and the game, and the winger, passed him by very easily. Seemed to be struggling fitness wise so not a surprise to see he was suffering from illness and he disappeared to the dressing rooms as soon as coming off.
Hall - Did ok but given the run about a bit by two very good strikers who he wont face week in week out in League 2
Breckin - Led well and constantly talking to players and acting as the managers voice on the field.
Austin - Did what he could but he wont be first choice at full back and once Robertson or Goodall are fit they will play. He actually played a lot better second half and coped with the winger a lot better.
Talbot - Great to see pace on both flanks and two guys willing to run at the full backs. Never stopped and caused just as many problems when moved up front.
Harsley - Thought he did really well, took the Niven role but was able to pass the ball as well.
Allott - Dont think the game passed him by as mentioned previously as his style will probably mean that he isnt noticed that much. Gave a steadying influence in midfield sitting in front of the back four and putting his foot on the ball.
Mcdermott - Excellent performance and looked threatening all the time. Didnt always pick out the right ball but kept getting into the right positions and against League Two defences he will cause a lot of problems. Always wanted the ball but most of the time managed to stay wide and along with Talbot doing the same gave us a real attacking threat
Gritton - Gave a good performance against a couple of rugged and in the case of Jones big centre halves. Got into some good positions and also played the holding up role very well when the ball was played into him in the right areas. Also won plenty of headers.
Bowery - An impressive first start (i think?), still very raw but will good to see him learn as the season goes on. Has a bit of a young Caleb Folan style about him. Very mobile, good touch and decent in the air as well.

Picken - Was excellent when he came on and also interesting to see he did a very good job with balls in the air against two noticeably taller wingers.
Niven - Ran around and was probably the impetus for the increased tempo and pressure in the last 20 mins or so. Constantly niggling at their players and also managed a couple of good passes.
Currie - Not scared of putting his foot on the ball and delivering a decent ball in. Very confident penalty. Still think he has a major part to play.

would agree with this more than murrayBu's assesment particularly re. Allott. Allott made a big difference in midfield, he might not run passed 3 players or even set that many up but his link play and possession is better than anything we've seen since well Allott.

[Spired]

Load of positives. I was glued to Spireite player last night...sounded great towards the end.

Well done to all who travelled too. Roll on Saturday.

[Larkin around]

evospire, on Aug 12 2009, 10:59 AM, said:

would agree with this more than murrayBu's assesment particularly re. Allott. Allott made a big difference in midfield, he might not run passed 3 players or even set that many up but his link play and possession is better than anything we've seen since well Allott.

There isn't a bigger fan of Allott than myself, but he wasn't as good as he can be last night. We were outfought by their center midfield who were always finding the right passes.

He was by no means bad, but I know he can produce better. Not a concern.

[DIFH]

MurrayBu, on Aug 12 2009, 11:25 AM, said:

There isn't a bigger fan of Allott than myself, but he wasn't as good as he can be last night. We were outfought by their center midfield who were always finding the right passes.

He was by no means bad, but I know he can produce better. Not a concern.

Allott minus Niven in midfield looked a whole lot differnt with Niven there.

[Blueprint]

on the commentary they were shocked that Harsley was going off as they thought he'd done very well, they thought Allott would be going off as he was the less involved of the two, however they were very impressed with how much better Niven was than Harsley.

[Zeus]

Bankrobber, on Aug 11 2009, 11:59 PM, said:

McDermott was excellent...and he'll get more effective the more time he spends with us. Season long loan please!

The usual pattern of talented Premier League loanees coming to play for us is the stand out phenomenally in their early days and then they get dragged back down to our level and disappear from the game - although there are a few exceptions, let's hope he's one of them.

[JonB]

Blueprint, on Aug 12 2009, 11:48 AM, said:

on the commentary they were shocked that Harsley was going off as they thought he'd done very well, they thought Allott would be going off as he was the less involved of the two, however they were very impressed with how much better Niven was than Harsley.

I thought Harsley did very well and so did Niven but its interesting see how noticeable players are to fans. The way Niven plays running around kicking people etc will make him more noticeable to fans if he plays both well or badly. Harsley doesnt play like that but was still very effective last night but in a different way to Niven.