O’Brien 2 - I’ll give him a couple of points for the decent save in the first half, but that’s it. Two shocking mistakes gifting them two goals they didn’t really deserve. Stays on his line way too much, their free header chance from a yard out in the second half should have been his to come and claim.
Sterling 2 - Never seen an 18 year old look so immobile! Seems to take an age to do anything, like hes running through treacle. Strange, cause he was beating opposition full backs for fun in the YouTube videos!
Willis 4 - Solid enough defensively, but distribution was absolutely dreadful. Constant, aimless punts upfield either out of play or straight to their keeper. Even some of his forward balls on the floor were nowhere near a white shirt.
Hyam 7 MOTM - Solid defensively, won a lot in the air and got in some good tackles and clearances when needed. Was the only player confident enough on the ball to at least try and drag the team forward with any degree of purpose, shocking that this only came from a centre half but fair play to him nevertheless!
Brown 3 - Slightly better than Sterling, but pretty ineffective going forward and got beat on his side a few times too.
Doyle 4 - Tried to get his foot on the ball but was guilty of aimless hoofs forward without checking for other options. Does seem a yard behind the play at times as well which is fair given his age, so maybe we’ll see less of him as the season goes on.
Ogogo 3 - Like him, but not in the game tonight. Gave away so many needless fouls, coupled with poor passing and poor touches and it wasn’t his night!
Bayliss 3 - As other’s have said, probably his worst game for us tonight. Completely marked out all night, Blackpool CMs didn’t give him a sniff.
Thomas 6 - Tried his best, some nice touches and bits of class but when everyone else around you is so shit it’s difficult to do much. Was clearly getting frustrated at the end as his touch was getting clumsy and he was giving fouls away.
Shipley 3 - Ineffective, didn’t do anything that we know he’s capable of!
Bakayoko 1 - What in the fuck was that?! At least try and do something to affect the game, it’s difficult playing up top as a line striker but try and put yourself about and offer something but there was absolutely fuck all from him. Walsall must be pissing themselves!
Hiwula 5 - Looked reasonably dangerous when he came on, was unlucky that O’Brien basically threw the game away just as he was starting to have an effect on the game.
Andreu 4 - Some decent touches, but as with Hiwula, he was unlucky that the game was over before he could have a chance to make a proper impact.
Robins 2 - No obvious system or game plan, especially after Biamou went off in the first minute he seemed to panic and not know how to change it. Really disappointing. Frustrating that we’re persisting with a formation and system that is clearly not working, he’s got to go back to a 442 which bought us some success last season.
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