Wilson waving and applauding the fans from what I saw didn't look like a goodbye to me
Same here. The sign seemed more "excellent support" than "bye".
Just got home on the excellent Trust coach (thanks Gary). This is the game "a game of two halves" was invented for.
First half we were sharp, moved the ball quickly with purpose, pressed well all over the pitch. Second they targeted Haynes, stopped playing in front of us, kept the ball better and started pressuring the back four.
We did what we've done a lot of in recent years and started dropping deep, making wasteful or just downright poor passes (Baker I'm looking at you) and trying far too hard to both pass it out of the back and pass it into the net. Pressleys inability to change the course of a game worries me, as does his reluctance to make changes. We should've been 3-4 up at half time and even though they scored quickly they didn't dominate the game straight away, Pressley should've taken off some of those well below par a lot earlier than he did.
I'll give some scores if you like, but its hard considering the difference in performance between the halves.
Murphy - 7: Pulled off a couple of cracking saves to keep up in it, also scared my shitless a few times coming for things he shouldn't.
Christie - 8 (MOTM): One of the few to perform both halves and thanks to Baker going AWOL often had to be the entire right wing. Was probably our most dangerous player bar Wilson and should've been less greedy at the end after a great run into the box.
Haynes - 7: nervy first 20 mins or so, looked a bit lightweight at times (he is 17!) and didn't win much in the air. Was rightly targeted as a weakness but overall considering his age and experience can be proud, didn't do anything awful and had one or two excellent blocks. Did nothing going forward, but can't really blame him.
Clarke - 6: At fault for their goal, simple as that. Had a good first half and covered well but second half couldn't deal with their sub and dallied on the ball far too much, leading to their goal.
Webster - 7: was fairly solid and less worrying in the ball than his partner. Not the rock is envisage though and very little communication, which is worrying considering his role as the old head in defence. Also refuses to jump for headers, which annoys me.
Fleck - 6: Started well and was excellent off the ball first half. Passing went to shit second half and was partly responsible for us getting overrun in the middle after the break. Would like to see him and Connor step up when we're under pressure and help take the game away from the 18 yard line.
Thomas - 6: Solid if not spectacular all game. Ran and ran. Not the player he can be yet, Im not quite sure what's being asked of him in this position but Id like to see him take control in the middle. Was guilty along with Fleck and Baker of "flickiness" at times second half.
Moussa - 6: Didn't really click for him, ran into dead ends a lot and wasn't the threat second half he was first.
Baker - 5: Was Baker. On a bad day. Lacklustre passing, some ridiculous choices of pass (always Hollywood) and never where Christie needed him to be. Worked hard as always, but was probably responsible more than anyone for both attacks losing momentum and giving the ball away.
Clarke - 5: Poor, won nothing in the air and produced little at the sharp end. Should've scored when Wilson gave him it on a plate. Would like to have seen Manset given a run as we were getting nothing from Clarke.
Wilson - 8: Would be MOTM if he had better service. Ran and ran. Hassled the defence constantly. Took his goal really well, could've had at least another and really should be coming back with an assist for some of the most unselfish forward play I've seen in a long time.
Pressley - 4: Didn't respond to the action on the pitch at all. Was out thought by his opposite number. I like what he's building, but like Boothroyd and Thorn, where's Plan B for when were figured out?
SBA - 8: Excellent voice first half, understandably muted second. All pro CCFC with (to my ears) a couple of brief SISU OUT and one "Northampton's a shithole, I want to go home." Didn't hear "Forward!" once, which as a previously home only fan is refreshing. Did start to get at the team a little towards the end when old habits came back, but overall very supportive of a young team and sang and clapped the players off.
Edit: autocorrect. Autocorrect everywhere. Hope it still makes sense.