Burge-9: pulled off a worldie save at 2-1 and commanded his area better than I knew he was capable of when we were really under the cosh. Chose when to punch and did it well.
Grimmer-7: much more solid defensively, a couple of times he row z'd it which pleased me as it looks like he might have learnt from that puddle tackle!
Willis-8: Very solid, very quick and stepped back into the side seamlessly. Did well with flick on for Max's first goal and one particularly good bit of defending first half when their man was almost through.
Hyam-9: His best game for the club, brilliant. Reads the game very well and can pass, too, as shown by the ball for Bayliss' goal which was inch-perfect. One of our biggest bonuses this season.
Stokes-8: Much more like the old Stokes, which ironically was the younger Stokes...loved the barnstorming Roberto Carlos run 1st half and was hard as nails defensively as well as a cool head when we were under pressure.
Doyle-7: Gritty, tough, leader. Quieter than usual as Bayliss and Kelly were dictating play more, which is a wise idea...
Kelly-8: Tireless effort closing down and doing the dirty work and played some good passes too to show he is more than just a defensive midfielder. Brilliant work for the McNulty goal, intelligent lung-bursting run outside Bayliss and perfect ball back across.
Bayliss-9: beautiful silky ball carrying, sumptuous ball to Kelly for the McNulty goal, just knew he was gonna score when he started that slaloming run for his goal. Absolute class. Pray we can hold onto him but it's hard to see on this form.
Shipley-7: Worked extremely hard but looked a little shaken by the big game, especially when played through by Bayliss for his first half chance that he seemed to work onto his weaker foot...but still had a solid game for his defensive graft and closing down.
McNulty-9: Class act, always a threat, brilliant goal and looking like a top, top striker at this level. John Coleman said on Sky that "someone" he had been chatting to had said "he can play in The Championship if he can get a bit fitter, no problem" and that's good enough for me!
Biamou-10: Magnifique! Two amazing goals, led the line, got battered, held it up, passed well, never stopped working. A cult hero in the making who is really growing as a player now. If ever I saw a 10/10, that was Max tonight. And I am a little amazed as he still manages to look a bit crap as a footballer, he's almost brilliant despite himself-and that's cool!
