For the second time this season a game against those wonderful football folk from the North East, Hartlepool. Every time I visit Hartlepool it’s a delight to have a beer with such loyal, welcoming and knowledgeable supporters that stick with their home-town club despite other more glamorous clubs being close by.
Over a beer, before the game, we were saying just how nice it would be if we could do something along the lines of building up a three-goal lead and then maybe just relax and enjoy the game. Just how nice that would be rather than counting down the minutes as we defend a slender lead: well maybe one day. For his team selection, Nathan made three changes: in midfield Cook was still suffering from Saturday's neck injury and Smith was given a breather on the bench. This gave opportunities for D’Ath and Gambin to start whilst in defence courageous St Cuthbert was rested and the Wycombe game changer, and I don’t mean substitute, Mullins given a start. I suspect that Nathan was saving Cuthbert for the clash with Doncaster on Saturday. We started off well enough and were finding lots of space against a nervous Pools defence that were fresh from a 4-0 beating by the mighty Steve Evans inspired Mansfield on Saturday and it was Gambin who placed a glorious lobbed pass into the penalty area for Hylton to open the scoring after just five minutes: lovely move. Then just a few minutes later a cheeky free kick from Sheehan brought an excellent save by the very impressive Pools keeper Fryer who got down splendidly well to his left to make the save. A second goal did come and how unusual that is for a Luton side at home to be two goals up with under fifteen minutes on the clock. A long ball out of defence escaped a Pools player and was picked up by the excellent Gambin racing in from the left to smack the ball into the corner of the net. Oh, how lovely to be two goals up so early in a game; brings back memories. We kept going reasonably well until about the 30-minute mark and then for whatever reason, the whole tempo just drained from our game and Hartlepool started passing the ball to one another whilst we possibly took a breather. Still, a half-time cup of tea would surely get us back up and running for another goal or two against a very poor opposition. Well, it did not work out that way in the second half, maybe the half time cuppa was not up to standard who knows. The fact is Pools started to pass between players whilst some of our guys watched. You could take the view “that’s no problem, we kept them at arm's length”, well no, not the case as during the game there were three crosses/corners that went into our penalty area with keeper Macey watching along with Mullins, Rea and Sheehan. A better side than Pools could easily have grabbed a goal or possibly two back: surely some work for the training ground. As it is, NJ made a couple more substitutions and swopped the striking pair of Hylton and Vassell or the alternative striking pair of Palmer and Marriott to add a fresh leg or two to the attack. It was then possibly a little against the run of play that the very persistent Palmer managed to win the ball out by the right-hand corner flag as he bravely chased a lost cause, won the ball and made towards the goal. Palmer attempted to pass the ball to the unmarked Gambin but the ball was intercepted by a defender who could only divert the ball into the path of Palmer who gratefully smacked in number three: game over. Overall Impression: It was a really good first 30 minutes against a poor Hartlepool side. I was impressed by Gambin and D’Ath in midfield and again well done to NJ for bringing in real quality to our club. However, we lost our way from about the 30-minute mark, the tempo dropped from our game and really did not resurface that much in the second half. Defensively, we are only half the side without Cuthbert commanding in the centre of defence. I am probably happy enough with any of the other CBs playing alongside Cuthbert although my preference would probably be for an in-form Rea and Cuthbert together. Let’s make sure that Cuthbert is included for Saturday's important game at Doncaster. We really do need to work on Macey to get him to come off his line and use his 6’7” frame to catch the ball in the air and attack corners and crosses into the box. We got away with it on about three occasions last night but I can’t see us being so lucky on Saturday. Some thoughts on individual performances: Macey: he did not really have that much to do in the game. His kicking was good and he appears confident in himself. I reckon that with decent coaching and especially a bit of education of how to use his big frame in collecting crosses, a very good goalkeeper could be produced. Surely Arsenal aren’t serious about Macey being a player for the future; maybe they never put high crosses into the box in the premier league or the champions league! O’Donnell: as ever with SOD you get what it says on the tin: a fairly average L2 right back prone to repetitive errors but this is L2 and he is an L2 RB full stop. Last night there were no surprises from Nathan’s chosen right back. I do hope that young Justin who has more to offer, is selected on Saturday. Senior: one of the best players on the night; small yet powerful energetic character with a never say die attitude, pace and a decent cross. I got the impression in Nathan’s post match interview that Senior may well be rested shortly: just why the heck would you do that to a young hungry fit footballer reaching the top of his game? I just don’t think this young player will need resting; keep him playing. Please Nathan do not wrest him and play Sheehan at LB on Saturday. Mullins: fairly decent game but he really does struggle when a cross comes into the area; just does not seem to get near to it in the air but overall competent on the ground. Sheehan: that cultured left foot as ever. Gave problems for Pools with free kicks and a cheeky one almost crept in under the keeper. Just as with Mullins, Sheehan is very exposed with crosses/corners coming over into the area and rarely makes a Cuthbert like headed clearance. Rea: he was well managed by the referee when his over exuberance got the better of him and eventually earned him a booking for a series of dodgy tackles. Sadly, in my opinion, this quality player is way off his best and needs a little time out in my view. I really rate Glen Rea but he is just not enjoying the best of form at the moment. Pelly: some of his usual magic and it’s obvious that the talent is there and he is enjoying his game. Not his best game but nevertheless a decent game. D’Ath: I have seen D’Ath’s other games for us and it was obvious that he was best described as rusty and that’s to be expected but last night until he tired, I was really quite impressed with him. He is a clever player who will also scrap in midfield to gain possession. Gambin: from seeing in his first game at Wycombe, I have been impressed with him: yet another good signing by NJ. He has skill on the ball, works hard and last night that skill, particularly in the first 30 minutes of the game was in abundance. He beautifully chipped the ball through to Hylton for the opening goal and then scored one himself: a very good game. Vassell: he gave the Pools defenders a lot of problems with his physical presence and pace despite not being at his sparkling best. Hylton: it really looks to me as if the Duracell batteries need changing. I felt the same on Saturday yet he scored two and last night another goal. However, what is missing temporarily from his game is that effective harassing of the opposition and touches laying the ball off to colleagues. Even having said that, by most players standards, he had a good game last night. The Subs: Smith: came on for the tiring D’Ath and did his usual effort to close down the midfield. Palmer: I like the bloke, a sort of a lesser Hylton in high heels. Just like Hylton, he seems to have the ability to be a complete pain to the opposition; reckon he will do just fine with us. His goal was very “Danny like” in terms of being a persistent pain in the arse, not giving up etc. Marriott: did well in his time on the pitch and carved out a couple of opportunities that could easily have given him a goal. The Teams: Luton: Macey, O'Donnell, Mullins, Hylton (Palmer, 73), Rea, Pelly, Vassell (Marriott, 73), Senior, Gambin, D'Ath (Smith, 66), Sheehan Unused subs: Moore, Cuthbert, Gray, Justin Hartlepool: Fryer, Featherstone, Bates (Alessandra, 14), Thomas, Walker, Oates, Woods, Nelson (Amond, 61), Harrison, Richardson, Kavanagh Unused subs: Bartlett, Hawkins, Rooney, Martin, Hawkes Referee: John Brooks: I thought he did well, he did not want to be a star just an effective referee. Attendance: 6,965 including 90 dedicated Pools followers
1 Comment
Lee
2/15/2017 04:29:02 am
Great summary. I agree re Senior. He gets better every game and seems to have alot of confidence. No need to rest him.
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December 2017
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