Player ratings (5 Viewers)

Burge 8
Brown 7 his best game yet
Davies 4 looked well off the pace was awful for first 70 mins.
Willis 8
Thompson 7
Thomas 8
Doyle 7
Ogogu 7
Hiwula 6.5
JCH 7
Chaplin 7

Kelly 7.5
Jones 7.5

Good substitutions changed the game.

Otis said:

Terrible miss and from inside the 6 yard box.

Scored that and we would have surely won.

Click to expand...

Theirs was just as gilt-edged. A clinical striker makes such a massive difference to teams at this level because the defending is reliably sloppy.

Doyle was the worst player on the pitch today , his goal can’t alter that .
At fault for their goal , almost cost us a couple more , many many wayward passes

Burge - 8 saved well when called upon and generally looked solid
Thompson - 6 played well considering I think he looks more of a centre-half than fullback. Few errors but not much going forward either.
Willis - 8 Dominant throughout and made some crucial interventions at times
Davies - 6 Solid, not as good as Willis and possibly should have done better for their goal
Brown - 6 Looked more reliable at the back this week but many of the passes forward seemed a bit aimless
Doyle - 6 Can't fault his workrate, got in the right position to put a rebound away but I can't help thinking we need a better option here...maybe Kelly-Bayliss
Ogogo - 6 Passing was poor at times but I didn't feel he did much to warrant being marked down
Thomas - 7 I'd have marked him higher had he took one of the chances he had. Looks very threatening but just needs to keep calm when in on goal
Hiwula - 6 Not much good, nor bad today and really should have taken his chance
JCH - 6 I thought he was looking set for a very good game in the opening 30 minutes or so but won far less in the second half
Chaplin - 6 Quiet again but wasn't getting much service either

Kelly - 6 Looked decent in the time he had, hopefully he can challenge for a place in CM as I think we often look weakest there
Jones - 6 Some decent darting runs, could prove useful if Hiwula drops in form and as an impact sub

Overall I thought we were very good to start with, then dropped before half-time and got worse after it. I don't know what gets said at HT but it seems a bit of a pattern lately. I thought we'd probably draw today but so long as we win one of the Burton/Fleetwood games I don't think there's much to worry about.

Burge 7 - Great save to hold onto the point. So much more confidence about him this season.
Thompson 6 - Did well in defence but offered little going forwards. Out of position it was a really assured performance.
Willis 8 - Bailed his partner out on multiple occasions today
Davies 6 - Looked like he was carrying a knock for spells today, mistake for their sitter first half.
Brown 6 - Thought it as a solid game at LB without doing anything spectacular. Back to the week on week progression before he had the shits last week.
Thomas 7 - Our only constant threat but failed to kick on after his goal last week. Wasted all our real opportunities. Reminds me of Raheem Sterling - incredibly talented footballer but useless when he has to think.
Doyle 5 - Undermines the whole team when we're on the ball with his hit and hope long balls and ponderous short passing. Undermines us off it by sitting on the toes of the defenders instead of dragging them up the pitch when we sit too deep which we have done for two games in a row now. Credit for getting into the box for our goal but he's there in the context of us chasing the game in the dying minutes after being at fault for their goal. His leadership is reactive not proactive.
Ogogo 5 - Looked better than Doyle both on the ball and in terms of regaining possession but still looked very slow. Looked a different player for 10 minutes 2nd half when he played further forward but was soon knackered and subbed. Would say he needs 10 games and patience.
Hiwula 5 - Started very well and looked supremely confident until the sitter. Bit worried how quickly he went to pieces after that considering all the good he has done recently.
JCH 6 - Target man with our tactics is a thankless task. Doing a decent job under the circumstances.
Chaplin 6 - There's a player in there. Think he's being played deeper than his natural game though to compensate for a lack of legs in CM.

Kelly 7 - Looked the fittest I've seen him this season and was moving the ball forwards and quickly.
Jones 6 - Starting to see some progression in his return to fitness but still looks a long way off. Can't see him being ready to start games until Feb.

Michael Doyle. Best passer in the league.

Skybluefaz said:

Michael Doyle. Best passer in the league.

Click to expand...

Doesn't change the fact he was way off his game today! The work rate was there... Like when he chased the player the length of the pitch towards the end of the game resulting in us regaining possession, but his passing was terrible today.

Skybluefaz said:

Michael Doyle. Best passer in the league.

Click to expand...

Say no more
Doyler Doyler.

Must admit thought he was poor today.
But hey stats don't lie.

How Hiwula missed that from that close is totally beyond me.

Burge 8 super save got us the point. Some poor kicks

Brown 6 no mistakes this week

Davies 5 really struggled with big striker

Willis 8 another v good captains performance

Thompson 6 solid game from the kid

Aogogo 6 nothing bad nothing that good either

Doyle 6 big goal but we are in trouble when he is our main creative outlet

Thomas 7.5 put in hell.of effort. Decision making still lacking when it matters tho

Hiwulla 6 started off great. Then missed a big big chance. Faded after. Some nice turns

Jch 6.5 worked hard. Won headers

Chaplin 5 offered very little today

Subs

Jones 6 impact led to the goal

Kelly 5 so so safe and defensive even when chasing a goal

Burge 8 - not sure whether he should have saved the goal, but otherwise played very well and made a brilliant point-saving stop at the end
Thompson 7 – clearly more of a central defender, but full credit for a decent showing on his full debut
Willis 9 – thought he was superb
Davies 6 – no nonsense player, whacked it into touch unnecessarily a few times today
Brown 6 – did OK, far fewer mistakes than last week

Thomas 7.5 – missed a few opportunities by hitting too close to the keeper, but he made nearly all of them all for himself
Doyle 6 – typical match from him, plus chipped in with the vital goal
Ogogo 6 – solid enough game
Hiwula 6 – little went right for him, but never hid and I still think he has some class

JCH 7 – in contrast to others, I thought he was much better this week that last. Won plenty of headers, but rarely looks a serious goal threat.
Chaplin 6 – I dare say he would like to be getting into the opposition box more


Kelly 8 – liked what I saw when he came on
Jones 7 – coming back from that kind of injury isn’t easy, but he’s so talented and the signs are there. Won us a point by making the goal.

Some biased stuff on here. Hiwula, poor game, missed a sitter - previous games massive contribution. Davies bullied all game, poor for the goal and gifted them 1st half chance they wasted - previous games massive contribution. Hiwula slated, Davies barely any comment.

Doyle and Ogogo as Robins explained, put together out of need so unbalanced central midfield. Doyle regularly gave the ball away, his pass led to goal. Ogogo solid, one awful pass, barely played since injury. With games he could potentially be a mobile Doyle. Doyle mostly get's higher marks. Odd

Brighton Sky Blue said:

Theirs was just as gilt-edged. A clinical striker makes such a massive difference to teams at this level because the defending is reliably sloppy.

Click to expand...

Have to disagree, BSB.

Their player still had the keeper to beat. Great chance, yes, but Hiwula missed a complete open goal with no keeper to be seen.

Hiwula's was by far and away the easiest opportunity.

Burge & Willis 9 the rest bang average.

Skybluefaz said:

Michael Doyle. Best passer in the league.

Click to expand...

He’s the best at taking it off anyone and everyone and passing it ten yards side ways to the full back receiving it back giving it to someone else passing it to Ogogo demanding it back then hoofing a shit ball forwards to no one. If you think he’s a good passer you should take up a new sport. He undoubtedly has qualities, passing is not one of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee said:

He’s the best at taking it off anyone and everyone and passing it ten yards side ways to the full back receiving it back giving it to someone else passing it to Ogogo demanding it back then hoofing a shit ball forwards to no one. If you think he’s a good passer you should take up a new sport. He undoubtedly has qualities, passing is not one of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

OK, you're the manager (because Robins tactic of picking Doyle has been failing massively because we've drawn one out of the last 6) what will your midfield be going forward?

GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee said:

He’s the best at taking it off anyone and everyone and passing it ten yards side ways to the full back receiving it back giving it to someone else passing it to Ogogo demanding it back then hoofing a shit ball forwards to no one. If you think he’s a good passer you should take up a new sport. He undoubtedly has qualities, passing is not one of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Sorry that’s utter tripe... did you go to the game ?? he made plenty of forward passes, dont recall many back passes or hoofs from him at all really

And then he pops up with a goal ... we will need a replacement for future seasons for sure, But your view is totally biased by the sounds of it

Skybluefaz said:

OK, you're the manager (because Robins tactic of picking Doyle has been failing massively because we've drawn one out of the last 6) what will your midfield be going forward?

Click to expand...

My midfield would be exactly as it is. Bayliss & Doyle. That doesn’t mean I have to think Doyle is a good passer. That also doesn’t mean I don’t rate Doyle, he had an absolute shocker yesterday, and for me, likes to think of himself as some kind of quarterback which he’s not. However, he was crucial last season, and has been key in games this season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ogogo passing was worse than Doyle yesterday and it was Ogogo who just kept doing 10 yard sideways passes to doyle.

GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee said:

My midfield would be exactly as it is. Bayliss & Doyle. That doesn’t mean I have to think Doyle is a good passer. That also doesn’t mean I don’t rate Doyle, he had an absolute shocker yesterday, and for me, likes to think of himself as some kind of quarterback which he’s not. However, he was crucial last season, and has been key in games this season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

OK, fantastic to know we're allowed our own thoughts.

Skybluefaz said:

OK, fantastic to know we're allowed our own thoughts.

Click to expand...

Perfect! Can someone now tell Grendel.

Otis said:

Perfect! Can someone now tell Grendel.

Click to expand...

Your thoughts normally consist of sitting on the fence - find the way the wind blows and fall on that side

GaryMabbuttsLeftKnee said:

My midfield would be exactly as it is. Bayliss & Doyle. That doesn’t mean I have to think Doyle is a good passer. That also doesn’t mean I don’t rate Doyle, he had an absolute shocker yesterday, and for me, likes to think of himself as some kind of quarterback which he’s not. However, he was crucial last season, and has been key in games this season


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

someone tweeted the passing stats from division 1 the other day, Doyle had attempted more passes than any other player in the division and his completion rate was 80% which was one of the highest completion rates.
Obviously that will have dropped a bit after yesterday!

Grendel said:

Your thoughts normally consist of sitting on the fence - find the way the wind blows and fall on that side

Click to expand...

I think the words you are looking for are 'reasoned' 'rational' and 'not conclusion jumping'.

Skybluefaz said:

OK, you're the manager (because Robins tactic of picking Doyle has been failing massively because we've drawn one out of the last 6) what will your midfield be going forward?

Click to expand...

I don't think it's so black and white Faz. Doyle's set piece/corner delivery has been top notch this season as an example. Nowhere near a failure. But I'm not sure he should be guaranteed 90 minutes every week.

I'd love to see a midfield of Jones-Kelly-Bayliss-Thomas once Jones and Kelly are back to full fitness. I do see Doyle as a fantastic option for certain games and also for closing games out. He could also play a defensive shield role in a different formation. But in a 4-4-2 I'd personally like to see a more dynamic midfield.

Completely different point it's fantastic these days to hear the support for Burgey at the Ricoh. Lots on here could see his quality over the last couple of seasons and that most of the criticism was misplaced. Some (usual suspects) couldn't. Burgey's becoming a bit of a cult hero and it's highly deserved.

Londonccfcfan said:

Burge 8
Brown 7 his best game yet
Davies 4 looked well off the pace was awful for first 70 mins.
Willis 8
Thompson 7
Thomas 8
Doyle 7
Ogogu 7
Hiwula 6.5
JCH 7
Chaplin 7

Kelly 7.5
Jones 7.5

Good substitutions changed the game.

Click to expand...

I agree on the substitutions London but in my opinion the changes should have been made earlier. It was pretty obvious for example that Hiwula was not involved or having any impact on the left - and that was obvious by half time. Also the the Doyle-Ogogo combination was not working. Changes should have been made from 55-60 minutes to change the momentum. You could even argue with Davies clearly struggling (for once) that Thompson should have been moved inside to his favoured position in the centre with Grimmer off the bench on the right.

DannyThomas_1981 said:

I don't think it's so black and white Faz. Doyle's set piece/corner delivery has been top notch this season as an example. Nowhere near a failure. But I'm not sure he should be guaranteed 90 minutes every week.

I'd love to see a midfield of Jones-Kelly-Bayliss-Thomas once Jones and Kelly are back to full fitness. I do see Doyle as a fantastic option for certain games and also for closing games out. He could also play a defensive shield role in a different formation. But in a 4-4-2 I'd personally like to see a more dynamic midfield.

Completely different point it's fantastic these days to hear the support for Burgey at the Ricoh. Lots on here could see his quality over the last couple of seasons and that most of the criticism was misplaced. Some (usual suspects) couldn't. Burgey's becoming a bit of a cult hero and it's highly deserved.

Click to expand...

My fear is he becomes a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. Like the first time around there seems to be this notion that we need more of a footballer in there. Then when he's gone it'll be "oh we need a Doyle type". I hoped Ogogo would be that progression, however I'm not seeing it with him. It could be the big target in January in fact to go out and get this player who might be his successor. Likely we'll have to dig deep financially to get the right player.

Otis said:

I think the words you are looking for are 'reasoned' 'rational' and 'not conclusion jumping'.

Click to expand...

No it’s always seeking to be with the majority due to a clear lack of confidence in the ability to express an individual view and instead a deep seated desire to be liked

Grendel said:

No it’s always seeking to be with the majority due to a clear lack of confidence in the ability to express an individual view and instead a deep seated desire to be liked

Click to expand...

Ha ha!

Clueless and so wide of the mark.

DannyThomas_1981 said:

I don't think it's so black and white Faz. Doyle's set piece/corner delivery has been top notch this season as an example. Nowhere near a failure. But I'm not sure he should be guaranteed 90 minutes every week.

I'd love to see a midfield of Jones-Kelly-Bayliss-Thomas once Jones and Kelly are back to full fitness. I do see Doyle as a fantastic option for certain games and also for closing games out. He could also play a defensive shield role in a different formation. But in a 4-4-2 I'd personally like to see a more dynamic midfield.

Completely different point it's fantastic these days to hear the support for Burgey at the Ricoh. Lots on here could see his quality over the last couple of seasons and that most of the criticism was misplaced. Some (usual suspects) couldn't. Burgey's becoming a bit of a cult hero and it's highly deserved.

Click to expand...

It wasn't misplaced. It was factual. He made horrendous mistakes potential or no potential does not change that. People are allowed to comment on horrendous performances

No1 is prouder of his current improvement than me but silly to say he didn't deserve criticism before his improvement.

covcity4life said:

It wasn't misplaced. It was factual. He made horrendous mistakes potential or no potential does not change that. People are allowed to comment on horrendous performances

No1 is prouder of his current improvement than me but silly to say he didn't deserve criticism before his improvement.

Click to expand...

Also we may never have been relegated - of indeed promoted to the championship in the prior season - if it wasn’t for his weekly howlers

Esoterica said:

Jones 6 - Starting to see some progression in his return to fitness but still looks a long way off. Can't see him being ready to start games until Feb.

Click to expand...

Hope you're wrong about Jones but I fear you're right. I certainly think it'll be while until he's starting week in week out. Noticed yesterday although he could beat his man easily enough yesterday, he still struggled to out pace their RB. It'll take time for his pace to return given the physical and psychological effects of his injury.

Seems like brown is now settling in to the side. This is good news

Burge 7 Steady.
Thompson 6 Did well on his debut playing out of position. Not much going forward, so we lost some attacking options.
Brown 6 Not bad.
Willis 7.5 Solid.
Davies 6 Not as good as recently.
Hiwula 5 Seemed to lose interest after that shocking miss.
Doyle 5.5 Dreadful pass led to their goal.
Ogogo 5 Got better as the game went on.
Thomas 7.5 Our most potent attacking threat.
Chaplin 6 Did OK, but nothing special.
JCH 6.5 OK.

Jones 6
Kelly 6.5