[madsteve]

I regularly hear the commentators say after a match that it wasn't one for the purists well this one probably was because there was much passing of the ball and excellent defending but little excitement for the crowd.

I can pretty much sum up the match in one sentence. Two sides that valued continuing their unbeaten run more than winning the match cancel each other out in an almost chanceless game at S6.

We had a handful of half chances with Hunt & Nuhiu both hitting the keeper when clean through but at an acute angle, Lee got crowded out when well placed in the box and Pudil hit a a first time shot wide from 20 yards. Brighton had a goal mouth scramble when Westwood could only parry a low cross and Lees had to quickly block March's follow up shot.

We lacked our usual intensity and looked a little leg weary after so many matches. The midfield worked hard but never created a worthwhile opportunity while the strikers never had a chance but didn't create enough movement either.

Usually we push harder in the final quarter but nothing happened. The crowd were quieter than normal and Brighton looked more secure once the threat of Joao's pace had gone and Nuhiu seemed intent on running at Brighton defenders.

Westwood - 6
Hunt -5 - several mistakes but generally got back to save the day
Lees - 7
Loovens - 7
Pudil - 7
Hutchinson - 7 - No yellow card
Lee - 6
Wallace - 5
Forestieri - 5
Bannan - 7 - ran his nuts off
Joao - 5
.......................
Nuhiu - 5

Stat Attack:

Goals:

None

Assists:

None

Tackles:

Hutchinson - 3
Hunt - 3
Pudul - 1
Wallace - 1
Lee - 1
Bannan - 1
FF - 1
Joao - 1
Nuhiu -1

Interceptions:

Hutchinson - 5
Lees - 4
Hunt - 3
Loovens - 3
Bannan - 3
FF - 3
Pudil - 1
Lee - 1
Joao - 1

Clearances:

Pudil - 5
Lees - 3
Loovens - 3
Hunt - 2
Nuhiu - 1

Attempts:

FF - 3
Wallace - 2
Hunt - 1
Loovens - 1
Pudil - 1
Joao - 1

Attempts On Target:

FF - 1
Hunt - 1

Key Passes:

Wallace - 2
Bannan - 2
Nuhiu - 2
Loovens - 1
Hutchinson - 1
Joao - 1

Dribbles:

Hunt - 3
Bannan - 2
Nuhiu - 1

Dispossessed:

FF - 4
Bannan - 3
Hunt - 2
Lee - 2
Joao - 2
Pudil - 1
Wallace -1
Helan - 1

Bad Control:

Hunt - 3
Nuhiu - 2
Joao - 2
FF - 2
Loovens - 1
Lee - 1

Crosses:

Bannan - 5 (3 accurate)
Hunt - 4 (0 accurate)
Pudil - 4 (1 accurate)
Wallace - 4 (1 accurate)
FF - 2 (0 accurate)
Lee - 1 (0 accurate)

Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):

Helan - 100% (7)
FF - 94% (33)
Lee - 92% (38)
Bannan - 88% (69)
Loovens - 88% (42)
Hutchinson - 80% (60)
Joao - 79% (19)
Hunt - 78% (37)
Wallace - 77% (34)
Pudil - 75% (55)
Lees - 72% (54)
Nuhiu - 60% (15)
Westwood - 46% (28)

Total Touches:

Bannan - 86
Pudil - 70
Hutchinson - 68
Lees - 62
Hunt - 61
FF - 52
Loovens - 49
Lee - 47
Wallace - 42
Westwood - 35
Joao - 27
Nuhiu - 21
Helan - 8

This match was a perfect yardstick for where we are at the moment. Brighton are well organised and efficient but lack the invention to make automatic promotion. Hull, Derby, Boro & Burnley seem to be able to rattle up the wins and look good bets for the top four positions. We are currently set to finish between 5th & 8th. We have played five of the teams above us and won just three points out of 15. We have to beat most of these teams if we want to break into the top four positions.

This situation might change and we are probably the side improving the fastest and also the side least likely to be affected by injuries as we have the biggest squad, which will help in the new year.

Charlton should be one of our easiest matches all season although it may be a bit tougher as most of our players seem to be a bit leg weary at the moment. Hopefully they will be so bad that we can win any way and then re-charge our batteries.