[madsteve]

Stabilised - Now Time to Attack Again

I said we needed seven wins last week and we may still do but results elsewhere make our point last night look like a good one.

As CC does for tough away matches, he made several changes, bringing in Palmer, Loovens, Bennett, Hutchinson, Matias & Joao. Pretty much all these changes strengthened the side from Saturday and with FF back on Saturday, we can look forward optimistically.

He started with Lee & Matias on the wings in a 442. We completed the first job of stopping Brighton very effectively with Loovens outstanding. Palmer created our best chance with a barnstorming run and cross but no-one got on the end of it.

The second half was better with Wednesday making all the best moves. We switched to a 4321 with Lee more central and Matias floating. Matias looked lively until he ran out of gas. Bannan, Hutchinson and Lee took control of CM while the back four looked secure.

Westwood - 6 - little to do
Palmer - 8 - quality defensively and going forward
Lees - 7 - solid as always
Loovens - 8 - excellent captain's performance
Bennett - 7 - slotted in seamlessly
Matias - 7 - could be our secret weapon in run in
Hutchinson - 7 - makes a big difference
Bannan - 8 - looks better with Hutch at his side
Lee - 6 - lost on wing but better second half
Hooper - 6 - less effective without FF
Joao - 6 - limited chances, silly yellow card
................................................................
Nuhiu - 6
Wallace - 6

Stat Attack:

Goals: 0

Assists: 0

Touches: 83 - Bannan, 59 - Westwood, 54 - Loovens, 53 - Bennett, 48 - Lees, 45 - Palmer, Lee, 42 - Hutchinson, 33 - Joao, 31 - Hooper, 28 - Matias, 14 - Nuhiu, 6 - Wallace,

Tackles: 6 - Lee, 4 - Bennett, Hutchinson, 3 - Loovens, 2 - Palmer, 1 - Bannan, Matias, Joao, Hooper,

Interceptions: 5 - Lees, 3 - Bennett, Bannan, 2 - Loovens, Matias, 1 - Lee, Hutchinson

Clearances: 8 - Loovens, Lees, 3 - Palmer, Bennett, Joao, 2 - Matias, 1 - Westwood, Lee, Hutchinson, Hooper, Nuhiu

Attempts: 3 - Matias, 2 - Bannan, 1 - Lees, Lee

Attempts On Target: 2 - Bannan

Key Passes: 2 - Bennett, Hooper, 1 - Bannan

Dribbles: 1 - Bennett, Hooper

Dispossessed: 3 - Matias, 1 - Bennett, Lee, Hutchinson, Joao, Hooper

Bad Control: 8 - Joao, 3 - Lee, 1 - Bennett, Hutchinson, Bannan, Matias, Hooper, Nuhiu

Crosses (Accurate in brackets): 12 - Bannan (3), 4 - Palmer (0), Wallace (1), 1 - Bennett (0), Matias (0)

Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):

Wallace - 100% (2)
Matias - 93% (14)
Hutchinson 88% (32)
Bennett 84% (38)
Loovens 80% (40)
Bannan 78% (60)
Hooper 77% (26)
Lees 76% (33)
Palmer 69% (35)
Lee 68% (31)
Joao 65% (17)
Westwood 43% (41)
Nuhiu 36% (11)

We move on with increased optimism. Our run in starts on Saturday.