[madsteve]

One Game From The Playoffs

There were (and still are) two tasks for CC in the final games of the season - to get us into the Playoffs & to get us there with the momentum to get promotion. The draw probably doesn't help us but the performance showed that we can compete with the likely Playoff candidates in a two legged tie.

CC went with 442 again with McGeadie replacing Wallace. Inevitably, Derby dominated CM with the extra man in there forcing FF to play deeper to get involved and Hooper left to chase speculative high balls. Gradually we worked our way into the match but the first half had 0-0 written all over it.

Derby were quick out of the traps in the second half but gradually we got a foothold and within a couple of minutes of Matias replacing McGeadie, we were in front. Hooper's clever back heel, set up Bannan to fire in a 25 yard shot in off the bar. We looked reasonably comfortable apart from Hunt allowing too many crosses in and eventually that was our undoing. As we reached the final ten minutes, just after FF had clipped the bar from a wide free kick, Russell got his cross past Hunt & Bent headed home.

FF picked up another yellow card, apparently for heading Keogh's elbow when it should have been a red card for Keogh. This bad luck was counterbalanced by Lopez getting away with a challenge that should have been a penalty.

Westwood - 8 - several neat saves
Hunt - 5 - allowed too many crosses in
Lees - 7 - solid in face of potent attack
Loovens - 7 - good solid defensive performance
Pudil - 6 - more defensive role but generally solid
McGeady - 5 - looks bright but ineffective
Lopez - 6 - neat & tidy
Lee - 6 - worked hard
Bannan - 8 - stood out when moved more central
FF - 7 - always a potential match winner
Hooper - 6 - let down by 442 but still set up goal
.....................................................................
Matias - 6
Joao - 6
Helan - 5

Stat Attack:

Goals: 1 - Bannan

Assists: 1 - Hooper

Touches: 62 - Bannan, 55 - Lee, 54 - Lopez, 52 - Westwood, 48 - Loovens, 46 - Pudil, 44 - Hunt, 37 - Lees, 33 - FF, 30 - McGeady, 25 - Hooper, 11 - Joao, 8 - Matias, 7 - Helan

Tackles: 7 - Lee, 3 - Hunt, 2 - Pudil, Bannan, FF, Matias, 1 - Westwood, Loovens, Lees, McGeady, Lopez, Hooper

Interceptions: 5 - Loovens, 3 - Pudil, 2 - Lees, Helan, 1 - Hunt, McGeady, Lopez, Bannan

Clearances: 9 - Lees, 8 - Loovens, 6 - Pudil, 3 - Hunt, Bannan, 2 - Hooper, 1 - Westwood

Attempts: 2 - Bannan, FF, 1 - Loovens, McGeady, Hooper, Matias

Attempts On Target: 2 - Bannan, 1 - FF

Key Passes: 2 - Lopez, 1 - Hunt, McGeady, Lee, Bannan, Hooper

Dribbles: 2 - Hunt, 1 - Pudil, Lopez, Bannan, Helan

Dispossessed: 2 - McGeady, FF, Joao, 1 - Hunt, Hooper, Matias

Bad Control: 2 - FF, 1 - McGeady, Lee, Hooper

Crosses (Accurate in brackets): 5 - Bannan (2), 4 - McGeady (0), 3 - Lopez (2), 2 - Lee (1), 1 - Pudil (0), Helan (0)

Passing Accuracy (Total Passes in Brackets):

Lopez - 90% (48), Lee - 88% (42), Loovens - 79% (33), Bannan - 78% (46), Hooper - 78% (18), Hunt - 77% (31), McGeady - 77% (17), FF - 76% (25), Lees - 75% (24), Matias - 75% (4), Pudil - 69% (29), Joao - 63% (8), Westwood - 35% (34), Helan - 0% (3)

I still have concerns about CC's starting eleven & tactics but the overall performance showed that we can reach & compete in the Playoffs. We should have Hutchinson back next week and Wallace for the Playoff games which will give us a more competitive edge. McGeady doesn't offer enough to start but could still be useful as an impact substitute. Hutchinson, Lee & Bannan should be our midfield three behind Hooper, FF & one of Nuhiu & Joao.