Didn't really want to post on here as I'm still fuming about yesterday but here goes.
Got to the ground really early, then had to go back to my car as the stewards in the car park were not happy with me leaving my windows open an inch. I'm a big fat c***, so I was knackered by the time I sat down. The change of keeper surprised me, but those who were in the ground seemed pleased to get Cornell out of the team. Then came the announcement everyone was dreading, Rico and Revs together. I'm not sure how JE could work out that this would be our best chance of winning. Even if Long could not play a full game, we have Waters (a player we beat other teams to the signing of) and Iaciofano/Lobjoit who are scoring in reserve games and offer some pace/guile alongside and experienced pro like Rico/Revs.
This pretty much destroyed any hope that most had about how this game was going to end.
First thirty minutes:
Barring a couple of chances, we looked solid. Coddington had got up in the air and claimed some balls into the box and shown some good kicking, Crooks and Grimes were linking up well with McWilliams mopping up, Revs was winning everything in the air and Rico was holding it up where he could. The problem we had was that we never looked like scoring during this period as once Rico/Revs had the ball, there was never anyone running off of them or looking to get in behind. The ball simply went backwards and started again.
The rest of the game:
We allowed Edwards to run half the pitch and take a free pot shot at goal. Haven't seen the highlights yet, but the way we are set up this should not be happening. Lots of people blaming Coddington. The key thing for me here was that the crowd was fully behind the team up until this point. But when we look out onto the pitch expecting the players to be geeing each other up, trying to provoke a response and we see them all with heads down and hands on hips, I'm not surprised we got rolled over for the rest of the game. The support was pretty much gone as we struggled to string two or three passes together and continued to lump the ball up front. The switch to 4-4-2 was amusing, poor McWilliams ended up being dumped at right wing (although he did beat a man here and put a cross in) but for some reason we still had acres of space in the middle of the park for them to waltz through us repeatedly. They worked out they could get in behind Barnett when Moloney kept getting caught out high up the pitch and we had two or three lucky escapes before the third went in. 4-3-3 lead to much of the same and I think Pierre may have got some more plaudits if he hadn't given the pen away.
The most upsetting thing for me was that only two players came out and faced the music when applauding the supporters, Buchs and Revs. Buchs took some pretty hefty abuse without retaliation, I cannot understand why the manager is not out there as well as making ALL the players go and applaud the support, I for one wanted to tell McWilliams he had done well.
Player Ratings:
Coddington - 4 - A baptism of fire, caught a few balls into the box and his kicking was good. Looked jittery after conceding the first two, a few times went to come for the ball and then changed his mind and retreated.
Buchs - 6 - Still looked at sea in a 5-3-2 but was much, much better when we went to four at the back.
Moloney - 4 - Had an awful game, the worst I have seen him play in a Cobblers shirt.
Taylor - 5 - Won everything in the air but was caught out on the ground a few times. Sacrificed early to change to 4-4-2.
Pierre - 6 - Had as reasonable a game as you can in a 4-1 drubbing, tried to get people motivated, won in the air and on the ground and looks okay with the ball at his feet too.
Barnett - 5 - Another that won everything in the air but his passing was aimless and caught out numerous times in behind once we switched to four at the back.
McWilliams - 7 - My MoM. Ran his socks off, despite being outnumbered most of the time. Only one that when he lost the ball, actually made efforts to win it back. Hope he gets some more games with JJ being out, he will get better.
Crooks - 5- Looked great for the first 30 and then went AWOL after the goal. Left gaping holes in the midfield when we went 4-4-2 and didn't look to be putting the effort in.
Grimes - 6 - A brilliant half hour, his touch and class definitely shone at this level. However, like most, head dropped after the goals and too often just lumped the ball up front or got caught trying to do too much and wasn't quick enough getting back.
Rico - 5 - Did what he could but him and Revs just don't work together upfront as they are too similar.
Revs - 7 - Did exactly what was asked of him. Won plenty of flick ons, but nobody was there to run on to them. Scored our goal from a good Grimes corner, chased everything down as he normally does. Not sure why he gets so much stick.
Subs:
Powell - 6 - Tried to get things moving and made a difference. Wasn't a huge amount of end product but more suited to being a winger than a wing back for sure.
Waters - 5 - Didn't really manage to get involved, ran into trouble more often than not when he did.
Long - 6 - Didn't look fit or happy, was better at reading the flicks from Revell than anyone though, must wonder what he has let himself in for.
Excuse the massive post, just wanted to get this out of my system and go into hiding.