STOCKPORT COUNTY POST-MATCH REACTION

Put it here.....

Well not a great performance but 3 points, will probably play better this season and not win.

First half was probably worst I have seen this year, was worried at team selection with no Lallana and both Antonio and Holmes thought that we were a bit lightweight. Thats how it turned out in first half, simply lacked any drive to try and grip the game and were back to lots of sideways passes. Mills was pretty poor at LB and first chance to see Otsemobor and wasnt overly impressed, okay when going forward but defensively no better than James and Thomas was much better last week against Ipswich.

For first 30 minutes didnt look like scoring yet their goalie must have been the worst I've seen for kicking. Still no shots to save so wasnt worried! Saints picked up for last 15 mins notably after Lambert was fouled when could have been on goal following poor kick out yet Ref (would have struggled on the Sunday parks) gave nothing. That riled the fans and seemed to get the team playing with a little fire. Barnard had a good chance but headed straight at Goalie.

Second half started a little better but hardly flowing football. AP finally acted on 60 min taking off Barnard who had 2 good chances from headers which he should have done better. Brought on Waigo who made an instant impact with his direct runs. Had a role in getting the corner that Mills swung in and seemed to hit Lambert on back before going in to be hacked clear but must have clearly gone in, no protests etc. Scrappy goal for scrappy game. Waigo then had a couple chances one saved by goalie before he scored the second with what looked like a good finish inside the box, opposite end from where we were. After that little real threat from Stockport who had plenty of endeavour but no threat up front and looks like a tough season for them. didnt see final 5 mins as went to queue up for Pompey ticket but 3 points were in the bag.

Worrying about the midfield and that Puncheon fills the gap, seems to be similar to Antonio, Holmes, Waigo (if played out wide). Certainly missing Hammond and thought today was great opportunity to take control and shine but first half poor. Did make a better attempt second half, assume AP gave him a kicking at half time.

Davies 6 not really troubled but slow on his kicks, neary caught and missed chances of quick throws.
Otsemobor 6 didnt impress defensively didnt tackle, just like Lloydie, Looking forward to Murty coming back.
Seaborne 7 Did everything asked of him, looked solid if not the most skillful
Fonte 7 again did what had to looks a threat going forward gave a few free kicks but more due to dumb ref
Mills 6 poor first half better second half though could have been sent off with trip after mistake
Antonio 6 mixed bag. creates problems but doesnt seem to know where he is sometimes and final ball iffy
Wotton 6 defensively ok but adds nothing going forward
Schneiderlin 6 poor first half got more into in 2nd half and began to attack once we had the lead
Holmes 6 busy but cant tackle and win the ball in midfield
Barnard 6 Struggling to fit in but didnt get any help from ref
Lambert 7 got his goal and effective without looking threatening

Waigo 8 made big impact when he came on and his running at defenders lead to chances. Didnt realise cant speak english Schneiderlin had to interpret on Solent

Will have to be better at Exeter next week who gave us a run at St Marys on Boxing day, midfield needs to start imposing themselves on other teams

Arrived 30 minutes into the game and was told I had missed nothing and if the first 30 were anything like the next 15 then being late wasn't have been such a bad thing. Going foward the play was far too slow and very sloppy, with Antonio the only creative spark.
Things improved slightly in the second half but we lacked any quality going forward until Papa came on, who was again a class above and made it look easy. Barnard was very average and still looks a bit too lightweight to me, as well missing 2 good chances. Lambert has been very sloppy recently and was really quite poor. To me he is in desperate need of a rest and I really don't think I've seen him run for weeks. When Papa came on, Holmes and Schneiderlin, who had both been drifting in and out, improved a lot and showed some great touches. Lambert scored a very scrappy goal to ease the nerves and then Papa made it two at the third attempt. From that point on the result was never in doubt as Stockport had offered aboslutely nothing going forward.
Defensively we were mixed. Fonte was class as I had expected and Seaborne was also very impressive, winning most in the air. Mills however had a bit of a mare and while Otsemobor put in some good crosses, defensively he didn't have a clue what he was doing. He seemed unable to concentrate for more than a few seconds and was frequently caught out of position, as well as showing a complete lack of aggression and no effort to stop any crosses going into our box.
I am surprised at how readily AP has played all the new signing because we do not look like a team at the moment (apart from Ipswich when we didn't have the cup-tied players) and the players seem a bit quiet. Fonte has been a revelation but I would still rather see Jaidi in for Seaborne (although Seaborne was good today), especially for big games. Barnard has looked a bit off the pace and I would definitely pick both Connolly and Papa ahead of him. Holmes has done well but is like a new signing as well.
Hammond is apparently close to coming back which is great as Wotton was awful today and we don't have much cover in that position unless AP starts Gillett. Connolly we are also missing as he is a class act up front and keeps defenders on their toes. Harding I think will come back into the team next weekend. Exeter have a decent home record and a repeat of today, Brentford or Millwall will not get us the win.

Thanks guys.

Happy to oblige Pete, most press coverage over here will be about 3 lines! At least me and TS seem to agree on most things though might differ over a couple of players. Can talk to some fans afterwards and think you were at a different game!

Still bloody cold here!

Any ideas on the reason for poor attendance? With new players on show I thought there'd be a bigger gate.

18000 for bottom of table is probably not to bad as lots of other expense at present. Ipswich and Pompey FA cup games are extra cost plus MK Dons game (3000 for midweek game). I think we have settled around the 20000 mark, will be more for top sides and around 18/19000 for bottom clubs. There were only 400 SC fans there. Plus we havent been winning in the league, this was first league win since boxing day and sadly like to watch winning sides.

Yesterdays performance wouldn't have helped persuade folk to part with their cash as wasnt that entertaining, but I think back to the Norwich JPT semi and all the entertainment in that game for just 9 quid! Some you win some you lose but will be back for next 2 cup games which will be I suspect around 26000 for MK Dons and then 32000 for the Pompey game.

Very poor first half that had me concerned that it was going to end up as a poor 0-0 draw (I was not worried, at any point, that we'd lose), but the introduction of Papa Waigo that made the difference. Until then Antonio was the only player who actually tried to do something. Once again, it was the midfield (except Antonio) at fault and I am hoping that Jason Puncheon and A.N. Other (if we get an A.N. Other) will make a difference to our poor midfield.

Why is Papa Waigo not played more??!

Don't know why Waigo doesn't get more of a run. I wasn't sure about him when he first signed but more I have seen of him the more I think he could be useful especially if played more up front than out wide. His record is 12 starts 13 as sub and has 8 goals and 2 assists, Antonio is 12 starts and 12 subs 3 goals and 1 assist.

Waigo does have more experience which for me means when he is the box more confident to go for goal. I think trouble is both Waigio and Antonio seem to be better as subs having an instant impact. If AP is going to give Lambert a rest then think he has to give Waigo a chance from the start with either Connolly or Barnard. Accept will mean will be a bit lightweight up front but then dont lump the ball forward play the ball to their feet!

I have to agree. Poor first half but completely different game once Papa had appeared. I have a feeling that he could do really well for us next season especially in the CCC if we were to make it.