Zaluksa – 7 – Made one great save from Vernon in the first half in a game he was rarely troubled, still hesitant though and kicking isn’t the greatest.
Matthews – 7 – Fine debut from the welsh right back which included a few key tackles but more importantly he attacked fantastically from right back, looks a real prospect, could get a run in the team at left back.
Majstorovic – 7 – Slow start but won everything in the air in the second half, won’t be too disappointed with his clean sheet and 3 points.
K. Wilson – 7 – Another comfortable afternoon including one flurry forward when he beat a few players with nimble footwork, can’t knock another clean sheet as he continues to impress for the bhoys.
Izaguirre – 1 – Gutted for him, can’t even describe it, don’t even want to speak about it, get well soon Izzy!
Commons – 5 – wasteful and disgraceful, nah thats harsh but it did rhyme so I’m sticking with it, Commons clearly isn’t fit but the goal and the pass to Forrest show you why Commons is in the team, very similar to Nakamura, you’d regret taking him off cause he’s capable of that moment of magic.
Ki – 8 – Another MOTM from Ki, he’s the best ball player in that team, he was an amazing nack of creating skill for himself which in turn allows him to pass the ball successfully continually to a team mate. a fine display
Kayal – 7 – another run of the mill performance from Kayal always looks impressive as he chases everything down, certain starter everyweek the best all round player in scotland without a doubt.
Ledley – 6- struggled wide left but in the middle he is class, never wastes possession and is always keen to fight for the ball, a credit to the cause.
Hooper -6- No service and no goals for our super striker, can’t fault him but can hardly praise him either as I can’t remember him doing much.
Stokes – 7 – Great goal and that shows you what he can do when hes playing in the middle, great player for us to have in our team. Works hard but is very wasteful to when he realises when to pass and when to shoot we will have a top player on our hands
Mulgrew – 6 – Showed that it might not be all doom and gloon without Emilio Izzaguirre with a confident 70 or so minutes.
Bit harsh on Commons! If he was playing in his more accustomed role further up the field with less defencive duties I feel he would have a higher rating.
Cant help but feel sorry for Joe, how much longer can the bhoy be played out of position before it starts to take a real toll on his confidence
Hail Hail
I.A.N.L.
Ledley is being singled out unfairly in my eyes. When he got injured towards the tail end of last season we noticed.
Fair point, i think Commons & Forest have enough to work the flanks because of their work rate, they both get back well and have no problems helping out defensively when needed. If Lennon is going to put Ledley on the left then he has to trust him, putting Stokes wide left also was leaving Hooper a bit isolated, Stokes and Hooper need to be close to each other because they link so well.
Lennon knows what he’s doing though and we controlled the game well without being anywhere near our best.
1NL
great ratings couldn’t argue with any. I’ll be glad when Hooper gets a goal but as you say it’s all about service. don’t want to see Matthews or any right footer at left back, Charlie wont get up & down as much but him delivery gives us something different…it’ll be interesting to see staring line up for next game with Brown back, i prefare Commons on the left & hope Ledley doesn’t get moved to left back as you said he’s at his best in the middle if midfield. In the 2nd half we could have done with Brown missed his driving the team forward i didn’t think the goal was coming.
Everyones being too harsh on Commons, his end product wasn’t as great as it usually is but he just kept going and got us the 3 points, many other players having a game like that would have went into hiding and played simple balls all game, Commons just kept on looking to make things happen and also nearly set up Forest, that would have been 2 assists.
Sad to see Izzy get that nasty injury, he will do a “Henrik” and be back stronger than ever. Mulgrew did really well when he came on and looks better than last season, hopefully he can take this opportunity to thrive at left back.
I didn’t like our set up yesterday, it feels like Lennon was trying to fit Ledley in when it would be better to have Commons on the left and a very able Forest on the right.
Lennon paid the price for being too caviller last season with 2 wingers in away games. I don’t expect him to make that mistake anytime soon when that nerve is still raw.
Replied to this above by accident, looking forward to your 5 facts, findings and thoughts LOTW.
Your Commons / Nakamura comparison is an interesting and thought provoking perceived linage . Naka was always filed under: “One that can never be subbed” has Commons importance reached that high?
I thought Zaluska was ok yesterday. His kicking was comfortable in my opinion. Plus whats the beef with ledley? He’s asked to do a job and he does it without fuss or favour…..
Ki, the word PLAYER, springs to mind.
Back later with 5 Facts, Findings and Thoughts….
I think its a fair comparison, maybe not ability wise but definitely in how the team relies on that one player. Nakamura was essential for his team as is Commons Two games we struggled last season St.Mirren and Hamilton at home and Commons got the goals in each game to get us 3 points, If that was Nakamura he’d have laid the ball on a plate for someone. Its frightening how much we need Commons and he isn’t even fit.
Its time that young Forrest had a run out and get Commons up to full fitness . I thought he looked a bit off pace and maybe even , dare i say it , carrying a bit of luggage , so to speak . Decent performance from big Dan although he still looks a better centre-half than he really is .
A decent performance all round on Sunday considering how early in the season it is .
jimi88