By Deadbat
See if you can spot the theme in these player ratings...
Simonsen 7/10 – Had little to do apart from one decent save in the first half. It was good to see him celebrating with the fans after the second goal, when he ran to the crowd and high-fived and hugged many Blades in the end behind his goal.
Lowton 8/10 – He was our best player in the first half and our only real attacking threat. Got down the right and got in a few excellent crosses. Despite a blip earlier in the season he looks capable of playing at a much higher level.
Francois 8/10 – Had a ropy start and made a few careless mistakes but, as the game went on, he got stronger and stronger and easily made a case as our best player. Made a couple of superb goal-saving tackles. Looks determined to keep his place now Williams is in the fold full time.
Maguire 8/10 – Solid again. Got outstripped for pace once in the first half when Bury had a chance but other than that he won headers, made blocks and defended sensibly. In terms of passing, he appears to have realised when he can go long and when he should just keep it simple.
Collins 8/10 – Like Maguire, he played well against lively attackers who tried to get the ball down and bring others into play. He won a number of headers and was really assured again.
Doyle 7/10 – He was not as influential in the first half as he has been but we started to do the ugly stuff better and hence he was much improved in the second half.
McDonald 8/10 – Like the team, he had a game of two halves. He was not influential at all in the first half and quite sloppy in possession, but he started to dictate the game after the break. He made two goals with clever passes; the first one was a superb long, through-ball. We really need to sort out a contract extension soon.
Quinn 7/10 – One of our poorer players on the day. He was often sloppy with the ball and continued to try daft flicks instead of getting hold of it. He offered little help to Francois, who was often up against two men. Quinn got better in the second half and was more assured in his touch and passing.
Williamson 7/10 – Frustrating for long spells but then showed real class with his touch and passing. In the first half he could not got rid of the ball quickly enough, passing responsibility to McDonald or Lowton instead of getting down the wing. He did his defensive duties well, though, as he often does, helping Lowton when he could. In the second half he got down the flank better, passed with more conviction and scored a well-taken goal at the end.
Evans 8/10 – He did not hold the ball up well enough in the first half but was still one of our better players and at least chased defenders down. After the break, the front two were much improved. Scored a good goal and had a few other efforts.
Cresswell 7/10 – At the risk of being a broken record, he was really poor in the first half but improved in the second 45. Held the ball up much better, found players more consistently and of course took his goal well.
Substitutes
Williams – Replaced Quinn and played just in front of Francois to shore up that side, defensively. Had a few decent moments, including a good run forward.
Porter/Beattie – Both came on right at the end. Beattie had one cross turned behind and Porter had one run, but they were not on long enough to make any impact. I wonder if we have seen the last of Beattie, judging by Wilson’s comments last week on his fitness, which would be a shame.
Lowton 8/10 – He was our best player in the first half and our only real attacking threat. Got down the right and got in a few excellent crosses. Despite a blip earlier in the season he looks capable of playing at a much higher level.
Francois 8/10 – Had a ropy start and made a few careless mistakes but, as the game went on, he got stronger and stronger and easily made a case as our best player. Made a couple of superb goal-saving tackles. Looks determined to keep his place now Williams is in the fold full time.
Maguire 8/10 – Solid again. Got outstripped for pace once in the first half when Bury had a chance but other than that he won headers, made blocks and defended sensibly. In terms of passing, he appears to have realised when he can go long and when he should just keep it simple.
Collins 8/10 – Like Maguire, he played well against lively attackers who tried to get the ball down and bring others into play. He won a number of headers and was really assured again.
Doyle 7/10 – He was not as influential in the first half as he has been but we started to do the ugly stuff better and hence he was much improved in the second half.
McDonald 8/10 – Like the team, he had a game of two halves. He was not influential at all in the first half and quite sloppy in possession, but he started to dictate the game after the break. He made two goals with clever passes; the first one was a superb long, through-ball. We really need to sort out a contract extension soon.
Quinn 7/10 – One of our poorer players on the day. He was often sloppy with the ball and continued to try daft flicks instead of getting hold of it. He offered little help to Francois, who was often up against two men. Quinn got better in the second half and was more assured in his touch and passing.
Williamson 7/10 – Frustrating for long spells but then showed real class with his touch and passing. In the first half he could not got rid of the ball quickly enough, passing responsibility to McDonald or Lowton instead of getting down the wing. He did his defensive duties well, though, as he often does, helping Lowton when he could. In the second half he got down the flank better, passed with more conviction and scored a well-taken goal at the end.
Evans 8/10 – He did not hold the ball up well enough in the first half but was still one of our better players and at least chased defenders down. After the break, the front two were much improved. Scored a good goal and had a few other efforts.
Cresswell 7/10 – At the risk of being a broken record, he was really poor in the first half but improved in the second 45. Held the ball up much better, found players more consistently and of course took his goal well.
Substitutes
Williams – Replaced Quinn and played just in front of Francois to shore up that side, defensively. Had a few decent moments, including a good run forward.
Porter/Beattie – Both came on right at the end. Beattie had one cross turned behind and Porter had one run, but they were not on long enough to make any impact. I wonder if we have seen the last of Beattie, judging by Wilson’s comments last week on his fitness, which would be a shame.
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