By Deadbat
There's not a bad word for anybody in the final game of 2011. Which is nice.
Simonsen 7/10 – Had little to do for much of the game. Made one reaction save (or did it hit the bar?) from Lowton in the first half. The goal at the death was similar to the Torquay late goal when it was drilled under his body and he had little chance. He was clearly frustrated with his defence for not clearing the ball and preventing a clean sheet.
Lowton 7/10 – Had a really good first half where he defended okay but, faced with little in the way of a winger, he got upfield to supplement almost every attack. He was involved in many of the better moves and showed some lovely pieces of control and skill and made the third goal. Nearly scored a bizarre own goal with a sliced clearance. Hopefully he was taken off as a precaution after appearing to pick up a knock when crossing for Evans’s goal.
Francois 7/10 – Defensively he was very good. He is a very good athlete and reads the game quite well, though he still does some strange things at times. However, he deserves to remain in the side and signing Williams does not look to be the best use of limited funds.
Maguire 8/10 – Really solid game in which he often had no one to mark, as Hartlepool played only one man up front in the first half, and so Maguire often moved up into midfield. Seems to have got back to the standards of early season. Hopefully he will not burn him out, as playing every game in your first full season at 18 is a lot to ask.
Collins 7/10 – Another efficient game. He had a far easier ride than against Notts County but he did what he had to well, winning headers and making clearances. He really is having an excellent season and is the leading candidate for player of the season; something I did not think I would ever say, but he is sticking two fingers up to me and many critics who had written him off at the end of last season.
Doyle 8/10 – Excellent performance. He barely did anything wrong all game and was very effective in everything he did. Broke up the play, won headers and also seemed to win every tackle he went for. His play on the ball was sensible and assured, and he seemed to completely control the midfield. Like Collins, he has come back superbly to be a key part of the side. At the moment he is probably one of the first names on the team sheet.
McDonald 7/10 – Another good performance, particularly in the first half. Showed an impressive range of passing with an excellent first touch and was always able to make an extra yard when others might panic. Hopefully he can get fitter and stronger and then we will have a real player on our hands. He is out of contract at the end of the season and this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Flynn 8/10 – Another impressive display, with the well-taken goal, good pieces of link play, some very good corners and hard work. He has quietly improved since an ineffective start to his Blades career, and should remain in the side, making Quinn have to force his way back in.
Williamson 7/10 – Some good touches and crosses. He was not always involved but when he was, he was very effective in his use of the ball. Allowed Lowton to go on many runs forward by covering well. Not as effective after the break but the game was won by then.
Evans 8/10 – Scored one goal and could have had two or three more but for good saves. He linked well with Lowton, Williamson and McDonald in general play and his first touch and control was very good. More impressive than his skill though was his work rate. He did not stop all game and gave the Hartlepool defence a very difficult time.
Porter 7/10 – Scored a well-taken goal and won quite a few headers. Linked well with Evans in the first half. Missed a sitter in the second half. Overall he was okay but still seems slow to the ball at times and often lets his man get in front of him too much.
Substitutes
Ertl – Replaced Lowton at right-back and did okay. A few poor, misplaced passes but, faced with little pressure, he defended well. A useful utility player.
Beattie – Tried to link with Evans at every opportunity. He did okay and showed his aerial ability and strength with a few flick-ons and hold-ups. Clearly needs games – perhaps he should start him next Saturday in the cup.
Montgomery – Came on right at the end. He is going to struggle to replace either of the current midfield duo, based on their recent performances.
Lowton 7/10 – Had a really good first half where he defended okay but, faced with little in the way of a winger, he got upfield to supplement almost every attack. He was involved in many of the better moves and showed some lovely pieces of control and skill and made the third goal. Nearly scored a bizarre own goal with a sliced clearance. Hopefully he was taken off as a precaution after appearing to pick up a knock when crossing for Evans’s goal.
Francois 7/10 – Defensively he was very good. He is a very good athlete and reads the game quite well, though he still does some strange things at times. However, he deserves to remain in the side and signing Williams does not look to be the best use of limited funds.
Maguire 8/10 – Really solid game in which he often had no one to mark, as Hartlepool played only one man up front in the first half, and so Maguire often moved up into midfield. Seems to have got back to the standards of early season. Hopefully he will not burn him out, as playing every game in your first full season at 18 is a lot to ask.
Collins 7/10 – Another efficient game. He had a far easier ride than against Notts County but he did what he had to well, winning headers and making clearances. He really is having an excellent season and is the leading candidate for player of the season; something I did not think I would ever say, but he is sticking two fingers up to me and many critics who had written him off at the end of last season.
Doyle 8/10 – Excellent performance. He barely did anything wrong all game and was very effective in everything he did. Broke up the play, won headers and also seemed to win every tackle he went for. His play on the ball was sensible and assured, and he seemed to completely control the midfield. Like Collins, he has come back superbly to be a key part of the side. At the moment he is probably one of the first names on the team sheet.
McDonald 7/10 – Another good performance, particularly in the first half. Showed an impressive range of passing with an excellent first touch and was always able to make an extra yard when others might panic. Hopefully he can get fitter and stronger and then we will have a real player on our hands. He is out of contract at the end of the season and this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Flynn 8/10 – Another impressive display, with the well-taken goal, good pieces of link play, some very good corners and hard work. He has quietly improved since an ineffective start to his Blades career, and should remain in the side, making Quinn have to force his way back in.
Williamson 7/10 – Some good touches and crosses. He was not always involved but when he was, he was very effective in his use of the ball. Allowed Lowton to go on many runs forward by covering well. Not as effective after the break but the game was won by then.
Evans 8/10 – Scored one goal and could have had two or three more but for good saves. He linked well with Lowton, Williamson and McDonald in general play and his first touch and control was very good. More impressive than his skill though was his work rate. He did not stop all game and gave the Hartlepool defence a very difficult time.
Porter 7/10 – Scored a well-taken goal and won quite a few headers. Linked well with Evans in the first half. Missed a sitter in the second half. Overall he was okay but still seems slow to the ball at times and often lets his man get in front of him too much.
Substitutes
Ertl – Replaced Lowton at right-back and did okay. A few poor, misplaced passes but, faced with little pressure, he defended well. A useful utility player.
Beattie – Tried to link with Evans at every opportunity. He did okay and showed his aerial ability and strength with a few flick-ons and hold-ups. Clearly needs games – perhaps he should start him next Saturday in the cup.
Montgomery – Came on right at the end. He is going to struggle to replace either of the current midfield duo, based on their recent performances.
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