John Thompson - 5, Fared slightly better than Clapham and used the ball far more efficently then most of his colleagues, but wasn't able to utilise his undoubted ability after Notts fell behind and lost his head with one particular late lunge.
|
Woefully unimaginative in possession - he was the chief culprit of the aimless long balls that plagued the last half-hour - he was too loose on Seddon for Kettering's winner and lucky to escape a first half penalty after a clumsy challenge. Needs to provide far more leadership than he did on occasions such as yesterday.
Steven Hunt - 5, Returning to the line-up after a long layoff but, like Edwards, was too often looking for the long ball instead of simply retaining posession. Caught out of position on occasion.
Jamie Clapham - 4, Looked a class act on his arrival to Meadow Lane just over two months ago, Clapham was one of the chief culprits on a night of bad displays. Outwitted by a winger without a trick to his name, positionally poor and, like the other senior heads, failed to provide influence when needed.
Matt Hamshaw - 5, Another returning from injury, Hamshaw started relatively brightly before fading badly. Set piece delivery is still frequently poor, professionals should always expect to beat the first man.
Jay Smith - 7, Star man. The only outfield player who can truly say he did himself justice, Smith gets the star man accolade not for his superb goal, but for being seemingly the only player trying to play football.
Carried the midfield at times, credit must go to the midfielder for trying to retain the ball simply for as long as he did. Surely now an automatic pick.
|
Failed to provide any protection to the back four and left Smith fighting a solo battle for much of the game in midfield. Quite why he remained on the field with experienced duo Gavin Strachan and Adam Nowland in reserve is a mystery.
Myles Weston - 5, It says it all that even on an off-day, Weston still represents our biggest attacking threat. The young winger should always be guarenteed his spot as he is the only forward-thinker in the team with any pace but, if he is to truly progress in the game, he must improve his game defensively. Left, behind him, Clapham and, alongside him, Smith exposed at various points during the game.
Sean Canham - 4, A massive disappointment from Canham who had looked set for his first spell in the first XI. Was badly off the pace throughout and, despite his size, failed to hold the ball up or win anything in the air. A major off-day.
Delroy Facey - 6, Most of Notts' good forward play came through Facey, who came the closest to an equaliser with an excellent bit of improvisation. Like Canham though, failed to win enough in the air and lacked the nous and touch to hold the ball up for his advancing team-mates.
Subs
Jamie Forrester (Canham, 72) - 6, Hard to fault the diminutive striker when everything is pelted up to his head and he's marked by a player a foot taller.
Spencer Weir-Daley (Hamshaw, 82) - 5, The new scapegoat of the NCM messageboard went on one decent run before being stupidly caught offside at the finish. Has badly stagnated.
Not Used: Pilkington, Johnson, Mayo, Strachan, Nowland.