I didn't manage to watch the entire match yesterday but I believe this sums it up in a nutshell.
"Steven Schumacher admits his Plymouth side were second best at times against Rovers – but was delighted with their clinical finishing."
So straight to my marks for the second half of the first half and the entire second half. Feel free to disagree.
Pears... 4 Didn't distinguish himself very well at all! Certainly he could do nothing about the first goal (more of that later) but the second he spewed what should have been a fairly routine save straight out to Hardie who couldn't miss whilst the third was the stuff of nightmares as his attempt to head clear an innocuous punt from Plymouth GK Hazard just served to set up Cundle to expertly lob the ball over him. Good finish by Cundle as our lot would have taken 3 touches and lost the ball.
Brittain... 5 Seemed to be blowing bubbles in the second half. OK it was hot but he looks like he needs to lose some weight to me.
Carter... 6 Probably the pick of the team but completely misjudged the booted clearance from the GK by running under the ball. No excuses here as the sun was behind him! The old adage for CH's is to never let the ball bounce twice. Carter was guilty as charged. Just as an aside I wonder if we will ever see a goal like that by the Rovers? Pears continually insisting to pass balls to teammates in dangerous areas.
Hyam.... 5 Managed 45 mins before being subbed after complaining of feeling unwell.
Pickering... 6 Did little of distinction that I noticed.
Wharton A... 5 Good and bad in equal measures. His passing can be divine but needs to sort out when and where to do it better which should come with experience. Black mark when he turned his back on the speculative shot for the first goal and simply managed to deflect it past the stranded Pears.
Travis.... 5 Blood sweat and tears as always but like Wharton turned his back on the shot for the first goal and allowed the shot to go between his legs. Desperately needs to have a go at a few first time shots when played in and instead needs too much time in areas where there is none!
Comic moment! WTF he was doing after spewing is best chance before taking a step or two and throwing himself on the floor I really have no idea.
Moran.... 4 Looks a decent player but definitely needs time to settle in.
Hedges... 4 Hero to zero. Sublime to the ridiculous! Last weeks wonder goal to this weeks dunce! If he had scored that 'gimme' this match could have had a far different ending. Poor for the rest of the match as nothing seemed to come off for him.
Szmodics... 6 Effort in spades but again little came off for him. N.B. Stop pulling your bloody shorts up to your crotch ffs!
Gallagher... 5 Poor match. Looks like he's injured again. Is his role to be super sub perhaps? Answered his defenders by playing in a losing Rovers team!
Subs
Wharton S (Hyam 45) 5 Looks to have gone backwards since Carter has displaced him in the team. An uncommitted powder puff challenge after Pears nightmare header allowed Hardie to bully him and knock the ball down for Cundle to deftly lob the stranded Pears.
Dolan... (Moran 62) 6.5 Came on all energy and invention for 5 - 10 minutes and offered us hope before Plymouth got to grips with him and he visibly faded.
Leonard... (Gallagher 62) 4 Never noticed him doing anything of note apart from failing to get on the end of some promising moves. Needs to go back to the U21's. No fault of his as all kids need blooding to first team action in small doses.
Garrett... (Travis 78) 5 Too many bit part substitutions and needs longer on the pitch imo.
Bloxham... (Hedges 78) 6 Debut game. Seemed eager and to put in a decent shift as all around him were fading.
JDT.... 4 Sent out a superior team who got thumped 3-0 by an inferior team. Obviously an 'after the Lord Mayor's show' match but the real difference was that Plymouth were not scared shitless of striking the ball first time. No idea how an ex striker with his pedigree can produce such a shot shy team.
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