goozburger.
Senior Member
A fair result. Rovers were very well organised and, apart from a couple of good chances, I thought we deserved our clean sheet. We didn't create too much, but I thought we stood up well to superior opposition. A 0-0 won't go down in the history books, but we held our ground and picked up a good point where most probably thought we wouldn't get it. It feels as though the team now has a togetherness (sorry @Dunnfc), and that's what we need to not get beat at a canter. Well done, Rovers.
Pears
Didn't have anything to do in the first half. Should have had something to do from Adam Armstrong's early chance around the six yard box. Lucky that Aribo's header bounced off the bar and onto Pears and away from danger.
Did well on a couple of occasions in the second-half, particularly when one of theirs was through on goal.
Brittain 9
Man of the Match for me. Very good first half. Defended very well on all accounts, particularly with his double defensive effort in a single attack. Neat footwork and control on the ball.
Quietened a bit in the second-half but was dangerous going forward, and cleared the goal line after a good save from Pears. Looked very confident, overall.
Hyam 5
Rather quiet. Didn't appear to do well when called upon, particularly in the second half when he nearly gifted Southampton a goal.
Wharton 8
Looked confident. Pressed high to good effect. Lead from the back and didn't put a foot wrong. Close contender for Man of the Match.
Pickering 8
Very solid against Brooks in the first half. Was always looking around and positionally aware. Feel like he never has the ball judged when it's played long. Overall, very solid.
Tronstad 8
Defensively sound in the first half, and great at pinching the ball. A bit wasteful in possession one or two times when we had it, however. Grew much better into the game during the second half and took the piss out of their players with some class.
Rankin-Costello 7
A quiet first half. Nothing much to note. But attacked very well in the second-half. Could have done a little better on a couple of occasions. Like his passion.
Dolan 7
Worked hard to track back on a number of occasions in the first half. Seemed to lack a bit of confidence when going forward - turning back instead of going forward to take on his man. Might have had our first shot on target in the second-half, but perhaps could have crossed it instead of going for goal.
Szmodics 7
Never looked right after his early knock. Took a couple of early shots which, to me, he would have otherwise gone forward with if not injured. Picked up in the second half, which was encouraging. Took his strap off and seemed to pretend his injury didn't happen. Good lad.
Hedges 6
Pressed their defence well until his injury. He managed to walk off on his own in the end, so fingers crossed it's a minor hamstring twinge that will see him back at some point in the next five games.
Gallagher 6
Worked hard in a high press. Flicked on a couple of headers in vain. Worked hard as usual, but I would have put most players in front of him for Man of the Match today.
As for the subs...
Markanday 8
Very spritely. Neat footwork going forward in the first half. Worked hard to get back and do defensive duties. Moment of the match from him was marshalling the ball out for a goal kick against a player twice his size. Determination is everything.
Feel like he's got a chance under Eustace. Close contender for Man of the Match because he looks like a changed player under his third gaffer at the club.
Pears
Didn't have anything to do in the first half. Should have had something to do from Adam Armstrong's early chance around the six yard box. Lucky that Aribo's header bounced off the bar and onto Pears and away from danger.
Did well on a couple of occasions in the second-half, particularly when one of theirs was through on goal.
Brittain 9
Man of the Match for me. Very good first half. Defended very well on all accounts, particularly with his double defensive effort in a single attack. Neat footwork and control on the ball.
Quietened a bit in the second-half but was dangerous going forward, and cleared the goal line after a good save from Pears. Looked very confident, overall.
Hyam 5
Rather quiet. Didn't appear to do well when called upon, particularly in the second half when he nearly gifted Southampton a goal.
Wharton 8
Looked confident. Pressed high to good effect. Lead from the back and didn't put a foot wrong. Close contender for Man of the Match.
Pickering 8
Very solid against Brooks in the first half. Was always looking around and positionally aware. Feel like he never has the ball judged when it's played long. Overall, very solid.
Tronstad 8
Defensively sound in the first half, and great at pinching the ball. A bit wasteful in possession one or two times when we had it, however. Grew much better into the game during the second half and took the piss out of their players with some class.
Rankin-Costello 7
A quiet first half. Nothing much to note. But attacked very well in the second-half. Could have done a little better on a couple of occasions. Like his passion.
Dolan 7
Worked hard to track back on a number of occasions in the first half. Seemed to lack a bit of confidence when going forward - turning back instead of going forward to take on his man. Might have had our first shot on target in the second-half, but perhaps could have crossed it instead of going for goal.
Szmodics 7
Never looked right after his early knock. Took a couple of early shots which, to me, he would have otherwise gone forward with if not injured. Picked up in the second half, which was encouraging. Took his strap off and seemed to pretend his injury didn't happen. Good lad.
Hedges 6
Pressed their defence well until his injury. He managed to walk off on his own in the end, so fingers crossed it's a minor hamstring twinge that will see him back at some point in the next five games.
Gallagher 6
Worked hard in a high press. Flicked on a couple of headers in vain. Worked hard as usual, but I would have put most players in front of him for Man of the Match today.
As for the subs...
Markanday 8
Very spritely. Neat footwork going forward in the first half. Worked hard to get back and do defensive duties. Moment of the match from him was marshalling the ball out for a goal kick against a player twice his size. Determination is everything.
Feel like he's got a chance under Eustace. Close contender for Man of the Match because he looks like a changed player under his third gaffer at the club.
