goozburger.
Senior Member
The U's did well for the first 30 minutes when they went at us and got their rewards. When we decided to wake up, realise that we're playing against a poor side, and grew in confidence, we crushed them in the end. Predictable to a degree, although I didn't expect us to have such a strong line-up that would ultimately crush them out of sight.
Wahlstedt
I think he was poor for Cambridge United's first goal. He should have repositioned himself more centrally when Lankester moved it onto his left foot, but he stayed rooted and it was an easy curler in the end. Poor goalkeeping. He didn't have a great deal to do beyond that.
Brittain
Weak. Had a decent shot in the second-half, but he is another player who is easily bullied off the ball and doesn't come out on top of a 50-50.
Carter
Part of a leaky defence, but he was good at bringing the ball forward and getting into attacking positions. I'd question how useful that is, and how it affects his ability to stop goals at our end.
Hyam
Lacked presence and leadership. Not bad on the ball, but like Brittain, he is getting physically outdone on almost every count.
Pickering
Didn't win his header in the box which led to Cambridge United's second goal. Other than that, quite good, and got an assist with a lovely cross.
Garrett
Can tell he wants to get forward but didn't do great on that front today. Was otherwise OK and involved.
A Wharton
Class. Showed good defensive work alongside his usual vision for passing.
Moran
Hit the bar inthe second-half, and did well to battle on the byline for Sigurdsson's (?) goal. Other than that, I thought was generally poor again. No strength on the ball, didn't get on the ball enough, and looks low on confidence. I think he's gone to shit in the last month.
Sigurdsson
Class when he got on the ball, but doesn't get in the game enough for me. I think that's down to work rate which puzzles me a bit as to why we signed him in the first place. I'm not convinced he's a team player.
Szmodics
Man of the Match for his first-half hat-trick. Beautiful finisher which showed again today. He wasn't averse to a few loose touches and passes, however, but he seems like a real leader and communicates with players. Feared the worst in the first couple of minutes when he held the back of his leg and looked certain to be injured, but luckily he was OK. Can understand keeping him on the pitch at 3-2 because I felt we needed another goal and he's the man to turn to. Think it was wrong not to substitute him after our fourth, and we were lucky he didn't get injured near the end when he was holding his groin.
Telalovic
Didn't really get much of the ball. Showed bits of nice touches on it, however, but it wasn't his day (or half, I should say). Felt a bit disappointed to see him substituted because I think he needs a run and some confidence.
As for the subs...
Leonard
Missed and absolute sitter from a beautiful cross by Szmodics, but made up for it with a good headed goal afterwards.
Tronstad
Did OK. The usual steadiness and simple but effective passing.
Ayari
Some neat touches and a nice pass through down the right. A steady cameo.
Finneran
Didn't notice his few minutes on the pitch, but I suspect it's important we give him a little bit of senior game time.
Gamble
Little risk in putting him on the pitch at 5-2 up.
Overall, a good showing after some dreadful defending and poor goalkeeping in the first-half again. Nothing much has changed. I think the only thing we can hope for is that we just do better at the other end of the pitch to make up for what is clearly a woeful side at keeping it tight.
Wahlstedt
I think he was poor for Cambridge United's first goal. He should have repositioned himself more centrally when Lankester moved it onto his left foot, but he stayed rooted and it was an easy curler in the end. Poor goalkeeping. He didn't have a great deal to do beyond that.
Brittain
Weak. Had a decent shot in the second-half, but he is another player who is easily bullied off the ball and doesn't come out on top of a 50-50.
Carter
Part of a leaky defence, but he was good at bringing the ball forward and getting into attacking positions. I'd question how useful that is, and how it affects his ability to stop goals at our end.
Hyam
Lacked presence and leadership. Not bad on the ball, but like Brittain, he is getting physically outdone on almost every count.
Pickering
Didn't win his header in the box which led to Cambridge United's second goal. Other than that, quite good, and got an assist with a lovely cross.
Garrett
Can tell he wants to get forward but didn't do great on that front today. Was otherwise OK and involved.
A Wharton
Class. Showed good defensive work alongside his usual vision for passing.
Moran
Hit the bar inthe second-half, and did well to battle on the byline for Sigurdsson's (?) goal. Other than that, I thought was generally poor again. No strength on the ball, didn't get on the ball enough, and looks low on confidence. I think he's gone to shit in the last month.
Sigurdsson
Class when he got on the ball, but doesn't get in the game enough for me. I think that's down to work rate which puzzles me a bit as to why we signed him in the first place. I'm not convinced he's a team player.
Szmodics
Man of the Match for his first-half hat-trick. Beautiful finisher which showed again today. He wasn't averse to a few loose touches and passes, however, but he seems like a real leader and communicates with players. Feared the worst in the first couple of minutes when he held the back of his leg and looked certain to be injured, but luckily he was OK. Can understand keeping him on the pitch at 3-2 because I felt we needed another goal and he's the man to turn to. Think it was wrong not to substitute him after our fourth, and we were lucky he didn't get injured near the end when he was holding his groin.
Telalovic
Didn't really get much of the ball. Showed bits of nice touches on it, however, but it wasn't his day (or half, I should say). Felt a bit disappointed to see him substituted because I think he needs a run and some confidence.
As for the subs...
Leonard
Missed and absolute sitter from a beautiful cross by Szmodics, but made up for it with a good headed goal afterwards.
Tronstad
Did OK. The usual steadiness and simple but effective passing.
Ayari
Some neat touches and a nice pass through down the right. A steady cameo.
Finneran
Didn't notice his few minutes on the pitch, but I suspect it's important we give him a little bit of senior game time.
Gamble
Little risk in putting him on the pitch at 5-2 up.
Overall, a good showing after some dreadful defending and poor goalkeeping in the first-half again. Nothing much has changed. I think the only thing we can hope for is that we just do better at the other end of the pitch to make up for what is clearly a woeful side at keeping it tight.
