It's a quite weird feeling following this match. You cannot knock the team for the general performance but the disappointing thing is that we lost against really poor opposition. One big donkey in Michael Smith for them and they didn't threaten much until the last 20 mins of the match.Â
It's going to take the time, perhaps long time to get it working. There have certainly been positive aspects to take from today. First half for example where we were on the front foot for the most of it. Already a big difference in compare to what we had to watch/endure in the last few seasons where we'd usually let an opposition have a go at us.Â
Mostly on the front foot albeit not creating as much as it should have been given our dominance. Harrison stopped by Rodak and Donacien's deflected shot going over the bar probably the most notable opportunities.Â
Rotherham not all in the game at all however probably were told by their manager to stop playing such timorously in the 2nd half. The proceedings changed indeed. We were dominant however not as much as in the first half. A couple of warning signs from Smith who threatened twice. First he easily outmuscled Chambers and second when the latter let the ball bounce and that allowed Smith to launch a shot.Â
Nolan was our brightest point. Good cooperation in midfield and constant forward thinking. Unlucky with his shot going wide.Â
Edwards' free kick impressively saved by Rodak too. But Rotherham began to threaten in the last 20 minutes. Forde's dangerous shot well saved by Bialkowski but the latter was unfortunately beaten in the final minute as the defence failed to kick the ball away from the penalty area.
Skuse and Chalobah today. The alleged system was 4-2-3-1 but Skuse spent almost entire game in front of Chalobah. Can't slate Skuse for his efforts but he isn't familiar with going forward. He had been living in the McCarthy's very comfort zone for a long time so it's not the best idea to play him further up the pitch as we need more energy and dynamic. But as I repeat he was quite active and involved in action given his new role, made a couple of good tackles, had a shot blocked and header going wide.Â
Chalobah though bar one bad moment from the second half where he was outmuscled by the opponent had a good afternoon. Despite playing a deeper role he was well involved in our attacking attempts and that is what you expect from defensive midfielder. Do basic duties and be involved in attacking when you can.Â
Perhaps if the roles had been reversed and Chalobah played in front of Skuse it may have been more fruitful.
Nolan was our MOTM for me and he'll be a hell of player for us as will Edwards. The latter very good in the first half however faded afterwards.
Chambers had a bad afternoon and it had to be debutant Nsiala to cover him in two critical moments in the second half. Perfect skipper, leader, talker..... yes. Long term future Hurst? A regular for next 2-3 years? Not sure.Â
Ward not a good afternoon either.
Nsiala decent debut. Good when winning the ball or being a nuisance for Smith. Poor distribution though.
Donacien not bad defensively but unable to bomb forward with the ball.
And our deliveries from corners...... very very poor !!!!! We had loads of corners and didn't take any advantage from it.
Rodak the Rotherham goalkeeper was their MOTM by far and they should thank him for his contribution.
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Given the time this team under Hurst will be fine and give us more joy than disappointment. Put the result aside and we've seen positive aspects today. We have seen the opponent having been firmly kept on their toes and worried of us. That's the significant change in compare to last seasons. We had seen us getting beaten by Rotherham in the past despite playing with three defensive midfielders or shutting the shop so all in all positive change today. Rotherham though become kind of bogey team for us.
Not sure about the Exeter match and our line-up. However as things stand anything out of the Villa and Derby matches will be a bonus so patience is required. [Post edited 11 Aug 2018 20:43]
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