West Brom Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 13/01/2002

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that drew 0-0 with WBA in Saturday's Nationwide Division One game.

Coyne: In the second half he didn't even have a shot to save or hold onto. In the first half he was called into action, but dealt with it quite well. He made a good far-post save after everyone missed the cross. Otherwise his kicking was OK.

Grade: C+

Ford: He's still learning but this was possibly his best performance since breaking into the first team. He looks better in the air and his football brain is working a lot quicker now. Kicking the ball forward is not one of his strengths though.

Grade: B-

Groves: The manager had a great game in the centre of defence and kept the Baggies largely at bay. He didn't give the ball away as much, like he did against York last week. Probably one of his best displays so far this season.

Grade: B

Gallimore: When he's part of a three-man central defence he looks very comfortable on the ball and he seems to know what he's doing. As the game progressed and he went to left back in the 4-4-2 formation he went back to how he used to be.

Grade: C-

Butterfield: Again like Groves, this was probably his best game of the season so far. Defensively he was rock solid (apart from giving the wide man too much space on the ball) and going forward he assisted the midfield well. Unlucky not to score though.

Grade: B-

Chapman: To say he gets stuck in is an understatement. He's not afraid to throw himself in where it hurts and is a competitive, battling player. Against West Brom he completely stopped any attacks down their right hand side.

Grade: B-

Willems: Another slow start but he was a slight improvement from last week overall. He played one defence-splitting pass in the first half but from then on he had to win the ball to use it. Not a lot of moves went through him but he did put in a few tackles and worked harder.

Grade: C+

Burnett: Needs to get more of a grip on the game. Just looks a little off the pace and takes perhaps too much time to realise who's around and release the ball. However saying that, he did get back and made a great tackle near the end.

Grade: C

Campbell: The former Leicester midfielder looks at home in the centre. He looked sharp and turned well in midfield to create movement. He also got forward behind the strikers and looked very good off the ball. A good performance on his return to the team.

Grade: C+

Thompson: All the action for the small striker came in the first half. He had a header saved and a lob cleared off the line but from then on he had very little impact on the game. He does look to have a lot of pace on him but he mostly had his back to goal.

Grade: C-

Jevons: For shots on goal Jevons was worse but he dropped back more to help the midfield, quietening those who call him lazy. He ran a full 30 yards just to stop a cross from going into the box. As a striker though, he looked lost for ideas.

Grade: C-

SUBS

Boulding: He was the only sub of the game and did OK but played in the 4-4-2 formation as a striker. As the game wore on it looked as if the team had reverted to hoofing long balls for Boulding to chase, without much success.

Grade: C

Best part of Town's performance: We didn't let the opposition dictate the run of play and although we never really looked like breaking West Brom down, we did get men forward and we passed it around well. The link-up play down the left was better than down the right but West Brom are a good side and we kept them very quiet in front of goal.

Areas for improvement: The strikers tended to have their backs to goal and had to drop deep to get the ball. Jevons and Thompson never looked threatening and the best chances came from West Brom mistakes at the back. It's been obvious that we need a strong forward player but we're adapting well under Groves and Rodger.

Entertainment scale: Most action came in the first half and the second half was rather dull in front of goal, but it wasn't all that bad a game. It ended up being a midfield battle but it saw Town knock the ball around well and keep West Brom on their toes at the back. 5

Grade Guide

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