Sheff Utd Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 17/02/2002

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that won 1-0 at home to Sheffield Utd on Saturday.

Coyne: A first clean sheet since the 0-0 draw against West Brom last month. He made one great save from an Ndlovu volley, and did a good job of arranging a wall at dangerous free kicks and set pieces. Kicking, punching and collecting were all good.

Grade: B

McDermott: Defensively very solid indeed and had no trouble containing the potentially awkward Ndlovu. In the second half especially he came forward a lot and provided an extra attacking threat out wide with Butterfield.

Grade: B

Gallimore: A slightly better performance from the vice captain, who will miss the game at Forest next week. He was unlucky with a free kick and defended well when under pressure, but occasionally took too long to clear the ball.

Grade: C+

Raven: First time this season that the ex-Baggie has been part of a team who have kept a clean sheet. He was commanding in the air and his general all-round defending was top notch. Nearly scored from an audacious back-heel before getting injured.

Grade: B+

Groves: He was caught late early in the game but recovered well to see out the 90 minutes. Not as good as Raven in the air but along the ground he intercepted many passes and pushed forward at every opportunity.

Grade: C+

Butterfield: The crowd seem to have got off his back a little, and this performance would have done him more good than harm. He passed and moved better out wide and of course, provided the cross that set up the goal.

Grade: C+

Campbell: The summer signing is just starting to pay back some of the money Lennie Lawrence forked out for to bring his services to Blundell Park. When running with the ball he caused problems, and scored the winner - much more effective on the left.

Grade: B-

Coldicott: Another player who typically showed a battling display in the centre of the park. His work rate and hassling caused United to give the ball away cheaply and broke up attacks. He sat back in midfield and did a sound job.

Grade: C+

Burnett: He's still not looking like the player we know he is, but there was an improvement from last week's game at Watford. He was more involved, but still doesn't look before turning with the ball. Never got up much either, it was a good job the wingers did.

Grade: C

Allen: With this man in the team, Town will create goal-scoring opportunities. Although he's not the big man we've been searching for, he did hold the ball up well and laid it off perfectly to bring other players into the game.

Grade: B-

Boulding: An outstanding effort from the former Mansfield striker, who gave United problems at the back all afternoon with his pace. He proved useful on breakaways and a tricky customer for Curle and Page. Knackered after 70 minutes though.

Grade: B-

SUBS

Ford: Came on for Raven for the last 20 minutes or so, and played an excellent game at the back. Just as commanding in the air and made two excellent challenges, although one he was pulled up for and booked when he clearly got the ball with his first touch.

Grade: B

Best part of Town's performance: For the first time in a while we looked the better team throughout the 90 minutes. United did give us scares at times, but overall we played the better football and showed we were the home team. Chances came, and Tracy was worked in their goal. He didn't have such an easy afternoon at all.

Areas for improvement: We improved no end from last week's poor performance at Vicarage Road. The two central midfielders could push forward more, but the fact that Campbell and Butterfield got forward at every opportunity helped, along with the full backs also getting up made life for the strikers a little easier. All we have to do now is keep it going. A result at Forest would give Mariners supporters real hope.

Entertainment scale: It was the best home match since the victory over Portsmouth and every player played well. Although United threatened on the break we were largely better going forward and thoroughly deserved our win. 8

Grade Guide

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