Many people in Block D appeared a bit disillusioned last night and after about 15 minutes of last nights game I could see why.
Brighton for the last few years have played good exciting, controlled football, with the ball spending most of the game on the ground. Last night we hoofed the ball so many times. Apart from Nathan Jones and Mayo linking up, the defence bypassed the midfield.
I was a little surprised to find Chippy on the bench and even more surprised when he didn't bring him on. Has something happened between them?
We had several good moments last night, the obvious one being the goal. Knight anticipated the defender not heading the ball clear and calmly slotted the ball over the keeper.
We had another great move that ended up with Jones missing the goal by inches. I have to say that I thought Chesterfield were very very poor and keeping up to the reputation of Cheaterfield had a player booked for diving!
The big disappointment last night was the poor crowd, just over 6,000. I know Chesterfield only had about 80 fans, but people assume games are sold out and then nearly 7/800 tickets left unsold.
Ratings
Flitney - 7 good game for a debut. Only one slip but luck was on our side. Several good saves, especially the one low down from a free kick early in the game
Hinshelwood - 8 my MOTM for his second half display. Still has the occasional habit of giving the ball away but is learning
Mayo - 6 not his best game, but improved as the match went on
Butters - 6 solid in the air but why hoof all the time? He can distribute the ball well, but perhaps the midfield was missing at times last night.
Cullip - 6 solid but then started playing the long ball
Rodger - 4 all out of sorts and why he is starting ahead of Carpenter needs some explaining
Oatway - 6 battled as ever for 90 minutes
Jones - 7 battled well and deserves to keep his place
Hart - 4 very poor match, looked out of sorts for long periods of the game Henderson - 5 when he gets going looks good, but drifts out of games for long periods
Knight - 6 was pushed and pulled all over the place, but showed his class with a great finish
Subs
McPhee for Henderson - 6 worked hard and looks more lively than Henderson and had 2 good efforts
Pethick for Hart - 5 only on for a few minutes
Brighton for the last few years have played good exciting, controlled football, with the ball spending most of the game on the ground. Last night we hoofed the ball so many times. Apart from Nathan Jones and Mayo linking up, the defence bypassed the midfield.
I was a little surprised to find Chippy on the bench and even more surprised when he didn't bring him on. Has something happened between them?
We had several good moments last night, the obvious one being the goal. Knight anticipated the defender not heading the ball clear and calmly slotted the ball over the keeper.
We had another great move that ended up with Jones missing the goal by inches. I have to say that I thought Chesterfield were very very poor and keeping up to the reputation of Cheaterfield had a player booked for diving!
The big disappointment last night was the poor crowd, just over 6,000. I know Chesterfield only had about 80 fans, but people assume games are sold out and then nearly 7/800 tickets left unsold.
Ratings
Flitney - 7 good game for a debut. Only one slip but luck was on our side. Several good saves, especially the one low down from a free kick early in the game
Hinshelwood - 8 my MOTM for his second half display. Still has the occasional habit of giving the ball away but is learning
Mayo - 6 not his best game, but improved as the match went on
Butters - 6 solid in the air but why hoof all the time? He can distribute the ball well, but perhaps the midfield was missing at times last night.
Cullip - 6 solid but then started playing the long ball
Rodger - 4 all out of sorts and why he is starting ahead of Carpenter needs some explaining
Oatway - 6 battled as ever for 90 minutes
Jones - 7 battled well and deserves to keep his place
Hart - 4 very poor match, looked out of sorts for long periods of the game Henderson - 5 when he gets going looks good, but drifts out of games for long periods
Knight - 6 was pushed and pulled all over the place, but showed his class with a great finish
Subs
McPhee for Henderson - 6 worked hard and looks more lively than Henderson and had 2 good efforts
Pethick for Hart - 5 only on for a few minutes