Ravens View of Brighton v Bristol Rovers - Schoolboy errors!

Last updated : 25 August 2004 By Mark R

We then decided to hit the self-destruct button.

Goal one was comedy defending by Butters and Cullip and it was 1-1.

Kuipers pulls off a great save then Harding tries to be fancy, slips and gifts them the ball andits 2-1. Harding had one of those nights, he gave away the ball time and time again and made a hash of almost everything he touched.

We played the last 10 minutes with Cullip as centre forward, but it didn't work!

I thought Currie and Nicolas both had good games and showed that they had plenty to offer. I thought Currie and Virgo linked up well together and hopefully the more they play the better the understanding.

I also thought Nicolas linked up well and he looked like a decent player at times.

Hinshelwood looked lost in midfield, surely Hart would have been an option in the second half?

As for Leon Knight, well he was back to his pathetic roll on the floor every time I am challenged and act like it was a career ending injury, to then get up perfectly OK! Very frustrating and annoying!

On at least one occasion well into the second half he was pulled back and we should have had a penalty but you could tell the referee was thinking....mmmm....Knight....was it a foul or was he making a meal of it?

To be fair to Bristol Rovers they played some good football and the front 2 showed our front 2 about movement, desire and how to finish.

"Championship - your having a laugh" - the 150 or so Bristol Rovers fans taunted our players with that as they left the pitch.

Panic? - not yet - I will wait and do that if we lose on Saturday and Monday!

Kuipers - 6 a couple of good stops, no chance with the goals
Harding - 3 another poor display and another goal gifted to the opposition
Virgo - 5 linked up well with Currie but still plays the ball with too much strength most of the time
Butters - 5 showed he can trap and pass but often resorted to the long ball
Cullip - 4 another well below par display
Jarrett- 5 ran hard, looked lively and I still think he will be a good player
Currie - 8 was my MOTM, rarely gave away the ball, played some neat 1-2s with Virgo and put in several superb crosses
Nicolas - 7 best game this season, gaining confidence
Hinshelwood - 2 not a midfield ball player or tackler
Molango - 3 didn't create anything and missed a sitter that would have made it 2-2
Knight - 3 spent more time rolling round the pitch than upright

Robinson (for Molango) - 4 ineffectual
Jones (for Jarrett) - 4 ineffectual

Mark R

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