Arsenal Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 28/11/2001

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that lost 2-0 away to Arsenal in the Worthington Cup

Coyne: He again impressed on a big occasion, performing best in the second half when he made two good saves to keep the score at 1-0. Didn't really have a chance with any of the two goals.

Grade: B

Neilson: Just didn't look comfortable at right back at all and was torn to pieces by the likes of Bergkamp and Wiltord. He offered little going forward too, as he and Butterfield failed to gel down the right.

Grade: C-

Chapman: Whether it is against Millwall, Liverpool or Arsenal, the left back seems to play just as well, whatever the opposition. Has shown good anticipation and use of retractable springs to leap up in the air. Overall, he was solid.

Grade: C

Groves: What started out as a very shaky start to the game gradually changed into a solid performance in the end. The Captain had a shot on target saved in the latter stages of the game but it was an improvement on his league form.

Grade: C

Broomes: This player shows the quality needed at this level and is an instrumental part of the defence, but he is just as guilty as the rest when it comes to lapses of concentration. However, Lawrence should snap him up if possible.

Grade: B-

Butterfield: A misplaced side-footed cross that was described as 'a shot' by the Arsenal commentators was as close to the goal Butterfield came. Basically there was no attacking threat and no pressing in midfield.

Grade: C-

Campbell: Poor game for the Corby-born midfielder. He was weak in the air and was muscled off the ball all too easily over the course of the 90 minutes. Perhaps he hadn't got over his injury entirely for the match.

Grade: C-

Willems: Of our eight or so shots, Menno was responsible for about five of them. One free kick was wasted and he had several long-range efforts that never troubled the Gunners' back line. Put lots of tackles in and showed more effort than the rest of the midfield.

Grade: C

Burnett: He hadn't started a game for the Mariners in a long time and I'm afraid it showed. He was very rusty and failed to get out of the starting blocks. Continued to neglect the left side of midfield and was caught napping on the ball too often.

Grade: C-

Allen: Not bad in the first half but failed to see much of the action. His interplay with Jevons threatened to get near the Arsenal goal, but other than that he troubled Keown and co. very little. Taken off at half time.

Grade: C

Jevons: I suppose it was inevitable that the hero of the last round would miss from inside the penalty area. It was the Mariners' best chance of the game but he blazed the shot over the bar. Did a lot of running around, but that's about all he offered.

Grade: C

SUBS

Boulding: Immediate impact on the game and produced the first real shot of the game for Grimsby early in the second half. His pace caused all sorts of problems and he could have got us back in the tie if it weren't for a very disputed offside flag.

Best part of Town's performance: We never really stood out anywhere on the pitch but for the defence it was an improved display. Groves looked more comfortable and Broomes threatened from crosses.

Areas for improvement: The midfield was the biggest disappointment. You get the feeling that if two of the four midfielders push up to support the strikers, players like Boulding would see a lot more of the ball and more chances would be created. Pouton and Coldicott were sadly missed for a game of this nature.

Entertainment scale: It depends on how you look at it. If Boulding's run was allowed to continue and had he netted a goal, at 1-1 it was there for the taking and if we had won, it would have been another great game. However, it didn't turn out like that and we were left to discuss a fairly mediocre game of football, which had little passion.

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