Sonyc's match report

[sonyc 6,144]

Back a short while ago (another exiled Northern Canary). Will try and do a ''Ricardo'' but cannot promise to reach his succinctness or quality. A good day out but one that numbed your toes by extra time. And in truth, there was only ever one team in this match because Oldham whilst huffing and puffing were constantly closed down for nearly the whole 90 minutes by a determined City performance and as a team Lambert will be proud of them. But the quality was a bit lacking - Whether because of the agricultural hoofs by Nelson or that final instinctive cutting pass (except for the goal which was the one real piece of class). City dominated the whole first half and Holt''s 3 efforts were close enough and an offside goal didn''t count. Difficult to see from our end but few if any City complaints. Oldham did have one chance but the header drifted agonisingly wide when it all but looked to be going in with Fraser beaten.

Second haf followed much the same pattern and finally an industrious Wes cut a lovely ball inside the defender and Macnamee''s teasing cross still looked too difficult for Holt.... but his sheer determination and stabbed finish was parried by Brill but the net still bulged, nothing short of what City deserved. Oldham to their credit put together a few half chances and then had the one on one chance that made everyone hold their breath but Fraser did what he has done all season with a brilliant parry when it looked odds on for an undeserved equaliser. After that, City had several chances but lacked the killer pass - one neat run by Oli nearly created a Holt second but it wasn''t to be.

For me Wes should have stayed on the field longer but was withdrawn with well over 20 minutes to go and Hughes never looked to have the same creative edge. Nice to see Spillane get some time on the pitch though but he was fairly anonymous. Grant Holt...what a performance and my MOTM - never stopped trying, closing down covering the blades of grass and even tracking back to help the defence (Martin too). Norwich seemed to want to build from the left today and whilst he had a decent match you were always nervous about Rose - used a hell of a lot strangely. He didn''t let the team down though. The 3  subs seemed to affect the balance of the team for 10 minutes but then it finally settled.

Ratings for me - Team - 7.5 (but this is for determination, closing down and some sheer tigerish play from midfield and sliding defensive tackles - quality was in a bit of short supply if I want to be picky). Only one team really wanted to win it - us.

Forster - 8 - the one save he had to make was fantastic, Rose - 6 - had to be in the game a lot and did ok (after last week''s mauling), Nelson- 5 good in th air but struggled with his striker and his distribution marked him down. He tries hard, Docherty - 6.5 - solid and competent and one or two vital blocks, R Martin - 6 - ok. Missed a great chance when she should have shot first time but his touch meant he hit it staright at keeper who was waiting for the shot. Wes - 6.5 - usual performance - main creative link - gave ball away at times but it was his pass that made the goal. Macnamee - 6.5 didn''t run at defenders as much but gives us some outlet and his crosses were useful, Korey - 7 - typical energy and one of the better performers - looked well into the game, Lappin 7 - a good all round game today - tireless and energetic like Smith - (sorty smudger but he looked a very decent player today), Martin - 6 - not really got his touch together today but tried hard all game, Holt - 8.5 - MOM and gets the extra 0.5 for his goal - a true captain''s performance too. Led by example, no wonder we love him.

Subs: Hughes, Oli and Spillane - 6 each - not much time on park really, Fans - 7 good noise and good support (no booing!), Ref - 6 he seemed not to give anything to City in first half when Martin and Holt got rough justice. More balanced second half. Have seen worse refs to be honest.

Oldham fans - generous in defeat - typical Lancashire types - warm, friendly. Their team looks to have astruggle on I think - hope they stay up.

 

 

[Heresyourfathersgun 0]

Reflects what I heard on the wireless - good points against a team who are tough to break down at home. Yeovil next.

[Trent Canary 0]

Good report sonyc. Much appreciated.

[Christov 3]

Another northern exile here, so just back.

I have a completely different view of the game to you! I thought we looked tired, lethargic and lacking in creativity! If we had been playing against a decent side today I think we would have lost comfortably.

Our main problem was the centre of midfield which I thought were well off the pace and second to every ball that was going. The second half we were getting sucked deeper and deeper.

I thought Holty was brilliant and put himself about and hounded Oldham well and was rewarded with a deserved goal.

Forster''s save in the second half was exceptional and I though Doc defended well.

Overall a good result but the performance just wasn''t there for me - a sign of a good team as they say!

Funny how people see things differently!

[ricardo 8,033]

Nice report Sonyc. I am not able to attend many away matches so ta very much for your analysis.

[Bury Yellow 2]

Both fair reports but I must agree with Christov. It is good that we all agree that Holt was MOM as i was worried about his last two performances.

The Oldham ground looks a sad place now so I am glad that they we will be moving to a new place eventually.