Vital Reading looks at the players’ individual performances from the uninspiring stalemate with Bolton on Saturday.
Vital Reading looks at the players’ individual performances from the uninspiring stalemate with Bolton on Saturday.
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Adam Federici – 7 – The Aussie keeper didn`t have an awful lot to do, but his only save was border line world class from Ream`s header. Distribution was very good also.
Stephen Kelly – 6 – It`s good to see Kelly adding some needed experience to that backline and since he has come in, he hasn`t put a foot wrong. He made a very good, crucial block in the second half from Wilkinson.
Michael Hector – 6 – A few shaky moments for Hector, who still shows the odd sign of indiscipline. It`s very easy to forget he is only 22, he has plenty to learn still. Should have been on the scoresheet at least once.
Jake Cooper – 6 – The 19-year old had a decent game on his first home start. He was solid in the air and kept Davies very quiet – a few nervy moments of indecision, but it`s great to see him having an impact so early in his career.
Chris Gunter – 6 – It is clear that he is not a natural left-back and struggles to use his weaker left foot, but still continues to put in a good shift. He was exposed a few times in the second half when Bolton broke forward, but solid on the whole.
Danny Williams – 5 – The energetic midfielder doesn`t look the same player since his injury, but he is still working his way back to full fitness I imagine. His work-rate is there, but his passing is not as sharp.
Oliver Norwood – 7 – My man of the match – An early favourite for player of the season, as he continues to impress in central midfield. Not only does he keep us ticking, his work off the ball is also good – making tackles, interceptions and winning headers, despite his lack of height.
Jordan Obita – 6 – Obita played on the left-side of the midfield three and couldn`t really get in the game. When he changed back to 4-2-3-1 he went right-wing, a new role for him, where he did OK. I still favour Obita as a left-back, but he clearly doesn`t see it that way.
Garath McCleary – 5 – The game passed McCleary by, who is clearly not near full fitness yet. It probably didn`t help him that we were not using the wings effectively enough in the first half and when we did in the second, he was shipped out to the left, which didn`t work.
Hal Robson-Kanu – 4 – There was the occasional moment of promise from HRK, but the performances are deteriorating at the moment. The manager is showing great faith in him, but he is not repaying it. Ironic cheers from the crowd when he went off was very harsh and unfair, but bottling a few challenges probably didn`t help his cause.
Glenn Murray – 5 – I`m still not convinced that Murray is the answer for us, but I do feel sympathy for him when he is usually very isolated without Cox. While he held it up well and gave Mills a good battle, his work rate isn`t as good as strikers we`ve had in the past.
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Simon Cox – 5 – Should have come at half-time for HRK, but despite showing a few good touches, was brought on too late to have an impact.
Nick Blackman and Jake Taylor were brought on too late to have an impact.
