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1999.08.30 - Carlisle United 4-2 Plymouth Argyle


Weaver        8
   Solid and had little chance with the goals as far as i could see.
Came out well to block at Plymouth feet when there was a danger of them
breaking free of the defence.

Pitts         5
   The two full backs have started off v. badly this season. Both
lacked the confidence to knock the simple ball and too often just hit
and hoped down the line.

Clarke        5
   See Pitts. Surely Searle could fit into this position to better
effect?

Barr          8
   Excellent, Whitehead will find it hard to get back into the team if
Barr can keep it up. Has started the season impressively and is like a
new man at the mo.

Brightwell    7
   The two Plymouth goals were a little too far away from me to say
with any real confidence if anyone was to blame. What i saw of the two
centre backs was OK, brightwell did the simple things well. Great ball
through the middle for Tracey's opener.

Black         7
   Lively and looked like a younger, whiter, smaller(?)Rod Thomas. Did
lose the ball in dangerous positions but will create enough problems
for opposition defences to overlook this. Took his goal well.

Hopper        5
   Similar to the Hartlepool game. Distribution poor and looked clumsy
on the ball.

Prokas        7
   Played well until taken off at half time. Played on the left of
midfield to counteract McGregor's threat which worked reasonably well.
 
Soley         7
   Quietly effective, played a crucial role in filling the gaps in
midfield.

Tracey        8
   Actually seems to have gotten it into him that he is part of a team.
The Baker goal summed this improvement up where he would have gone for
goal in any of his previous games. Instead he looked up and lay ed the
ball off to a better positioned team mate for the best goal of the
game.

Baker         8
   Looks determined to seize his chance. He is enjoying playing the
game again and this appeared to rub off on the rest of the team on
Monday. Excellent finish for his goal.

Subs:
Thorpe (45mins)   7
   It was a worry when he had to come on for Prokas, but did nothing
wrong and made a few decent runs forward. Fitted in well.

On the whole a promising effort with the forwards creating some great
chances in the second half - they could have been 6-0 up before
Plymouth scored. However, the defence again looked shaky and Plymouth
should never have been allowed back into it. The pilgrims defence was
worse than ours though, and I don't think we can expect to create the
same chances against Northampton.

Just a few further points:
First, the full backs. Admittedly I'm not Peter Clarkes most ardent
supporter but wouldn't Damon Searle fit in on the left more
effectively? And when Whitehead is back to full fitness hopefully Barr
will replace Pitts on the right. The obvious answer would be a return
of Gallimore and Edmonson, but I guess that aint gonna happen. What do
the rest of you think?

Second, yesterday's attendance. 2,800 is appalling it's about time the
Blue's supporters finally prove what many have claimed in the past -
that they are the best in the division. It's all very well coming out
to support the team when all is well but as soon as there is the
slightest hiccup they all go back from whence they came. Have we the
most fickle supporters on the land?

Stephen Smith

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