By Neil Ravenscroft
December 16 2002

Monday morning always seems a good time for some considered reaction to Saturday's results, especially when your optimism levels are rising! Colin Lee described Saturday as a good, workman like performance and I have to agree with him. Wimbledon have been on a good run recently and it's easy to see why, as they have some good youngsters, pass the ball well and have a couple of very dangerous forwards.

Walker 9. Two world class saves (just watch the replays and see how far he came and how quickly he was off his line to block Connelly's second half effort). Would have been 10. except I thought he came too far to punch a couple of times.

Bazeley 7. Mr Dependable.
Aranalde 7. The balance looked so much better.
(The one thing I would say about both full backs is that they struggled most when Corica was in front of them, rather than Wrack. Enough said).

Hay and Roper 6. Both looked very uncomfortable with Connelly's pace and movement. Both looked very comfortable with Shipperley's physical threat and with the ball in the air.

Corica 5. He doesn't look at all happy at the moment. He was very closely marked, though, as Wimbledon had realised he is our main creative outlet.

O'Connor 7. Magnificent second half.
Sonner 7. Same comments as O'Connor. I thought there was a great improvement in his game second half and he gave the centre backs some wonderful protection at times.

Wrack 8. Never stopped, took his chance beautifully, covered his full back well.

Junior 8. Won the ball in the air several times, chased defenders down! Has he been watching Jorge? Can someone explain how he can hit free kicks like that one with no run up and no back lift?

Leitao 8. I think he looks better every week, working tirlessly for the side.

Lee 8. Whatever he said or did at half time did the trick, as from looking like conceeding any minute, we were never really under the cosh at any time in the second half. I suspect he thought the crowning moment was when their centre half decided to shoot from 35 yards because there was absolutely no other option. Managers love that.

The Pitch 6. Played a lot better than it looked!

Wimbledon 7. I thought they looked a decent side. The youngsters look good, they are lively up front and pass the ball well.

The most pleasing outcome of it all is still the 12 points between us and the bottom three and the 11 from the play off zone! The League position could be better, but we are right in the middle points wise!