Player Ratings - MK Dons H

[clarkey]

I can't wait to see what Murray has to do to please some of you. High minded twats.

He was excellent today, as was Lua Lua and the two centre halves.

Move on from his past and appreciate him for what he is.

Im normally the first to stand up for him, I love the guy to pieces, but Ive become slightly disillusioned with him recently.

Firstly his finishing seems poor this season, but his diving today was inexcusable. We know theres negatives to his game, with some of the disciplinary stuff which came out last year, and diving has also been an issue but today it really was disgusting. A couple of 50/50 calls went his way, he thought he could get away with anything, and a couple after that were laughable.

Diving aside he had a good game, I think playing alongside Barnes makes Glenn look even better in comparison, but today there was some cause for criticism for Murray.

Poyet realised this, resulting in a comical moment after one particularly theatrical fall when he called Glenn over, pushed the lino away so he couldnt hear, and whispered in his ear.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Diving aside he had a good game, I think playing alongside Barnes makes Glenn look even better in comparison, but today there was some cause for criticism for Murray.

Poyet realised this, resulting in a comical moment after one particularly theatrical fall when he called Glenn over, pushed the lino away so he couldnt hear, and whispered in his ear.

Yes, just after he'd committed a foul, so I'd suggest Poyet was merely telling him to watch himself as he'd been booked.

He held up the ball superbly, he chased down numerous lost causes (considering he's supposedly lazy) and was excellent in the air. All MK could do was foul him...if you're asking whether I have a problem with him going down when he's persistently fouled then my answer is no. El Abd took a fall at the end under pressure but I don't see anyone having a dig at him.

 

[Perkino]

Ankergren 6 - I think people are just starting to feel about him the way I've felt about him since we signed him. All the window lickers around me today were moaning about him. Just about the only thing that bunch of morons got right today.

Calderon 7 - Best right back we've had in my 14 years as a fan. Sorry Watson and Peter Smith!
Elphick 8 - Absolutely brilliant. One ridiculous freekick which he just shunted out for a goalkick, but defensively fantastic.
El-Abd 8 - Brilliant. Strong in the tackle, covered space well and did nothing stupid.
Painter 7 - Best left back we've had in my 14 years as a fan! Sorry Mayo.

Bennett 7 - Fantastic player, for me he's the best technical player at the club. Defensively aware and a potent threat whenever we attack, looked accomplished in the centre when he drifted inside.
Kishishev 6 - Like I said in the other thread, when he tried something difficult he couldn't find the pass. Defensively superb and adding a calm presence in our midfield in the abesnce of Navarro.
Sparrow 7 - I don't understand some of the comments about him. His touch, his awareness and his movement is fantastic and I think he'll prove to be as good in our midfield as Paul Rogers was. Fantastic signing and a key player in our midfield.
LuaLuaLua 9 - The missing creative link in our side, when he gets the ball the strikers come alive knowing that the ball will end up in the box. His delivery will improve but so long as he gets the ball into the box we have a chance of scoring.. simples.

Barnes 7 - Generous 7 perhaps, but he worked hard and was a bit unlucky not to get more chances to find the net himself. Played an important part in our shape and moved around alot for the team.
Murray 7 - Quality poaching, and fantastic in the air. But his diving is ridiculous and he needs to be more Shearer than Drogba in terms of the theatrics.

SUBS;
Dicker 7 - I would play him every game in place of Kishishev if it was up to me. Quality player and deserves to be more involved.
Smith 6 - Not really much of a chance to get involved, but still looks like being a superb squad player this season.
Bridcutt 6 - Brilliant awareness with the chest pass to Dicker, but not enough time to show too much, looks a solid signing though.

I think I would agree with all of these ratings

 

[Silent Bob]

Ankergren - 6 nothing major to do, but he actually caught everything he tried to which is an improvement. One good moment coming quickly out of his goal.

Calderon - 7 Not marauding forward as he can do at the moment, but a solid defensive performance.
Elphick - 8 Superb, won everything, couple of great tackles. Back to his best.
El-Abd - 7 Slightly dodgier than Elphick but mostly fine.
Painter - 7 No need to even comment, it's Painter, you know what you get from him.

Kishishev - 7 Shielded the defence well
Sparrow - 7 Got about the pitch, but didn't show that much with the ball, didn't look as good as at Swindon.
Bennett - 7 I find it a bit odd that he is being used in this way, but he's such a good player that he is very good there, even if he'd be more at home on the right

Barnes - 6 Seemed slightly out of sync with the rest of the side who stepped up their game especially in the second half. He's an out and out striker, to see him dropping wide or into the middle of midfield is frustrating.
LuaLua - 9 This was like the orgasm after a summer of foreplay AMAZING performance, adds so much more to a team that was already looking quite useful. Kazenga
Murray - 8 Continues to look good this season, was going down easily but most times he did get pushes, I think that's fair enough.

Dicker - 7 Went quietly about his business, I think he should be starting to give the midfield the right balance.
Smith - didn't really do anything I can recall
Bridcutt - Only on briefly but looked interesting, a quicker and more forward looking option than Kish (or Navarro before him). Overhit one pass but also played a couple of nice balls.

 

[The Merry Prankster]

Yes, just after he'd committed a foul, so I'd suggest Poyet was merely telling him to watch himself as he'd been booked.

He held up the ball superbly, he chased down numerous lost causes (considering he's supposedly lazy) and was excellent in the air. All MK could do was foul him...if you're asking whether I have a problem with him going down when he's persistently fouled then my answer is no. El Abd took a fall at the end under pressure but I don't see anyone having a dig at him.

That will be the difference.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Yes, just after he'd committed a foul, so I'd suggest Poyet was merely telling him to watch himself as he'd been booked.

He held up the ball superbly, he chased down numerous lost causes (considering he's supposedly lazy) and was excellent in the air. All MK could do was foul him...if you're asking whether I have a problem with him going down when he's persistently fouled then my answer is no. El Abd took a fall at the end under pressure but I don't see anyone having a dig at him.

Totally agree. Murray was excellent again yesterday, I cannot understand the constant criticism of him on here. If you were unable to appreciate his contribution to the team yesterday I really despair.

 

[empire]

Yes, just after he'd committed a foul, so I'd suggest Poyet was merely telling him to watch himself as he'd been booked.

He held up the ball superbly, he chased down numerous lost causes (considering he's supposedly lazy) and was excellent in the air. All MK could do was foul him...if you're asking whether I have a problem with him going down when he's persistently fouled then my answer is no. El Abd took a fall at the end under pressure but I don't see anyone having a dig at him.

agree so much,thought he was superb today,as for the diving,he was always getting fouled

 

[kalinski]

Ankegren: 6

Painter: 7
Elphick: 9
El-Abd: 9
Calderon: 7

Bennett: 6
Kish: 8
Sparrow: 6
Lua-Lua: 9

Murray: 8
Barnes:6

 

[stss30]

I don't understand why everyone is marking Casper so harshly - he had nothing to do, granted, but does that warrant getting a lower mark than everyone else?

 

[Southwick_Seagull]

I don't understand why everyone is marking Casper so harshly - he had nothing to do, granted, but does that warrant getting a lower mark than everyone else?

No one can give him anymore then a 6 because as you said he didn't do anything! Not his fault but what would you like to everyone to give him?

 

[Acker79]

All MK could do was foul him...if you're asking whether I have a problem with him going down when he's persistently fouled then my answer is no.

I didn't notice him getting fouled that much, and certainly not for most of his free kicks (ironically, I only noticed him actually being fouled after a run of diving that got a few free kicks, and the ref didn't give the actual foul).

I don't understand why everyone is marking Casper so harshly - he had nothing to do, granted, but does that warrant getting a lower mark than everyone else?

Because, although he didn't have much to do (so couldn't earn higher marks) there were a couple of moments where he dithered when a ball would be played over our defence, he has plenty of time to come out and collect, he waits, then comes then changes his mind and drops back to his line, at least twice that allowed the MK Dons player to collect the ball (when Ankergren would have got the ball before them comfortably if he either reacted quicker or even just didn't change his mind and go back) at least one other occurrence of this had El Abd collecting the ball instead and having to put it out for a throw in.

The only other thing he had to do was stop the Easter chance in the second half when he came out like he was trying to push someone with his palms facing out and he collided with the player, fortunately getting a little something on the ball - it showed a lack of technique and/or confidence and was a moment that risked conceding a penalty.

I think that might be why he is getting low marks.

 

[ds4000]

Seems a little harsh. It's just a matter of opinions isn't it. He made some nice touches but on a number of occasions was caught in possession or passes went astray. Think he's a very good player and it says a lot about the quality of our midfield, but for me today he never really got into the game.

ok fair point, i take back the

 

[Withdean Wanderer]

Ankergren 7
Calderon - 6
Painter - 7
El-abd - 7
Elphick - 8
Lua Lua - 9
Kishishev - 7
Sparrow - 7
Bennett - 6
Barnes - 4
Murray - 8

Dicker - 5

 

[matthew]

Casper- 7

Painter- 6
Elphick-8
El-Abd-7
Calderon-6

Bennnet- 6.5
Kish-8
Sparrow-6.5
Kazenga- 9

Barnes- 5.5
Murray- 6.5

Subs:
Dicker-5
Smith- 6 but wasn't on long
Bridcutt- "