At last the proper stuff is back - after a couple of very indifferent pre season friendlies the season opener arrived. With it being the season opener the missus even graced Roots Hall with her presence as she spend the whole 90 mins saying "whose that" and "whose that" to be fair you couldn't blame her and for the first 45 minutes I think the fact that the new blood hadn't played competitively together showed. The boy on the other hand kept asking; "when are the ladies coming on", referring to the Bluebelles, I really dont know where he's got that from!
Why oh why did people boo Nicky Bailey when his name was called out? Didn't they read Uncle Ron before hand! (Though his comments on Sky Sorts News the night before were ill-advised.) The bloke was our best player last season and while he continues to play for us even if it is until the end of August he continues to command the middle of the park. Apart from the idiotic booing on Bailey the first half was pretty unmemorable but the thing I did notice was the amount of flicks and balls won in the air by the Grandad on show Paul Furlong. I was very sceptical when I first saw he'd been signed for winning balls in the air but he looks a decent signing.
The second half we looked a bit more lively and even more so when Scannell, (who to me looks very much like Craig David from Bo Selecta), was replaced by Betsy and only moments after he had been brought on from a poorly defended corner Peter Clarke stabbed home what turned out to be the winner.
Tilly said after the game: "It was a tough start for us because Peterborough are a good side, but we just edged it, although in hindsight a draw would have been a fair result. But we've got the win and I'm really pleased with that. There were not a lot of chances at either end, but we have taken the one that we got and scored the winner."
Around the League notable goals for Hoops against Leeds and Billy Paynter scored for Swindon against Tranmere - what are the odds on those two scoring at the Hall this season?
Mildenhall - 8; Very nice having a tall commanding keeper - good stop from Mclean.
Francis - 7; Solid - not as attack minded as last season.
Barrett - 7; Kept the danger man that is Mclean quiet throughout.
Clarke - 8; Had a strong game, along with Captain Adam the Posh forwards were never a real danger in the last third. Scored the winner!
Harding - 6; Some good crosses - not Mulgrew but better than Che.
Scannell - 7; Alright, but think he would benefit with a spell out on loan in League Two.
Bailey - 7; Started where he left off, (forgetting May 16th), commanded the middle.
Moose - 7; Looked good - hardly gave ball away, this is his season to show us what he can do.
Walker -7; Like him, but is he going to be one of these strikers we constantly play out on the wing?
Barnard - 7; Always works his hardest - looking forward to an injury free season, fingers crossed.
Barrett - 7; Kept the danger man that is Mclean quiet throughout.
Clarke - 8; Had a strong game, along with Captain Adam the Posh forwards were never a real danger in the last third. Scored the winner!
Harding - 6; Some good crosses - not Mulgrew but better than Che.
Scannell - 7; Alright, but think he would benefit with a spell out on loan in League Two.
Bailey - 7; Started where he left off, (forgetting May 16th), commanded the middle.
Moose - 7; Looked good - hardly gave ball away, this is his season to show us what he can do.
Walker -7; Like him, but is he going to be one of these strikers we constantly play out on the wing?
Barnard - 7; Always works his hardest - looking forward to an injury free season, fingers crossed.
Furlong - 7; Hasn't got any pace but has the brain and won almost everything thrown his way.
Subs:
Betsy - 7 - Only been here two days but already like what I've seen - then again I liked Tommy Black at the start of last season
Revell - 7 - Didn't really do anything but I'll give him time
Grant - 7 - Very very late sub, but always impresses me - liked his keep it in the corner antics with Franny late on