Clifton

[Copps is Magic]

Think some (including me) have been too quick to judge him. Last two games he's been very good - provides an engine that gets the team moving, presses high and covers defensively when needed. Also coped with some stick from the home fans today.

[scawsby steve]

Good signing.

[roversdude]

Were there home fans ?

[jmt23]

It’s a bit silly how people call players out so quickly, and without any need.

Gibson
Clifton
TSL
Sterry

Some always need a scape goat to fixate on.

With Clifton, he is the Biggins replacement and has to be in the team, his energy matched with PK helps the team massively- he also has an ability most never possess. Right place right time in the box.
The Gibson calls are the ones that frustrate me the most. He has done nothing wrong, and all of the ball has been played down the right to Molly. He makes runs and they don’t pass to him, then he gets hooked at half time, that has to be seriously frustrating as a player.

[Chris Black come back]

McCann always wants to start with Molyneux and Gibson, unless they give him a reason not to do this.

[drfchound]

It’s a bit silly how people call players out so quickly, and without any need.

Gibson
Clifton
TSL
Sterry

Some always need a scape goat to fixate on.

With Clifton, he is the Biggins replacement and has to be in the team, his energy matched with PK helps the team massively- he also has an ability most never possess. Right place right time in the box.
The Gibson calls are the ones that frustrate me the most. He has done nothing wrong, and all of the ball has been played down the right to Molly. He makes runs and they don’t pass to him, then he gets hooked at half time, that has to be seriously frustrating as a player.

Three of those were really good today and the other (TSL) didn’t have much to do.

[scawsby steve]

It’s a bit silly how people call players out so quickly, and without any need.

Gibson
Clifton
TSL
Sterry

Some always need a scape goat to fixate on.

With Clifton, he is the Biggins replacement and has to be in the team, his energy matched with PK helps the team massively- he also has an ability most never possess. Right place right time in the box.
The Gibson calls are the ones that frustrate me the most. He has done nothing wrong, and all of the ball has been played down the right to Molly. He makes runs and they don’t pass to him, then he gets hooked at half time, that has to be seriously frustrating as a player.

Three of those were really good today and the other (TSL) didn’t have much to do.

Actually, mate, he made 2 excellent saves. One was from a one on one, the other one , maybe not as noticeable from the away end, was a brave dive at the feet of a Grimsby attacker in the 6 yard box.

[drfchound]

It’s a bit silly how people call players out so quickly, and without any need.

Gibson
Clifton
TSL
Sterry

Some always need a scape goat to fixate on.

With Clifton, he is the Biggins replacement and has to be in the team, his energy matched with PK helps the team massively- he also has an ability most never possess. Right place right time in the box.
The Gibson calls are the ones that frustrate me the most. He has done nothing wrong, and all of the ball has been played down the right to Molly. He makes runs and they don’t pass to him, then he gets hooked at half time, that has to be seriously frustrating as a player.

Three of those were really good today and the other (TSL) didn’t have much to do.

Actually, mate, he made 2 excellent saves. One was from a one on one, the other one , maybe not as noticeable from the away end, was a brave dive at the feet of a Grimsby attacker in the 6 yard box.

I can remember one of them SS but that is all.
Was the other during that mad scramble  in our six yard box.
I haven’t seen the highlights yet.

[Nudga]

I really like Clifton. He does the hard yards and graft and breaks up the play of the opposition,  similar to Bailey which frees up the creative players to do their thing.
Great signing.

[DollyRover]

A few games ago I was questioning whether he was good enough for a regular staring place or if he was someone dependable to bring off the bench or when needed but was very good again today. Long may it continue

[scawsby steve]

It’s a bit silly how people call players out so quickly, and without any need.

Gibson
Clifton
TSL
Sterry

Some always need a scape goat to fixate on.

With Clifton, he is the Biggins replacement and has to be in the team, his energy matched with PK helps the team massively- he also has an ability most never possess. Right place right time in the box.
The Gibson calls are the ones that frustrate me the most. He has done nothing wrong, and all of the ball has been played down the right to Molly. He makes runs and they don’t pass to him, then he gets hooked at half time, that has to be seriously frustrating as a player.

Three of those were really good today and the other (TSL) didn’t have much to do.

Actually, mate, he made 2 excellent saves. One was from a one on one, the other one , maybe not as noticeable from the away end, was a brave dive at the feet of a Grimsby attacker in the 6 yard box.

I can remember one of them SS but that is all.
Was the other during that mad scramble  in our six yard box.
I haven’t seen the highlights yet.

Yes it was, mate.

[danumdon]

Said all along Clifton was the type of player we need in spades. His hunger, drive and desire to get to the ball is unmatched in our side. A midfield full of players with most of his attributes would be league winning i've no doubt.

He got some stick for getting sent off the other week but i bet GM told his to keep doing the exact same thing he always does. You don't rein in players like this, you support them and hope the rest learn from it.

To play like he did today against a side he grew up in tells you everything about his professionalism and desire to succeed.

[Reg of the Rovers]

And he got a good reception from the Grimsby fans - sign of a good lad if fans of his previous club applaud him when he turns out against them. Was very good today, put in a couple of crunching challenges in the middle - just what we need. 

[DonnyOsmond]

Said all along Clifton was the type of player we need in spades. His hunger, drive and desire to get to the ball is unmatched in our side. A midfield full of players with most of his attributes would be league winning i've no doubt.

He got some stick for getting sent off the other week but i bet GM told his to keep doing the exact same thing he always does. You don't rein in players like this, you support them and hope the rest learn from it.

To play like he did today against a side he grew up in tells you everything about his professionalism and desire to succeed.

You need players who can play football in there too. A midfield of Clifton's and Biggins' would be horrific.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Superb today. Exactly the sort of physical player a McCann side needs to work.

Special mention for Broadbent also. Possibly his best match for us. If he can keep that up, I'll understand why McCann rates him so highly.

But MoM today again for me was McGrath. He's becoming a very important player.

[Campsall rover]

I thought Clifton was m.o.m today. Outstanding.

Bailey very solid at CB  McGrath & Sterry we’re very good. Really don’t get all the criticism Sterry gets. Since last February he has been very good in all but the odd game here or there.

Broadbent had his best league game for us today.

Gibson was too hot for the Mariners. Should have had a hat trick but didn’t pull the trigger on a couple of occasions when he should have imo.

Very good all round team performance, just a pity we didn’t go for the jugular 2nd half. That is the big disappointment for me which I can’t understand.

[Reg of the Rovers]

I agree Camps, I thought we were really good, and the crowd was incredible - singing the Gibson song for about 20mins non-stop was goosebumps, but second half we coasted through. With them playing towards us I was hoping they'd put Grimsby to the sword and score another couple, but in the end it was a good win and we got lads minutes and no injuries / suspensions (Olowu aside) so a successful day all in all.

[drfchound]

I agree Camps, I thought we were really good, and the crowd was incredible - singing the Gibson song for about 20mins non-stop was goosebumps, but second half we coasted through. With them playing towards us I was hoping they'd put Grimsby to the sword and score another couple, but in the end it was a good win and we got lads minutes and no injuries / suspensions (Olowu aside) so a successful day all in all.

I as also hoping we would score a goal or two in the second half so we could celebrate with the players.
I think that Sharp could do with a goal too to set him off on a scoring run.
He looks really frustrated on the pitch.

[mushRTID]

I agree Camps, I thought we were really good, and the crowd was incredible - singing the Gibson song for about 20mins non-stop was goosebumps, but second half we coasted through. With them playing towards us I was hoping they'd put Grimsby to the sword and score another couple, but in the end it was a good win and we got lads minutes and no injuries / suspensions (Olowu aside) so a successful day all in all.

I as also hoping we would score a goal or two in the second half so we could celebrate with the players.
I think that Sharp could do with a goal too to set him off on a scoring run.
He looks really frustrated on the pitch.

Sharp was having a bit of a chat with Grant after he went off.
I don’t want to suggest something that isn’t the case, but it looks to me like Billy is pissed off half the time.
The way he was having a go at Kelly too for the second half chance he had seemed a bit OTT

[drfchound]

Billy lives to score goals and if he can get another one on Saturday he will probably go on a scoring spree.

[Pancho Regan]

Wasn’t at the game today but I think Clifton is starting to settle in and show what he can do.

Today will have been a hell of a day for him, having spent all those years at Grimsby.

He will be chuffed to bits that his new team finished as winners.

[StocksArmy]

For me the most important player in the side. Wins the ball high up the pitch, great energy, always committed and makes the right passes.

[graingrover]

There was one tackle in particular from Broadbent which made me sit up thanking goodness I was not on the end of it.I had not seen that from him before.
Clifton’s heat  map, briefly appeared  on screen to show  he had been to almost every share foot  of the pitch

[drfchound]

There was one tackle in particular from Broadbent which made me sit up thanking goodness I was not on the end of it.I had not seen that from him before.
Clifton’s heat  map, briefly appeared  on screen to show  he had been to almost every share foot  of the pitch

That tackle was really strong, you could see him bracing himself to make it.

[pib]

I agree Camps, I thought we were really good, and the crowd was incredible - singing the Gibson song for about 20mins non-stop was goosebumps, but second half we coasted through. With them playing towards us I was hoping they'd put Grimsby to the sword and score another couple, but in the end it was a good win and we got lads minutes and no injuries / suspensions (Olowu aside) so a successful day all in all.

I as also hoping we would score a goal or two in the second half so we could celebrate with the players.
I think that Sharp could do with a goal too to set him off on a scoring run.
He looks really frustrated on the pitch.

Sharp was having a bit of a chat with Grant after he went off.
I don’t want to suggest something that isn’t the case, but it looks to me like Billy is pissed off half the time.
The way he was having a go at Kelly too for the second half chance he had seemed a bit OTT

Looked like Kelly shouted for him to leave it and then produced a powderpuff finish. I think Billy fancied himself to get that chance out of his feet and score. He did seem frustrated that he didn’t get on the scoresheet yesterday, maybe Grant was trying to calm him down a bit.

[StocksArmy]

I would be more worried if he wasn’t p!ssed off when he doesn’t score.

[Nudga]

I thought the 2nd half was the ideal time to get ironside and sharp playing together.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I thought the 2nd half was the ideal time to get ironside and sharp playing together.

It's never going to happen unless we are chasing a game.

Clifton is key here. He's got such an engine that he is both playing central midfield when we are defending and making the runs through to become a second central striker when we attack.

Play two up front and unless you take off one of the wingers, we are very lightning central midfield.

[danumdon]

I thought the 2nd half was the ideal time to get ironside and sharp playing together.

If you are going to go down that road you would also have to swap the wide men over so they were crossing the ball in on their strong foot, we obviously never do that so it would not work in an optimum manner.
We are just not setup to pay the two up top in regular play, it would require a major rethink of the makeup of the side.

[Superspy]

I thought the 2nd half was the ideal time to get ironside and sharp playing together.

It's never going to happen unless we are chasing a game.

Clifton is key here. He's got such an engine that he is both playing central midfield when we are defending and making the runs through to become a second central striker when we attack.

Play two up front and unless you take off one of the wingers, we are very lightning central midfield.

Sounds a bit Whiteman-ish...which I feel like we've missed ever since he left. Somebody genuinely box to box.