 |
| Image source: Damon Campion/ @SUFCOfficial |
After the excitment of the late victory over Bury on Saturday, Any Old Iron take a look at six key points from the game.
Having won the previous two League One matches without so much as conceding a goal, we travelled to Gigg Lane with an air of optimism about what was to come.
From the off, United looked good, and showed no signs that they had travelled to the game to secure only the one point – We were going for all three.
So, what did we feel were the key talking points from the game?
1) Murray Wallace and Rory McArdle are a rock together – There has never been any doubt in Wallace’s ability, he is widely seen as one of the best centre backs at League One level, and rightly so.
With that said, it did feel as though it may take a few games for the Scot and summer signing McArdle to gel, but now they have, it’s glorious.
The Bury game didn’t pass without a scare or two, but the centre half pairing were impressive once more, and teams are finding it increasingly harder to score against us.
2) Levi Sutton is phenomenal – We are fast running out of superlatives to throw at young Levi.
Since Jordan Clarke’s injury, he has come in and impressed in every game I’ve seen.
Once Clarke is fully fit again, you would expect him to jump back into the right back spot, but the way Sutton has been playing, it won’t happen.
Sutton made a handful of appearances last year, and although he did impress – especially against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane – you could tell he was nervous, and prone to the odd mistake.
I wasn’t at Plymouth, so can’t comment on his performance there, but for me, he has gone from a reserve reserve last season, to someone who should be one of the first names on team sheet. Bravo.
3) Gilks fills us with so much confidence – The bloke is constantly talking to his defenders, giving them instructions and encouragement, and it’s so good to see.
Everytime a shot comes in that would usually worry us, he seems to get down with ease, making it all look so simple.
What were Wigan doing letting him leave to a promotion rival on a free? Who cares, we can only thank them, and continue to admire one of the best ‘keeper’s I’ve seen don the shirt.
4) Adelakun was robbed of a worldie – Poor Hakeeb. The youngster’s free kick from the left wing went all the way in, and should have rightfully given the Iron the lead just after the break, but it was not to be.
Regardless of whether there was a ‘push’ on Joe Murphy from McArdle, I fail to see how he would of stopped that – it was a perfect strike.
All-in-all, it was another good game for Haks, who like Sutton has gone from being a bench warmer to one of our key players. Long may it continue.
5) I want your body everybody wants your body, Lee Novak – Having signed two days earlier, it didn’t take long for the Iron faithful to invent a new chant for Novak.
On the game, having came off the bench late on, he put himself about well and looked a real handful, which is exciting.
On another day, and with a bit more confidence, his first touch of the game (a header after a Neal Bishop cross) would have resulted in a goal.
6) We’ve got Morris! – The goals are back, the celebrations are back, and Morris is back to being the best winger the league has to offer.
In my time supporting the Iron, I have never had so much confidence that from a free kick in a good position, we have a player who can make the goal keeper work almost every time.
There are a lot of our fanbase eating their humble pie at the moment with regards to Morris, but I bet they’re bloody glad to be doing so.
#UTI
Any Old Iron 