No New Years Joy

It was a poor display against Sheffield Wednesday and is likely to spell the end to any chances of Unsworth or Alexander being appointed the managerial job permanently. The game highlighted both the lack of ability in our squad and strength in depth.


In an attempt not to dwell on the match for too long, we have decided to just include player ratings from the game, rather than a gruelling and slightly depressing match report.

Player Ratings

• 01 Stuckmann 5- made a crucial error for second goal and kicking was wayward all game, but must remember he has saved us on many occasions recently.
• 02 Gray 6 - Unbelievably awarded M.o.M, looked average, poor control and weak defending, lots of chances created for Wednesday down their left flank in first half.
• 06 Morgan 6 - Didn't do too much wrong, best defender but will be caught out by the better strikers in the division due to his lack of pace.
• 14 Smith 5 - frustrating, delivery was frequently poor and not particularly solid at the back.
• 39 McCombe 5 - got caught out often, extremely slow and distribution not good enough. Need to find better defensive options in the transfer window if we want to make a serious play-off push.
• 08 Coutts 6 - Looks good on the ball, but struggled to create anything mainly due to lack of options up front. Needs to boss the game more.
• 15 Barton 6 - Looked better in a more familiar role, but still too easily bypassed in the centre.
• 16 Mayor 7- should have been M.o.M looked positive on the ball, gained confidence with early runs and troubled defenders. Probably his best game for PNE.
• 17 Parry 6- Just not involved enough, try's hard and does job but doesn't offer enough to the team, he has a good left foot but we don't see it enough. Should have scored header and maybe even the chance that was cleared off the line.
• 07 Hume (Tsoumou 31) 6- early injury disrupted team and as good as ended any chance we had of a comeback. (6- offered more than some players, puts his body between defender and ball, just needs more confidence and more backing off the crowd).
• 09 Proctor (Douglas 58) 5 - very poor, in fairness he didn't look match fit. Touch was bad and had no impact, rightfully substituted, main element of our impotent attacking force. (6- struggled to get involved, a few good touches but can't be critical or put any expectation on his inexperienced shoulders to get us back into the game).