To begin with, BT Sport reliably informed their viewers (both of them) that Craig Reid was one of our substitutes.
What’s in a name?
Not much, if the Tranmere game is anything to go by.
To begin with, BT Sport reliably informed their viewers (both of them) that Craig Reid was one of our substitutes. That must have come as a surprise to Courtney Wildin, who had been told he was on the bench. When the game kicked off, BT Commentator Steve Bower thought we were Mansfield. Yellow can be so confusing, can’t it? Later in the game, they improved on this by referring to Robbie McDaid as ‘McNay’ and ‘McNaid’, even when they could clearly see his name on the back of his shirt. Incredibly, this desperate state of affairs continued even after he had scored.
Next. Referee Adrian Holmes appeared to believe the Tranmere players did not possess names at all, so did not see any point in trying to take any of them. Even a WWF-style headlock by Matthew Hill went unrecorded, but in stepped the fearless BT Sport experts to sort it out for us: co-commentator Adam Virgo first stated his opinion that there was no harm in the challenge, then called the offending player ‘Hall’.
However, we know for sure that Mr Holmes likes Lincoln City players because he has collected most of their names this season. In fact, the only two names on his pristine red card so far are Luke Waterfall and now Bradley Wood. They used to call them ‘homers’; I don’t have enough space to list all the names they call them now.
Finally, Bradley Wood did himself no favours on national television by referring to his arm as his chest. If only he had given his name to the referee as ‘Taylor-Fletcher’.
At the end of all this, Mansfield actually put in a good shift with ten men despite no one knowing who they were. A well-taken header from that lad on loan from Barnet…you know the one I mean…you know, that young lad…Paris…and another from that Welsh boy Roddy McNeigh should have been enough to earn a point, but no one could really begrudge Tottenham their winner. Their manager Gabby Brabinger was gracious in victory but was clearly delighted to win a game that almost escaped them. Are they heading for the play-offs, though? BT’s expert panel of Ronnie Moore (ex-Tranmere player and manager) and Mark Palios (ex-Tranmere player and current Chairman) think they are, so no bias there, then.
As for our average player ratings, star man this week was TERRY HAWKRIDGE, taking top spot for the first time since the home game against Braintree. Numerous clever balls into the box produced two goals, but it could have been more. Here’s hoping he can reproduce this form more regularly than he has, because he is a real threat when on form.
“Great balls across but I wish he would overlap a bit more” (Sheff imp)
In joint second come on-loan striker ROBBIE MCDAID (take note of the spelling here, BT) for his impact from the bench and cracking header, and CHRIS BUSH, who put in a very solid performance in a three-man defence in the face of a substantial Tranmere onslaught. With his Lincoln City future apparently undecided, Bush needs a few more like this in the final six games of the season if he is to extend his stay beyond May. If only he could find some finesse from somewhere.
McDaid: “Great attitude, looks dangerous” (Scotimp)
Bush: “Steady, wasted some good long throw chances though” (Red Wimp)
The average team score of 5.75 was the best for three games but still below the par score of 6.00 due in large part to poor marks for Bradley Wood.
So, despite a battling performance from 10 men, the record books will simply show that City went down to a 3-2 defeat to Tranmere, their goals coming from Maris and McDaid. Or, as BT would probably have it, from Marriage and McNerd.
1. Terry Hawkridge 7.17
2. Robbie McDaid, Chris Bush 7.00
4. Jack Muldoon, Alex Simmons 6.00
6. George Maris 5.92
7. Luke Waterfall 5.75
8. Alan Power 5.58
9. Paul Farman, Lee Beevers 5.50
11. Greg Tempest 5.00
12. Matt Rhead 4.83
13. Bradley Wood 3.50
Average Player Ratings For August
Average Player Ratings For September
Average Player Ratings For October
November Player Ratings: Not That Donkey Again!
Average Player Ratings For December
January Player Ratings: It’s A Funny Old Game, Saint!
February Player Ratings: It’s Dinah Washington This Month!
Average Player Ratings V Aldershot Town
Average Player Ratings V Macclesfield Town
Average Player Ratings V Kidderminster Harriers
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