It’s been a good few days since this game; we’ve been busy. Still no win for the Legion but a much better overall performance despite the fact that they were basically playing against 12 (and with only 10 for 21 minutes). Here’s how we saw the various contributions:
GK: JASSEM KOLEILAT – B+
Jassem got his first Championship clean sheet (although the offside against Sadat Anaku was very tight; about the only decision in the Legion’s favor all game). He made just 2 saves in the game; one was routine but the other was a potential Save of the Week nominee of a Barry Coffey free kick). His passing was good again: 75.9% accurate on 29 tries.
LB: DAWSON MCCARTNEY – B
Dawson went 70 minutes in this one. He was not overly threatened defensively, making just 1 clearance all game and no duels at all. In the attack he sent in 1 unsuccessful cross but created 2 scoring chances. He also connected on 37 of 39 passes although only 2 were long (both were good).
CB: RAMIZ HAMOUDA – A
The Legion’s resident teenager got the start and went the whole way, which seems somehow very appropriate on Education Day, He was also extremely busy. He racked up 1 tackle, 10 clearances and 2 interceptions and also won 7 of 8 duels, including all 3 in the air. And that while being fouled 3 times. He found a target on his only cross, counting as a chance creation; passing was decent at 81% on 58 attempts. For all that he gets our Man of the Match award.
CB: PHANUEL KAVITA – B
Back in the lineup from a forced rest, Phanny was strong as the team captain, although his stats were not outstanding. He made 2 tackles and 5 clearances. Surprisingly, he won only 4 of 8 duels and despite his height all four losses were in the air. He was credited with a chance creation and his passing accuracy was high at 91.9% on 37 tries.
RB: NICO BROWN – B
Another beneficiary of the squad rotation, Nico played 70 minutes before getting hurt and put in a solid effort. 1 tackle and 2 clearances were all he had to provide, but he won 5 of 7 duels. He attempted 3 crosses overall, none connecting, but was responsible for creating a chance. Only 24 passes but all but 3 were good.
LDM: SAM SHASHOUA – A-
Playing as the attacking half of the double pivot (the Legion largely played a 4-2-3-1 rather than the announced 4-3-2-1) Sam did not do much on defense, losing 10 of 14 duels. However, he took a total of 5 shots (of 16 total) albeit with only 1 on target. Add 2 unsuccessful crosses and he accounted for 5 chances created. His accuracy rate was sky high at 94.3% on 53 passes.
CDM: SETH ANTWI – B-
The defensive half of the pivot was not put under much pressure. Seth made 2 clearances, 1 block and 1 interception and was in just 1 duel (which he won). He took a shot, which was blocked, and connected on 35 of 39 passing attempts.
RDM: KADEEM COLE – B-
Yet another new starter, Kadeem played a rather weird support role to Seth and was somewhat invisible for much of the time. 3 tackles and 3 for 3 in duels. He was credited with no attacking plays but was ok in his 37 passes with an 89.2% accuracy rate.
LAM: GEVORK DIARBIAN – A
Mark my words: Gevork is going to be a star in this league. Yeah, that’s based on just 2 games but his commitment and work rate are both manifestly clear, Another 5-shot producer: 1 on target, 1 off and 3 blocked. Good for 2 scoring chances. For his efforts he was fouled a whopping 7 times. Also 1 tackle, 3 blocks and involved in a massive 18 duels (winning 11). Amazingly, only 9 passes, but 8 were good.
RAM: TYLER PASHER – B+
It didn’t seem like Tyler took just 2 shots, but that’s what the stat book says. Both were blocked. He sent in 2 crosses but both went astray. 2 tackles and 2 blocks on defense though along with winning 5 of 7 duels. A hefty 42 passes for a striker, good 85.7% of the time.
FWD: ROMARIO WILLIAMS – B-
Romario went almost the entire way, subbed off in the 87th minute. He played more as a false 9 than an out-and-out striker. He was in excellent scoring position a couple of times but was unable to get the service (which clearly frustrated him). 2 shots, 1 off target, 1 blocked. He also got the Legion’s only justifiable yellow card.
SUB: SAM MCILLHATTON – B-
In for Dawson, Sam put in 1 shot late but it was from distance and wildly off target. 2 clearances and good on 7 of 9 passes. Not an impressive performance by any stretch.
SUB: LEO DURU – B
Poor Leo. Yellow-carded before even taking the field to replace Nico he went just 7 minutes before getting a second yellow for colliding with Hartford goalkeeper Anthony Siaha. Neither card was justifiable in my opinion. In his brief time he had a shot of target and made 2 clearances. He’ll have to wait a while for his next appearance unfortunately.
SUB: SERGE NGOMA – B-
One last new face in the game, Serge played the last 10 minutes. With the team down a man he was essentially additional insurance but really was not involved in any meaningful action.
HC: JAY HEAPS – A-
Jay played it smart with his team selection, making 4 changes to the starting lineup (one of which – A.J. Paterson – was due to injury). He had the team playing hard from the get-go in an aggressive and flowing style we are not accustomed to seeing from the Legion. The first half especially was a joy to watch before Hartford got ugly. This was definite progress.
