Ian was at a resplendent Huish Park for the lunchtime kickoff as the Glovers carved through Gateshead again and again. Here are his Five Conclusions…
The first half was as complete a performance as I can remember. The Glovers were scintillating from the off. Breaking forward at pace, perpetual motion from the forward players and it took just 2 minutes for Ste Walker to bag his second goal in green and white. In truth, it should have been four by half time. Ryan Jones hit the bar, Walker couldn’t get his feet untangled, Charlie Lennon caused all sorts of problems and the Glovers had 8 shots on target in the first half. It was probably the first time since Gateshead at home last season that we’d seen such a performance…
The midfield duo are finding their feet. Brett McGavin, who Gateshead clearly hadn’t watched, was given the license to dictate all afternoon. When McGavin is given the sort of time he was afforded he will control the tempo and pick out pass after pass after pass. But, he has had the perfect partner in Zain Westbrooke. Westbrooke is the ever-willing runner who quietly goes about his business. He’s one of those that may go unnoticed during a game, but lose him and it’ll leave an almighty hole.
We’ve got fantastic depth. It’s a testament to the recruitment and the ownership group that we’ve got the most depth I can recall us having in National League, if not further back. The be able bring on Loick Ayina, Mason Obeng, Hayden Muller, Slavi Spasov and Johl Powell and have the levels not drop shows how far we’ve come. They’d be starters in previous seasons and there’s still the likes of Jack Kingdon, Joe Gubbins, James Daly and Joe Haigh that weren’t available or didn’t get on the pitch.
Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.
Super Luke McCormick. It’s only taken three matches but the skipper looks to be back to his mercurial best. His goals yesterday were calmness personified, in those moments he was the coolest head in Huish Park we needed that to finally put a game to bed this season. We saw that sort of performance so many times before his injury last season and to see it this soon is promising. Chants of ‘Super Luke McCormick’ rang out of the Thatchers yesterday, the chant solly reserved for Super Gav has been passed on.
What is this feeling? Is it confidence? Is it comfort? Have you ever seen such a one-sided highlight package in our favour? There was a moment yesterday where we had Gateshead chasing shadows and it reminded me of us, and how teams come to Huish Park and give us the run around. Yesterday, we were the dominant team and we have set a benchmark now for what we are capable of. Next weekend will be another challenge with two fixtures so close together but for the first time in years, I’ve got confidence in the Glovers.
Try and get the Main Stand, and Screwfix singing “Super Luke McCormick” too. Put the words up around by the tea bars, or include a song sheet if you buy a programme.
Totally agree – most complete performance we have seen for years. Also spot on regarding Zain Westbrooke – quietly gets on with the job and easy to overlook. Billy thinks we won’t see the best of the team until November time – can’t wait!
Maybe he’s underpromising on purpose…
Exactly. Managing expectations = less pressure on players which in turn produces better performances.
With the invocation of Super Gav is Somerset’s Cathedral of Sport rising from the carnage of the turbulant priest….?
It certainly felt like it yesterday. Some sparking play on the flanks and MacGavin imperious in midfield. My man of the match.
First game under lights and I’ll be watching for comets in the sky.
Thanks for the conclusions – absolutely agree 👍 That first goal was a highlight reel special – eight players involved!
Is Ryan Jones the closest we have seen to the original Super Gav? He glides effortlessly past defenders, can make the killer pass and can strike the ball with pace (inches lower…that’s 2-0). He’s a decent defender as well – good positioning and makes sensible plays when nothing is on. He is IMO our most influential player and by default would be one of our greatest losses if he were to get injured. Something Gateshead had a few goes at when trying to stop him.
Quietly a few % more confident this will be a good season.
Over the course of a season, I think there is still the need to recruit that experienced Goalkeeper. Back up incase of injuries. What are Yeovil relying on? The Goalkeeper coach I think? Most quality teams have at least 3 options for in goal. We should be included in that bracket.
Someone who’s been up in the EFL, League 1/2 or Championship, maybe winding down their career, a name we might of heard of.