Another home win for Mark Cooper’s side saw Yeovil Town go thirteen points clear of second placed Worthing. Ian was in the press box at Huish Park to see the 3-1 win over Slough and here are his conclusions…..
I thought it was an entertaining first half. Yeovil dominated the ball and controlled things, but the way Slough pressed in the first half and tried to prevent Yeovil from playing out from the back impressed me. Clearly it was impossible to maintain, but the visitors gave a good account of themselves and made things hard for Yeovil to get the rhythm going. That said, the Glovers had chances that they should have done better with, Pearson in particular had two big chances that you’d want him to make more of.
Matt Worthington stepped up again. When the team news came out with know obvious right back on the graphic, there was a question around formation. Thankfully (you know my feelings on wingbacks by now reader) we retained the shape that has made us so successful this season with Worthington filling in for the injured Michael Smith. It was clear from the outset that we were looking to get Worthy in the same positions that Smith occupies so successfully. While he didn’t get a massive amount of joy in the first half, at the beginning of the second half Charlie Cooper’s perfect pass picked out the skipper who finished superbly. We all want Michael Smith back soon, but it looks like we’ve got someone else who can do the job too.
Charlie Cooper was a force in the middle of the pitch. He gets his criticism, unfairly at times, but I thought Cooper was crucial centrally with Worthington out wide. His assist was as good as they come, and he did the dirty work that he does so well. I thought he and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton worked well together, proving there’s another partnership that works nicely in the middle. Unfortunately, he hobbled off before the final whistle after putting in a tackle (that I winced at to be honest) and getting booked. Fingers crossed on that one…
? “He’s top of the league, he’s top of the leeeeeeague….”?
Note the angelic light shining down as @FrankNouble calmly slots home a third.
?: @Gloversgirl pic.twitter.com/tTVTJHkwBg
— Gloverscast ?⚽️? (@gloverscast) January 30, 2024
Frank Nouble’s experience is so important in the run in. Is it too soon to call it a run in? Either way, with the experience of Rhys Murphy, Michael Smith and Jake Hyde all missing right now, and with uncertainty around the timeline of their returns, Frank Nouble is the experience at the front end of the pitch now. Mark Cooper described him as the “Guv’nor” (see also Governor) following the win last night, and you can feel his influence on the young players around him. He took ownership of the penalty, as you’d expect, and dispatched it calmly. What a spell he’s enjoying right now. Also, he’s top of the league.
Alex Whittle is Mr Dependable. It might sound like a bit of a lame superhero, but every team needs an Alex Whittle in my book. He didn’t do anything spectacular last night, in fact, I’m not sure he’s done anything spectacular all season. However, you can absolutely bank on him to put a brilliant shift in, work his socks off (© C.Hargreaves) and get the job done. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, in fairness there’s a lot to go round, but if you roll back to the summer and look at our signings he’s one of the best we’ve made. Quality left back, no fuss, no nonsense. Mint.
It’s interesting how in love with Charlie Cooper Gloverscast is! Your point above about him doing the job with Worthington in the back 4 sort of proves the point of his detractors. We play more entertaining football with 1 defensive midfielder and 1 more attacking playmaker. So which would you pick, Worthington or Cooper?
I wouldn’t say I’m in love with him, I thought he had a very good game on Tuesday. I think he’s a bit of a scapegoat at times and I thought he was poor when he came back into the side but has improved as he’s returned to full fitness.
I’d pick Worthington, although I think they’re slightly different players.