ALB 6 : Not nearly as bad as some on here have made out. No defensive cover from the travelling circus for the first (which i was sitting right behind), or the second (Collins hesitated and let Dickinson win the header), and outdone by a good 'un for the third. His kicking was rank, but other than that didn't do a great deal wrong. i defended budtz a la Tree/Grave, but there's no way budtz is a better keeper.

Sweeney 7 : Thought he had a very good game and is one of our most improved players. Rapid and decent in the air, he's done a good job in there both defensively and going forward. Looks like he's enjoying his football, which he definitely wasn't earlier in the year.

Collins 4 : Started off shockingly and got marginally better when we started to get back in the game. Needs to remember what he did when he made such an impression on us last season, i.e do the simple things, don't try to play football, and stick your head in where it hurts.

Nelson 5 : Still thinks he's fookin Maldini at times. Play it simple and short when you can Nelse, but hoof it when there's nowt on. Try to work out the difference between the two situations. Great tackle on Dickinson when he looked like scoring.

Humps 6 : Not one of his best and must have been dizzy in the last five minutes with them running rings round him. Still good in the air, and as good as we have in that position.

Monky 6 : Quieter night for him too. Very unlucky to be booked, then got absolutely clattered by one of them which eventually forced him off. we're not seeing that trademark drag past and run down the left like we did, he seems to want to come inside too often (missus).

Clark 8 : Great great game. Not the quickest, but solid as a rock in the tackle and just seems to have that spare half yard when he's on the ball to pick a pass or find space. Did very well and looks a ready made replacement in there for Boland. Some telling passes last night, not least the crossfield arrow to Porter that set Brown's goal up.

Jones 7 : Steady without being as influential as he has been at home recently. i like the lad, he seems to have grown in confidence a hell of a lot and at his best him and Ben will make it difficult for Lidds to get back in. Shrewd signing.

Brown 7 : Could have been a 6, but he took his goal well. Nice to see him being able to use his strength instead of pure pace and skill to score. Otherwise quiet and perhaps suffered from lack of clear instructions. Electric with the ball at his feet, but he's got to get used to the opposition doubling up on him. Good enough to cope, tho'.

Porter 8 : Not a single teapot last night after I had a word with him. Excellent performance - i don't know what's gone on behind the scenes, but like Sweeney he looks to be relishing playing at the moment. Sublime skill for Brown's goal, and great determination and fitness for his lungbusting charge for the fifth. Never ever thought he's miss the penalty, and he looks to be linking up well with Kyle now as well. We need to get him signed up on whatever deal he wants ASAP. Pools legend in the making.

Kyle 9 : Apart from the daft push that lead to their third goal, that was as near faultless a display of out and out old-style centre forward play that i've seen since big Jon. Won every header, showed some brilliant touches and linked up play superbly. Have only seen him twice at home and understand that he's been gash away, but i can only speak as i find. I know its only one game, but he offers an awful lot more than Mr Barker did. He's a lot more mobile and doesn't just look to chest the ball down and pass it backwards. Played one pass in to Porter , who was adjudged to have handballed it (!), that was absolutely top class. yes he might be in the shop window for someone else to come along and buy him, but that's not his fault. See if we can extend his loan and he'll make a huge difference for us, not least with his defending. Nice to see one of 'our' players taunting the away fans too. Took his second goal brilliantly, and was constantly available. Well done son.

SUBS

Robson 6 : Did give the ball away too much, but his cross for the fourth was textbook.
Liddle n/a

MANAGER : 7 Can't decide whether he needs praising for being in charge of another comeback or dogf*cking for letting us concede crap goals far too often. Actually seems to be alive in the dugout now tho'

OFFICIALS 1/10 : I've seen Mathieson come here and give us everything on a couple of occasions. Well, last night was payback. Inept, inconsistent, picky and just plain crap throughout. wasn't helped by two seven fingered chicken molesting windowlickers lolloping up and down the line either.

Good report that man...

the only thing i would disagree with is monky
i thought he was piss poor last night and has had a poor season up to now
i think he was on a mission to kick each of the udders players as often as he could and thought it was heading for another rochdale away finish for him

Humps was largely anonymous last night and when he did get involved he was lost. No way should he have got a 6,

Brown also drifted out of the game alarmingly at half time so a 7 is a touch high. a 90 minute peformance would have warrented a 7

Other than them, the ratings are fair enough.

Clark was outstanding.

gee, thanks dad

I thought he was poor last night but on the whole he's been one of our top 5 players this season for me, home and away.

You are welcome son. Now get that homework done!!!

chip i took it as read that nelson would be the wrong side anyway, but it was still a very well timed tackle.

you know about those, don't you rob styles sends you off for doing them and screwing his coupon

I bet if Dickinson had hit the deck, it would have been a pen.
But it WAS an excellent tackle, the ref was totally inept.

Did he get sent off?

no he got freedom of the borough

So ALB gets a 6 despite being at fault for 2 more goals.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Your the only person who doesnt think he was at fault for both free kicks.

Says a lot about your knowledge.

can you be any more predictable? just a question like.

he not only gave the fouls in the first place, but then he made the defenders on the first one all miss a fookin scuffed shot, but he also influenced the curve of the ball for the second with his flailing arm.

you're right, there is only you knows about football. you rule.

Writing in English would help.

Couldnt care less who gave free kick away, he is there to stop the ball once its past the defenders. He stood and watched two feeble efforts just pass into the net. Again.

He also let another one through his hands which hit the post.

But hey, he didnt give free kick away so its not his fault!

quit yo jibber jabber fool, afore i smack you upside the head.

goddamn mo-fo

tree, you're a boring one-trick pony, but i still love you

Fag

no mention of this serious crime on the boards?

No, no, I'm strong; I'll resist...

Tree, you're really setting yourself up with comments like that!

let's face it, tree's fcuked on so many levels that grammar is the least of his worries

ALB was at fault for the third in my opinion. He was stood to the left hand side of his goal and could get nowhere near it. If it had gone in his right hand corner then I wouldn't have faulted him but the goal proves he is easily beatable from any free kick as long as it goes in the corner.

I said it earlier in the season and I'll say it again, Dimi would save the majority of goals ALB concedes

You're repeating yourself again.

ALB was at fault for the first, most keepers would have saved that to be honest.

And Dimi would have saved the third.

The third was definately saveable, it was at a decent height and it was not exactly scraping the post. The 2nd goal was probably unsaveable but many keepers would have got the third.

IMO like (not that anyone cares)