Grimsby 1 Walsall 1 – Player ratings
Following Walsall's 1-1 draw away at Grimsby Town, Liam Keen rates the Saddlers players on their performance.
Liam Roberts - 6
Perhaps he could have done better with the goal and palmed the first effort out of danger, but his defence did not help him. Overall fairly solid.
Liam Kinsella - 7
It was certainly a risk playing Kinsella in right-wing-back, when he is so good in midfield. Although he offered little going forward he was resolute defensively and looked after the ball well.
Tom Leak - 7
Another good showing from the youngster who did nothing wrong and was unlucky not to score. He is turning into a good option for the club.
James Clarke - 6
By no means did Clarke have a bad game but his scuffed clearance, after Roberts clawed the ball towards him, resulted in Grimsby’s goal. An experienced professional needs to find row Z with that.
Mat Sadler - 7
An improved showing on mid-week. Industrious and no-nonsense. It is remarkable, really, that he is able to play twice a week and still perform, aged 36.
Max Melbourne - 5
The left-wing-back only lasted 45 minutes and was fairly poor. He has performed well since joining Walsall but had an off day. Lightweight with the ball and caught out of position often.
Sam Perry - 8
The young midfielder seems to get better each week. Confident and calm on the ball the teenager showed off some skill in the middle of the park. Equally he won the ball back well and provided cover for the defence.
Stuart Sinclair - 6
Hard-working as always and effective at winning the ball back. He lacked some technical quality in the final third at times, but that is not really his game.
Emmanuel Osadebe - 7
Osadebe is one of few players who has emerged with some credit in recent poor performances and has continued to show some sort of consistency. He delivered nice set pieces and showed some neat tricks in the right places. He is starting to look after the ball much better.
Josh Gordon - 7
A hard-working showing and a superb delivery for Lavery’s goal. Much better from the striker who has not looked himself in recent weeks.
Caolan Lavery - 8
A well-taken goal and tireless performance. Again, much improved from the forward. He was far more involved than he was against Southend and, as a result, much more influential on the game.
Substitutes
Callum Cockerill-Mollett (for Melbourne, 45), 6.
Subs not used: Rose, Norman, Bates, Wright, McDonald, Osei Yaw.
