We walked out of last night's game feeling pretty subdued until it occurred to us that we were top, with a fifth consecutive clean sheet. Players like Phillips and BAE are short of being 100% fit, Austin is not yet showing his undoubted predatory instinct and we have players like Hoilett and Johnson to come back in. Nico will, in time, provide a bit of culture if only he can get fit. Whilst Neddy getting injured was/is a worry, a centre back pairing of Hill and Dunne is still better than any other in this league and Benny getting game time is a positive out of that particular negative. There is also no doubt that the manager intends to recruit a striker in the loan market.
Meanwhile, we are not ripping teams to pieces, partly because we don't have the pace without Hoilett and a 100% match fit Phillips/BAE and also because teams are flooding the middle and making it hard to break them down - which would be easier if the pace was there and we could actually pass the football to another hooped shirt once in a while.
So, by the time all of the above was analysed the only conclusion was that we have won 5 and drawn 2, no losses and only 2 goals conceded: we can only get better as an attacking force when all are 100% fit and another striker (2 would be better) is added: top of the table while the likes of Reading and Wigan (both of whom were predicted by many to have a far better chance of going back up first time round than us) look up the table at us and know they have work to do to match us.
Glass certainly half full rather than empty and, as much as the secret to winning this league is picking up 3 points at home and being hard to beat on the road, we have a bit in the bank thanks to the wins at Leeds and Bolton.
We may not be enjoying the football yet, but fitness and understanding are key and that will come soon, Harry is not a defensive minded manager by trade and will sort it once the recruits are all gelled and match fit and most importantly of all, the adage that a good team manages to win and pick up points even when not playing well is very true
COYR
Meanwhile, we are not ripping teams to pieces, partly because we don't have the pace without Hoilett and a 100% match fit Phillips/BAE and also because teams are flooding the middle and making it hard to break them down - which would be easier if the pace was there and we could actually pass the football to another hooped shirt once in a while.
So, by the time all of the above was analysed the only conclusion was that we have won 5 and drawn 2, no losses and only 2 goals conceded: we can only get better as an attacking force when all are 100% fit and another striker (2 would be better) is added: top of the table while the likes of Reading and Wigan (both of whom were predicted by many to have a far better chance of going back up first time round than us) look up the table at us and know they have work to do to match us.
Glass certainly half full rather than empty and, as much as the secret to winning this league is picking up 3 points at home and being hard to beat on the road, we have a bit in the bank thanks to the wins at Leeds and Bolton.
We may not be enjoying the football yet, but fitness and understanding are key and that will come soon, Harry is not a defensive minded manager by trade and will sort it once the recruits are all gelled and match fit and most importantly of all, the adage that a good team manages to win and pick up points even when not playing well is very true
COYR
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