"Sometimes the answer is right under your nose. I just hope it's not an opportunity missed"
...or words to that effect from Steve Claridge on The Football League Show tonight.
There was always going to be a question mark against today. Confidence high on the back of a 4 match unbeaten run, everyone happy - coach, players, staff, fans. But then along comes a new coach and a loss of momentum after the feel good tenure of Redders. Would we have lost under NR today anyway? Did we just have an off day? Has the arrival of Darko upset the applecart with him trying to impose his ideas on a squad who seemed to be finding their feet of late?
In short, we'll never know. I always wondered about the merits of introducing a new coach when the team is playing better and getting results, but ultimately, it's a case of that's how it is so we have to get on with it. At the end of the day it's the players who have to take responsibility. In the past, NR didn't get much out of the players when caretaker but then he didn't have much to work with - that's the crux of the matter.
It's different now. We have better players but they are still in their infancy time-wise as a team. We were always going to lose at some point in time. It's happened now and perhaps it's just checked some of our expectations which, while disappointing, may not be a bad thing. We move on to the next game. Darko has had his introduction to English football, it's one game. There are another 30+ games to go so let's put it behind us and support the lads and the new coach. Time will tell how well we do.
Still, I just can't forget Claridge's remarks tonight and wonder if there might not be more than a grain of truth in them.
MOT
One step back....?
posted on 28/9/14
Agreed Mike,
It's understandable, under Redders, why we haven't seen other players getting a chance, an unbeaten run is an unbeaten run; if it ain't bust, don't fix it.
The commentator mentioned that Cook, as good as he has shown himself to be, was on his last legs around 15 minutes into second half, and Mowatt wasn't cutting it as good as he had previously.
I think Cook could suffer burn out if he isn't rested for a couple of games, or put on bench, same could happen with Mowatt.
We have fresh legs in Monty, Del Fabro, Adryan, Cook and Benedicci, and they'll all be chomping at bit to get a game, and I'm sure want to prove themselves.
Berardi rotates himself at moment, and despite others thinking of him, he's a good defender who's taking a little longer to settle, but we should be able to settle him like we did Bellusci.
I agree, I think we'll see some players rotated for Reading game, and it can only be good for team.
Having said that, I think Darko has a few things to learn about the English game at this level as well.
posted on 28/9/14
I think Cook could suffer burn out if he isn't rested for a couple of games,
We have fresh legs in Monty, Del Fabro, Adryan, Cook
--------
Classic!
posted on 28/9/14
Reminds me of David Coleman many, many years ago watching the results come through on the vidi-printer and pronouncing:
"Manchester Utd 1, Manchester Utd 0. And that leaves Manchester Utd without a win of any kind in the last 4 games"
posted on 28/9/14
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
I think Cook could suffer burn out if he isn't rested for a couple of games,
We have fresh legs in Monty, Del Fabro, Adryan, Cook
--------
Classic!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I completely agree that Cook needs to be carefully used. It's not only a classic statement, it is exactly how you need to bring kids on. But, he is delivering a great role and one of the others needs to provide the same input and standard
posted on 28/9/14
Let's change that Cook to Cooper shall we.
I just love it when Jonty finds something original to attack me for, it shows his lack of intelligence in believing a small mistake is a huge mistake and defines a person.
Mind you, we have to keep the pets amused from time to time.........here you go Jonty boy, have another peanut..... peanut.
Derr, your head hurts.
posted on 28/9/14
Didn't get chance to see the game huh Luvr?
Tell me, when was the last game you attended? Have you ever been, ever?
posted on 28/9/14
Have another peanut, peanut
Is that the chorus to your next rap.....?
posted on 29/9/14
I'm very tempted eccers, but it' not for me to be the attacker, I just reply....
posted on 29/9/14
posted on 29/9/14
Didn't get chance to see the game huh Luvr?
Tell me, when was the last game you attended? Have you ever been, ever?
------------------------------------
It's an age old question - but does attending a game define a fan?
Doesn't for me. Plenty of fans live miles away, countries away - doesn't make them any less loyal - in fact you could argue they show more dedication than someone living 10 minutes away.
Then there's affordability. I find the money each year, and hopefully will for years to come. But if I got made redundant and couldn't afford - i'd still follow my club, but more from a distance. Anyone travelling more than an hour has to add in travel costs to an already increasingly expensive passion. Friend of mine brought his 2 lads from Lincoln recently - £250 it cost him, in match tickets and other stuff on the day (admittedly 2 x shirts for the lads on the day). For that reason he makes it to about 4 games a season. No one on these boards is more passionate about his team than he is.
Total non-argument about attending games - plenty on these boards don't - even some of the more regular and "informed" contributors.