A little pessimistic to be honest
I am not going to lie, but I’m a little worried about the boys in red, but I will soon see for myself as I will be at the Leicester game on Saturday. Subject of course to it not raining!
I may be a little pessimistic, but I’m actually preparing myself for a relegation battle, which I am okay with, as long as the players show the mettle for it. One thing that Powell needs to address is how we start home games. Potential relegation battle aside our home form is critical to keeping the positivity around the club towards these players and the manager. Although this particular blogger remains 100% behind Chris Powell.
Why do I say relegation battle? Well the table shouldn’t be too regarded in August, I normally look at it more longingly after 10 games but what concerns is me is that this early run of games should, on paper, have brought more points, accepting that this league is very unpredictable. Leicester being the first game, that looked tough when the fixtures were drawn.
A determination for me is how our opponents have faired so far and none of teams that we’ve met have broken down any early doors, Donny actually aside who have had a very good start. Barnsley have conceded 12 goals in 4 games losing 3 of them. Boro’s win at The Valley remains their only one, plus they lost in the League Cup at home to Accrington, the leagues bottom club. Bournemouth have won both their home games, but have let in 11 on the road.
The greatest concern is our defence, an area that has served us very well over the last two seasons. Michael Morrison appears to be lacking confidence and leadership, strange bearing in mind he has captained the side recently, which perhaps might be one job too many for the 25-year old. Wiggins is still returning to full fitness from an injury strewn 12 months, but some suggest that his head has been turned.
Defence is an area of speciality for Powell and as long as he makes brave decisions then I am confident he can address our shortcomings.
Word on the street is that Powell has crossed swords with the owners. Hardly surprising, and I would expect it surrounded transfers. Personally I don’t expect anyone else to join by the end of the window, with Powell told to sit it out until January, or utilise the loan market, which re-opens on September 8th.
One early plus point has been Jordan Cousins. I was told on good authority that Jimenez blocked Powell last season bringing in a left-sided midfielder and suggested for him to throw in Callum Harriott. I wonder if the same conversation happened recently regarding a central midfielder?
I have never seen Cousins play in the flesh, but I am always excited about an academy graduate breaking into the team, and I am looking forward to hopefully seeing him play for myself on Saturday.
Before then we travel to Huddersfield in the Capital One Cup in the rarefied air of the 2nd Round. I expect Powell to make changes but I’d like him to test one or two ideas or partnerships around the side. For example, to me, it would make a lot of sense to continue with Gower and Cousins in the middle. Wood and Cort would be useful to see as well. I hope Evina plays and Joe Piggott deserves another start too. Anyhow if you are going, you have my upmost respect and I hope that you will see a performance to be proud off.
I think that you will enjoy watching Cousins, the space for young players is the upside of being stretched for cash. There were a lot of rumours on Saturday that Powell is to be replaced by Gus Poyet, but I don’t see how we could afford him.
Sadly I’m with you CA. I try to remain positive but I can’t deny I’m more than a tad concerned. Hope we’re wrong…
No, don’t do it Ted.
I witness the ‘match’ (!!) on Saturday and read all the adverse comments about our performance. Donny were playing from the better half – their goalkeeper was not badly hampered by the conditions like ours. The covered end was the part which suffered more from the surface water and our goal mouth was a quagmire. when the ball was bounced in that area it stuck. the Doncaster goalkeeper made three excellent saves against some good attacking play by Charlton which every one seems to forget – set against the handicap for our defence from the pitch which despite all the reports was not the same for both sides. after the suspension we were the better team and had more ambition about our play. against ten men with their main defender missing in the second half I had a feeling we would have pulled back a two goal deficit and even gone on to win. It is very early days in a long season so it needs not to be all doom and gloom.