For the first time in what seems like a good while, an out of form side hasn’t turned its fortunes around against us. It was dubbed as must win and well, that’s what we did.
After last week’s mauling at Cardiff, we needed to put things right against a badly out of form Hull City side. The days leading up to this match were dominated by our fruitless search for new signings and the bizarre comments from Jack Rodwell. Saturday’s result was so much sweeter as our threadbare squad dug in and the positive result will help to brush aside these remarks from Rodwell, although it is obvious we desperately need reinforcements still.
It wasn’t much of a surprise when the starting line-up was confirmed, a midfield three of Lee Cattermole, George Honeyman and Ethan Robson looked on paper to be not the strongest; however, to all accounts they worked well as a three and there was a lot of positives to accompany Robson’s performance. He could well be the latest academy product to make it into the first team, following in the footsteps of Gooch, Maja, Honeyman, Asoro as players who have taken their opportunity and showed up their senior counterparts (cough cough, Rodwell).
This three in the middle of the park could prove to be key if we are to stay in the division. The triangle in there with Honeyman playing further forward with Catts and Robson in behind means that we have plenty of bodies defensively at any given moment, but still have options going forward.
Whichever games Coleman decides to go bold and play two up top this triangle would work, I’d struggle to think of many centre midfielders in the division who could cope with the energy of Robson and Honeyman; it could be even better with Gooch and a fully fit Johnny Williams as additional options. Until then one can always try their luck at www.casinosverige.me/free-spins.
The remainder of the season, regardless of how we are doing, will see the spine of the team being built out of predominantly younger players. With Browning and Clark-Salter at the back, Honeyman and Robson/Gooch in the middle and Asoro and Maja up top, we will have energy and commitment in abundance. Something which was also pleasing to see was the positive comments about O’Shea and Cattermole. They’ve had a lot of stick for poor performances, but it was good to see them getting praise where it was deserved.
Saturday’s 1-0 was not the prettiest, but the way in which the players donned their tin hats and dug in is a quality which has been absent for a lot of the season. Its timely return might just be enough to allow us to crawl to safety. We’re still right in the mire, but a repeat performance at Birmingham a week on Tuesday will really have us moving in the right direction.
Here's hoping…
