Whilst it would be unfair to say we played well and dominated, our 2-0 victory against Ipswich Town was crucial in that it ended a run of three consecutive league defeats. Two late goals separated two poor sides but may just be enough to kick-start a better run of form.
I'm sure we'll all agree that Saturday’s performance was not good enough for a side looking to finish in the top two. It took us 85 minutes to register a single shot on target and we struggled to put a decent move together all game. We still looked a shadow of the side that thrashed Cheltenham, comfortably saw off Wycombe and looked set to cruise into the Championship just a few weeks ago.
Whilst we largely kept it tight at the back, the lads looked devoid of ideas and direction going forward. We constantly gave away possession and lacked quality in the final third.
But one thing we can, and should, credit the lads on was their desire. As a group of supporters, we've had to endure our fair share of players who seemingly feel as if our club isn't worthy of them. After countless wayward passes, frustrating moments and failed attacking moves, the will to win the game never died.
It was through this desire that we were able to break the deadlock, via Alex Pritchard's deep cross from a corner and Luke O'Nien's cushioned header, before admittedly getting a bit of luck being awarded a penalty, which Aiden McGeady slotted home to seal the deal.
Leaving the Stadium of Light on Saturday provided a real mixture of emotions. The relief felt from the game being over with a massive three points secured was mixed with a lot of frustration at another performance that simply was not up to the standard of a team hoping to achieve automatic promotion.
But while Saturday wasn't anywhere near perfect, at least it was a start. We've turned the corner following three consecutive league defeats and an embarrassing FA Cup exit. We now head to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening, a side in the relegation zone, before traveling to Cambridge United on Saturday, hoping that the win against Ipswich can act as a bit of a momentum-swinger.
Sometimes it takes a bit of luck or a scrappy win to simply get things headed in the right direction again, and Saturday's smash and grab could just provide the psychological shift needed to raise the morale in the dressing room.
Whilst it is absolutely vital that we don't allow the scoreline to override the performance, managing to get over the line and secure a victory can hopefully have an effect that runs a lot deeper than achieving three points, by providing us all with a bit of much-needed positivity.
Time will tell whether this is just what we needed to get ourselves back on track, but sometimes, you've just got to get a lucky win to get out of a rut and start off a run of positive results…
