1. If you don't play to the conditions you are shooting yourself in the foot. Accrington's ground might as well be a links golf course for the way that the weather affects a game. The open standing area means that even a moderate breeze will cause the football to do some strange things. On Saturday, although somewhat less than it was on the visit in February 2020, the wind was that bit more than just a breeze. It caused some quite bizarre movements of the football, even blowing itself back into play in our area on one occasion. Now you might say with some justification that it's the same for both teams but the reality is that Accrington are used to this. Their home form is much better than their away form and it is quite clear that this is down to their preparation for such conditions. So when the fixture is announced for the 2022/23 season, I hope that we go there on a blistering hot August afternoon with no wind at all.
2. You cannot afford to not be at it, even when there is relatively nothing to play for. Accrington wanted to win the game on what was their last home game of the season and deserved to do so. Are they a better team that us. No. Did they turn up. Yes. Did we. No, not even when they went down to ten men after their keeper was sent off. You really cannot afford such a lackadaisical attitude to a game of football. It will get you what you deserve. Nothing.
3. Physicality is still important in this league. I had a little chuckle to myself at a point in the second half when Liam Cullen and their defender had a little clash which required both needing some treatment. Both walked to the side of the pitch together and honestly it was quite comical to realise that Cullen's eye level with their defender was his chest. It put into perspective why we couldn't win a thing in the air. You look at the League table and it seems likely that Wigan and Rotherham will be going up as the automatic places. They both have what you can describe as a physically strong and tall teams. They are needed if you are going to compete in this league.
