As an aside new captain in Bridcutt. Quite a thing for a loan player only played a handful of games (for us)
Hopefully one of MAs projects is to love bomb Bridcutt!I expected Eardley to lead the team out but perhaps giving Bridcutt the armband might be a little sweetener for him to sign on next season
Great post.That's why football is so subjective- I enjoyed today a huge amount. The team are developing and have taken another step forward. Edun was again strong at LB, Bossie immense alongside Bolger.
Coventry and Bridcutt teamed up well and, first half particularly, we had some really sweet passages of play which show our growing confidence.
Playing out from the back really created space today between their defensive forward and midfield line and it was good to see how well it will work as players become more familiar with it.
Tranmere lost, Southend lost- we move a point further away from them.
IMHO we should simply see this season as the team developing and building and growing. Lower our expectations and simply enjoy something being built and be part of it.
The pitch does need sorting though as it is making our style of play very difficult for the players and is slowing them down sometimes simply to retain overall control.
Already looking forward to next season- if results keep going as they are we may even have an away day at the Kirklees Stadium!
Just one final comment.
I heard a couple of boos but Akinde got a full round of lengthy applause from all sides of the ground when he came on.
Always remember Greeny getting the same from Stags fans (and we still give AInsworth a ripple or two).
Thought it was a nice touch- just a personal observation.
Deal done for next season?As an aside new captain in Bridcutt. Quite a thing for a loan player only played a handful of games (for us)
a) Tranmere lost, Southend lost- we move a point further away from them.
b) IMHO we should simply see this season as the team developing and building and growing. Lower our expectations and simply enjoy something being built and be part of it.
I also enjoyed yesterday's game... a solid, battling performance in again pretty atrocious conditions.
Our football from the back was as good (and as sensible!) as it's probably ever been; Bostwick and Bolger look a far better partnership than any combination that includes Jason Shackell; Bridcutt again excellent; Edun looking every inch a League 1 full-back (and very very unlucky to be sent off); and performances from Hopper, Coventry and even my old friend Hesketh showing improvements. The atmosphere - at least as far as I can tell from my sofa in Kuala Lumpur - also top-notch again. A good day all round and now MA can get 2 solid weeks on the training ground to build partnerships and raise performance levels.
Only negatives were a poor referee, and that unbelievably annoying child in the commentary box.
Oh poor lad - after all he does have Hortin & Thommo as mentors (the child, not the ref).
On Edun, I agree he is shaping up as a class FB. In addition to being calm and a good footballer, he has the one quality I believe you need as a FB, which is timing your challenges & not jumping in, sometimes even not challenging, just shepherding the opponent away from areas where he can damage you.
As an aside new captain in Bridcutt. Quite a thing for a loan player only played a handful of games (for us)
To be fair to Steve, his view was obscured by the 15 lifebelts around his centre. I'm told that the level of the drain changed every time he left the dug-out.Also in the enjoyed it yesterday camp.
Really hope we keep Bridcutt, most out decent play goes through him now. Edun has a lot of confidence in himself which is good to see, decision making could be better but that will come, looks perfect type for MA to coach. Bostwick is just immense, get him a new contract.
Hesketh very luck not to see red. Not sure what Evans is on about with the Bossie one though, yellow all day.