Groundhog Day, Wednesday in town, two red cards and late goals - marginally better result than 12 months ago but possibly an inferior performance?
We got a fortunate point and it was a pretty hard watch at times, but I'll take it. Wednesday have a lot of quality in that squad and it showed , they have players on the bench we can only dream of. We've had similarly iffy 1st halves in all 3 home games so far, it's not an accident and I'm sure it's how we set up, stay in the game and come again later when legs tire and it opens up. This only works if you don't go behind, we were lucky not to be out of this by half time - Bentley was outstanding. Then comes the luck with the goal, and a red for them - gift horse, a chance we passed up through our deficiencies sadly. Pragmatism has its place but 2 years ago we'd have absolutely taken this game 2-0, through our positivity and ability to hurt teams on the counter.
Our team has some talent but also some problems, Hogan will struggle as the lone striker unless we can find better than Vibe as support. The midfield lacks bite and we have no pace or width. Sure we heave upgraded in goal and at centre back, I feel we badly miss Bidwell at present, with Ellder offering no attacking threat and dodgy distribution. Early days for Sawyers and we know his playing style is unusual, but so far he's not providing the bullets for Hogan,which is what I was hoping for. Saunders as 1st change tells you what DS thinks of the likes of Hoff, KK, mceachran etc....poor changes today from the coach. And on today's evidence Vibe has a lot to do to get up to the level needed.
The division is now so tough, and despite an acceptable points total I am concerned at what is to come if we don't find these new players. We know the fees are crazy but the much talked about "Brentford way" of recruitment and style of play seems to have been loaned out to Huddersfield as far as I can see. We talk innovation, and I'm onboard, but where is it at the moment? Maybe mischievous, but I wonder how David Wagner might do in our set up?
Not a disaster today but hard to see much difference from the same game a year ago under Marinus. Huge 3 days ahead.