After two games, we stand one place above the 'dreaded drop zone,' the place we would be contented to occupy in our previous 5 seasons in Division One, come May, but this is division two, ok ok, only two games have passed, but read on to here my view on why the season has started with one point, no wins and only one goal...
After the initial disappointment of relegation, the doom and gloom of Stoke's promotion and the collapse of ITV digital, we began to look forward to a season of victories, goals and success in division two.
However, after two games, this optimism seems to have fallen flat for a number of reasons, whether it be our goal scoring problem, our error prone defence or the tactics employed by Dario.
In my opinion, many fans got carried away with the idea of promotion this season, The team had not kicked a ball and yet many thought promotion was a case of 'when' and not 'if.' The success of players such as Ashton, Hulse, Vaughan and Brammer had prompted the thoughts of many to look towards clinching the title by mid February, and with the front two surpassing all previous scoring records! However, now that the season has started, realism has been achieved and the expectations placed upon the team have as yet failed to look justified.
Personally, I am as disappointed as anyone that our first two games have not resulted in us obtaining maximum points, yet, I feel the two games have given the team, management and fans a sense of realism and a good indication of what we have to do in order to become a force in this division.
The lack of goals of recent years has cost us dear, and yet no move by Dario in the transfer market has erased this problem, the lack of an 'old head' and some experience was evident at the Sixfields last Saturady, and again on Tuesday when young Rix and Ashton found the goal at their mercy. The need for us to capitalise on our chances and opposition lapses is massive, and we should be looking to kill teams off when we have control of games. Yet in both games thus far, we have not punished teams and given ourselves a platform to either consolidate or attack from. Both the above were shown at Norhampton, when we found ourselves having to settle for a point after dominating a game of very few chances for the hosts. Goals have been in short supply, and this must change if we are to contend at the top.
Confidence seemed to dip in the team when Notts County went in front on Tuesday, the players seemed unsure of what to do, this uncertainty was exposed and resulted in us finding ourselves 2-0 down at half-time when really we should have been at least one up. The crowd didn't help, and we owe the players the oppertunity to prove themselves, not booing and jeering after one and a half games in a season. We will only succeed with full support of fans and players alike, the players respond to our support, so lets ensure this is a factor tomorrow.
We know we are capable of beating the 'big' teams, the likes of Wolves, Birmingham, Manchester City, may not be in our league this year, but we know we are able to mount a push for promotion, it's a case of adjusting to the league, finding form and confidence.
Let's get behind the boys tomorrow, we have a part to play if this season is to be successful.
After the initial disappointment of relegation, the doom and gloom of Stoke's promotion and the collapse of ITV digital, we began to look forward to a season of victories, goals and success in division two.
However, after two games, this optimism seems to have fallen flat for a number of reasons, whether it be our goal scoring problem, our error prone defence or the tactics employed by Dario.
In my opinion, many fans got carried away with the idea of promotion this season, The team had not kicked a ball and yet many thought promotion was a case of 'when' and not 'if.' The success of players such as Ashton, Hulse, Vaughan and Brammer had prompted the thoughts of many to look towards clinching the title by mid February, and with the front two surpassing all previous scoring records! However, now that the season has started, realism has been achieved and the expectations placed upon the team have as yet failed to look justified.
Personally, I am as disappointed as anyone that our first two games have not resulted in us obtaining maximum points, yet, I feel the two games have given the team, management and fans a sense of realism and a good indication of what we have to do in order to become a force in this division.
The lack of goals of recent years has cost us dear, and yet no move by Dario in the transfer market has erased this problem, the lack of an 'old head' and some experience was evident at the Sixfields last Saturady, and again on Tuesday when young Rix and Ashton found the goal at their mercy. The need for us to capitalise on our chances and opposition lapses is massive, and we should be looking to kill teams off when we have control of games. Yet in both games thus far, we have not punished teams and given ourselves a platform to either consolidate or attack from. Both the above were shown at Norhampton, when we found ourselves having to settle for a point after dominating a game of very few chances for the hosts. Goals have been in short supply, and this must change if we are to contend at the top.
Confidence seemed to dip in the team when Notts County went in front on Tuesday, the players seemed unsure of what to do, this uncertainty was exposed and resulted in us finding ourselves 2-0 down at half-time when really we should have been at least one up. The crowd didn't help, and we owe the players the oppertunity to prove themselves, not booing and jeering after one and a half games in a season. We will only succeed with full support of fans and players alike, the players respond to our support, so lets ensure this is a factor tomorrow.
We know we are capable of beating the 'big' teams, the likes of Wolves, Birmingham, Manchester City, may not be in our league this year, but we know we are able to mount a push for promotion, it's a case of adjusting to the league, finding form and confidence.
Let's get behind the boys tomorrow, we have a part to play if this season is to be successful.