But we did the same yesterday when we had ten men (in general terms not the goal for which we obviously had 11on at the time). All four this week have been similar in style and build up. Sometimes things just click, maybe (and I'm not definitely) we've had our click this week.
One thing that was encouraging is that we were still brave with the ball yesterday with only 10 men ourselves. We were also braver on and off the ball in the second half against Bolton. There is no doubt that we need to do this more than just in spells of games though. What we have generally shown since the really bad spell is that we are better set up defensively and off the ball. The defenders are all mostly doing well to the point where there is genuine competition for places. That gives us a base to build from going forward.
I think you're right, we do seem to have clicked and not just in the goals that we scored but also the chances that we have created. Gary's patience with Ilmari is really paying off as he's gone from being a fast attacking player with little end product to a chances creator that is now starting to frighten teams. Vinnie Harper is also doing this and it's such a shame that his injury will probably keep him out for the rest of the season. The success of the players from non league (I'm not counting Milli yet but I'm sure he'll do well next season) is the way that we can build a decent, competitive squad within our budget. I also think that football is changing away from having a big strong "hold the ball up" type centre forward to the type of smaller faster players who arrive late into the box. Goals scored from headers into the box from open play seem to be disappearing (although that's how Bolton's equaliser was scored last week) and I think the failure of Scott, Muskwe and Eisa is as much a reflection of this change as a lack of ability. The bravery in passing the ball forward is as much to do with confidence. We have gone from a pre Christmas team that barely created a decent chance in a match to a team that is now making four or five decent chances and scoring a couple of them. Long may our recruitment continue to unearth these players and build a decent squad at a price that we can afford.
Personally I was delighted when we came back out for the second half still leading 1-0 !
That wasn't a reference to the Half time, but I had family issues which took about 20 mins of the second half which I didn't see and yes I have written 0-0 instead of 1-0Personally I was delighted when we came back out for the second half still leading 1-0 !
