Yesterday saw the Whites return to winning ways, and from the stats, highlights and reports, by all accounts we were good value for that win. Just as the previous international break saw us go on a bad run, then this latest international break appears to have reversed our fortunes, and hopefully we can go on a winning run. The two Barnsley goals were through balls, where our defence was sliced open. I wonder if this would have happened if Kalas had been fit, but that is speculation. The worrying thing is that, you can excuse it once in a match, but twice and there appears to be a problem. I am guessing that Alex Neil, will certainly pick up on this and will be looking to exploit this on Tuesday evening. The more impressive aspects of the match were that we didn't give up. Too often in the past if we had drawn level after going behind, and then let in another, our heads would have dropped. Yesterday, there was fight and aggression that saw us equalize straight after their second goal, which probably knocked the stuffing out of a Barnsley team low on confidence. The possession stats are something we are getting used to, but Piazon seems to be a good alternative as a winger who likes to get in the box, as seen when you look at his position for the first equalizer. It was also encouraging to see Aluko breaking into the box to net the second, and hopefully he can go on a scoring run, towards the 12 or more that I predicted at the start of the season. Whether Malone meant his goal or not is irrelevant, as it came at the perfect time to give us control. And he deserved it for what must have been a MOM performance for his assists and support play over all. Martin was unmarked for his goal, but who cares anyway, as he still had to bury the header? Hopefully he too will go on a scoring run with a newly found confidence. Overall it was an excellent performance, but bigger tests await.
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| Aluko celebrating, sort of. |
Next up is Norwich, a true test, and our biggest test since the opening game of the season. The Canaries are worthy front runners this season, and with a squad that has Prem. experience and some excellent Championship players, they are still my favourites for the title. How they set up against us is something that only Neil knows, but I would not expect them to be as defensive minded as the other teams who have visited the Cottage this season. If Norwich play a more open game then I feel that the Whites have every chance of nicking another win against one of the favourites. It is obvious that when teams get men behind the ball, our possession game is less effective. This, may explain our excellent away record where the home teams are obliged to come at us more. With their attacking options, I can see it being a high scoring match, as they also have a tendency to leak goals. After that we go to Villa, and who knows what effect Bruce may have had on them by then. We can but hope that they are still lacking confidence, as Wolves totally dominated them yesterday. Up after that is the real surprise package of the season, Huddersfield Town. Virtually every pundit in football has been surprised by their start, and only time will tell if it is a false dawn for the Terriers. If they have a couple of indifferent results before we play them, then it may be good news for the Cottage faithful. And last up, before the next international break is Brentford away. Our recent record against them isn't great, so we need a good run going into that game. Every single one of these next four fixtures is going to be tough for different reasons, and we need to realize this and get behind the lads every inch of the way. Let us hope that Tuesday evening is the continuation of another good run between international breaks.
IN SLAVISA WE TRUST.
COYWs
© Nic Smith
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P.S. If anybody feels they can write an article from away games, or any other FFC related issues, then please contact me.
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