Pool Panel - Huddersfied (a) Draw 1-1

Another game where we’ve dominated the first half but failed to capitalise and been pegged back.  Friday night was a great performance in the first half, where we dominated the game despite the loss of key personnel in Ferguson, Orr and Osbourne.  Despite plenty of probing, we didn’t really create that many chances, as we didn’t have that final ball when needed.

When the goal came, the incisive ball through was a header from Broadfoot, allowing Fuller to bear down on goal.  He coolly drew Smithies, went round him and then left Clarke floundering on the line as he passed it into the unguarded net.  A great finish.  Despite continuing dominance we then failed to extend the lead and could have been punished only for the linesman’s flag to rescue us.

In the second half we were unable to maintain our dominance and seemed to start defending deeper.  The Huddersfield substitutions also gave us more concern as they started finding space between defence and midfield.  That brought dividends through a fine finish and equaliser.  We were comfortably weathering the challenge though, until Huddersfield broke quickly and Scannell went down in the box for a penalty.  From my perspective at the other end it looked like minimal or no contact as Robinson and Martinez tracked his run, but the referee saw enough to send off the latter.  The second very harsh sending off against us recently.  The delay seemed to affect Vaughan who blazed his penalty against the bar. 

In the end, a decent point but I’d like to think that a little more ambition could see us winning these games.  We had seven forwards on the bench.   I’d like to see at least one of them start.

STARMAN: Ricardo Fuller

Pool Panel - Millwall (a) Loss 3-1 and Leicester (h) Draw 2-2

It’s been a week for the team to show some character and they came up trumps on Saturday.  Tuesday night at Millwall was all going to plan as we approached halftime, but a contentious penalty gave Millwall the belief they’d been lacking, and they forced home that advantage with two quick goals in the second half.

On Saturday, Leicester started brightly but we gradually asserted ourselves and took a deserved lead with a fine header from Basham, once again playing in another role for the good of the team.  We were good value for that lead at half time but the second half was a different game as Leicester came on strongly. 

Despite their pressure, I thought we were defending well enough until another penalty was given against us as Drinkwater went to ground easily under challenge from Robinson.  There was minimal contact, but the midfielder was given the opportunity to go to ground and took it. As at Millwall, we then immediately conceded again with a shot from distance from King.  Against one of the form teams in the League we could’ve then crumbled, but the resilience in the side came to the fore.  We pressed on, but didn’t really look like getting an equaliser until Schmeichel  rashly came for a throw in and conceded a penalty.  Ince smashed it straight down the middle and we got the point we deserved.

We now face a Friday night game, games in which we’ve had a poor record recently.  Time to turn that round and go back to the top of the table.

Finally, I thought the crowd showed some real class in their applause of the returning Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

STARMAN: Barry Ferguson (Millwall); Chris Basham (Leicester) 

Pool Panel - Bournemouth (a) - Won 2-1

Saturday saw us take on a side who had won their previous seven home games, but the fortnight’s break had given our injured players time to get back into contention, giving Paul Ince the luxury of a strong bench.

Bournemouth started brightly, with players making clever runs from deep, a tactic we struggled with but eventually came to terms with.  By contrast, our first meaningful foray forward forced a throw in level with the area.  From the long throw, Ricardo Fuller was on hand to head home and give us an early lead.  That didn’t last long, as we fell victim to the same tactic barely five minutes later.

The rest of the half was fairly even with both sides unable to achieve dominance, although we went closest to scoring as Ince hit the post following a breakaway.  The ref was being particularly fussy, with a number of cards that seemed harsh. 

The second half started brightly as we forced a corner, and Bishop got ahead of his marker to score at the near post putting us back in front.  The tone of the game then changed as Robinson received a second yellow for an innocuous coming together with their winger.  Blackpool reorganised with Bishop at left back and Fuller as a lone outlet, and kept Bournemouth playing in front of us without really threatening.

As the game went on, it was us looking most likely to score on the break, with Delfuenso missing a great chance, and Ince having a goal chalked offside.  We hung on and stay top.  No-one really expected this start, but long may it continue.

STARMAN: Gary Mackenzie

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Pool Panel - Watford (h) Won 1-0

What an immense performance and victory Saturday was.  Despite fielding a patched up team with players out of position against one of the form teams in the Division, through sheer determination, a touch of luck and one fantastic piece of skill all three points were obtained.

Going in, we all knew that the squad was down to the bare bones, Basham and Bishop in defence showing just how stretched we were.  In the first half, Watford really took the game to us, and it needed heroic defending, a brilliant goalkeeping display and some wasteful shooting to keep the score level.

A real turning point was the penalty save as that gave the team renewed determination, and the sense that it couldn’t be as one-sided in the second half.

So it transpired, as we took control of the midfield and began to create our own chances.  Fuller was proving a real handful up front while Barry was displaying a masterclass of midfield dominance. 

Unexpectedly, Ince came on and instantly created a different problem for the Watford defence with his direct running at them.  The winning goal was a joy to watch, receiving the ball on the halfway line and running past three defenders before firing across the keeper into the net.  After that, the new, professional Blackpool side saw out the game in some comfort to secure the win and go top of the Division.

As I write, there are 24 hours to the end of the transfer window.  Ince needs backing now to build on this fantastic start.

STARMAN: Matt Gilks