Pool Panel - Birmingham (h) Won 1-0

The incremental improvements Clark is making continue to bear fruit as we picked up another three points.  In all honesty, the position we’re in means that’s more important than the style but on balance of play we probably just about deserved it for our second half performance when we looked the most likely to score, with Lewis not really having a save to make, despite a nervous last ten minutes for both fans and team.  In the first half, although Davies battled well, neither Eagles nor Murphy were able to provide any kind of threat, losing possession constantly.  As a result, we never threatened.  In the second half, Murphy continued to look for the ball and looked a different player, with pace and trickery causing them problems, nearly scoring from half way and then again after a run along the byline.  

Clark has got the side playing a pressing game and as a result, we are picking up more ball in midfield and looking more dangerous higher up the pitch.  The midfield suddenly looks more compact and is winning ball and passing to team-mates, something we’ve lacked all season.  Building on the two previous draws, we now look a little more like a Championship side.  There’s a long way to go, as the 8 point gap demonstrates, but at least we can still dream.  A loss in any of our recent games would have spelt curtains.  Instead, we have games this month that could yield precious points for us, beginning with Charlton next week.  

STARMAN:  Stephen Davies

Rotherham away

For information, there's quite a few of us intending going for a drink beforehand in The Rhinoceros in Rotherham town centre.

I also know that some are going on the 9.48 from Leeds getting into Rotherham about 10.50.

It's a Wetherspoons pub, so should be reasonably priced and no problem getting kids in if you're taking the family.

See you there.

Pool Panel - Game 19 - Bolton (h) - Draw (1-1)

A fortnight off brought some reward as we got a point against a poor Bolton side in a terrible kit.  It seemed to me that the new players in added some quality to the play as we created a number of opportunities and actually looked like we could compete.  O’Hara built on his couple of games before the break and looked better than any of the midfielders we’ve fielded this season.  Murphy got his reward for some enterprising play with a delightful finish from a free kick that gave us real hope of getting to double figures and closing the gap to safety.  

Once again, it took an individual unforced error to undo the good work and allow Bolton something from the game.  Perkins has been one of our better performers this season, with industrious performances, but Saturday was not one of his good days as he constantly gave away possession and then compounded that with a poor defensive error that allowed Lee to score.  Having said that, I’d cut him some slack because it was not representative of his season to date.

Clark seems more convinced than ever that we’ll stay up.  For that to happen, we need to close out games such as Saturday’s, especially against teams in and around us.  As it is, the gap remains at 10 points.  Next week’s game against Rotherham and then the follow up against Birmingham are exactly that type of game.  Two wins would see us right back in with a chance, but it remains to be seen whether we can manage it.

STAR MAN: Jacob Murphy

Pool Panel - International Break 2

A fortnight off gives us time to reflect on the season to date and how we will go on from here.  Last Friday’s long awaited victory means the team aren’t cut adrift from the teams above them, but the fact that we’re in this position is a direct result of the complete and utter failure to build in the summer.  The inability to make sufficient signings of quality have left us in a position where we’ve effectively had the pre-season build up in games with points at stake.  As a consequence, it’s no surprise that we’ve had such a catastrophic start.

The fortnight will hopefully see the team come back fit with a few of the injured players also back in contention.  For me, the words of the Chairman about backing Riga need to be seen with the addition of at least two quality players.

There’s no doubt that the squad is trying their best for the manager, but we still lack real quality and that’s reflected in the lack of goals.  For me, that’s as a consequence of not having a midfield able to create enough chances.  Perhaps they’ve been hampered by the loss through injury of Orlandi and Mellis, but I’d stick like to see additions in that area.  Secondly, we’re short defensively, although I believe Clarke may soon return.  We’ve managed to get by, but with the club ‘cash-rich’ it seems odd not to have got more cover in.

I remain confident we’ll stay up, but the recent decent form needs to be maintained and more victories obtained.

Pool Panel - Games 11 & 12 - Middlesbrough (a) Draw 1-1 & Cardiff (h) WIN 1-0

A corner has finally been turned, on the pitch at least.  On Tuesday night we had the best of the draw with Middlesbrough, who are no bad side, while Friday finally saw us win for the first time.  On what was an emotional occasion, the team kept their heads and played with fire and passion, getting the all-important goal shortly after a number of fans had left the ground in protest at the owners’ perceived lack of investment and support for the manager.  The aim of bringing the club’s mismanagement to a national audience was achieved.   Meanwhile, on the pitch, it was our players winning their individual battles, with Miller a colossus upfront while the defence kept the numerous Cardiff dangermen quiet. If the team can continue to raise their game to that standard then I believe we will escape the current relegation battle and maintain our Championship status. 

The Chairman needs to take a hard look at his current modus operando and realise that the constant instability is simply not helping anything.  He needs to back his manager with around four quality players to add to the current squad, and begin work as soon as feasibly possible on the long promised training facilities, something that most fans would see as being a crucial aspect of the Premier League legacy.

The current inaction merely exacerbates the already inflamed situation and will lead to further, more extreme protests. At least we go into the break on the back of a deserved victory.  Onwards and upwards.

STARMEN: Joan Oriol (Middlesbrough); Ishmael Miller (Cardiff)

Game 10 - Norwich (h) Lost 3-1

So the wait for a win goes on, but against a good Norwich team, with the defence decimated by illness and injury, I thought we deserved more than yet another defeat.  For an hour or so, we more than matched them, got the goal and looked fairly comfortable with Cubero making his debut in midfield looking a neat player who doesn’t concede possession.  However, we started to play deeper and deeper, allowing them to start to operate in the gaps between defence and midfield, and eventually the pressure told.  

When you’re at the bottom, the breaks are always bad ones, so to concede from an own goal then a horribly deflected shot that the keeper had covered, it just summed up our current predicament.  The third goal was well taken but even then, we gifted possession far too easily in the build up.

Despite it all, the spirit is still there in the team, with no-one doubting the effort.  What we do lack is bodies to cover for any injury.  It’s criminal to take to the field with only one recognised centre half despite the claim last week that Oyston is now backing Riga.  Surely we can exploit the loan market to fill these gaps?

While we continue to make it difficult for ourselves, we’ll always be struggling.  The sooner the squad settles down with the reinforcements we are crying out for, the sooner we’ll start to pick up the points we deserve.  Two more tough games this week, but I still think we can turn it round.

STAR MAN: Jose Cubero