Pool Panel - QPR and Bolton

Two away games on the spin saw us only gain one point, but there were plenty of positives to be gained from the games.  At Bolton on Tuesday they did to us, what we’d done to Huddersfield in that they gained an early lead then frustrated us by dropping deep and repelling all attacks.  While we had plenty of possession, we struggled to create clear chances and consequently lost the game.

By contrast, at QPR we took an early lead then set up to hold that, relying on occasional breakaways to add to that lead.  A goal from Goodwillie gave us a real platform, and with MacMahon marshalling the back three superbly, we looked fairly comfortable as QPR tried to mount a recovery.  Despite plenty of possession, they didn’t really look like a side with multi-millions spent on them as they huffed and puffed in front of us.  The one time we didn’t close down as tenaciously, they managed to score with a shot from the edge of the area.  Even then, I never thought they were going to go on and win the game, and indeed, Barkhuizen had the best chance, outrunning the labouring Dunne to bear down on goal only to blaze wide.

I don’t know if it’s the influence of Eric Black, or whether we are just more comfortable with a back three, but the side is suddenly looking compact and with a decent shape throughout.  As such, I have no doubt we’ll stay up this season.  A win against Yeovil next Saturday will go a long way to confirm that.  At that point, I’d like to see Ferguson confirmed in the job, and an immediate start to rebuilding put into place.  This season has been dogged by bad decisions; we must learn from it.

STARMAN: Tony MacMahon

Huddersfield (h) Win 1-0

A very important win against Huddersfield that goes a long way to securing our place in the Division.  The fans’ anger that we should be in this position at all, was reflected in the demonstration before kick off organised by SISA, against the dearth of investment in the club.

The game started off with the team set up differently (Eric Black’s input?), with a 3-5-2 formation.  That gained immediate dividends as Perkins made a surging run from midfield and set Fuller away; he accelerated from Gerrard and crashed an unstoppable shot into the net.  We then had a spell when we really should have finished off the game with golden chances close in missed.

The injury to Broadfoot then disrupted us and allowed Huddersfield to get a foothold in the game, but in truth, neither side really threatened the goal.  It took until well inside the second half before they created a real chance, but the linesman’s flag intervened correctly.  As the half wore on, probably because of nerves, we dropped deeper and deeper, resorting to hurried clearances which only resulted in additional pressure coming in.  McMahon and Cathcart defended well though, and I thought we saw out the game relatively comfortably.

As I see it, another win or two and we’ll definitely be safe for next season, when lessons must be learned about how we got into this position and a strategy put into place to ensure it doesn’t happen again.  For that to happen, we must make the right managerial team appointment and back them with a settled squad who are good enough, rather than gamble on ‘names’ and jacks of all trade who can fill in but really aren’t good enough to command a place.

 STARMAN: Ricardo Fuller

Tom Shuter - Funeral

It with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our number, Tommy Shuter has passed away.  Tom was a fine gentleman and someone I consider myself privileged to have met. I really enjoyed taking him to matches - his tales of days gone by in Blackpool made the journey fly by.

For those of you who would like to attend, Tom's funeral will be held on Friday 28th March at 10.30 at Our Lady of Unfailing Help and St Paul of the Cross, Cleckheaton, followed by a burial at Liversedge Cemetery.

There's also a buffet and a drink for anyone who can make it at Healds Hall, Liversedge.