Twitter has been in overdrive too!
The fact is that our form so far has been a little disappointing. This is obviously being met with some disapproval from certain fans. Obviously after such a great season last time out, expectations are going to be higher from the paying fans!
Every fan has a right to there opinion! I might not agree with it, but it's your right to hold it and engage in debate. This is what the game is all about! It's not a perfect science.
Getting back to events on the field, my own concerns aren't limited to the results. We have won, drawn and lost our opening three league games and scored a Labourious victory over League Two opposition in the League Cup.
Many will point out that it's early days and we had the same at this stage last season. Yes we did under a different manager. The flair and excitement that was evident with Steve McClarens side last season has thus far been absent.
I won't take the argument that the team needs time to gel either! Our starting eleven with the exception of Cyrus Christie were all here last season. We had the advantage of retaining most of our squad too!
Christie himself was man of the match for many people in the opening couple of games too!
Another excuse given is the loss of George Thorne to injury. I'm not buying that excuse either! He played in the last ten games of the season and might not have played at all had it not been for the suspension of John Eustace. We were in third place already when Thorne arrived.
Having Thorne would no doubt improve the quality, but we can still put out virtually the same side that wowed us with the attractive football we played last season.
The main areas for concern to me are defensively and attack! The two most important pieces in a football teams plan.
I knew it wouldn't be long before we started to let goals in! I'm not on the Keogh out bandwagon although he is till to recapture the form of two seasons ago. I'm concerned that Stevie Mac continues to play Will Hughes at Holding Midfielder.
We have two players sat on the bench ready made to sit in that role. Namely John Eustace who was a revelation last season (And don't expect me to take the 'his legs have gone argument, if so why guve him another contract?), and Omar Mascarell. If the young Spanish lad isn't going to be given a chance why sign him!
Will Hughes is a class act whilst in attack! He's not a defensive player! Keep playing him deep and we will see him seriously injured. I hope Steve McClaren hasn't fallen into the same trap as Nigel Clough in not knowing who to leave out! Hughes, Bryson, Hendrick are three quality players, but you have to be brave and play those who are playing better at the time. There can be no room for sentimentality during team selection.
Craig Bryson was superb last season and thoroughly deserved his new contract. Now he is the clubs highest paid player, he needs to reproduce that form this season. I love him as a player, but his performances thus far have been below par!
On the attacking front, we are failing to create the chances for Martin to put away! You get the ball to Martin and he will convert given half the chance. I've thought for many years now that we've lacked a real flair wide man! We need that option! Hopefully we can bring a new face in!
We face a tough game on Saturday with another large crowd expected. Let's hope they will go away happy!
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