I really didn't fancy us today. Perhaps I should have known better but I was invited to the Bromley v Dartford match and saw the opportunity to convince myself I had something better to do than head down the M4.
Unfortunately, my Mum went into hospital last night and I spent the day back and forth so missed a 3-4 humdinger down at Hayes Lane. I was at the QE on the common for most of the afternoon so didn't get to follow the match bar a refresh which told me that Igor Vetokele had struck again to put us in front before half-time. Given our defensive solidity, there was every chance of us holding out and that's just what we did. Once again, the stats don't look great - only 39% possession and they had 20 efforts - although the only one that matters is our goal to their nil.
George Tucudean was a late substitute and he missed a double chance at the death to improve our goal difference but the main thing is we have moved up to eighth and have narrowed the gap on those above us. Chris Solly was at his imperious best today by all accounts and alongside Ben Haim, Bikey and Wiggins/Fox, I will be bold enough to say we have a Premier League defence. Francis Coquelin may well help strengthen midfield enough to alleviate the pressure we are so content to absorb but also to push us ten yards forwards and help us score more goals. Igor Vetokele is a class act but without him we are very obviously short in attacking options. Hopefully the right player will become available before much longer and we can dream of rattling some cages well into the second-half of the season.
Our next two matches after the international break are home games against Millwall and Ipswich. Everything suggests we should be registering our seventh ever win over our nearest rivals but history tells us to expect disappointment (even if they lost again today, this time at home to the Bees). Ipswich too should be a ding-ding affair with them riding high after an impressive home win against Watford today. If we can take four points from those two, we will remain unbeaten at home and should head into December in a play-off position. Who'd-a-thought it eh?
Unfortunately, my Mum went into hospital last night and I spent the day back and forth so missed a 3-4 humdinger down at Hayes Lane. I was at the QE on the common for most of the afternoon so didn't get to follow the match bar a refresh which told me that Igor Vetokele had struck again to put us in front before half-time. Given our defensive solidity, there was every chance of us holding out and that's just what we did. Once again, the stats don't look great - only 39% possession and they had 20 efforts - although the only one that matters is our goal to their nil.
George Tucudean was a late substitute and he missed a double chance at the death to improve our goal difference but the main thing is we have moved up to eighth and have narrowed the gap on those above us. Chris Solly was at his imperious best today by all accounts and alongside Ben Haim, Bikey and Wiggins/Fox, I will be bold enough to say we have a Premier League defence. Francis Coquelin may well help strengthen midfield enough to alleviate the pressure we are so content to absorb but also to push us ten yards forwards and help us score more goals. Igor Vetokele is a class act but without him we are very obviously short in attacking options. Hopefully the right player will become available before much longer and we can dream of rattling some cages well into the second-half of the season.
Our next two matches after the international break are home games against Millwall and Ipswich. Everything suggests we should be registering our seventh ever win over our nearest rivals but history tells us to expect disappointment (even if they lost again today, this time at home to the Bees). Ipswich too should be a ding-ding affair with them riding high after an impressive home win against Watford today. If we can take four points from those two, we will remain unbeaten at home and should head into December in a play-off position. Who'd-a-thought it eh?
The second round is on the 6th December. If the Darts get a home draw it must be a tough call between them or Forest away? Glad your mums OK.
ReplyDeleteHearing a lot of talk about another forward,, we certainly need one following Tucudeans inability to make the game safe.
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your mum, please send her my love.
PH
Tony/Paul,
ReplyDeleteThanks - infection subsiding. Hopefully she will be home tomorrow.
Thanks
Dave.