Johnnie Jackson's first game in charge looked a match too soon. Away at high-flying Sunderland who were unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season. A side low on confidence with a leaky defence and no clean sheets since August, even the most optimistic of us were looking at avoiding a skelping.
However, I saw the side he was fielding and thought we could compete if the players were really up for it. He had made five changes and was focusing on experience to see us through. Importantly for me, he had Matthews and Purrington both back in full-back berths alongside Lavelle and Famewo. He had also made the bold decision to bring George Dobson back into central midfield at his old hunting ground and that proved masterly. Gilbey, Lee and Leko supported in midfield with Washington and Stockley up front.
It wasn't so much the formation that changed it for us but the way Jackson had them pressing. Within the first ten minutes, it was clear we were thirty yards further up the pitch than we have been all season. For a change it was the opposition who were struggling to play out. Not only that but when they did get forward, we had bodies dropping back to cover and support. Sunderland tried to dictate play but they kept finding us breaking and throwing men forward which caused them to fall-back. Attack is indeed often the best form of defence and we even forced a succession of corners in the opening twenty minutes.
It was a frantic game with the ball going from end-to-end but without any serious goalscoring chances. MacGillivray was called on twice in a minute to beat out Sunderland efforts and we had several really good positions in their box but failed to make the final ball or the right pass to really expose them. Jason Pearce slotted in for Lavelle who went off with a knock after thirty minutes and played a blinder.
Nil-nil at the break and we looked in no real trouble. McGeady flattered to deceive once more although O'Nien and O'Brien were more threatening as Sunderland sought to tee Pritchard or Stewart up. The trouble for Sunderland was that they couldn't really build any sustained pressure because we were moving the ball quickly upfield and keeping them pressed when we did. Jonathan Leko (my man of the match) was tireless down the right, running them ragged and probing for openings. Lee had been performing a similar role and with Washington fully supporting Stockley in a front pairing, Sunderland couldn't relax at the back.
Jayden Stockley had been all over the Sunderland defence, challenging for everything. His own attempts on goal had all been speculative and high or wide until the 66th minute when he finally managed to get on the back of a Leko ball to the back post and direct a looping header back across goal. It beat Hoffman in the goal and was handled at the far stick but it had already crossed the line and the goal was good.
After that, I thought we might sit back and concede an equaliser but we maintained our shape and kept Sunderland on their toes. Clare came on for Lee ten minutes before the end and Jaiyesimi will have been delighted to be given the last five minutes of added time to give Leko a much deserved breather.
At the final whistle the players and management team celebrated as they were entitled to and you could see that something had clearly changed across the side. There are still doubts and concerns about our recruitment model and some of the players we have brought in, but what cannot be denied after today's game is that we have a basic side capable of prospering in this division. That shouldn't come as a complete surprise given our finish last year and the bodies we have brought in but the football under Adkins for three months has given obvious clause for alarm.
If Thomas Sandgaard was reluctant to sack Adkins, I hope he has been convinced he made the right decision and perhaps wonders what might have been had he done it five or six games ago. One Swallow does not a Summer make, but we should take a lot of heart from today's performance and look forward to collecting points in the next six weeks to move us well clear of the drop zone.
All of a sudden, the Doncaster Rovers game next Saturday looks like a decent fixture and I think we should see several thousand added to the gate in addition to season ticket holders making the effort to be there to cheer their team on. I am sure we are all pleased for Johnnie Jackson this evening. He has once again reminded us of his footballing qualities. Some people, too browned off with the the state of affairs under Adkins, were also calling for a total clearout. Whilst Jackson and Euell were obviously part of that set-up, I think we saw very clearly this afternoon just how influencial a manager can be - both positive and negative. Given the performance, I suspect some people are now wishing they had not been quite so disrespectful, if not unrealistic that any owner would remove the whole management team after only three months of the season.
It is only one game but I have seen enough to tell me we will be alright under Jackson. The only question is how good can we be?
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