No Shot Sherlock wrote:In all seriousness, given some of the BFTG reports (not been, not seen so can't comment), would it be fair to say that our present lofty position seems a little undeserved?
I was at the first three games, but couldn't get to last night's. In answer to your question though Sherl, we definitely did not deserve to win against Luton. On the other hand, we definitely deserved to beat both Blackpool and Oxford. We were far the better team in both those games. I can't comment on last night's game as I wasn't there.
What I can tell you is that we have a far stronger squad than we had last season. The biggest difference for me has been our new goalkeeper, MacGillivray. He is more than just a notch up from McGee and could easily play in the championship. The difference he alone has made to our back four is plain to see. He even makes me feel confident sitting in the stands. Also, Whatmough and Clarke must be one of, if not the best pairings at centre back in League 1 so we are not going to concede as many goals. In fact, the only league goals we have conceded so far in open play have been own goals, and by their pure nature, they're usually harder to keep out! Walkes does a job at RB, but I'll be happier to see Nathan Thompson back in there. Lee Brown is a wily, tough old character, and whilst not in the league of Enda Stevens, wont let you down. Naylor is also a vast improvement, and growing in stature with each game, and as you've probably read, Ben Thompson is a fantastic player. Then, further up field we have two of the rising stars in lower league football in my opinion, Curtis and Lowe. Both of them are exciting to watch, boundless in energy, and brimming with confidence. What's more, both have already proved they know how to score, having amassed 3 league goals each already. Highly reassuring when last season's 25 goals scorer isn't yet firing. On the subject of strikers. Ollie Hawkins has also been a revelation, especially in his hold up play and tenacity to win the ball. Whilst he hasn't found the back of the net yet himself, he has played a big hand with a good percentage of our goals, including last night's opener against The Gas. I'm also not quite sure what has happened to Gareth Evans. His performance for us last Saturday was the best for us in a long while, and apparently that form continued last night. Whether it is a slight change in his positioning on the pitch, or a confidence or fitness issue, long may it continue as I've always liked our Blue. And then you look to the bench and you can bring on the likes of Pitman, a game changer as he proved last night, playing a part in our winner. In closing, there's a steely resilience to our current squad that I felt was missing last season. We would have almost certainly lost last night's game last season. So, in answer to your question, no I don't think it is undeserved, more a touch fortunate perhaps? PUP