G B Young
22-01-2018, 11:11 AM
Given the upward trajectory this club has been on, both on and off the pitch, since we were relegated I know it might seem unfair to be having a moan, but for the first time since 2014 I get the sense we're in a bit of a hole.
It's not just losing our first derby in ten (although after nearly four years unbeaten you forget how vile that feeling is!), more a sense that I'm not sure where our next win is coming from.
What exactly has started to go wrong? Personally I thought that on paper our summer signings were the most exciting batch we've ever made during a close season and a real statement of intent by the club. As we breezed through our League Cup section in impressive fashion followed by a couple of cracking wins to open the league campaign I was probably as optimistic as I've ever felt about the club. After a bit of a wobble we bounced back with a great spell in October/November but since then I feel we've been papering over a number of cracks.
Injuries haven't helped and I feel we miss David Gray's presence as a skipper more than perhaps we realise, but on reflection I think the biggest problem has been the Stokes signing not working out the way Neil Lennon hoped. This is a guy who should be carrying our forward line and banging in the goals at this level and as I've said on other threads I was among those who was thrilled when we signed him on a permanent deal. Sadly, it doesn't appear to happening for him and whatever issues he may have (if any), I feel let down by him.
The lack of goals is now becoming a significant concern and unless we can address that in this window, I wonder if I'm alone in being glad we racked up a decent number of points during the first half of the season?
It's not just losing our first derby in ten (although after nearly four years unbeaten you forget how vile that feeling is!), more a sense that I'm not sure where our next win is coming from.
What exactly has started to go wrong? Personally I thought that on paper our summer signings were the most exciting batch we've ever made during a close season and a real statement of intent by the club. As we breezed through our League Cup section in impressive fashion followed by a couple of cracking wins to open the league campaign I was probably as optimistic as I've ever felt about the club. After a bit of a wobble we bounced back with a great spell in October/November but since then I feel we've been papering over a number of cracks.
Injuries haven't helped and I feel we miss David Gray's presence as a skipper more than perhaps we realise, but on reflection I think the biggest problem has been the Stokes signing not working out the way Neil Lennon hoped. This is a guy who should be carrying our forward line and banging in the goals at this level and as I've said on other threads I was among those who was thrilled when we signed him on a permanent deal. Sadly, it doesn't appear to happening for him and whatever issues he may have (if any), I feel let down by him.
The lack of goals is now becoming a significant concern and unless we can address that in this window, I wonder if I'm alone in being glad we racked up a decent number of points during the first half of the season?