Now I can't quite put my finger on why but I'm experiencing a certain feeling of Deja Vu this morning. What could it be?
Let me view the facts...... A post match feeling of being fortunate to get a draw against a team from a small unfancied Northern Town with a German manager. A team (in the true sense of the word) of obviously extremely fit professional football players who looked a yard quicker and a couple of stones lighter than our mob and carried a very professional never-say-die attitude. A team with a typically professional Germanic approach to the task in hand who began with a game plan and stuck to it. A team who when not in possession of the ball presented a solid 5-3-2 formation which switched seamlessly to fast breaking 3-5-2 when in possession*. A team in which every player knew his role and gave a thoroughly professional and workmanlike performance. Hmmmmmm.... Ermmmmm.... Got it!
....... Huddersfield Town and David Wagner!
* N.B. the alliteration of the word 'professional' is completely intentional. These lads appear to have a certain pride in their profession and more importantly in themselves. Compared to our (admittedly improved on last season) collection of misfits, has beens and never will be's.
Goodness only knows how we would have fared if
Huddersf sorry Fleetwood had scored first. I've a feeling we could have easily lost by 2 or 3 goals in that eventuality. If ever there was a comment to be made on the difference between a team managed by an ex centre forward and one managed by an ex centre half this was it. I've been bemoaning the fact that by the time we've played half a dozen triangular passes before finally managing to put a cross in that the opposing defence and GK are in position, facing the right way and close to their 'man'. Defending then becomes so much easier. Not so for Fleetwood. As soon as either winger gained a yard (or in Derick Williams case 2 0r 3 yards) the ball was swung into the danger area. The age old advice to wingers of .... Don't look up, just stick it on the penalty spot and if there isn't a forward there then it's them who'll earn the post match dressing room bollocking and not you!
So a goal up twice and with comfortable thoughts of 3 points dashed each time we have at least managed to scramble back into 6th position. On performances to date I've virtually given up on a top 2 automatic promotion and tbh we are looking like an outfit likely to finish out of the play offs and above half way. Pretty much where Big Sam had us in the Premier League when he was sacked and where Gary Bowyer usually had us in the Championship when he was also sacked. What is it about the Indian owners that they need to sack decent Manager's? Maybe I should also ask significant sections of the supporters the same question.
So moving on... two matches running we've had a dodgy Referee. Darren Drysdale appeared to believe that he was the main attraction and that we had turned up to watch him. Vain Referees being the worst sort imo, he's obviously unaware of the old truism that
the best referee is the one that you don't notice.
Raya....5. This lad is an enigma. He does the difficult stuff well and then screws up on the simple things. A string of good saves ruined by his usual Dracula approach to crosses. He's scared stiff of them. I'd suggest Rossler had done his homework well on Raya as most Fleetwood corners saw him pressured by Fleetwood players (odd that our strikers allowed Cairns in the Fleetwood goal lots of time with the ball at his feet instead of rushing in on him because to me he looked less than comfortable with his kicking). Earned a deserved and blistering bollocking from Dack after his rick allowed Fleetwood their 2nd equaliser.
Nyambe... 5. Big and strong but with little ability in attack or defence. Rugby might be more suited to his talents.
Downing... 6. Did fine overall but was poorly positioned and slow to react to Fleetwoods 1st goal after Mulgrew failed to win Cairn's long punt.
Mulgrew.... 6 See above. Too easily beaten in the air for Fleetwoods 1st.
Williams... 6. Bitter sweet night. Involved in EVERY goal, both ours and theirs! Nearly scored with a cracking volley that just missed the target but again defended poorly. Asleep and poorly positioned for their first and was caught ball watching and left trailing in the wake of the scorer. I think his lack of pace on the turn causes him to stand to far away from his winger leading to far too many crosses coming from his winger. Did so many poor things that whilst awarded MoM by Peter Jackson's jewellers for his attacking influence no way was he my choice for that award.
Conway.... 6 Huffed and puffed and delivered plenty of decent crosses that no one was able to get on the end of.
Smallwood... 6 . Plenty of effort as usual, and very harshly booked which reduced his influence in the second half. Subbed (wisely) presumably for fear of him doing a Bennet.
Antonnson... 4 Poor. This lad is a lightweight and can go back to Leeds anytime he wants.
Dack...... 7 . All action display until he tired in the last 15. The player most likely to make things happen in Harry Chapman's unfortunate abscence.
Graham...5. Had his work cut out against the Fleetwood CH's but too much backing in and holding and not enough actually 'going' for the ball in aerial challenges. Rarely get's his feet of the ground these days tbh.
Subs
Evans...3 Poor . Did nothing to suggest that he wants a place in the starting line up.
Nuttall... 6 Nice little cameo which included his 1st Senior goal. Not seen enough to comment but a strong build and looks promising. Was this his 1st team debut?
Hart... 3 I think he was introduced to assist Williams who was clearly struggling against his winger.... If that was the intention then quite simply he didn't.