After all the enthusiasm and optimism at the start of the season, I'd take a result over a performance here too (I think most of us would)! While I don't believe a win tonight would spark some improbable winning streak, we need to get three points and avoid dragging out this rut out any longer. Easier said than done against one of the division's most in-form and dangerous looking teams. However, this division is unpredictable and occasionally a surprising result turns up every round of matches, we need to ensure that it is us tonight. Following the unfortunate news regarding Kevin Beattie, I hope the players can raise their game even higher for remembrance.
I'm unsure regarding the starting line-up tonight but I believe Hurst needs to start settling on a consistent side to iron out the erratic approach to teamwork. He either needs to implement a Mick-lite approach and focus on avoiding conceding goals (possibly while playing the old Mick favourites and playing a system suited to their strengths) or jettison the players that look technically poor (Spence, Chambers, Skuse, and Graham off the top of my head) and populate the team with players willing to play with the ball at feet. Right now, it seems we have an awkward compromise between the two styles and it's leading to some ineffective, aimless long ball football.
I'm unsure regarding the starting line-up tonight but I believe Hurst needs to start settling on a consistent side to iron out the erratic approach to teamwork. He either needs to implement a Mick-lite approach and focus on avoiding conceding goals (possibly while playing the old Mick favourites and playing a system suited to their strengths) or jettison the players that look technically poor (Spence, Chambers, Skuse, and Graham off the top of my head) and populate the team with players willing to play with the ball at feet. Right now, it seems we have an awkward compromise between the two styles and it's leading to some ineffective, aimless long ball football.