First half was good stuff. Nice passing on the deck, wing play and pace in our play - plus goals! Thought the red was harsh but football is pretty soft nowadays so I would be surprised if its rescinded. I was pleased the way we got stuck in, didn't panic and really battled with a man down which we definitely would not have done a few back and generally under the last manager. It was nice hearing Danny give real footballing answers to questions and an honest appraisal of how it went. We have been crying out for this. Kenny, I wouldn't go as far to say was dishonest, but in interviews he would say a lot of words and you would come out of it none the wiser. I hope this bounce continues - players are certainly listening and doing their best which is all we can ask for. Will no doubt be a few bumps along the road especially with our defence which is liable to cough up a goal - although Raggett was slightly better today. 3-5th I would imagine we'll finish. PUP! On to the next...
When Jackett was dismissed I had mixed feelings. I thought we still had some chance of a position in the play-offs. On the other hand I expected new management to be experimenting with different line-ups so they could assess the squad and recruit appropriately in the summer but I thought the change diminished our chances of getting in the play-offs. I did think much of the post Christmas failures had been due to trying to give game time to the January transfer window recruits. The continual rotation of Brown and Daniels appeared to be an attempt to keep two players happy rather than tactical. Brown was playing well and the position 'should have been his to loose. Whyte and Byers did not appear to contribute more than Close was capable of, and, indeed on Close's current form, considerably less. Well I could not of been more wrong with regard to the change of management. As Ides has said there appears to have been, as far as possible, a return to the pre Christmas line-up. I think in this regard the retention of Gallan has been a good move with regard to some continuity. It appears to me the Crawleys have respected his judgement and this has reduced their need to experiment with line-ups. The addition of Close has been a good change and I am sorry it is at the expense of Cannon. Along with Williams, Cannon would be one of the first on my team sheet because of the energy they inject. I would like to see a three man mid field Cannon, Close and Naylor. This may allow Close to play in a more forward position and perhaps have more scope to be creative. The front line will now be devoid of a central striker given injuries and Marquis's likely suspension-- ( I thought the red card was very harsh). Ides has previously postulated an all running forward three of Curtis, Williams, and Harness and this may now be a necessity. However I thought Jacobs combined well with Close on occasions against Shewsbury.
