I am with everyone on the excitement we feel. I think we have some unbelievable footballers in our squad and the early signs are we have recruited a very good coach. Tonight I will enjoy the malt. I wanted to take a look objectively at the start we have made. Let me start with the positives, of which there are many. Our shape out of possession is the best I have seen in years. Our ability to punish teams in possession is good. We have players who look so much better than last year - Jobe, Roberts, Cirkin (as he is fit), Mundle, Mayenda. We have added that sprinkling of experience with Browne and Mepham and Moore. We have unleashed on the footballing world Rigg. We still have the heartbeat of this side who is Neil. Ballard is still a beast, ONien is still our leader. RLB has come in, in a really calm manner, and got on with business. If there is one thing I hate in a coach it is a manic nature. He is the epitome of calm. He also seems really level headed and has a clear sense on players. His approach to Ekwah, Adil and Ba reveals that steely core. It is needed. I also agree with his judgement on those players. So much to be pleased about and hopeful for. Any words of caution? Some yes, of course. Cardiff and Sheff Wed looked incredibly poor to me. Pompey were game, but a lack of quality to hurt us. Burnley - did we catch them at the right time? I think yes up to a point. Of course you can only dispatch what is in front of you and we have done that with aplomb. I look forward to the challenge of Boro, who might be sterner, and there are other sides that look promising at this stage. I dont buy into the table only matters after 10 games. It matters now. We are top, and have the 100% record. It is earned. I just know we will face tougher games than so far. One last thing to note. Neither positive or negative, just a comment. According to Regis we will re start the coach search. I think that is right. Purely on numbers I think 3 is too light for outfield squad of 20 plus. What I hope we do is push the boat out on this and appoint some bright expressive coach with a load of desire. There are so many, in this country and across europe, it could be a real opportunity to appoint a natural successor for when Regis replaces Pep in 5 years
Now I get why we failed on a couple of striker targets - they knew they weren’t getting the shirt off Mayenda.
completely agree with all of this, and particularly the note of caution on our start. We need to not get carried away. I feel we’ve not been properly tested yet. Wonderful start though
Let’s hope we can ALL move on from the angst of the transfer window , even if we hadn’t signed anyone the old lot are doing ok !!!
Don't worry mate. No opposition player has scored against us in 360 minutes of football this season. Haway the defence!
What I wouldnt give to play 1 game in front of our fans and get that reception at the end. It must feel brilliant. Emotional here looking at them daft buggers travelled all that way. Legends. All being well I am doing my bit at Plymouth in a couple of weeks...
Said something similar when my 11yr old grandson kicked off, blaming his mam because she predicted 3-1 and said it was the worst day of his life I said that the pressure is off now so we don't have to worry in future games about conceding our first goal (whilst feeling absolutely gutted myself, particularly for O9, who looked devastated
Mowbray’s attacking plan (God love him) consisted of little more that ‘give it to the attackers and let them cook’. There’s far more structure and method to how we attack under RLB I think. Well recruited players, well coached in a sensible structure both in and out of possession. I honestly dunno if I’ve ever seen that whole combination done better at safc in my lifetime.
with the caution bit - don’t disagree at all but as a coach how much value do you put in momentum? As in is this a good thing we’ve played poor opposition early on? Especially with a new approach. I’d imagine if we’d played good teams and been outplayed it would be harder for players to take on the new philosophy
I agree with everything too, apart from the ‘not getting carried away’ bit. I’m not in the team, so me getting carried away will have zero impact upon performances. I’m going to revel in this as while it lasts! (I’m allowing myself to get carried away )
