Forgive the source, but this is interesting: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sites/default/files/imagecache/ts_magazine_big_picture/Untitled-1_76.jpg It emphasises just how much the slow start to matches is costing the Team at present. They seem to be doing well, and beating Stoke will be great to give impetus for the future. With a solid LB now in, the most important thing is that matches are started briskly. The teams fitness is awesome - they always seem full of running for the full 90mins - and that has beaten opponents well in the closing stages this season. However, poor first half performances have cost points. Keeping it tight from the 1st minute is key now. Better starts to games, and the Team will climb the table quickly.
I've been banging on about this for months. We MUST start with the same urgency that we're showing in the 2nd half. We need to press from the front, and force the opposition into playing hurried passes. We need to dictate the pace of the game from the start and not let the oppo get into their stride.
