Today was the straw that broke the camels back for me. Much as though it pains me to say it, with a few exceptions, our current crop simply don't have the ability or more importantly, the desire and bottle at this level. Incapable - we are simply unable to score from open play. Today, we had 18 attempts on goal (only 2 on target) but yet again, our only goal resulted from a set piece. That said, we have been moaning about the lack of a penalty all season and yet with 2 strikers on the pitch, a midfielder takes it - WTF does that say about our forwards...?! Weak - when an opposition team puts us under any kind of concerted pressure, WE FOLD. We were in control against MK Dons and Charlton, it was one way traffic but, as with MKD, when they applied desperation pressure at the end, we bottled it both times and these are supposedly 2 worse teams than us. For the umpteenth time this season, I will say again that you can have all the possession you like but if you can't either create or take your chances, at the end of the day, it is completely, totally and sometimes, literally pointless. When you analyse it, the reason is pretty obvious. Despite our formation, OUR MIDFIELD PROPER HAS CONTRIBUTED 1 (THAT'S ONE) GOAL ALL SEASON from Luke Freeman which I would add is actually EVEN WORSE than when we were falling apart at the end of the relegation season last time round. We essentially have 2 holding players in Pack and Smith so that just leaves Freeman to try and create and frankly, he is struggling on his own so we have nothing in the middle which the stats clearly reflect. We desperately need a couple of positive players in midfield who will drive into the box and have a shot or create havoc/space for others rather than just circle around and recycle the ball ineffectively. We also need another striker who can score to go along side Kojida. I take my hat off to Wilbs as I thought at 36 he might not be that effective at this level but he clearly still has the desire and, he knows where the back of the net is. Nevertheless, he is coming to the end so, we need a younger version WITH GOALSCORING PEDIGREE AT THIS LEVEL (or better). Another last gasp injury time goal robbed us of 2 extra points today and with this and the MK Dons game, those lost 4 points and our inability to defend under pressure could well make the difference between survival and relegation at the end of the season.
It's not looking good and the transfer market will be a last hope at best. We've known for a long time where the weaknesses lie and yet the action to redress the situation has been little, or none. Let's hope they know what they want this time around.
