This is exactly why I was so incredibly disappointed in the first 8 weeks of the season.
We signed the CM we needed, but more importantly we started playing our brand of football.
A wonderful performance.
And why people called for patience
Superb win. What a side this is.
We didn't need to be patient to drop Peers 👀
We u turned and started playing for football when Smith came, it was patience it was signing needed.
There’s more to it than dropping Tom Peers and I don’t believe football is 100% cause and effect, whereby you make a change or addition and that’s the one reason for the result. For me, the significant progress and success we’re seeing is more down to adaptation to the league and us beginning to believe in ourselves.
I say that because even in that first run of games we played good stuff at Notts County, Eastleigh, Hartlepool etc. The signs were always there that we were capable of competing at this level. We’ve looked outclassed once in 21 games, vs Solihull.
Sure, additions to the squad have helped that process. Alistair Smith has been a revelation. I’d say he’s turned a decent side into a good one. Hopefully the next time we have an uneasy run or start you’ll be more hesitant to jump on the manager’s back, as you were a few results away from calling him into question just a few months ago.
He more than deserved the time to find his reinforcements and keep instilling belief in the players. Here we are. We’re doing far better than I could ever have imagined (I just wanted to stay up this season) - let’s enjoy the ride.
Tepid. I hope Phill doesn't try and bother to pull the wool over fans eyes.
Poor all over the park. No striker incoming.
Relegation battle commences.
Football is about moments.
Last season, once the lads stopped sulking after conceding to Chester (Hampson mistake after 4 minutes), we had nothing to fear and kept the ball constantly moving.
Up until Chesterfield, the lads didn't look confident or believe they wanted to play for each other. Or in Phil style.
Chesterfield we went 1 nil down and kept passing through phases and it worked.
Moving Tom to the bench, statistically and aligned with the confidence of that performance, gave the players the belief to keep passing the ball.
My frustration through Phils tenure has been when we haven't stuck to that footballing style. Leamington, Matlock, Stockport (*5), Boston away.
Weve scored 15 goals from Midfielders and 5 from strikers, mainly because we've had to find a way, without those midfield goals, we'd be in trouble.
We also signed Smith, which was like signing 3 players as Moult was able to do his job, likewise Hancock could too. And not trying to force Tom to do 90 minutes.
Quote me 12 weeks later by all means, but I was right in Tom Peers shouldn't be starting, I was correct we needed reinforcement, and I was correct that this league was here for a good go at if we stopped sulking.