While it’s fair to say that the ease with which CA dispatched us was aided by the fact we set against them with a cobbled together team, it was nonetheless quite a humbling experience. There’s no doubt that we have players capable of executing exciting, skilful play, however, they struggle to do so with the consistency necessary to be successful at this level. I’m also increasingly aware that we lack a physical presence; Harrop, who was industrious today, and Johnson are too easily jockeyed off the ball and Peers and Johnson (although not Harrop!) seem loathe to cobtest 50:50 balls. Only Poole, when he’s fit, and Hulme (who shares the responsibility for this defeat given the reason for his suspension) seem to be genuinely comfortable at this level and that is a worry. A word of praise for the ‘keeper too who performed a couple of excellent saves to keep the score more respectable than would otherwise have been the case.
I never thought we’d do anything more than consolidate our place in this league this season and I think that that is what we will do. However, it is clear that with anything less than our first choice XI it’s going to be a big ask.