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It was with much relief as we trooped down to the UniBol after surviving this year’s January sales unscathed in terms of losing any key players, other than the four first-half season loanees who didn’t return.
In fact, we have to be pleased with the efforts of Keith Hill, David Flitcroft and Irfan Kawri, who managed to bring in 10 players during the transfer window, despite all the embargoes which we are still under.
These additional players – plus the imminent return of long-term injured players like Joe Bunney, Ali Crawford and Jack Hobbs – have got to give us strength in depth and give Keith Hill the previously unheard-of luxury of who to leave out.
Having said that, we have got to hope our luck with injuries vastly improves as the bad luck continued with the unfortunate Will Buckley having his leg broken, less than five minutes after coming on following his re-signing for the club.
The fans are still struggling with all the new names, but Keith Hill had the opportunity to rest a couple of the youngsters in Liam Edwards and Ronan Darcy while bringing in Kean Bryan for his debut and the evergreen Chris O’Grady.
Would the new-look squad finally start to gel after a poor run of results in January? Well, we didn’t have long to wait as Dennis Politic got us off to a flyer as he slammed in a great goal in the second minute. The side seemed well-balanced and continued to dominate for most of the match with O’Grady sealing the win with the second goal and his career 100th.
With the three loanees in the back four, the defence looked comfortable and solid, giving Remi Matthews little to do. Overall it was an encouraging performance and certainly the best at home for a long while.
While it augurs well for a strong finish to the season, we have got to keep things in perspective. One win against poor opposition doesn’t turn us into world beaters.
The next few games against better teams and in particular, games away from home will give us a better idea of the way things are going and whether the impossible dream is still on.
Most fans accept that it is not and that the realistic view is to finish with a strong, competitive squad, ready for an all-out assault on League Two next season.
Source
In fact, we have to be pleased with the efforts of Keith Hill, David Flitcroft and Irfan Kawri, who managed to bring in 10 players during the transfer window, despite all the embargoes which we are still under.
These additional players – plus the imminent return of long-term injured players like Joe Bunney, Ali Crawford and Jack Hobbs – have got to give us strength in depth and give Keith Hill the previously unheard-of luxury of who to leave out.
Having said that, we have got to hope our luck with injuries vastly improves as the bad luck continued with the unfortunate Will Buckley having his leg broken, less than five minutes after coming on following his re-signing for the club.
The fans are still struggling with all the new names, but Keith Hill had the opportunity to rest a couple of the youngsters in Liam Edwards and Ronan Darcy while bringing in Kean Bryan for his debut and the evergreen Chris O’Grady.
Would the new-look squad finally start to gel after a poor run of results in January? Well, we didn’t have long to wait as Dennis Politic got us off to a flyer as he slammed in a great goal in the second minute. The side seemed well-balanced and continued to dominate for most of the match with O’Grady sealing the win with the second goal and his career 100th.
With the three loanees in the back four, the defence looked comfortable and solid, giving Remi Matthews little to do. Overall it was an encouraging performance and certainly the best at home for a long while.
While it augurs well for a strong finish to the season, we have got to keep things in perspective. One win against poor opposition doesn’t turn us into world beaters.
The next few games against better teams and in particular, games away from home will give us a better idea of the way things are going and whether the impossible dream is still on.
Most fans accept that it is not and that the realistic view is to finish with a strong, competitive squad, ready for an all-out assault on League Two next season.
Source