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For all the praise lavished upon Dougie Freedman’s tactical triumph on the South Coast last week, a return to more familiar climes on Saturday could present a whole new set of problems for the Wanderers boss.
Home has been anything but sweet for the Whites of late and they head into this weekend’s Millwall clash as the only club in the Football League yet to win on their own ground.
Only Leeds United and QPR have taken three points from the Reebok, and by a single goal at that, but for those watching on from the stands this season it has been an exasperating experience filled with lost leads and wasted opportunities. Before Andrew Johnson scored in front of the TV cameras for Harry Redknapp’s Rangers back in August, Wanderers had gone eight months without losing in front of their own fans.
Crucially, they failed to beat Blackpool in May when it really mattered most – but there was little sign back then that things would deteriorate as quickly as they have.
Numbers do not make upbeat reading after eight winless attempts.
The average length of a lead at home this season is a paltry 14 minutes and four consecutive draws is just one short of equalling a club record.
Failure to beat Millwall would also edge Wanderers closer to the 11 home games without a win registered in the disastrous 1902-1903 campaign.
But perhaps the worst statistic of all is a drop in numbers through the turnstiles, now more than 2,000 down on last year.
After an encouraging average of 18,103 on their return to the Championship, gates have dropped to 15,935 over the course of seven games so far.
Those attendance figures would perhaps be ignored if things were running smoothly at the Reebok but the fact they have not turns up the pressure considerably on Freedman and his side to start turning draws into victories, and soon.
Just as he did last season after taking over a confidence-sapped side from Owen Coyle, Freedman’s attempt to remedy a poor start has been to establish a solid base, built around an organised if not entirely home crowd-friendly style. Six unbeaten games suggest it is working.
Just as there were complaints a couple of months into his tenure, the grumbles have resurfaced tenfold after frustrating draws against Yeovil, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.
After surrendering a lead in the last of those games, Freedman said he may encourage his side to shut up shop completely the next time they find themselves in front – a suggestion that sparked concern among many home fans. When the Wanderers boss outwitted his opposite number Eddie Howe with a well-executed display of counter attacking at Bournemouth last weekend there were few complaints of negativity among the 1,000 travelling supporters heading back north.
But can Freedman afford to adopt such cautious tactics on home turf? Indeed is it even wise with a crowd already discouraged by what they have seen so far?
After sticking by the club during some difficult times you could argue that the current crop of Reebok patrons deserve a bit of cheer.
Freedman’s organised, possession-based approach has proved an acquired taste, however, and it may be that a bit more patience will be required while the manager attempts to restore confidence levels to their pre-May highs.
Whether Freedman even has the attacking options to go more gung-ho is a matter of debate.
Craig Davies and Andre Moritz continue to struggle for fitness and Chris Eagles for form, leaving youngsters Rob Hall or Sanmi Odelusi as the only players with first team experience that he could pitch in against Millwall to change the current balance.
On the back of a win there are those who argue ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ but finding a way of pleasing the crowd and gaining a result is the conundrum facing Freedman as he rolls out the welcome mat for the Lions.
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Home has been anything but sweet for the Whites of late and they head into this weekend’s Millwall clash as the only club in the Football League yet to win on their own ground.
Only Leeds United and QPR have taken three points from the Reebok, and by a single goal at that, but for those watching on from the stands this season it has been an exasperating experience filled with lost leads and wasted opportunities. Before Andrew Johnson scored in front of the TV cameras for Harry Redknapp’s Rangers back in August, Wanderers had gone eight months without losing in front of their own fans.
Crucially, they failed to beat Blackpool in May when it really mattered most – but there was little sign back then that things would deteriorate as quickly as they have.
Numbers do not make upbeat reading after eight winless attempts.
The average length of a lead at home this season is a paltry 14 minutes and four consecutive draws is just one short of equalling a club record.
Failure to beat Millwall would also edge Wanderers closer to the 11 home games without a win registered in the disastrous 1902-1903 campaign.
But perhaps the worst statistic of all is a drop in numbers through the turnstiles, now more than 2,000 down on last year.
After an encouraging average of 18,103 on their return to the Championship, gates have dropped to 15,935 over the course of seven games so far.
Those attendance figures would perhaps be ignored if things were running smoothly at the Reebok but the fact they have not turns up the pressure considerably on Freedman and his side to start turning draws into victories, and soon.
Just as he did last season after taking over a confidence-sapped side from Owen Coyle, Freedman’s attempt to remedy a poor start has been to establish a solid base, built around an organised if not entirely home crowd-friendly style. Six unbeaten games suggest it is working.
Just as there were complaints a couple of months into his tenure, the grumbles have resurfaced tenfold after frustrating draws against Yeovil, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town.
After surrendering a lead in the last of those games, Freedman said he may encourage his side to shut up shop completely the next time they find themselves in front – a suggestion that sparked concern among many home fans. When the Wanderers boss outwitted his opposite number Eddie Howe with a well-executed display of counter attacking at Bournemouth last weekend there were few complaints of negativity among the 1,000 travelling supporters heading back north.
But can Freedman afford to adopt such cautious tactics on home turf? Indeed is it even wise with a crowd already discouraged by what they have seen so far?
After sticking by the club during some difficult times you could argue that the current crop of Reebok patrons deserve a bit of cheer.
Freedman’s organised, possession-based approach has proved an acquired taste, however, and it may be that a bit more patience will be required while the manager attempts to restore confidence levels to their pre-May highs.
Whether Freedman even has the attacking options to go more gung-ho is a matter of debate.
Craig Davies and Andre Moritz continue to struggle for fitness and Chris Eagles for form, leaving youngsters Rob Hall or Sanmi Odelusi as the only players with first team experience that he could pitch in against Millwall to change the current balance.
On the back of a win there are those who argue ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ but finding a way of pleasing the crowd and gaining a result is the conundrum facing Freedman as he rolls out the welcome mat for the Lions.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
