It can't just be me who didn't think today was that bad?

I'll start by saying that I've had a couple of ales (pre- and post-match) and my football reviewing skills aren't the strongest, but I'm really surprised at the depth of negative opinion on here this evening.

Obviously I'm gutted that we lost. But I saw a team of very young players who only have the benefit of a couple of friendlies behind them. I think when we played well we looked miles better than Crawley, and that misplaced passes and a general lack of confidence are only to be expected from people who in a lot of cases have only known each other for a matter of weeks. I was expecting us to lose a couple of matches up front, and I expect us to get a hell of a lot better as the months pass. We've still got Turnbull and Lita to throw into the mix, and that experience will make a big difference.

Three things that I came away from the match thinking: Firstly, why didn't any of our midfielders try and run at them? The game was begging for the kind of movement that comes from decent players taking on the opposition's defence at speed. Secondly, why did we revert to playing the ball up to Winnall like he was O'Grady? A 'back to goal' target man that guy is emphatically not - we needed speed, movement and overlapping runs. And, lastly, if we're going to do anything this season the team is going to have to get used to going behind, and not let their heads drop like they did today. It was almost like going back to the last eight years - as soon as Crawley scored we looked like we'd given up the ghost.

On Jennings: couldn't see the incident that well from my seat in the East Stand, but I did see him raise his arms. I think in this situation the crowd's reaction spoke volumes though - obviously there's always a bit of 'constructive feedback' for the referee after he's sent someone off, but it's rare that I've seen so many people so angry at a decision. I think that in general the referee allowed Crawley to get away with a hell of a lot today - it was a poor display from him.

Anyone else clutching desperately to that last straw of positivity?

 

Jennings - It looked, albeit from East Upper, looked like he did raise his hands and shove the other guy.

 

a poncy push against a potentially leg breaking challenge, yes I know technically the push is a sending off offence but hell fire, which was the worst of the 2.......bit of common sense needed by the ref who as said let the creepies get away with a lot today.....when we started to get it together after the first 1/2 hour we were by far the better of the 2 sides.........plenty of room for optimism.....but you,ll always get the doom merchants after any defeat wont you

 

No read to panic I don't think we will start to fit together as a team tactically until late October early November. It's the way of modern football fans isn't it? No patience love criticising our players (especially local lads, complete overreaction. Time to judge any improvement is after a season not one game.