In most peoples' view Flitcroft (and the players of course) did an amazing job in the second half of last season. My one misgiving was that some of his pronouncements were very Hill-esque (to be expected I guess) and that when things started going wrong the rhetoric would sound pretty empty and that he would quickly start to irritate (just like Hill). All that stuff pre-season about wanting to run the whole football club and things needing to be done differently, about how he now felt respected (one of a number of clear digs at the Don), and how the players were at last being made to feel like proper Championship players, was all great while his team were not expected to deliver. Only a few weeks into the season and it looks like the bubble has truly burst (even allowing for injuries and misfortune). I sincerely hope I'm wrong but I have an awful feeling we are going down a very familiar slippery slope. All the more disappointing given that, for the first time in years, I was actually feeling pretty optimistic. There is obviously plenty of time for things to come good. Let's hope so.
One of the main problems Flicker got now is the squad size. Last season, especially the 2nd part, we had a much smaller squad. The bench had a few youngsters on it just to make numbers at times. He's now got a much larger squad and must be finding it more difficult to select his best 11 and formation. He's stated in numerous interviews he isn't afraid to drop people, but some would say the right ones aren't getting dropped at times. I've seen 4 of the 6 games this season and most times I have questioned his tactics, formation etc. Nothing matches last season in terms of the type of football, the intensity or even his belief that he's spoken about during preseason. It maybe earlier doors but he quickly needs to stamp his mark this season. Mansford and Watkins won't mess around. There vision is to increase the profile to the local community, to pinch the so-called 'border' fans from Doncaster, Sheffield, Leeds etc. To also compete with the 'pot of clubs' that compete with us in terms of transfers. By the results we are getting or even the type of football can we increase that profile? My view is No.
