Just seen the goals on Sky - outstanding!

The first following another of Liam Beckenbauer’s specialty diagonal long balls to Jordan Williams. Two short passes and then a lovely flick into the net from Devante.

The second was even better with some slick passing down the left and Nicky Cadden brilliantly slipping the ball one side of the defender while running past him on the other side. Then he fired the ball across goal for an easy tap in by Cole.

The game as a whole didn’t excite but there were quite a few bits of really special football. Rival managers watching us will wonder why we’re not top of the league yet.

 

I'm often critical on Kitching's passing, he's usually a very solid, dependable defender but his passing is at times criminal. Either too hard, too short or just completely wayward and pointless. But today majority of them were absolutely fantastic, especially his diagonals for Williams. Brilliant display for him today

^^^ Just said that on another post. His passing is improving consistently under Duff and it's clear he sees that as an outlet for us. Cadden for the second goal was exquisite

 

He was and it’s a mystery why he hasn’t clocked up twenty assists already. Not seen such a great crosser at full back for many years

 

Does this surprise anyone that it's the best start to a league since 1981

 

The crossing has been there from day one mate. Just his overall gameplay/fitness wasn't previously. The best thing about it is the consistency of his crosses, absolutely mental to have a player who does it so consistently in league one. And now his overall game play & defending is improving along with his fitness and it's really showing

 

My issue with Kitching is that every game there is always at least one brain fart.

Today he gave the ball with a misplaced three yard pass on half way which led to two corners in a row and might have been worse.

He pings cross field balls a lot, but I’m not convinced on him as a centre back still and if we ever switched to a back four he’d frighten me to death in a two in the middle.

 

The best thing about today’s result is that we are nowhere near our peak yet.

 

Did well to win as there was some sort of bug going round apparently with some of the players affected

 

Never mind a bug going round players. I watched Nicky Cadden go round a player. With my own eyes, I saw it. It definitely happened.

 

This is why he has so much potential though, isn't it. He has the pace, physicality, fight and skills. Experience will iron out those occasional wrinkles.

 

Until recently far too many were hitting the front post or keeper - you asked me where ball should go - we were always told as kids to hit space between 6 yard box and penalty spot - like the one he hit V MK Dons. Seems to be more variety now and it's working

 

Heard that and it definitely amazes me. We won our first 5 games in 96-7 and surely the Bassett and Stendel seasons saw us with more points after 20 games?

 

Truly top coach and will be on the radar.

 

Good information. Just an observation that in the 2 points for a win era there was more incentive to play for a draw which, of course, is why they changed it.

edit. Did you notice how far back we were from the automatic places at this point in the Stendell season?

 

Amazing what the coaches have achieved on Limited resources.
Imagine if we could get 2 additional players in January to push us on.

 

Despite the Doubting Toms and Alberts around here this is shaping up to be an outstanding season.

That points gap above us means nothing. We have to play every top side at home so I can see us cruising past them all.

 

Probably only the 78-79 season under Allan Clarke that has been a better start after 20 games in my time watching the Reds.
Incredible achievement by Duff and his team really.