Last year v this year

I'd actually got it wrong and thought Bolton were on the same points as us, but either way I don't think the stat makes a difference. Bolton averaging 2pts per game doesn't matter when we still have them to play at home. Based on what we've seen in recent games against both teams neither Bolton or Derby are any better than us, so writing us off on the basis of that stat doesn't make any sense.

 

I know what you mean about my comment about the back 3. I think though I would pick Earl over Kitchin and Mael potentially over Thomas and I have high hopes of Pines settling quickly and not being far off Anderson so 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

 

When comparing this season to last I don't think we should discount the situation Collins has found himself in.

Unlike Duff he's had to source not one but two keepers. Yes Duff brought in Isted but he chose to let Walton go and drop Brad Collins.

Unlike Duff he's had to rebuild the entire backline. Andersen left in the summer as expected, Thomas didn't make his loan permanent and Kitching, first game aside, was clearly affected by the speculation about a transfer and then the subsequent move. He dealt with this by moving his first choice RWB to RCB through necessity rather than choice and had to rotate the two options at RWB as neither seems capable of a stand out performance unless coming on as sub.

I don't think the issue of having to try and play a saleable asset in Styles can be ignored either. He tried to get him working in midfield but it just didn't seem right. Eventually he dropped Cadden to get him in the side at LWB.

Phillips. I don't think the Styles issue helped Phillips who I also think suffered a bit of a hangover from the Wembley incident.

Norwood. Whether you think he could still cut it at this level or not, losing one of last season's starting strikers and someone who had brought out the best in Cole was another blow.

Obviously Duff had his own challenges to overcome and I'm not suggesting he walked into a perfect situation but he didn't have the defensive heart of the team ripped away from him. I also don't recall there being such a vocal calling for his head after any defeat or poor performance.

I wasn't completely convinced by Collins' appointment but was fully open to giving him time to prove himself. Yes I've been frustrated with the style of play at times and some of the home defeats but overall I'm happy with what he's achieved so far. We look set to make the playoffs at minimum and I genuinely believe that if we beat Bolton there's a good chance we could finish second. He's definitely done enough to get my backing for another season, one where he's had a summer with players he wants to be fully prepared for the upcoming season.