One or two good results this way are to be expected in the normal fluctuation of form and fortune, but this team now seems to be showing real progress and evidence of their character. Fantastic to see. Coming from behind to win 3 times out of 5 is a huge sign of progress. Obviously it'd be even more progress to not give the first goal away cheaply, but doing it this way may actually give the players an even greater sense of confidence than winning in a more routine way. Preston are far from a bunch of mugs, so I place a lot of stock in that result. Massive respect to the team. I wonder how much the addition of some experience has made this possible? I feel it's really important - James especially. Would a couple of more experienced signings in Jan make the side even stronger, or potentially detract from the 'youthful exhuberence' that is making us hard to play against? A strong centre forward still seems the most essential addition. Of players gone by who I think could add most to this side right now, Jon Macken and Garry O'Connor (first few games) jump out. We don't necessarily need a brute, just someone who knows where to put their body to hold the ball up, buy fouls when we're under the cosh, and bring others into play. I still think we're playing too direct sometimes, but the results absolutely speak for themselves. YOUUUU REDS!
I totally agree about a Macken type signing, my initial thoughts were a Jason Scotland type striker. But I think a Macken type is a better fit. Joe Pigott at Wimbledon seems to score a fair few and from what I've seen of him, his link up play is spot on. He's 27 but target men mature like a good single malt whiskey, got plenty of experience and will have mastered the dark arts.
Scotland's a great reference too, dunno why I didn't think of him. Unfortunately I don't watch much football other than Barnsley, so to me Piggot is a short arsed Jockey whose arse probably isn't hairy due to the physics of horse saddles, which makes him quite unsuitable in my eyes.
