Three points.
We've all heard it said that at the end of the day it's the result that matters and in many ways that's true. We certainly don't want to go along with the suicidal “It's the performance that counts” approach we adopted under Howard ‘What Were We Thinking' Wilkinson.
When it comes down to it I'm always happier to have played badly and won than to have dominated the game from the beginning and lost. We all know how both can affect a season, look at the games last year where we dominated both West Brom and West Ham at the Stadium of Light. We played good football but didn't get our rewards and the effect this had on our team was plain to see.
It is often said it is a sign of a quality side to play badly but still get a result and I think that applies to the Sheffield Wednesday performance. Though I would not say we played badly I certainly believe that we didn't play the type of football I know we can and in many ways it is a good thing. It is after all what won us promotion in the first place.
Saturday was never going to be a day for flowery end to end exciting football. It was always going to be a matter of breaking down a stubborn and spirited side while trying not to get hit on the counter. This kind of rugged, efficient, gritty football will serve us much better in this division than any number of prima donnas with their step-overs. It will get us results and at the end of the season should we be promoted I for one will not give a damn how well we played or whether or not we deserved to win. It's dog eat dog down here as we have already found out.
This isn't to say that we didn't see a number of good performances and I was delighted to see Ben Alnwick make some cracking saves, I had begun to have doubts over his confidence and he has gone a long way towards putting those doubts to rest.
Speaking of performances, I felt Nyron's return to the side after such a protracted absence was inspirational, and a credit to the lad's attitude and enthusiasm for the game. He has had his critics in the past, I for one was not sure about him when assessing him in his first few games for the club but I genuinely feel that he can make that right back position his own. For me he bossed that right side with his presence, no-nonsense defending and direct running at the opposition.
This being my column I'm going to take a moment to blast the fan behind me who asked me “How can you clap that?” following Nozzers clearance that went straight to the opposition. I don't know what some people expect of our side, but to cut out a cross first time with your left boot and get it away from the danger area is good enough for me. I clearly explained this to the guy who was very quick to shut his mouth when I asked him what he would have preferred. The midfielder that got the ball was promptly tackled by Lawrence and we broke on the counter-attack. Rant over… and if you're reading this (and I hope you do) you know who you are… idiot.
As I said before, it's ugly but it works and that's what we need in this division. The international break now allows us to return some of our players to fitness which will allow us to mix a little flair with the grit and determination that won us the game on Saturday. With any luck it's a combination that will win us promotion. Oh and Roy if you're reading this… give Arnau a run-out… you won't regret it.
FTM
Regards,
Michael
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