That Was The Month That Was

Better late than never! (although some will no doubt disagree). It’s time for the customary look back at the month that was February. A month that has consisted mainly of us missing chances to get right back into the auto promotion showdown. We’re slowly getting back to being the side we can be, but the leaky defence should be giving all concerned some long, sleepless nights.

Match reviews:

Bournemouth (H) – A return to winning ways after the misery that was January. Attacking verve returned to the side after too long, with the movement of Alan Tate into the much missed midfield destroyers role probably making the difference, thus allowing the attacking players a bit more of a free reign. We could and probably should have won by more, but in the end a solitary Andy Robinson strike made the difference. It’s a nice feeling winning again.

Carmarthen (A – FAW) – A strong(ish) side travelled to meet the conquerors of Cardiff’s youth team (you pay £1m a year for THAT? snigger ) and didn’t really impress. We came damn close to losing until an acrobatic equaliser from midfield goal machine Andy Robinson took the tie to extra-time, and eventually Lee Trundle’s first goal since the Cretaceous Period settled the tie much later than it should have been. Still, a guaranteed £50,000 in the bank and a repeat of last years final against the Gogs is more than welcome.

Nottm Forest (A) – An excellent win against a side with one of the best home records in the division. A real backs to the wall performance despite losing most of our defence through injury in the first half. Quality strikes from Forbsey and Trundle let us put one over on the somewhat arrogant Former European Champions, who replied through ex-Swan Nathan Tyson. It does have to be said that results like this make our struggles since Christmas all the more annoying though. We could have been top by loads by now.

Bradford City (H) – A far from vintage display saw us surrender a well-earned lead through our complete inability to do anything about set pieces. The defensive frailties that to be fair have been evident for most of the season cost us points yet again. Leon Knight can accept a pat on the back for a cracking goal, but other than that there’s not a lot to write about here.

Scunthorpe (A) – It had to be Torpey. After 94 minutes of us doing just about enough to beat the Scumbag Laws side, up popped the much maligned ex-Swan to nod home yet another header from yet another set piece from yet another corner. Two more points thrown away in our own inimitable style. Leon Knight’s fine goalscoring form continues, but as in the Bradford game, disappointment is about the only abiding emotion. Bummer.

Huddersfield (H) – For sixty minutes it was like being back in September. The SKY cameras witnessed us destroy one of the divisions best sides with pace, flair and power. They simply had no answer to it as LT10 continued his return to goalscoring form, and Ickle Leon put us two up. Come the second half, Kenny’s inexplicable reluctance to change things around cost us as Huddersfield’s more direct style caused the traditional panic in our defensive line. As soon as their first goal went in, the second became almost inevitable. What a wasted opportunity this was, and the compliments from other teams fans on our display didn’t help lift the gloom. I blame Rory Fallon.

Plus Points – The football hasn’t been that bad. Toward the end of the month there have been definite signs that we’re getting back to being the side we know we can be. As injured players return, hopefully some stability in the line-up will only make that process easier. Trundle seems to be up to banging them in again, and that alone should be cause for optimism.

Minuses – Defence, defence and defence. We’re lax, nervous, and about as solid as the foundations of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We need to cut out the sheer volume of preventable goals we are conceding, and questions are being asked of pretty much all concerned. If Kenny’s phone bill in search of loanees isn’t bigger than Bayo’s burger bill then there’s something wrong somewhere.

Overall Grade for February – C+

There are grounds for optimism. The confidence in attack we displayed for most of the season prior to Chrimble is definitely returning to the side, along with the form of LT10, but we are being hamstrung by almost constant lapses at the back. There are still an awful lot of twists and turns to go in the season, and if we can bring someone in to run the defence then automatic promotion is still very much a possibility. The points lost can only count against the monthly performance though.

J

Previous Reviews: August September October November December January

By Planet Swans Archives