PFKAKTF FOX
Well-Known Member
Everybody talks about the infamous Sheffield United match, when early in MON's managerial career with us, following a dismal home defeat the crowd vented their anger and fustration, whilst in hindsight it probably wasnt the right course of action, it seemed to be the catalyst of what was to be a golden era for our club.
Now I am not saying we are ever going to repeat those glory years, but I do believe that the defeat against Burnley at home could well be the spark that ignites the CL revolution. I dont expect us to win promotion this season, but what I have witnessed since that sorry performance is a renewed determination by the players and management to avoid a repeat of that type of display.
There was in the aftermath of that defeat the first real signs of pressure on CL, the final whistle was greeted with cries of "what a load of rubbish", the forums had many concerned fans questioning the direction the club was heading, some of the comments were over the top and without consideration, but on the whole most were constructive, it was the manner of the performance that really hurt many City fans, proving that most fans will accept defeat as long as they can see a side giving nothing less than 100%.
The way the players have bounced back from this defeat, has given me a lot of encouragement as to the character of not only the squad itself but also that of the management team. It also shows just how much this squad wants to play for this manager, which is always a good sign.
CL too has demonstrated his managerial ability too, his tactical astuteness has come to the fore, the way he has used his squad over the past 3 games, he seems as well to be coming to terms with English football, he does appear to learn from his mistakes, and he is not afraid to try different formations and tactics if he believes that will win the game, as demonstrated at Cardiff. More importantly for me though is how he has shown his squad he is not afraid to be ruthless, both Alan Maybury and Gareth Williams have been disciplined recently, and both have found it difficult in regaining their positions in the team, Maybury only returned on wednesday night, whilst Williams played on wednesday but was not in the 16 again yesterday.
I am not going to get carried away and to start to think we are now going to win promotion this season, but what I am now seeing is the improvement that CL had promised, and the real belief that next season we will, with some more decent additions, be a real force to be reckoned with.
Now I am not saying we are ever going to repeat those glory years, but I do believe that the defeat against Burnley at home could well be the spark that ignites the CL revolution. I dont expect us to win promotion this season, but what I have witnessed since that sorry performance is a renewed determination by the players and management to avoid a repeat of that type of display.
There was in the aftermath of that defeat the first real signs of pressure on CL, the final whistle was greeted with cries of "what a load of rubbish", the forums had many concerned fans questioning the direction the club was heading, some of the comments were over the top and without consideration, but on the whole most were constructive, it was the manner of the performance that really hurt many City fans, proving that most fans will accept defeat as long as they can see a side giving nothing less than 100%.
The way the players have bounced back from this defeat, has given me a lot of encouragement as to the character of not only the squad itself but also that of the management team. It also shows just how much this squad wants to play for this manager, which is always a good sign.
CL too has demonstrated his managerial ability too, his tactical astuteness has come to the fore, the way he has used his squad over the past 3 games, he seems as well to be coming to terms with English football, he does appear to learn from his mistakes, and he is not afraid to try different formations and tactics if he believes that will win the game, as demonstrated at Cardiff. More importantly for me though is how he has shown his squad he is not afraid to be ruthless, both Alan Maybury and Gareth Williams have been disciplined recently, and both have found it difficult in regaining their positions in the team, Maybury only returned on wednesday night, whilst Williams played on wednesday but was not in the 16 again yesterday.
I am not going to get carried away and to start to think we are now going to win promotion this season, but what I am now seeing is the improvement that CL had promised, and the real belief that next season we will, with some more decent additions, be a real force to be reckoned with.
Oh yes!
