Two ways to look at season’s start
THERE we have it, another point gained, five unbeaten and sitting pretty in 8th position. Not a bad start at all for us. However, if you tilt that ever so slightly on its axis you could read it as two points dropped, no home win in three attempts and we couldn’t take our chances against a team who have struggled since the opening day and have already parted company with a manager. That reads a little differently.
In the first half we were all over them, watching us get the ball wide at the minute is like poetry in motion. McConville is only getting better and if Jordan Clark doesn’t stop it with those dazzling runs Piero might not get a look in all season. Couple that with a struggling side and you should be on to a winner. Problem is, we don’t score whilst on top and it costs us.
Zanzala is quickly showing us that he may be unable to step up to the plate. A missed sitter at Blackpool and a hat full of chances this week mean the young striker should have opened his account by now and in doing so, won us the game on Saturday. Dependent on how these loanees shape up I fear he may be running out of chances.
We have all come to know John Coleman over the years as a gloriously ruthless man. That ruthlessness has overseen four promotions for Stanley, we have no time for passengers. That being said, the management still doesn’t seem to know our best team and we’re still feeling our way through these early matches. Ross Sykes saw that ruthlessness at the weekend in the team selection, I must admit, I felt a bit sorry for the defender.
Andy Holt has previously stated on social media (quoting Coleman): “we will just have to put up with mistakes if we are going to get him going”, then saying we’re “a proper club” and unlike Premier League teams that waste young prospects. All fair comments but does Ross being dropped to the bench mean that chance has passed him by and we’ll have to “get rid” just like clubs at the top so often do?
Being dropped is part and parcel of being a footballer and I understand that. To be dropped after comments of reassurance and backing by the manager and chairman in recent weeks must be a bit of a kick in the stomach for the 19-year-old. I felt he deserved to at least come onto the pitch in replacement of Hughes, he’s earnt it through his performances.
On to Saturday, and an old enemy in Burton Albion. They alone have been able to match our rise through the leagues over the past two decades and even go a step further to tier 2. We need that home win or this may become a bit of a monkey on our backs. The weather is miserable at the time of writing, so my new winter coat may get a run out too. It’s gorgeous, you’ll love it. See you there, Up The Reds.