THE KCOM FORTRESS
WIN OVER WIMBLEDON
Compared to Hull City’s win at Rochdale, Tuesday’s display at home to AFC Wimbledon was at the other end of the spectacle spectrum. One performance oozed class and style, the other grit and determination. The end result, however, was the same with the Tigers claiming two wins and as many clean sheets.
Credit to the gaffer...
Grant Mccann deserves credit for the way in which he’s organised his team so far. Yes, we can groan on endlessly about last season and whether or not he should still be in charge, etc etc.
The fact of the matter is that he is, and we need to look forward as focusing too much on that is not going to achieve anything, nor is it going to help anyone, just make people more agitated when we all need a little bit of happiness and fun in our lives.
There’s much to admire about the way Mccann has carried himself in recent weeks and while he’ll never be accepted in some quarters, you can’t knock the way in which he’s started this term.
Character aplenty...
The City dressing room took some stick in the aftermath of the second half offering at Fleetwood, and rightly so.
Maybe, just maybe, however, it became a blessing in disguise as it felt a little like the players were starting to take things for granted after such a comprehensive start to the season. Add to that the confidence their display at Leeds would have given them, and you can start to understand why.
Their response at Rochdale was perfect, and while the performance against Wimbledon was a very different one, it also showed a resilience, a desperation to get a goal and hold onto the lead once they’d earned it.
If promotion is to be won, Mccann’s men are going to have to deliver all types of performances.
And in truth, as long as they keep winning, I doubt Mccann and the players could care a jot.
Unearthing the talent...
Two games into his fledging senior career at City, and it looks like Jacob Greaves has been playing in the centre of defence for years.
His debut at Rochdale was solid enough, looking at ease alongside Reece Burke, and again here, Greaves stepped it up a level, producing a fine all-round display to help City keep yet another clean sheet.
Not only was he calm and polished in front of his own goal, but also he’s a major threat to the other, as his part in the winning goal will testify.
On this evidence Jordy de Wijs may face a struggle to get his place back.
Fortress KCOM
Greg Docherty spoke about the need to build solid foundations at the KCOM prior to Tuesday night’s win, and he’s right.
Managers and players often spit out the rhetoric about needing to make their home a tough place to come to, and we often get bored of hearing the same spiel, especially if it isn’t backed up with results and performances.
City have a wonderful stadium, a bowling green-like playing surface, and for too long, opposition teams have relished coming to it and taking home wins without City putting up much of a fight.
Not everything will go their way this season, and games will be lost, but the important thing is that those are few and far between, that teams are not enjoying their visits.
So far, things have been good. Three straight wins, no goals conceded and confidence flowing - that is promising and the message will start to get to teams that coming to the KCOM isn’t a day at the races.
Saturday will prove to be the acid test against Posh, though in City’s current form, you’d be hard pushed to back against them sending Peterborough back down the A1 with their tail between their legs.
Keep it up
The equation is simple, if City stay where they are, promotion back to the Championship is done and dusted.
But being top in October counts for little if you’re third come May, or worse still, seventh.
What it does do, is lift spirits, and if ever a club needed its heart picking up off the floor and being given the kiss of life, this was it.
In League One, the Tigers were always going to be the scalp, the club with the biggest pressure and they’re there to be shot at. The challenge is proving they are up for the battle, that they can meet the forthcoming challenges head on and be a success to ensure they stay there.