Onwards and upwards?

[Salopian]

A pleasing clean sheet, and a satisfactory point in an away game. We immediately fervently hope that we have turned the corner, as we have a few times this season when an encouraging result followed some disappointing games. (This was also the pattern under Hughton, who managed to produce a result every time it seemed he was near to being shown the door!)

Is there any reason for believing that this really is a corner that has been turned? Against this hope is the recent past and players who seem to lack consistency, especially strikers Hooper Grabban and Jerome, and perhaps the realisation that some of our vaunted players are not up to Championship standard, much less that of the Premiership.

I can off glimmers of hope:

1. Redmond is beginning to show more consistency in crossing the ball, and more recently in shooting. We seem to have hung on to him for the rest of the season, and he could make a real impact.
2. We have played the last two matches lacking at least two of our most creative central midfielders, - Howson and O'Neill. The former has served his ridiculous ban and should return for the next game, but O'Neill seems to have a serious injury. At some point, we hope, Vadis must surely return, and show us what he can do.
3. Bassong seems to have a mind to play again, and Bennett can't be far away from return( -Bennett's last injury was not a recurrence of the serious injury early in the season.) Bassong and Bennett are surely prospectively our best combination?
4. Neil and McAvoy have a good track record, and surely must have something to offer.

It may be that even with improvement we have left ourselves a mountain to climb to get promotion this season, and must bide our time. In the medium term we have the possibility of selecting two or three of the current batch of promising youngsters, and especially the Murphy brothers, Morris, Toffolo McGrandles and McGeehan to mention only some, plus our player currently doing well at Swindon for this season. We should be much stronger at Championship level, if we fail to gain promotion!   The future seems bright!

 

[Dubai Mark]

I know many will disagree, but right now I dont share your positiveness and really see yesterday as two more points dropped :-(

That said, despite everything we remain three points only off the play-offs which is a clear indication of the level of this league and gives me some hope that if we up the performances we could scrape a play-off place...and then its a lottery and you never know what could happen...

 

[Suffolk Canary]

I think the best way to look at it is whether you'd think the teams above us would do any better at St Andrews.

I know they're not pushing for play offs, but they've improved immensely since Gary Rowett came in. Coming away with a point and a clean sheet isn't a bad result.