cityexile

Not bad for a National League side.

It’s the hope that kills you. Done today by a team that had a clear plan and executed it well. We were very laboured all match.

Almost inevitable. Got to say, across the second half just about deserved as well. Opposite of our match at their place. Their game plan worked.

Cannot recall so much as a half chance for us this half.

Seems so. Millwall starting to fancy it.

No changes. Think we will see them 65min ish.

Meh, exactly the kind of match that was feared, given the way Millwall line up and our rotation and our well known weaknesses. Kept them very quiet but they have us as well. All a bit football by the numbers. Hopefully we can sneak something second half.

I can assure you, OTIB most certainly can…

On a bit of a minor run themselves, 7 points from last 3 matches, keeping clean sheets in them all. No easy matches etc etc. Will not be easy to break down, 1-0 us seems as good a shout as any.

No reason why not. Nine teams there from 6th to 14th, and frankly any of them with a bit of form, luck, consistency, could nab 6th. Ipswich now just 3 clear. Done well in fairness, but don’t see them holding off Southampton.

It has, although that’s not quite the final table at the end of the night. Was just looking at Middlesborough, not great form, then suddenly one win, up from 14th to be tucked just behind us. Just shows how tight it all is.

Teams have played a lot of football, and those at the bottom digging in for anything. Ipswich 0-0 at home to QPR, Rotherham a point v Sunderland and Sheff Wed a win at Preston. Not great today against a side determ8ned at home to grind out some kind of result, just lacked a spot of quality Not sure Millwall, who have found a little form, will be any easier, but one game at a time I guess. Four unbeaten.

Elements of the QPR match really, A home team that need to battle for everything, made it hard but happy if need be with the 0-0 as something to build on. I guess if not going to have a shot on target all match 0-0 about the best result possible. Dull, and just created just about nothing. Game to many? Its a point. Not sure Millwall will be much different as a match. Keeps us grounded as to where we are still work in progress.

Would think B’ham would be the happier. They are in poor form, but working hard, keeping us quiet and must fancy they can nick one at some stage, which may be all it needs. Different kind of challange for us tonight.

Did not fancy us to win against Sunderland, Hull or Watford in truth. On current form, I do fancy us tomorrow. So, we are getting tonked.

Agree with all that. There is a pile of teams from 6th to 14th where the only thing separating them is one good moment or one more unlucky moment across the season so far. They all seem to have had a bit of form at differing times then faded. Whether this is just our 15 mins in the sun or something more we will see. Just enjoying the win!

Umm…top 6 squad?

For what it is worth, I have never questioned the mentality of this group of players. Quality at times of course, but not commitment. ’front foot football’ is seen as a bit of a throwaway line, but I think Manning is a bit more offensive minded than Pearson, I think the latter is to be praised for, well, the DNA of the players he brought in, with not much investment. We all hope Manning can get them to push on.

Throw in a cup win and jobs a good ‘un.

Was just thinking, Max would be slaughtered for one of those. Hull, decent side, looked to have an extra gear at times, but still needed a joke of a decision to get ahead. A real shocker. Than their goalie has a mare. Back on an even keel. Won 9, lost 9, drawn 5, gd 0. Kind of league when we go three or four without a win I start looking at the bottom. Win a couple and it’s ‘the top six are not that far away...’. Huge week 6 points, get the jingle bells in!

Their first effort really.

Sunderland looked like a play off side, we didn’t, but sometimes the result is everything. Feels like a huge three points, and whilst looked second best for the second half, had to work extremely hard to keep that clean sheet. Get in. And well done Max.

Decent match overall. Neither side looks like keeping a clean sheet in fairness, let’s hope we can nick another and see it out. Not conceding in the first five minutes after half time would be a bonus.

Meh. Getting to the stage we need a win. Better in the second half and made a game of it…but seem better when not ‘Manning ball’ it. Another match when maybe could have got a little more, but weak at the back at key moments.

Have to assume Sykes minutes are being managed to a plan, or we are nuts.