What have we learned from this performance? A few things. We still have this problem that’s blighted us for a number of seasons now, and that’s our inability to defend crosses or high balls into the box from wide positions.

It’s a bit of a shame when the opposition don’t really string together any decent build up play and are allowed to just fire a ball in from seemingly nowhere and grab a goal.

Read more…

It’s great to see us in fourth place, but we can’t get carried away and there’s still a long way to go. The win against Sheffield Wednesday was a significant one though, as we’ve not really pulled a result like that out of the bag before. It’s put us right in the thick of the mix and we’re usually just outside that and skirting on the brink of being up there without actually doing it.

But being in the mix means we need to go to that next level and develop some staying power and the only way we can do that is through consistency. If we want to be taken seriously and become genuine promotion contenders, then we need to keep picking up points whatever the performance, like we’ve done at Hillsborough.

And I’m pleased we’ve strengthened the side by adding Tommy Williams to the fold. We’ve got a thin squad and we may still need some more additions in January if we want to stay in contention for the long haul, so this provides a welcome and sensible boost.

At this stage of the season I’m delighted with the position we’re in. The team is settling down and getting used to the system and style of play expected of them and really they should only get better. I don’t think we’ve peaked yet and if we can do that, then we’ll be making great progress and it’s been a few years since I last felt that.

Let’s hope we can sustain this momentum.

It’s easy to think that teams have sussed us out, because Palace closed us down quickly all over the park and suffocated the play. It didn’t allow either side to really get a grip or take a stranglehold on the match.

Read more…