It’s a little while ago now, but I cannot begin this column without commenting on the Play-Off Final. Everything about that performance was top drawer, the tactics spot on, we stopped them playing. We weren’t just thinking about our game, we had clearly done an incredible amount of homework on the opposition. It was a great, great result, I just wish I was there, as the rest of the fanbase do. It’s just a gutter that the fans weren’t there.
It’s hard enough to win promotion back to the Premier League, but when you consider this is Scott’s first senior job, you’ve got to give him credit. He handled himself impeccably all season, but I thought especially during his post-match interviews at Wembley. He reaffirmed what everyone knew, that heads were down when he first took over, and that his first job was to get morale back up. He spoke about having to change that losing mentality to a winning one, which is such a hard thing to do, so for him to manage it so quickly is something that must be applauded.
We might have lost our first two matches back in the Premier League, but there’s no need to panic. The Arsenal game I think we got suckered a little bit. We had a lot of the play in the first half but then got caught out once and they punished us. The Premier League is so ruthless that any little mistake can cost you goals. There’s no shame in losing to Arsenal, though, an improving team that will do well this season, one with really good finishers.
The Leeds game was totally different. It was end to end stuff and could have gone either way. We were a bit unlucky to be 4-1 down I thought, but the way we finished the game and the spirit we showed, should give the boys and Scott plenty to be confident about. We definitely deserved a point from that one.
We’re back in cup action next. Against Ipswich Scott rotated his squad, and I think he will again this time. We want to progress, but Sheffield Wednesday will make loads of changes as well, mark my words. I’ve been covering the Carabao Cup this season and it’s not just the Premier League teams, the lower league sides have been making lots of changes too. I went to Gillingham last week for their tie against Coventry; Gillingham made seven changes, and Coventry made 11, so that seems to be the theme at the moment. Because the seasons have been so close together, teams have got to be very careful with their players’ fitness.
We’re only a few games in but next Monday against Aston Villa is already looking like a big one. It’s one that we can’t afford to lose, because Villa will be one of the teams in the bottom half of the league. These are the games, ideally, that we’ll be targeting for three points. But Villa are no mugs, they stayed up last year, have strengthened the squad, and won their first game this week.
I don’t think anyone believes we’re in for an easy season, but the lads need to keep their spirits up when they lose games, because we are going to lose some football matches this season. Scott has spoken about not letting defeats cripple us, and he is spot on. If we can keep our chins up, we’ll be fine. It’s all about how you react. It’s easy to react when you’ve won, but it’s when you’ve lost that you need to show some character. You can’t afford to go and lose five or six games on the bounce. If you’ve had a two game reverse, then get a draw because at least it stops the run. It’s really pleasing to have already heard Scott talk about addressing this.