Its been a fascinating season thus far. I was quite optimistic about PW and his 433 but it didnt work. It may have been too optimistic with very new players and simply little time to make a real judgement on them. He stuck to it for a dozen games or so as he gradually introduced smithy back into a more familiar position and responsibility. In the end I was glad PW changed it as it wasnt working.

The team has certainly grown and its come as a big surprise to me that we have just taken top spot. My Judgement after the Coventry game
was that we would finish around 10th to 8th.

Id be interested in what others think but I believe my main evidence for the lowly finish was a direct comparison with Steve Evans promotion-winning team albeit via the playoffs. In my mind, this team would get beaten 9 times out of 10 by that one, but the current position and results dont really support that view. Yet, its one I can't stop doing the negative comparison too. Interestingly, the PW team that went up via the superb professional Richard Wood was also in my opinion not quite good enough and it was a real surprise the way the season ended. However, when we had that late run of form and the semi-finals lined up as they did I had little doubt we were firm favourites from that point on.

It is a hell of an achievement to hit the top halfway through the season at this level considering our history. However, I may be suffering from a lack of belief and objective evidence as of course, we have been very successful over the last several seasons. Indeed, its our most successful spell ever perhaps in the modern era. so, perhaps we are deservedly up there on merit. Another thing to add is that if our home form had been as good as average wed be several points clear.

I have been impressed with the evolution of the team and some of the individual players. It is very rare we get done for pace or power and now the strikers look generally more confident its a really good sign. Oxford are a very good side and when they comprehensively beat us earlier in the season they looked like a team good enough to win the league.

The game itself was impressive. We more or less took the game to them and were easily worth the 3 goals. They were all quality too were they not. Oxford still caused problems and did not stop trying to play football but the chances they had were not put away. First half was dominant. We were stronger everywhere. We were quick, direct, strong and won virtually every second ball. The second half really was a case of us stepping off the gas a little and staying focused and contained. Not a fan of that in some respects but when it works it is a gret idea as the amount of confidence a team gets from being able to sit back and still tie up the game is not to be underestimated. However, they did have slightly the better of the 2nd half and it would not have been a surprise if they had socred 2 as they had chances. If that second goal had gone in we would all be lamenting a game thrown away and the inquest would have been bitter. However, I always believe the result is justified and it as a resounding win against an excellent side.

Form comes and goes and the sign of a really good side is consistency. This is our first decent spell and so we will not be able to say too much for certain until another 2 months or so.

There is some confidence there at the moment however and that must be all down to the staff and management team and hopefully, the players are starting to really trust each other and there knowledge of the right ball to the right man at the right time seems to have really come of age now. The wide play I think has made all the difference with some good performances from back to front really starting to emerge. Getting and winning that ball in that final third is the key to our style and current success.