The return of last seasons away day Blues. But with several new players in place, was it really such a disaster, or simply a case of a team bedding itself in?
The archetypal game of two halves. A first half performance where several new players showed their undoubted quality and the team cruised through to a half time lead. A second half performance where several new players showed their lack of fitness and lack of familiarity and the team found a defeat.
So, a step in the right direction? Its difficult to assess. There was a certain comfort in the first half, where it seemed as if changing up a gear at any given moment would see the game won with ease. Yet, the second half resulted in exactly that change of gear, except that it came from Watford, allowing them to get back into the game and ultimately win it.
Defensively, things remain difficult to judge. With each week seemingly bringing a new addition to the previous weeks defensive line-up, there is a sense that time is going to be required for the necessary familiarity to emerge amongst the players. McAuley and Naylor epitomise this as a centre-back partnership. Whilst they both showed elements of quality, they also both showed elements of disorganisation- the kind of which that has blighted the very worst of Towns defensive performances over the past few years.
Ben Thatcher looks increasingly comfortable at left back, linking up quite neatly with Trotter on occasions and showing some of the, shall we say, bite that has come to characterise his game. On the basis of Saturdays game he was our best defender. Yet debutant Moritz Volz, playing at right back, was probably our best player. He clearly demonstrated his schooling at Arsenal, getting forward at every opportunity from full back, playing neat passing football and linking well with the forwards. However, perhaps question marks remain about his defensive abilities as he found himself exposed on a couple of occasions, most notably when Harley struck a post from a deep cross.
Richard Wright had another game of very mixed fortunes. Responsible for several important saves, he also came out and caught the ball admirably to take the pressure off his defence. A very welcome presence in that respect, until he gave away the winning goal....
In midfield, Ivan Campo demonstrated what Ivan Campo will give to the team. Steady, solid, reading the game expertly, passing the ball with ease and also marshalling his teammates in a manner not seen since his current manager was still playing. Fitness will of course be key and his lack of it in the closing stages saw him fall further and further back, but it will come.
Liam Trotter didnt have perhaps the best of games, but equally did not let the team down and appears to look as suitable an option at left midfield as anyone else in the side. However, it is difficult to avoid the thought that he would provide more, and feel more comfortable, in the centre of the pitch.
Tommy Miller had one of those games where, with the opposition on top, he found himself, like Campo, operating closer and closer to his own centre backs. Its a position which does not particularly suit Miller and seems to be as much about the teams failings as his own.
Jon Walters was more like the player of last season, which was thankful. His spell up front late in the game provided some much needed strength to the forward line. It remains to be seen whether it was a performance to give thanks to the fans he was leaving behind, to encourage a club to bid for him or simply a player starting to enjoy himself again. Time will tell, heres hoping its not his last match.
Up front, Pablo had probably his best game of the season. Possibly one of his hardest working performances, as he dropped back and did the dirty work he has previously been lambasted for ignoring. The early goal quite possibly helped, but his enduring ability to provide an outlet for the team and create was welcome. Which made his substitution all the more mystifying.
Kevin Lisbie had a game to forget. An early missed chance seemed to summarise his fortune as, once again, he struggled to receive service, leaving him rather isolated up front until his eventual substitution. Its concerning that this seems to be becoming something of a theme- the side seem to struggle to understand how to play to his strengths, which may be more about the way we play than about the player itself; an ominous sign.
So, some good, some bad. Things obviously need to change and new signings may well help- the managers activity in and out before the transfer deadline could be critical. However, the two week break that the players now have before the home game with Reading could be even more critical. The chance for a "second pre-season" could be absolutely crucial, with Jim hopefully being much closer to the squad he is looking for than he clearly was at the beginning of the season.
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