As far as I could tell, we defended well, created chances, were always in the game and fell to a spectacular goal. We had improved markedly from the Swindon game. Personally, I would not have played Pugh – but credit to the lad – seems to have had a decent game. (Would perhaps like to know who might have prevented the goal by stopping the cross into the box. Commentators did not name names.)
Irrespective of all that, this second defeat has serious ramifications.
With our very stretched squad, Neil had few options where formations were concerned.
To me, the root cause of the the problems we are facing from now on will be that the chances of us attracting a few decent Championship loanees have almost disappeared altogether.
A team which was in a relegation dogfight has changed its squad. Great. The trouble is that it may well not look strong enough to compete. If I were a decent 20 year old at Bramall Lane – would I be bovvered to drive 40 miles to play for a club which has not only got a leftover poor reputation – but appears not to have improved since last season?
Sorry to keep harking on about that 31st May date – but as other clubs built – we hesitated and on the 11th of August, we are key players short.
The quality of potential loanee signings has now reduced.
Back to crossing fingers and scratting around for OOC players who are not a total dead loss?
Neil’s fault? – I doubt it. Showing faith in Pugh is no sacking offence.
Which established manager – replete with large magic wand in his backpack – might we turn to? This really is a ‘rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic situation’.
A win against a poor Rochdale side is now getting to be rather desperately needed. A defeat would not be total disaster but would inflict further damage onto a low spec warship already suffering torpedo damage.
