I've gone 3rd to 6th, partly because sadly the last six games in particular have ballsed up any chance of top two which is really poor, but also because despite our under-performing that is where we are now. I firmly believe that now is the low point of our season.
However, Clough has to address the performances in January, assuming he is as unhappy with some of the lacklustre performances as we all are. There are four clear top teams so far this season, the rest are very average. What concerns me is the lack of chances being created, this squad is very capable, if they weren't they wouldn't be able to beat Southampton convincingly for example, but too often they lack urgency and tempo which is usually enough to unsettle L1 defences who are happy to sit back and defend what is front of them. How often do we turn defences around? Nowhere near enough for me. But how do we do so? The key is the midfield. We have plenty out wide, but when they get the ball I'd like them to use it a lot quicker, especially JCR.
We've complained about not playing two up top enough, but the reason we don't is because our midfield isn't strong enough as a four. And so far this season they have lacked the dynamism to dominate as a five. If we were to go with four, perhaps Reed will be strong enough to play regularly in the middle, but we'd need a big lad to partner him. Is Basham that man? Not for me, he's not good enough on the ball, but I really like him at centre half. Doyle? Sorry, he's a trier but just not good enough and hasn't been since we signed him. Scougall is a no go in a four unless he's bumped out wide. Wallace would be ideal, but he's made of tin sadly and we need to address this problem now. The only other option would be Davies, and that would be a stop gap. So for me, our key buy has to be in the centre of the park.
Up front, McNulty is coming along really well but needs more starts and with that I'm sure more goals will follow. We also have Murphy who I've always thought would be a really effective front man. I'd love for us to buy O'Grady, but that is starting to look unlikely. I'm not the biggest fan of Higdon, but too often the lad works (or not) on scraps. The ball should be coming into the box way more than it currently does, but he does know where the net is. Given that he's had no time on the pitch since being cheered off the pitch against Notts County, you have to wonder whether his days here are numbered. I understand this wouldn't upset many, but we'd need a replacement as well as (hopefully) O'Grady. This idea of signing Doyle from Chesterfield sounds little more than a pipe dream, I think price and competition from the Championship would see to that.
Defensively, we should be better organised at set plays in particular but I have no issue with Harris, McEveley and Basham have good potential as a partnership with McGahey and Collins in support, and I like Flynn at right back with Alcock in reserve.
I still have faith in Clough, and think he's been a little unlucky with injuries, but that's to be expected. But we are playing at 60% of potential in my view and he needs to address this as he did this time last season.
