The international week is over and we're back to the bread and butter of the Championship. While the international break brings a chance for tired bodies to rest and recover, nothing can beat the cut and thrust of domestic action. We went back into it with four wins out of four, something that none of us had dreamed especially when we have a rookie Championship Head Coach in place. This leaue is an unforgiving environment where teams can beat each other when least expected, so losing when most expect a win can (and does) happen frequently.
SOME YOU WIN, SOME YOU DON'T
Our fifth game of the season saw us head to Devon for the longest trip of the season. In fact, as the club so proudly advertised on social media over the weekend: it was "the longest ha’way trip in the English Football League". Obviously, that did not deter SAFC supporters as they travelled in their droves for another sold out allocation. Few teams in the Premier League can do that with such regularity. Rather predictably Regis Le Bris made one change, bringing in captain Dan Neil for Alan Browne. Whilst some questioned this decision, I completely understood the reasoning. Browne had played ninety minutes for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday and probably only had one or two days’ training with the squad before the game. So, on paper I thought it was the right call indeed.
By all accounts, it was the archetypal game of two halves with us shading the first and Argyle taking the second. All three Plymouth goals were ones which could be avoided easily, in my opinion. It was just one of those days where everything you didn't want to go wrong, actually did. Then again, Argyle do seem to have a bit of an Indian sign over us at their place so maybe some of us should have seen this coming. It's how we react after this first league loss is what matters the most...
FRANK AND HONEST
Some managers hide behind a multitude of excuses when their team loses a game. Let's face it folks, we have seen it all before in Bealeball which ultimately ended in abject failure. Thus, it was very refreshing to hear RLB's opinions post-Plymouth. The man speaks well, with a refreshing sense of honesty. He admitted we weren't good enough in his eyes to win the game but he is always learning more and more about his team and the Championship. Regis has bought into the fabric that is SAFC, and even in defeat we're buying into him too. It's a combination that has the potential to grow into something special.
SMOGGIES NEXT UP
We can't afford to let the Plymouth result define our season already. Dwelling on it and feeling sorry for ourselves is not an option. That said, we have the first Wear-Tees derby/not-derby of the season next up, and it's a shot of redemption to be told. Last season's corresponding game at the SoL was a horror which even the late Wes Craven would have been proud to direct. It's one that we want to forget about, and rather quickly please.
We know that if we play with the right attitude and follow RLB's instructions then we can put that right. We are far from a bad side, our start to this season shows that we can put anyone to the sword when it all clicks into place. It's time to bounce back and set the record straight. It will probably be a game with a bit of needle in it but it's all about remaining calm under pressure. We have plenty of players who can pick up cautions like confetti, but then again, some passion (so long it's not too exuberant) might be the difference in winning and losing. Bragging rights are definitely on the line.
AND FINALLY...
Obviously, the window has closed and we have done our dealings until January. The thought process is that we are seemingly comfortable in every position hence the departures of Pierre Ekwah and Timothee Pembelé were allowed to happen. However, if there's a free agent available then we can still go ahead to bring him outside of the window. I do think fullback is a position which is maybe one injury away from a crisis. Should Speakman be looking at that as a potential avenue or is he going to bide his time for a few months? It has certain become horses for courses in some respects. We do have some quality youngsters in the system, but are they able to make the same leap forwards as Chris Rigg? Can talents like Tommy Watson flourish? Good questions that need some deliberation.
Dan Ballard went down on the full-time whistle and after the match Le Bris said it was too early to say the extent of that injury. I’d have faith that Chris Mepham could slot into that backline and do a good job though. However, imagine a situation when all the first teamers are fully injury free and there's nobody in Peter Brand's treatment room? RLB will be scratching his head and think who pick and who to drop in that scenario. Picking your best eleven to start a game is not the easiest job to do, whether it be a bunch of professionals in the Championship or on the rutted fields of a council school pitch trying not to land in some dog excrement - and believe you me I've been in the latter position. Always strive to be the best you are, and you won't go far wrong. That's the mentality we need to have, and if it means keeping tabs on options here and there then so be it. Sides who go up, don't stand still. If someone can take us to the next level then we should acquire them, just look at Ipswich last season with Kieffer Moore if you need examples. A small tweak could mean the difference between progressing and staying stagnant. And moving in the right direction is what we want together, right? Keep the faith!
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