From Barkley to Walsh.
A season summed up in four words. Over 2,500 fans travelled in hope, many at the kind expense of the club via the free coaches. But truth is, if any monies had changed hands, the club and players would have been honour bound to have refunded after a shameful capitulation on the final day.
Just after 60 minutes it was 5-1 to the Baggies. It was initially difficult to recall as a season ticket holder for more than 10 years such a hiding. But memories of Burnley on the opening day, Middlesborough away, Burnley away more recently came flooding back. All from this season. The left side of Town was wide open all game, Mengi and Bell like strangers to each other. A zero impact game from Walsh whose only telling contribution the whole afternoon was to give his boots and shirt to the crowd after the game.
Tactically tricky to analyse as there didn’t appear to be any tactics. As it turned out a point would have been enough. But to get a point, there had to a gameplan, some shape, and 11 lads who put 100% in.
Alli was sensational and Jordan scored the goal of the game. Kal when he came on showed more desire and determination than most. Unfathomable why he didn’t start. Carlton turned out not to be fit.
In some ways a miracle escape perhaps would have papered over the cracks and led to more complacency next season. Now there is no hiding from a fundamental rebuild in both personnel and shape. Word is Matt wants to use his preferred 4-3-3. At least four of the currrent side I reckon will get offers from higher than League One – Kaminski, Morris, Doughty, Clark.
You’d think the side will be built around Aasgard, Alli, and a central defensive pairing of McGuinness and Makoso. Three of those may also attract offers. But the other 7 starting places away at Stevenage in that first game are very much up for grabs!
In a seasoon where we’ve heard tons of excuses – greedy agents, 12.30 kick-offs, a difficult window, bad refs, every club struggle to adjust to Premier League relegation (yes Gary but only 3 others have suffered back to back relegations in 30 years) – to name just some of the many lines trotted out in the boardroom notes that increasingly read as having been generated by chatGPT. Let’s hope real lessons have been learnt from this fiasco of a season.
Keep your eye on that first week the transfer window opens in July. Last season that was when the masterstrokes of Baptiste and Walters were announced that set the tone.
Matt needs to stand up to the board and insist on his own men coming in, and arriving for the start of pre-season.
And then perhaps the Town can come bouncing back.
#COYH
Town: Kaminski; Jones (sub Nordås 63), Bell, McGuinness, Mengi (sub Naismith 84), Makosso (sub Burke 46); Clark, Walsh (sub Fanne 63), Aasgaard; Alli, Morris (sub Chong 46).