Analysing the analysis

Thought I'd take a good look at Billy's analysis of yesterday and put my own view on things point by point.

At this very early stage of the season it's going to be pretty much tongue in cheek, cos looking back 12 months it was all doom and gloom after the first game. Now is not the time to question tactics or close season purchases, but 6 - 10 games in if things haven't improved then may be the time that MM feels the pressure come on to him.

Lets have a look at Billy's analysis then:-

Well I watched the game again on MOTD and we were poor.
The understatement of the season so far, we were piss poor.

The defensive frailties were there for all to see and we definitely need to tighten up in midfield and defence - we gave Charlton far too much time and space and they capitalised with ease.

40,000 people knew of our defensive frailties at the end of last season so why didn't McCarthy play Stubbs yesterday? Do we now understand why PORTSMOUTH were happy to let Robinson go? He is not Premiership class.

I think things will improve when Stubbs and McCartney get in the side but Julio looked poor at full back and Stephen Wright was equally unimpressive at right back although he was loads better than Nosworthy who looks like he'll be the new whipping boy.

You all know my views on Arca and the big league. Looks ordinary amongst better players. Looks good amongst lower league players. And yet we all shouted for Arca to be played in his natural role as a fullback now we don't think he's upto the mark in his natural role. Wrighty will become the Michael Gray of the new premiership soujourn. Leaves us far too exposed with his ventures up field. At this level you need pace to get back. Has Wright got it?

I'm very worried about Wrighty more than any other position - he looked out of his depth and needs to improve greatly or else we'll be in trouble in that area.

See above comments regarding Wright and may there be a bid for a right back currently out of the picture in Smogsville. I'll ask his fatha .

One positive thing to come out of the game is that we've got it over and can now hopefully move on and improve.

There are only 37 more to go Billy

The first game after promotion is always a big step and some of the lads looked over-awed and TBH they haven't played together much as a side.

Haven't played much together? Only the Canada and States tour, Holland, England and a pre season at the AOL. How much do they need together?

We could also have got an equaliser late on, before the last minute goal, if we'd been a bit sharper in the box following some good build up work by Welsh down the left but it was ominous how a long punt out of the box led to the last goal.

Do we now understand why BLACKBURN ROVERS were happy to off load Stead. He is NOT premier class and McCarthy must wonder if he really does have the ability to step up.

Cauldwell just jogged along beside his man who had loads of time to set himself up and he popped it in to the goal.

Old man Steptoes horse is quicker than Caldwell. Will we see Stubbs replace him or should he stay in and drop Breen? Or should we go with a Breen Stubbs combo? Plenty of experience.

Poor positioning by Davis but he should never have been allowed to get the shot in. The lesson learnt should be that you can't give strikers time and space in the Premier or they'll score.Anyway, that games over. After watching Liverpool last night we'll get nothing out of that game but need to get going against Man City and Wigan. The Smogs looked very ordinary last night and we'll see how the Mags do against Arsenal today. What odds a NE treble for relegation?

The ordinary Smogs with 10 men took a point off the Champions of Europe and the Mags with 10 men are currently holding last years runners up 0-0.

Nothing can be taken for granted this season. As Billy said in an earlier post as long as we don't fall too far behind and are playing catch up then we may have a chance. There needs to be some fighting spirit and togetherness and they are going to have to wise up very, very quickly. Every mistake at this level gets punished.