The manner of the defeats has been the most disappointing aspect of these losses. Sure, at Kings Lynn last week, we ended on the front foot and the home fans cheered the final whistle with not a small amount of relief. Truth was, however, they should have been out of sight long before their weak-link keeper fumbled yet another ball in front of his goal. Darlington were not so generous in making their victory look close. By all accounts we were not only not at the races, we weren't even aware that races were being staged.
But then again, we knew this season was going to be an enormous step-up. From Day One most of us have said we'd accept staying up this season as an acceptable return to this level. Of course, a mid-table finish, or an upper mid-table with a brief flirtation with the play-offs would be even better, but most of us are realistic enough to know anything more than survival would be a big ask.
We all know a couple more rapid fire defeats will ratchet-up the indignation from the usual quarters within our support, but we really need to keep our eye on the survival prize and not allow our knees to jerk with their usual rapidity. It doesn't help that, by and large, we've had nothing but building, continued success for the past 5 seasons. Eventually you hit the buffers of arriving at a level where you are an also-ran rather than a sure-thing. I think it's fair to say we've arrived there now!
At the time of writing, two clubs in this division have instantly freaked-out. Bradford Park Avenue and Hereford have dispensed with their Managers before the mid-point of August has been reached! This is a tough division. We will need to fight on and off the pitch to earn the right to play in it. We wanted to be back in the "Big Time". Well, were there now. We can either enjoy it or get scared and fretful.
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| At least we've been told that we can continue to drink inside the ground, which should help to numb the expected pain! |
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