Home comforts

There’s no place like home is there? Unfortunately we seem to have continued our home form of last year but instead of scrambling 2-2 draws against Tottenham and Everton now we’re doing the same against Middlesbrough and Doncaster. However, I’ve been pleased to see that the home crowds have held up quite well in terms of physical and vocal support.

There is as ever the full gamut of emotions from the fans ranging from those who never wanted the ex-Bolton man in the first place and are refusing flat to give him a chance to those who spent the last four years being so critical about the former manager on a daily basis that they are being ultra supportive of everything under the new regime.

I see things somewhere in the middle. It’s a least an 8 out of 10 for player signings and positive impact since Owen Coyle arrived. Yet on the pitch, opening game at Barnsley aside, I’m struggling to look beyond a 5 or a 6. We look disjointed and confused at the back, no real presence in the midfield, our wing play is patchy at best and nothing is sticking in the box. We’ve looked lethargic against the opposition and we can’t put all of it down to them being inspired by playing against the current FA Cup winners.

We’re one decent win away from lift off though, and the added bonus of that gaping window slamming shut will help in terms of stability and forward momentum. It’s going to take a while to (re) build a team and foster a spirit after so many changes during the summer so more patience, less pathetic booing is the key.

From what I’ve seen Forest look way stronger than us at present, in form if not personnel. Yet we already know how unpredictable this league is so with a marginal improvement, a sturdier rearguard and of course a bit of luck, there’s no reason why we can’t be three points better off by Saturday teatime.

First published in the Wigan Evening Post 12th Man column Wednesday 28th August 2013

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