Barbara shares her account of Town's second home match of the season against Fulham on Saturday 31st August.
Pre-match thoughts
My pre-match thoughts on the way to the ground were tinged with sadness.
We said goodbye this week to Marcus Harness, one of my favourite players who always gave one hundred percent on the pitch (not hundred and ten percent, as that’s just silly), as well as George Edmundson, a real team player, and Freddie Ladapo. All three of them played their part in the success of Town over the last two seasons.
I was a little surprised to hear the TV pundits last weekend talking of teams in the ‘relegation zone’ after two games!
The crowd today is buzzing with optimism, as am I. Somehow, Fulham at home doesn’t sound as scary as our last two opponents. I can’t think why…
An even first half
For the first 10 minutes, the evenness of play suggested the two teams were weighing each other up, and there was little constructive movement, apart from a half-decent header from Jacob Greaves, caught in a Leno fumble.
Five minutes later, a stunning goal by Liam Delap changed the pace of the game, and both teams became vitalized. It was game on.
This surge ultimately led to a goal in the 32nd minute from Traore and the 1:1 scoreline.
Tuanzebe and Davis were doing well, though I thought the latter was underused in this half. But my two ‘men of the half’ were Woolfenden and Greaves. They make a good pairing.
The half-time mood
There was a general hum of “We’re doing okay”, and anticipation for the next forty five.
Second half
We pressed well and defended well, but another goal was just not to be.
Omari produced a cracking near miss (from where I was sitting), but Fulham defended well too.
I was impressed with Jack Clarke when he came off the bench – an absolute ball of energy and not afraid to take a shot when half a chance presented itself at that stage of the game. One to watch, methinks.
My two ‘men of the half’ were Hutchinson and Woolfenden.
Roundup
The general supporter consensus seemed to be that before the game, most of us would have been happy to take a draw. At the end of the game, many felt we had played well enough for a win.
I agree.
There were a few rather tentative attempts that could have been more decisive, more clinical, and more powerful, and there were times when I thought a ball was passed when a shot could have been taken. But it was a good and exciting game to watch.
Muric needs more confidence and will gain that from his coaching at the club. With the ten permanent signings and two loans KMcK has added, I think we have a good shot at holding our own against many Premiership sides.
And on a good day, with a sprinkle of luck and the wind at our backs, even some of the Big Six - possibly, maybe, why not?
View from the train
There are often many budding KMcKs on the train home, putting the world to rights, but today, there was a distinct air of satisfaction.
The only notable comment was rather startling: a guy announced he thought Ladapo had a really good game. When we all looked puzzled, he said: “...And he scored the goal”. We didn’t laugh…honest.
P.S. I’m delighted that the Town Women’s team beat Norwich 0-4 this week. Sweet result.
