Before I write anything I am going to caveat this with the statement that I didn’t watch the game. I only half-followed it through Twitter – which is no way to pick up the nuances that make up a decent match report.
But, trying to fill our dear Editor’s shoes while he lords it up in sunnier climes means that you’re getting a match report whether you like it or not!
With the new campaign just a few short weeks away the yello’ army has started to get quite fevered over the new management team, new faces, new style, formation and results.
A decent win over league one opposition wouldn’t normally see an outpouring of raised expectation but the varied social channels seem to be awash with proclamations of Championship success and inevitable promotion.
Personally I think that is a dangerous path to tread and it was telling that Farke made it clear that he was unhappy with the less than impressive first half against Charlton. He spoke of success not being guaranteed through philosophy alone…that it will need graft and putting the ball in the net.
Farke was managing our expectations for a season where at least a half-a-dozen other clubs have the investment to push for promotion. We’re trying to do it with a patchwork of loan players, youth and untested foreign buys alongside a smattering of wiser-heads.
Winning at Charlton was good. By all accounts we played well, especially in the second half. Rob Butler seemed particularly impressed by Maddison and Reed who combined well in the middle of the park.
The goals came from Yanic Wildschut and Steven Naismith. Let me repeat that – the goals came from Yanic Wildschut and Steven Naismith.
Of course, we’ve all known for years that Naismith would come good. We’ve secretly longed for this to happen to avoid a repeat of the RVW debacle. You don’t become a crap player overnight (and to prove it Ricky scored for fun last season).
Of course – this could all be pre-season bravado – something I was guarding against just 5 paragraphs ago…so I’ll reserve judgement on Naisy until he’s scored 10 goals in competitive matches.
Yanic is another one where he deserves the chance to prove his talent. Let’s hope that DF can get the best out of both of these players.
I’m off to watch the Brighton match on Saturday – and I promise a better match report – where I might even describe what happened. But in the meantime I’ll leave you this image of Naisy doing what he does best. Hoofing the ball:
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