Well, where to start! Probably one of the best performances I’ve seen from us since Wilder. From the first minute the intensity, aggression and desire to win the ball back was as good as it gets really. Thought Turnbull and Watson were outstanding along with Hoskins and Williams. What was even more impressive was the way the lads continued to stick to the task even when we got pegged back to 1-1 when many times in the past we’d have let Plymouth take control and dictate the game.
It’s a shame it took five games for the lads to realise that relentless pressure on the ball is half the battle in this division. They have got to carry this through now, week in week out. I do think the way Plymouth play means that forward players get more space so it will be interesting to see how we go against the so called ‘lesser’’ sides. I thought they were very poor in possession on Saturday but you can see they like to play and with the players they have I still think they’ll be right up there challenging this year.
KC has to demand that level of intensity week in week out. Of course there are going to be games where we are not firing up front or the end product is lacking, but in terms of pressure on the ball and intensity, it simply has to be a regular thing done by the team as a collective. Hopefully after that display we’ll take a few up to Bradford and really get behind the lads.
So what changed? Why the difference in effort and commitment for this game? Was it a change of tactic employed by the Manager, or did the 11 on the pitch just decide to a man they were "going to try harder" this week? Do you think it took 5 games for the players to realise, or did it take 5 games for the manager to demand?
You're right, that level of intensity and style of play has to be demanded every game, and I think under Wilder it was, he made it clear what was expected and we went out and performed like that game after game.
I do hope that this one game was not a flash in the pan, time will tell on that.