The latest edition of the Vital Reading Blog!
It’s been a long week to reflect on a poor display up at Middlesbrough, a result that could have been a lot better if we had not gifted them a simple goal after just 24 seconds. Some of our defending on the day was shocking and to see Leroy Lita score against us again was disappointing.
Alex Pearce’s time in the first team must surely be coming to an end, with Zurab Kizhanishvili sitting twiddling his thumbs on the bench. With Chris Armstrong also nearing fitness, and Ian Harte’s versatility, and not forgetting Marcus Williams, there seems to be no need to play this poor excuse for a defender anymore! Lets hope McDermott sees sense this weekend.
Who starts in place of Brian Howard then on Saturday? Simon Church would be the obvious choice with many, but I don’t think a Long and Church partnership works well and think it should be Noel Hunt who gets the nod. The Irish striker formed a succesful partnership with Kevin Doyle in the past, and Long is in a very similar mould to his former Cork team mate (Just not as good!). We are still left with a Karacan and Gunnarsson in the middle of the park but beggers can’t be choosers!
Our opponents on Saturday, Barnsley, have just taken Chris Wood on loan from West Brom to add to Garry O’Connor they took last month. This is a guy who has played at the World Cup and was a regular for the Baggies last season, as they often rotated their forwards. McDermott said there is no player available that is better than what we have got available on loan. I would beg to differ, if this guy has dropped down to play at Oakwell, surely we could have got him.
I’m confident of three points though on Saturday and back us to win 1-0, with an Ian Harte goal.
