Strangely enough I'm not nervous at all today, I think realisation that we are going down has eased any tension for this one
That was my quote to Marko early on today, well forgot that cus I was about as nervous as it gets for the entire second half today, stressed out doesn't come close. The most important thing is that we won and got the points, after that second half I have no idea how we did it but we did, after a first half that was relatively comfortable I was not expecting that second half barrage.
A pleasing line up showing no Spence or Nolan saw League debuts for Keane, Quaner, Collins and Elder with the unfortunate Kenlock missing out, Pennington moved to RB at the expense of Spence (YAY!!!). Town started the game in confident mood, passing the ball around and looking to move it forward at pace, Quaner was putting himself about early doors and making a nuisance of himself while Lankester was showing one or two neat and clever touches, the only thing lacking in the opening period of the game was any clear cut openings or chances at goal. it was noticable that Callum Elder's first two or Three touches were sideways or backwards with a bit of hesitancy to get it forward. Will Keane showed a nice touch before setting up Skusey for what was our first effort at goal but it was easily closed down and came to nothing.
Rotherham had shown nothing as an attacking force but when they had got forward Collins & Chambers had looked solid, Collins especially has a calming influence about him and was always in the right place at the right time to mop up. With half hour on the clock we got ourselves that precious lead, Keane & Sears combining on the left saw the former set up by sears, his first attempt was a bit of a flap but for once it fell kindly and the new man swept it home giving the keeper no chance. Gone was the time wasting tactics of the visitors which had littered play for most of the half as they looked to impose themselves more as the half came to a close, sears hooking an opportunist effort just over the bar the last meaningful action of a half which Town just about deserved to lead albeit with very few chances on goal.
what followed in the second was a barrage of incessant Rotherham pressure, cross after cross fired into our box, play rarely got out of our half and that is no exaggeration, we just could not get our foot on the ball at all, passes were going astray, possession given up time and time again as we sat deeper and deeper the longer the game went on. Gerken was called upon to get down to a couple of chances from the visitors which he dealt with well, the downside of it was that the keeper failed time after time to relieve the pressure on the defence as he either started to come for balls only to hesitate and stop or he opted to stay rooted to the spot, on a couple of occasions he definitely ducked out of collisions with onrushing strikers.
What was obvious since the restart was that we had lost the centre midfield, at times it appeared to be awol as Rotherham ran it, Skuse and Chalobah were second best and finding it hard to win any ball, Lankester had faded and was replaced while Keane and Sears were starved of any ball, Quaner had ran out of steam and he too was replaced as we looked to hold on. One chance for Rotherham saw a header flash wide when it looked a goal all the way, Town were getting outplayed at times and could not stem the tide of pressure.
With the clock ticking down we finally had a breakaway, the move started by Chalobah saw sears away and his ball to Keane needed to be better but it was wasted and the half chance came to nothing. standing firm among all the pressure and mayhem was James Collins and to a lesser degree Chambers & Pennington, they were soaking up so much and putting their bodies on the line but still we just about hung on. he ref seemed to give them freekick after freekick as if he was willing them to pump it into our box but Collins and co were not to be denied. Gerken was called upon a couple of times more in the dying minutes and he was up to the task, one ridiculous scramble in our box saw Collins block it two or Three times before clearing it away much to the delight of the nervous home crowd. finally the whistle came to our rescue with our defence out on their feet, everyone had given their all but the shift put in by the defence should not be underestimated.
The scenes at the end were fantastic, it was only Three points after all but the sight of new boys James Collins and Will keane punching the air showed just what it meant to them, they have endeared themselves to the fans already, Chambo too showing what it meant to him and Paul Lambert geeing up the North stand to celebrate the win, such a contrast to last Saturday and wow did the fans respond in kind.
Gerken...(6) Two or Three saves but was very hesitant at times and did not relieve the pressure on his defence, but it's a clean sheet.
Pennington...(7) Assured for the most part and defended resolutely in that second half barrage, more solid that Spence for sure.
Chambers...(7) Won numerous headers and has the heart of a lion, seemed more comfortable with Collins beside him.
Collins...(8) Love him already !! As I said what a colossus today, stood firm and won so much when it mattered, a calming influence. MOTM
Elder...(6) Needs time for sure, still undecided but time will tell, Kenlock looks better at the moment. Not an easy debut though.
Sears...(6) A typical Freddie performance, runs miles and gives it everything, no goal threat but had a hand in the vital winner.
Chalobah....(6) Not up to his performances of recent weeks but still tried his best, seemed a little lost second half.
Skuse...(6) Good to see him back but I question if it was a bit rushed, like Chalobah was overrun after the break and struggled.
Lankester...(6) Some lovely touches in the first half and the quality he has shows through, faded after the break but still a great prospect.
Quaner...(6) Liked the look of him before clearly tiring, puts himself about and gives us the physical presence we craved.
Keane...(7) The match winner and instant hero, I like the look of him and I maybe did him an injustice when he signed, a good debut.
SUBS :-
Downes...(6) Came on to tighten up the Midfield and got stuck in as always.
Dawkins...(5) Hmmmm, first Three touches weren't great but time will tell.
Nsiala...(6) Only on a matter of minutes but Two crucial headers when needed and put his head in where it hurts.
I said before the game we were down and in all probability it will come to pass, however the gap is down to seven, we could do no more, the new boys made a big difference having only been thrown together a few days ago, another week on the training ground will make it better still and with the prospect of more signings to come who knows. What we need is to win the games like this that we should win but also pick up a couple of shock one's along the way, should we do that who knows? Blackburn next week would be a good place to start but avoiding defeat is paramount, any point is vital and can make a difference. Am I saying we are back in the game ? Heart would like to say yes, head is still saying no....At the moment.