Despite the feeling of invincibility that’s surrounded the club post-West Brom, the unbeaten run was always going to end at some stage. Just a shame that it had to be our neighbours who enjoy the pleasure but there would have been more damage done had we lost to one of our promotion rivals. We’ll quickly write this one off and get back to business next Saturday.

No complaints over the result, they just about deserved the points despite the unsavoury feeling that now accompanies these matches. Non-league Nigel didn’t do himself any favours with an afternoon spent on the touch-line arm-waving and moaning at the slightest decision.

This was one of those very rare occasions this season where we didn’t perform anywhere near our potential. The team selection didn’t help and it still feels like Billy got it wrong. Having dominated the midfield at West Brom, it seemed obvious to rest Earnshaw and get Moussi in there but we chose to retain an unchanged team. Having demolished QPR in mid-week you can see the logic but we badly missed the extra man deeper.

As the game proceeded, we were out-fought in midfield and could only bring on Moussi and Adebola as we chased the game. We should have tried to out-number them in midfield and increase our attacking options in the second half, not reduce them.  

We were unable to get any control of the midfield to get our quick passing on the break working and struggled to create and chances. Earnshaw’s early low shot almost squeezed through the legs on the line whilst Blackstock and then Anderson failed to fully capitalised on Gunter’s perfect right wing cross.

Majewski produced the one moment of quality, beating two men, but the pull back was fired at Anderson when more precision was required. We should have had the chance to equalised from the spot after Blackstock was hauled down in the area having turned their defender and through on goal. Amazingly the decision went the other way when a penalty and red card looked the only possible outcome. This summed up the frustrating afternoon nicely.

At the other end, their lack of style was there for all to see. With the midfield almost ignored, every set piece was launched towards our area even from within their own half. Missing Shorey’s calming influence, we conceded too many free kicks and corners and eventually got caught out.  Commons free-kick saw Hulse beat Perch in the air leaving Camp with no chance.

Hulse can consider himself lucky to have still been on the pitch, after one poor challenge saw a yellow card, he then went studs first into Wilson – definite foul and second yellow but nothing given. With stronger officials, this would have been clamped down earlier in the game.

MOTM Camp was solid throughout and was one of the few who played to their potential. Defensively we looked pretty solid from the numerous set pieces but lacked the qualities of Shorey to prevent them in the first place. Perch played well on Tuesday night but wasn’t really tested. We got found out here and shows exactly why a dedicated left back is required. Morgan and Wilson won plenty in the air but it was only a matter of time before someone escaped from their attention.

We lacked numbers in midfield due to the decent job they did in stopping us playing and as a result the forwards struggled to make any real impact. Their work-rate was impressive and hassled us well throughout as we struggled to make many telling contributions going forwards.

Credit to Billy for lifting the spirits of the travelling fans at the end. Obviously we’re disappointed with the result, but full of beans he wanders over pointing to his chest and pointing upwards (presumably to the Premier League) – the club is in good hands and has a lot to look forward this season, unlike our neighbours...

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Lee Camp