The Tanner Report
Yesterday in the Rust Stefano described me as a pessimist. I would prefer “realist”as, after a disappointing summer starting with that defeat in the play-offs by Reading and following through with an apparent lack of concerted transfer policy and certain lack of strengthening in key areas, I was not that confident. The story so far is that after 3 Championship games, 3 draws, 2 goals scored, one by Lucas Piazon at Reading the other by the Norwich defender. There is something of an injury crisis too: in the treatment room are keeper Bettinelli, Lucas Piazon with a broken fibula, skipper Tom Cairney, Floyd Ayite and the squad looks further stretched when Tomas Kalas was red carded against Reading and left back Dennis Odoi had to deputise for him in central defence. We urgently need cover in defence and a goal-scoring forward, Aboubakar Kamara after 4 games is yet to open his account for the club. One of the successes of the season so far has been a surprise one, keeper David Button. Fortunately fans’ views are rarely revisited as I was not alone in clamouring last season for the replacement of Button by Bettinelli and attributing our late run to the play offs to the defensive unit of Bettineeli and the central pairing of Tim Ream and Tomas Kalas. Only Ream played last last night but our draw was due to a one on one save by Button against last season’s most prolific scorer Chris Wood.
After 3 games the early leaders are Cardiff, Wolves and more surprisingly Ipswich. Last season it took a bit of time for Newcastle to get off the starting blocks and I expect Sunderland and Middlesbrough similarly soon to assert themselves. Wolves have spent big and Neil Warnock of Cardiff is a canny, experienced manager at this level. I am surprised that Aston Villa have started poorly but their manager Steve Bruce holds the record for championship promotions so I expect him to sort out any problems speedily.
I followed yesterday’s game, a goalless draw against Leeds, on the club radio feed. I enjoy the unashamed partisanship of commentator Jim McGullion alongside the cooler more analytic Jamie. Jim tends to get heated about referee’s decisions but yesterday this seemed justified as Fulham seemed to be subject to strong arm tactics. Elland Road generates a hostile febrile atmosphere in which a referee can wilt. I recall a similar problem in the Jean Tigana era but the lesson from that promotion season is to stick to your natural game.
