We desperately need Gorrin starting every week in the midfield. He will give some much needed protection to the back four and he covers the ground and makes himself available as an outlet when we're passing out. Forde and Henry on today's showing must start too as must Taylor up front. We are desperately lacking some leadership and communication at the back. Long is not a L1 standard CB, much as I love him and his OTID attitude, and it just goes to show how fragile/threadbare we are back there. Clare is a far better RWB/RM than he is right back. Take the attacking element out of his game by pegging him back in his own half and he is nowhere near as good/effective. Sykes doesn't look really on it at the moment, but then few of them do!
One thing that struck me about last season is that they were largely a team that thrived on momentum. That is something we will struggle to create this season the way things are currently and with the injuries we have already had.
Our start is clearly worse than last season (only marginally, mind) and whilst I don't think the squad is quite on a par with last season, I think there are signs they could come good IF we have that solid base to build from that Gorrin will at least in part give us. We've also got to cut out the silly goals. We were our own worst enemy with both today....Ruffs, Long AND Eastwood all coul've done better for the first IMHO and Easty was beaten through his legs for the 2nd!