An ifollow match for me, as usual.
First thing: some terrific football and overall a good performance. We played really well, quite a lot. Plenty of chances created.
The first half was excellent. Hiwula was really lively and Enobakhare looked in control in the midfield. Plymouth or Shrewsbury or Wimbledon or Scunthorpe (twice, now) or whoever they were just looked out of their depth and it was (clears throat) only a matter of time until we scored. High times!
Except we've seen that again and again now. Opposition keepers play blinders, we miss by inches, Chaplin has an off-game: there's always a reason. We don't score.
So, amazement when we scored, and make no mistake, it was a brilliant free kick! I didn't necessarily share the view of Eakin and Winch that we could, or should go on to win this now, but Plymouth were so limited that I have to confess, even I wondered. What was clear was that we had to change nothing and keep them on the back foot as far as possible. Deal with Ladapo who was winning balls in the air and holding up play, make sure Carey was closed down when he surged and tricked his way forwards. Okay, so they'd be forced to come out and attack more, but still.
Robins wanted 1-0 his way though. In common with countless matches last season and this, this seems to mean a fundamental change in approach - bring off players who were giving us the forward momentum, drop back, hang on for grim death. Like there's no other way. So off came Hiwula, admittedly drifting towards invisibility in the second half, on came dice-roll JCH and today he was (shakes dice) a bit bothered (like, 2 or 3 out of 6). Everyone drops back, inviting Pymouth (at home!) onto us for half an hour, while we lump balls towards JCH or foul them around the penalty area.
Everyone could feel that shift coming. Commentators, fans, viewers and players. We seem to have to accept it like we accept the tides. In his interview Robins suggested our young players needed to get experience, learn not to drop back etc. But he encourages that repeatedly, game after game. He loves winning 1-0, home or away, holding desperately to a precious lead. Only it rarely works and yesterday two avoidable goals from Lameiras went in and Chaplin iced the cake by going very close twice near the end. Reminded me hugely of the opening day of the season against Scunthorpe, whom we had absolutely battered.
I worry about a relegation bid. Plenty of tough away games yet, and who is going to score enough to get us the points?