Yesterday’s game at Villa Park further illustrated the improvement in our performances over the last couple of weeks.
Everybody at the game will have left the ground scratching their heads as to why we didn’t come away with a point.
It was particularly frustrating that we weren’t able to get the goal and at least a deserved draw that our performance merited. That goal line clearance late on in the game just about summed up our fortunes.
That we put in such a performance against a multimillion pound and in-form team like Villa suggests that we are moving in the right direction and it will only be a matter of time before we get the points we deserve. The belief is there for all to see and it was a pleasure to witness all our supporters applauding the players at full-time.
I don't know if you are like myself, but l find it very uninteresting when the media constantly harp on about historical match statistics, which in my opinion are irrelevant, other than they are a fact of history, but actually have no relevance of what is or isn't going to happen on the pitch.
The manager's and my message to the players and staff is to ignore the negativity and focus on the job ahead, as that's all that matters - not statistics.
Fortunately, you - the supporters - continue to get behind the team and lift them through thick and thin and I can assure you that everyone appreciates that show of support.
I have no doubt that at the end of the season, we will all look back on the start and remember how everyone pulled together and we overcame the challenges in front of us.
It was extremely refreshing to see our new signing Karl Henry speaking so positively about the atmosphere around the club too following his arrival last week.
We are fortunate to have a squad players' who will not let their heads drop and as Karl said, he has seen a group who are determined to turn our fortunes around and like the manager and myself have been saying, one win could make all the difference, breed confidence and push us on to climb the table.
Over the last couple of away games we have seen many positives to take forward and heading into our next game at home against Sheffield Wednesday we must replicate that determination and passion once again.
With the benefit of another international break, it is imperative that we all pull together ahead of this fixture and hopefully come the full-time whistle in two weeks’ time we will be in a stronger position than we currently find ourselves.
The break itself meanwhile will give a number of injured players the opportunity to prepare themselves ahead of their respective returns to first team action, and that will be of a huge boost to everybody as we look to pick up points in the Sky Bet Championship.
The manager has given the players permission to go out together as a team later this week for a bonding session. I fully support this as I truly believe that they all need to have a break from the constant pressure they have all been under. They will be able to enjoy themselves and then relax for a few hours before getting back to the job ahead.
Kind regards,
Ken.