Unfortunatley, it is evident there is still a long way to go before this squad gels enough to mount a real promotion push. And to realise our ambitions we need to keep the squad fit, which seems unlikely as at the moment they are dropping like flies.
Without Murphy and Milne, we look very fragile at the back. The defence doesn't seem to have the same confidence in Lillis as they have in Murphy, and therefore are making mistakes. Dave Mirfin's sending off was a prime example of this, as he could have laid the ball back to Lillis instead of trying to clear the ball upfield.
It will take a while for this side to gel and look threatening. Even though Gary Hooper has evident talent, the service supplied from either wing hasn't been up to much and we seem to be trying to play a lot of football through the middle of the park.
Garry Thompson actually had his best game so far when pushed back to right back, but it was disappointing that we were reduced to 10 men so early on as with a goal under his belt, it may have given him a little more confidence.
Personally, I beleive this squad is capable of challenging for a play off spot- but anything more seems unrealistic. Walsall were a lousy outfit and games like this need to be wrapped up, even with 10 men. I think we could easily have done so.
The injury to Hayes didn't help matters, but the introduction of Andy Wright only invited pressure from the home side and the goal late on was another example of sitting back and giving the opposition a chance to come at us.
It was a largely frustrating afternoon, and I can see things only getting worse before we turn the corner. The plus point of the afternoon had to be the performance of Sam Togwell who looked quite impressive- he should turn out to be a good signing. However we were still so easy to pass on the right hand side, with Marcus Williams not having one of his better days defensively.
Walsall never posed much of a threat and for lengthy stages we were comfortable, however in the second half offered no attacking threat despite the game being there for the taking.
It was another three points dropped and the next two league fixtures could turn out to be as frustrating as the two that we've just lost.