Reaction to the Barnet game

It was a case of City winning despite being the second best team for the majortiy of the game, a nice change to say the least. However, it was a game where there were a few positives to put alongside the negatives, plus the ultimate positive of winning.

I have developed a reputation over recent years of very rarely giving positive reactions, only focusing on the negative, so I'll give the best of both.

Let's start with the obvious positive and that was not only winning, but keeping a clean sheet, neither of which we did until we ironically faced Barnet after 5 games last season. It's nice to get the season off to this sort of start and if it makes anyone feel better, the Imps made the Playoff Final the last time that we won on the opening day. As I said recently, I'd expect a minimum of 10 points from the opening month and a win is a great way to start that off.

Then we get onto Paul Connor. I was sat watching highlights from several years ago about two months ago and he was mentioned after scoring. I remember thinking "I wonder where he is, could still do a job at this level" and I am now confident that statement will turn out to be correct. He, in my opinion, was the best player on the pitch for us yesterday and could turn out to be what we've been missing for years, a striker capable of winning headers that go towards one of our own players and the ability to shoot under difficult circumstances.

I'd personally like to see him play up front with Howe on Tuesday as they worked really well together when Howe was brought on, but that brings me onto our first negative point. I was a bit disappointed with Chris Fagan. He had a successful pre-season and scored for fun, but Saturday proved he has a long way to go. It's obvious that he's not used to playing a game and that tempo and with that much physicality. He had two decent opportunities to score, one was sliced which is understandable, but the complete airshot from a slow cross was a bit. Maybe for now it would be better for him to be the substitute striker and bring him on, weaning him into the squad.

Anyway, back to positives and the second half that followed the first half was a relief. The first half was dire, one of the worst I've seen us play in a while, luckily we never really looked like conceding (other than the goal that was denied by Burch's brilliant save). The defence looks fair more secure these days, a strange statement to bring you as the defence has been our problem for most of the last four years.

However, I can't ignore just how awful we were in the first half and despite the defence playing reasonably well for most of the match, there were times when a better team that Barnet would have made us pay for poor midfield play and the action on the edge of the box. Players such as Adomah, Jarrett and Bolasie were always going to cause trouble, but if we face a team that has more than three decent players then we might be in trouble.

In summary, results wise it was the perfect result. 3 points and a clean sheet to start the season off with, I would certainly have taken it before the game and it's a decent building block....but we'll need to play much better to beat better sides.

Player Ratings

Rob Burch - Provided a brilliant save from Bolasie and when also a rock on the numerous occasions that the strikers got past the defence. Did everything he had to do, no complaints whatsoever. 9/10

Cian Hughton - Not the best debut I've ever seen and was a bit mixed, wouldn't describe it as the worst performance I'd ever seen, but nothing special. 6/10

Janos Kovacs - Good goal and is a genuine threat when going up front, but his partnership with Swaibu looked very unstable at times and allowed players such as Adomah to run straight through them. 7/10

Moses Swaibu - Same as Kovacs really, had a few dodgy moments and looks a bit susceptible when players are running straight at him, but still excellent at tackling. 7/10

Joe  Heath - Solid and dependable at left back and generally didn't put a foot-wrong. A bit like a left-footed Colin Cryan, does what he needs to do without being overly spectacular.

Stefan Oakes - Brilliant cross for the ball and certainly got about putting a lot of tackles in. Still got booed by sections of the Imps fans when he lost the ball (something that didn't happen to other players) but chased it down near enough each time. 7/10

Richard Butcher - I was thinking during pre-season that he wasn't the same player who left and based on his first game, he isn't up to his previous standards. Often mispassed the ball, but he'll hopefully improve with time. 5.5/10

Aaron Brown - Not the best start he could have made to his season but not the worst. He was pretty average but like last season, will probably improve as time goes on. 6/10

Jamie Clarke - Did well to burst into the area but his distribution of the ball from the wide areas was absolutely diabolical. Most of his crosses just trickled along the ground to the first defender and looked nothing more than average. 5/10

Paul Connor - Brilliant from the striker. Although he didn't score, he was the link to all things that were good about City's attack. He linked up play excellent and was unlucky not to find the back of the net. If he continues in this light then he could easily hold off the pressure of the other strikers and keep his place. 9/10

Chris Fagan - I was very disappointed with him on Saturday. I thought that after his pre-season and his pedigree that he would be our most dangerous player. Maybe it was just that he wasn't ready, he did look surprised at the pace and strength of League Two football and I think it will take a while for him to get used to it. 4/10

Rene Howe - During 24 minutes of football he impressed many fans with his bullish style of play. Him and Connor looked to form a near instant partnership and it looks promising that he will perform on a regular basis. 7.5/10.

Shane Clarke - Was a typical Shane Clarke performance, reasonable but not spectacular. 6/10

Luca Coleman-Carr - Didn't really have enough time to make an impact. 6/10.