A point might turn out to be a reasonable result and it is too easy to discount the opposition because of where they came from. SU played well. They may or may not sustain it, who knows, but getting a point at promoted Wigan last year would be a decent result when that side later showed such good early season form.
Problem is that any side getting a point in all the away games and three in the home games (average) which once put you right in the title race is no longer good enough if the recent trend continues. The title winners away record of 2 seasons back ( L1 D3) is more likely what will be needed again....or something close, so 2pts dropped could be an accurate summing up for any side with title ambitions and not just the safe position that most are looking for.
All teams drop points, particularly away from home, but the best ones will come home feeling robbed or unlucky and that was not the case on Saturday. I don't understand how a side with title ambitions can start the first game of a new season so flat? Maybe last weekends result did them no favours?
The great Fowler is useful to have around, but starting him with the new boy seemed extreme, particularly when leaving the most in form striker on the bench. Seems Raffa had an eye on the midweek return leg in his team choice. A lot of cash hangs on the result, as you suggested, but not convinced this is the way to go for the first game of a new season where the title will be won or lost at places like Shefield?
1ST DIVISION OPPOSITIONYOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE GOING DOWN YOU'RE...
Les
