The David Wood Column

Sunday 14 October, 2001

Big Jim reads BfB

In my last column I stated that all I wanted for Christmas was a flying winger, so a big thank you goes out to Mr Jeffries and Mr Richmond for allowing me to strike this wish off my Christmas list not just once but twice.

The arrival of Matthew Etherington on loan, and the 'Boy From Espania' Juanjo shows that either Mr Jeffries scans the BFB pages for ideas or he is the damn good manager I thought he was. I hope now that Jim finds it in his heart to start both of them at least at VP in a 4-4-2 formation. With all the so called defensive problems we are currently experiencing maybe the old philosophy of 'the best form of defence is attack' should come into play.

While on the subject of our defence can I just point out that it is hard to find a more talented or experienced back line than that of ours in this Division, and although they are undoubtedly playing poorly this seems to me to be being caused by poor defending throughout the team. It seems plain that when City's more attack minded players start to neglect their defensive duties it seems other teams are able to score almost at will, and will continue to until the problem is remedied.

The promotion team of three years ago could not match today's line up for talent man for man, but knew how to defend as a unit, and seemed to clear the ball out of the danger area quicker. City's current problems should eradicate themselves given time and the coincidence gained from recent good results.

I now hope that in the near future our two 'Flying wingers' start doing to opposition defenders what Burnley's Glenn Little did to ours. Christmas is just around the corner and we need a few wins so that Mr Richmond can confidently blow the dust from the club transfer fee check book and allow Mr Jeffries to prove to this division that we are not two season Premiership has beens.

P.S. Latest news, Aiden Davison was today seen landing at VP, after going missing while flapping at a cross at Crewe last week. Jim Jeffries was said to be ecstatic to have his first choice Keeper back!

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Previously: How David Wood asked asked for a pair of flying wingers

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