Always think that to much is made of the opening few results...a single result can hinge on luck, but a performance is more of an indication of long term success. The best example of that was the win at Southampton a few years back. They battered us but we scraped a fortunate goal. They were promoted I think and we struggled...a defeat is never ideal but if overall, we play well( just don't get the run of the ball) then results will come. You often get teams that fly out of the blocks, but get reeled in as fortune deserts them and ultimately they struggle.
One other thing I look for is for a striker to get on the scoresheet early in the season, as this often sets them up overall...anybody remember Lee power? Scored loads preseason...had a goal disallowed in the first game ( questionably) and (if memory serves) never scored again for us.
So for me the ideal is a win, or score draw, with our strikers scoring...but the performance is more important...you build into a season.
As an extra point I have always taken the league cup game as a good bellwether of the season...it may just be perception but when we have played higher league teams and beaten or held our own(Watford rings a bell) even if defeated then I think we will have a good season.
Anyway that's my two penneth worth.
One other thing I look for is for a striker to get on the scoresheet early in the season, as this often sets them up overall...anybody remember Lee power? Scored loads preseason...had a goal disallowed in the first game ( questionably) and (if memory serves) never scored again for us.
So for me the ideal is a win, or score draw, with our strikers scoring...but the performance is more important...you build into a season.
As an extra point I have always taken the league cup game as a good bellwether of the season...it may just be perception but when we have played higher league teams and beaten or held our own(Watford rings a bell) even if defeated then I think we will have a good season.
Anyway that's my two penneth worth.
