[ditty]

My observations from tonight's game:

- First half was quite dire. Valour was content sit in a block and counterattack. I thought Field really struggled with Twardek's pace and directness. He also doesn't bomb forward like Gherasimencov which often keeps the opposition's right back a little more honest for fear of getting caught out. I was hoping Tommy would make the change at half.
- Camargo struggled for the most part. He had a couple bright moments but overall he was too careless with the ball and missed a couple really good chances.
- Aird's defending on the second goal simply wasn't good enough for me. He's touch tight with Morgan but doesn't jump at all which gives Morgan a free header.
- That was a nice set up by Warschewski and finish by Gutierrez on the goal.
- We only started pressing forward, opening them up a bit and sustaining pressure after it was 2-1.
- I thought Warschewski had a really strong second half. He was more his old self as far as really going at players and being that shifty, awkward presence in the box with the ball at his feet.
- I agree wholeheartedly with the earlier assessment of Ntignee. He's an explosive player who's exactly what we need in that respect, but he was far too undisciplined tonight, even before the red card.
- I thought Wähling was decent, especially in the second half. He thrives on joining the attack late from the back, which gives him more time and space. He's certainly not a natural defender, which shows particularly in the penalty box, but he's technically good on the ball.

This wasn't the response I was hoping for after what I felt was a good performance against York where the result didn't go our way.

I know I'm stating the obvious here but winning the league is extremely unlikely now. We can certainly gain ground between now and the end of the season but the fact that not one but two teams are so far ahead is going to require a big collapse from both Ottawa and Forge. I think 3rd place is the minimum when it comes to having a shot at winning the playoffs. 4th and 5th place leave way too many away games. So, that's the expectation from me now; get Baldisimo, Sellouf, Ntignee (when he's back from suspension) plus hopefully Kamdem and Elva settled in and playing, get Musse and Warschewski scoring again and build some momentum heading into the playoffs.