Defeat at Swansea followed by a last second defeat at Barnsley last week and then a total 2nd half surender against Ipswich yesterday sees City 12 points off top place Newcastle. We would have gone top if we had held on for the win against Forest. See how quickly things change. This month has been a real kick in the teeth.
The results on the pitch and more worringly the apparant lack of leadership of the team and the players attitude is affecting the crowd figures. Below 20,000 yesterday. Several people I know didn't go. Other things to do.
I myself didn't get to the game. Normally I would have bust a gut to be there but another project I was working on took priority and I did little to change that.
Dave Jones looked a man under pressure when interviewed by Sky Sports News. He reacted angrily to the reporters first question and wasn't the dry humourist he can sometimes be, he was troubled.
The team were boo'd yesterday, the fans that did go witnessed another capitulation, another home defeat, a lifeless second half performance that allowed Roy Keane's Ipswich, a team in the bottom 3, to get their first away win of the season.
Our players have lost their will to fight, why? Lack of motivation? In the comfort zone? A bit of both maybe.
From heroes to zeroes. We have been brilliant in some games and then lately shocking. It's not our first slump of the season. Between Aug 29 and Sep 26 we lost 5 out of 6 games culminating in the most dreadfull performance at Hillsbrorough. Then Jones wins Manager of the Month for October with a a run of excellent results.
It's very difficult to fathom. One thing for sure December doesn't promise to be an easy month with away trips to WBA, Middlesbrough and Peterborough as well as three home matches against Preston, Leicester and Plymouth.
The manager's position seems rock solid, possibly part of the problem, the manager manages without fear of losing his job and the players play without fear of being dropped - all too cosy.
What else can you say apart from "Jonsey, Jonsey sort it out."
