DAN THE FAN: Reality bites after Macdonald's men stumble (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

DAN THE FAN: Reality bites after Macdonald's men stumble

3:30pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

AFTER his winning start to life at the County Ground, Kevin MacDonald has come back down to earth with a very heavy bump over the past week.

MacDonald has been a manager of youth and reserve teams and, for a short spell, caretaker-boss of Aston Villa.

But now he is the number one guy at a football club, and is quickly discovering the pressures and expectations that come with it.

In the last week Town have faced two sides vying with us in the promotion race – and twice we’ve come up short.

Last Saturday, they did pick up a point but, at this stage of the season, earning a point at home isn’t good enough. I’m sure somebody could see why the new manager decided to only play with one effective winger, and channel nearly all our play down one side of the pitch.

Personally I didn’t understand the logic in that tactic.

Thankfully by Tuesday, ‘Big Mac’ had seen the error of his ways .

At Brentford, a 4-5-1 formation, with Simon Ferry back in his favoured central midfield role and Adam Rooney in a wide position, went to plan for 70 minutes.

But after Town once again squandered big chances, our hard work was torn to pieces as the home side brushed us aside.

I have insisted all season that the James Collins and Andy Williams partnership will be a success.

Both have the necessary attributes to compliment each other, but they still haven’t gelled as a partnership.

It’s one of the many reasons why the squad is desperate for new faces and ideas going into the last nine games.

Hopefully, the transfer embargo can be lifted and we can operate in the market once again.

Signing someone to fill the massive hole left by Matt Ritchie’s departure is essential.

With Saturday’s trip to Yeovil moved to next Tuesday for television coverage, the players have a week to get ready for a fixture, which could define our season.

As it currently stands, Town sit two points behind the top two in the league, and two points from dropping out of the playoff places.

A win next Tuesday maintains our push for promotion but a defeat could see that dream slip away.