Is it a derby record?

[londongull63]

Six successive Devon derbies without defeat – don’t suppose we would ever have expected that in the past. Is it a record?

Although there were some great defensive performances, Rene doesn’t half stand out like our version of what Drogba did for Chelsea – winning balls he shouldn’t by muscling off defenders, great control with feet or chest, holding the ball and always looking to do something good with it rather than panicking or giving it away cheaply. It just fills you with confidence when the ball is near him. I do worry about us losing him.
And I think people need to be a bit more patient with Billy Bodin. He is still very young, but has been burdened by the price tag which wasn’t his fault. He still has moments of class and skill that lead to goals like winning Monday’s penalty. Once he’s a bit stronger I reckon he’ll be a really dangerous striker. I remember chatting to Mark Elliis when Bodin was on loan last year, and he said the things Bodin does in training and his finishing were outstanding, so there’s obviously something a bit above league 2 there somewhere.

Regarding the late goals we give away, the management denies it’s a fitness thing, but there were players going on Twitter saying how their legs were shattered after 90 minutes on Monday. Great that they put that much effort in, but 90 minutes is their job – although in some cases they can be excused when they have to be rushed back into the team after a sustained period out with injury like Jarvis. I suppose that’s the importance of regualar reserve games rather than every Saturday on the bench.

[exilegull]

I don't think conceding late goals is a fitness thing - I think we just happened to concede a couple and then it becomes a confidence thing. I'm not surprised players were shattered after a tough local derby on a heavy pitch playing second half into a strong wind.

[SteveDeckchair]

Both games against City, we've looked the most tired side. I know in both games we were up and at them for the first hour, whereas they didn't do that to us. However, we've looked out on our feet at times.

Could be a fitness thing in my mind....