I agree re the media hype regarding Barton. Probably some kind of spat that goes on all the time but it gives the hacks the opportunity to keep us in the news and on Barton’s case.
Regarding yesterday’s result,I was fearing the worst before kick off, and despite some dodgey moments I thought we played with much more commitment and effort than we were used to seeing late last season. Credit where it’s due I thought Smith had a great game and hopefully it will get some of our moaning, heckling fans off his back. If this is what happens when he gets a bit of responsibility with the captain’s arm band I say let him keep it all season. e must have covered every blade of grass during the game. I think the lads deserve some credit, managerless, rudderless with poor Hughton doing his best, 3 of their team mates who they played with in preseason have suddenly left and they have had to adapt to that. I thought a fair result overall.