Time to regroup

Mick McCarthy has few blessings to count coming out of a week that has seen his high flyers drop six points and more importantly, concede three goals in consecutive games.

An enforced two week break thanks to the International fixture calendar is possibly the only one.

With injuries mounting, and a desperate need to regroup, a two week break couldn't have come at a better time.

It might also provide room for reflection amongst any fans starting doubt following the last two emphatic losses.

At the start of the season we said mid October would give us a clear idea of where our season was heading, and are still happy to stand by that.

Second in the league. Second best goal difference. Top rated players throughout the starting line up.

That's the good news.

The bad news is, take not too many players out of that jigsaw, and things start to look a lot less bright, as was shown against Swansea.

But then again, what side wouldn't given the magnitude of the losses to injury and suspension.

How many sides, let alone Championship sides would cope with the loss of it's entire attacking line up?

Kightly. Jarvis, SEB and Big Chris leave a hole few sides could fill.

When the season resumes, at least two of that four should once again be firing on all cylinders, and ten days from that date Swansea will also once again be the opponents.

At which point we will all find out if the events of the last few days are a momentary blip or a trend.

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