Comment by Jules Hornbrook

THINGS never quite go to plan at the Alex.

While Tuesday's Carling Cup defeat to Blackpool wasn't unexpected, losing on the opening day to Dagenham & Redbridge was a shock.

At 5pm last Saturday I was hoping to check the table and see us top of the pile, a healthy goal difference already amassed.

No disrespect to the relative newcomers to league football, but a club that has been playing at a higher level for 15 years should have the edge.

We didn't. We looked decidedly average. They did a professional job and fully deserved the points.

For us, there was no suggestion that last week's impressive pre-season victory over Birmingham would be repeated.

Indeed, as I said last week, we should never trust the summer warm-ups!

One thing is for sure, Gudjon Thordarson needs to think twice before he criticises supporters for venting their frustration on the whistle. And they did moan, at half-time and after the game.

Sorry, Gudjon, but fans have every right to make their feelings known. The Alex gaffer should keep his wrath for under-performing players.

I have always disagreed with fans chucking abuse and hatred at club officials and players – especially during a match. After all, they don't lose games on purpose, do they?

But if you can't aim a few boos in their general direction what can you do?

Players, managers and coaches need to know that supporters are not satisfied. Managers and coaches also need to be aware that the tactics and effort seen from the stands is not good enough.

For too many years we heard Dario Gradi and Steve Holland talking after defeats, stressing that the players were working hard and doing what was asked of them.

Well, if that's the case then something is clearly not right and the management should take a closer look at their match-day preparation.

Few Alex fans expect to win every game, but back in the basement division we are hoping for much better than we have seen over recent seasons.

If Thordarson can't take a bit of flak from the stands, then he could be in for a long, hard season.

But enough moaning, it's only a week into the latest campaign.

A number of players are new to the Alex system and most teams are unknown quantities.

It will take a few weeks to settle in. Still, let's settle in and take a few points along the way.

Most people I've talked to expect this season to be a slog. That will surely involve some kick-and-rush tactics to avoid defeats and maybe snatch the odd win.

If that's what it takes, fine.

In an ideal world, this would be a standout season where beautifully fluid play was the norm and a title-winning season the eventual reward.

If that's to happen, we need something from the next couple of games. The last thing we need is to find ourselves at the foot of League Two, allowing the more pessimistic fans to talk about imminent non-league football.

That would certainly rattle Thordarson's cage!