Danny Wilson's collection of 'bargain buys' demonstrated an encouraging organisation, graft and fluency.
Meanwhile the hugely controversial Ched Evans added the quality that turned defeat into a draw, then what looked a draw into victory.
Even the loss at Shrewsbury had their fans stating how fortunate they'd been against a dominant Town side.
Unfortunately one of the better teams at our level gave us something of lesson today.
Let's be clear; we'll probably play worse and get something. But for the second season running a physically and technically superior Millwall outfit turned up, did what they had to do, then punished the kinda mistakes a team put together with our budget will inevitably make.
Morrison terrorised the likeable yet pedestrian Evatt. Both full backs struggled, especially as those in front of them offered nothing in a defensive sense. Indeed Ariyibi must love playing for CFC so much he went out of his way to convince any scouts he's not worth signing. Meanwhile Evans, our 'get out of jail card', was comfortably marshalled.
In the midst of this Nolan impressed, O'Shea offered movement if no end product and Hird underlined his reputation for reading a game. But for him it could've been worse, much worse. Mitchell offered a glimpse of something to come, too.
Perhaps Proact CEO, Chris Turner, best summed up our realistic aspirations in his recent 'Times' interview by suggesting fielding a survival side is some sort of success. Problem is he went on to portray the future brighter because a number of expensive contracts are up next summer - conveniently omitting the fact he negotiated those 'mill stone' contracts in the first place!
Not to mention the debt accrued on his watch is the reason Wilson's hands are tied as they are.
One other thing, too.
I couldn't help noticing that instead of the numerous sponsors taking to the pitch in previous seasons, only one took to the pitch today. Now I know Steve Coe, the bloke running SBK Computers, is a CFC stalwart, the sorta person the Club can rely upon when everyone else has abandoned them.
Sadly that appears to be the case.
I don't share the view expressed by some that we were embarrassed. I do think the shortcomings of our squad were exposed, though. The Chairman was at the game today - I'd like to think he'd adopt a similar point of view.
This post has been edited by MDCCCLXVI: 27 August 2016 - 07:09 PM