That was painful. The darkness has already descended. This was supposed to be a new beginning. New head coach, new kit, new players. But it’s the same old problems

The feeling of optimism ahead of the new season has been well and truly quelled in record time. Patience is a word that’s been bandied about a lot ever since Johannes Hoff Thorup’s arrival in May, and it looks like plenty of it will be needed based on that performance.

It was a performance that felt all too familiar, and who should be surprised when the same players that flattered to deceive last season remain?

The starting lineup for an opening day fixture is often one that excites fans, what with all the new players and all. Yet seeing a Grant Hanley/Shane Duffy centre-back partnership with Christian Fassnacht replacing an absent Jonathan Rowe (more on that later) set alarm bells ringing before a ball had even been kicked.

Injuries to new boys Ben Chrisene and Jose Córdoba opened the door for the old guard to show the new coach what they could do. All I can say is, thank god neither of those aforementioned injuries are long-term.