by 3points » 03 Nov 2022 12:53
by Hendo » 03 Nov 2022 13:01
by Stranded » 03 Nov 2022 13:17
YorkshireRoyal99LUX Ok, Luxwatch for the three teams I think we need to lose whenever possible:
Huddersfield
Wigan
Hull
Hope this post ages well.
Yep, I think they seem to be the 3 at the moment. Not convinced by Bristol City, Rotherham or Blackpool but as mentioned, they seem to be able to get a decent result here and there.
Outsiders? Stoke and Cardiff? Probably not going to go down but will probably end up lower mid table by the looks of it.
by Franchise FC » 03 Nov 2022 14:53
by Hound » 03 Nov 2022 15:02
by YorkshireRoyal99 » 03 Nov 2022 15:31
by Dirk Gently » 03 Nov 2022 15:39
by Hendo » 03 Nov 2022 15:40
Dirk Gently 26 points from 18 games is a much better than expected return.
They say 50 points will see you safe, so 24 points from 28 games really ought to be achievable - we could safely stay up without having to win another match.
by URZZZZ » 03 Nov 2022 15:46
Franchise FC I still think I'd take 19th for us now.
The concertina effect could drag a lot of teams in that don't look like it at the moment, and if we lose a couple* in January that could be a big issue
* Players, not matches (although that wouldn't be great either)
by Stranded » 03 Nov 2022 16:02
by Hound » 03 Nov 2022 16:18
YorkshireRoyal99 Yeah that's true re injury situation although a lot of clubs could probably say the same, probably some of the so called "better" teams in the league. Swansea lose the likes of Piroe for long periods of time and they'll struggle, QPR lose Dykes, the LWB's name who escapes me and Chair and they'll struggle for form etc.
I think we've got enough, it's tight and a bad spell, which is entirely possible, could see us slip into real trouble but there are a lot of teams sandwiched together at the moment and teams are taking points off each other every game, so I think if we can keep plugging along with a couple of wins per 6 games (or tallies to that effect), then we will be fine. The strong start to the season has given us a decent buffer.
by YorkshireRoyal99 » 03 Nov 2022 16:34
by Nameless » 03 Nov 2022 17:32
Stranded I hope fitness may improve after this WC break. We have essentially spent the last couple of years working (probably overworking) small squads through seasons that have been compressed due to COVID and the WC - shorter summer breaks etc - so it is arguable that after Xmas is the first run we have where the wear and tear on players may be less as we actually have options and in most weeks are only playing Saturdays.
Naturally, if 2 or 3 move on in Jan that we can't replace then that goes out of the window.
by Snowflake Royal » 03 Nov 2022 17:45
Hound It’s always squad depth and injuries which is my concern this year
If we basically had fit who we have now for the remainder of the season (obvs with the odd missed game) and added Sarr and Hutch back into the mix, we can look up more than down
If we start to lose key men for long periods (ie Ince, Holmes, Yiadom) then could see us still slipping into trouble
by Mid Sussex Royal » 03 Nov 2022 18:41
Snowflake RoyalHound It’s always squad depth and injuries which is my concern this year
If we basically had fit who we have now for the remainder of the season (obvs with the odd missed game) and added Sarr and Hutch back into the mix, we can look up more than down
If we start to lose key men for long periods (ie Ince, Holmes, Yiadom) then could see us still slipping into trouble
Beyond player fitness, a big concern for me is that despite on the face of it having four good strikers, we can't put together a convincing attacking game plan or get any of them looking like they'll score regularly. Partly because most out games we barely have any periods of possession, let alone sustained attacking possession in the final third.
We're not going to score great breakaway goals against the run of play every game.
by Snowflake Royal » 03 Nov 2022 23:04
Mid Sussex RoyalSnowflake RoyalHound It’s always squad depth and injuries which is my concern this year
If we basically had fit who we have now for the remainder of the season (obvs with the odd missed game) and added Sarr and Hutch back into the mix, we can look up more than down
If we start to lose key men for long periods (ie Ince, Holmes, Yiadom) then could see us still slipping into trouble
Beyond player fitness, a big concern for me is that despite on the face of it having four good strikers, we can't put together a convincing attacking game plan or get any of them looking like they'll score regularly. Partly because most out games we barely have any periods of possession, let alone sustained attacking possession in the final third.
We're not going to score great breakaway goals against the run of play every game.
We don't. That has just happened against a few top sides away where we've drawn sides on to us and hit them on teh break..
Do you suggest then we try and out pass the likes of Burnley, Swansea and QPR on their own ground?
by YorkshireRoyal99 » 04 Nov 2022 09:01
Snowflake RoyalHound It’s always squad depth and injuries which is my concern this year
If we basically had fit who we have now for the remainder of the season (obvs with the odd missed game) and added Sarr and Hutch back into the mix, we can look up more than down
If we start to lose key men for long periods (ie Ince, Holmes, Yiadom) then could see us still slipping into trouble
Beyond player fitness, a big concern for me is that despite on the face of it having four good strikers, we can't put together a convincing attacking game plan or get any of them looking like they'll score regularly. Partly because most out games we barely have any periods of possession, let alone sustained attacking possession in the final third.
We're not going to score great breakaway goals against the run of play every game.
by Snowflake Royal » 04 Nov 2022 09:18
by YorkshireRoyal99 » 04 Nov 2022 10:03
Snowflake Royal Carroll thrives off good early crosses into the box, and he needs players around him for any balls up to his head, not maybe 1 player within 20 yards.
Joao needs players around him, balls to feet or chest and possession in the final third.
Meite needs good balls in behind to chase and headers to flick on to players around him.
Etc etc. None of this works with 35% possession and 8 players around our box.
by Snowflake Royal » 04 Nov 2022 10:50
YorkshireRoyal99Snowflake Royal Carroll thrives off good early crosses into the box, and he needs players around him for any balls up to his head, not maybe 1 player within 20 yards.
Joao needs players around him, balls to feet or chest and possession in the final third.
Meite needs good balls in behind to chase and headers to flick on to players around him.
Etc etc. None of this works with 35% possession and 8 players around our box.
But you don't need 60%+ possession for that to work either, so I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say, "none of this works". The classic saying is, it's not about how much possession you have but what you do with it. From what I've seen this season, in most games this season we've been relatively effective with our style of play and many managers have praised how we are difficult to play against, not just because of our defensive shape but because of our threat going forward as well. Look at Tuesday, didn't exactly play with the ball/on the front foot but managed 17 (correct if wrong) shots on goal and were a threat throughout, just our quality let us down.
For the record, I do actually agree with you, I'd prefer to play with the ball and on the front foot with players high up the pitch, but I don't think the club view that as where we are at the moment. We are very much considered an "underdog" in this league by the club at the moment, so I can understand why we play like we do, and we've played what? 40% of the season so far-ish? We are 11th, with a good record and we've been good in most games so far this season and surpassed expectations so far, so I think it's tough to complain.
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