samo II

At this point the quality of our football is of no concern if we lose, certainly by a margin rare enough to constitute a thrashing by any standard. If what has been quoted is true, I'm very concerned - in his position I'd be telling the squad everyone of them is expendable, as if they contour to fail as they are, they should be.

We now have fewer points than after 24 matches compared to last time we were at this level (21 compared to 22), and we all know how that season panned out. In our home game against Burnley there was a case to be made we were undone by a couple of slack moments on set pieces, and we at least fought to get a consolation goal - today we were brushed aside; that does not equal progress, by any measurement. Also worth noting that Burnley were also in a run of form as poor as our own before this game, so it's not like we've met them at the 'wrong time' - they'll probably not hit as bad a patch as this for a while, so this was likely an opportunity for us, despite the fact I had no faith we'd get anything today. I don't know what to think right now; I don't any other manager is getting more from the players we have, as I don't think the players we have are good enough to keep us up on their own - we need players of the right quality to make us competitive, and need them now (and several of them) - without quality additions, we should accept it will be a long remainder of the season, and that relegation is highly likely.

Ditto.

Stay classy there, pal.

Now four points and a single point of goal difference behind us before we kick off. With them, Rotherham and MK picking up results, we seriously need to show something more second half of the season.

Possibly, but just seems odd when Wilbrahma has player more minutes the last two games, looked tired for the last 20 two days ago, and starts - we'll see if it pays off. And if the Bolton result stays like this, and we lose even by a just a single goal, they'll only be four points behind us with level at least goal difference.

Well, I wonder what led to Bryan getting dropped. Assist in his cameo at QPR and part of a team that led for 90 mins two days ago; will guess it must be fitness, because hardly any other plausible reason, if you follow the logic that the rest of the team have done enough to retain their places. COYR

I'd snap your arm off if you offered me a draw today. Their record may be as bad as ours just now, but watching the highlights of their match against Hull, we very much a case of their strikers missing gilt-edged opportunities rather than being thrashed. Equally; they nailed Charlton to the floor match before, when we failed to do similar, and beat us at home a few months back, so very much Burnely the favourites today.

We need players in January to stand a chance. The question is whether it is too late to make a difference.

We just dropped 2 points against a team who look nailed on for relegation at home; I think it is fair to say the team deserve some critique, especially as it has returned us to the drop zone and likely emboldened our rivals. If we can't be pissed at this, what are we all doing here?

I know; said to my brother-in-law as soon as we'd missed that pen that I could see us bottling it. Depressing.

Unbelievable.

After JK knocking on the door with no luck against QPR last week, imagine he'll be well up for today. And from what I've seen of Charlton's defence this year so far, can't imagine them being as resistant to his efforts as the hoops were.

Nice to see some of the players correctly identifying this as a crucial game; not just a match we cannot afford to lose, but one where a win is essential. COYR

Not a bad performance, and would certainly say we shaded it. Limited them to few clear chances and generated better ones, I feel. Kodjia seems to generate his own opportunities, and I'm not sure we're best set up to exploit what a live wire he can be. And for his clear skill on the ball and decent set pieces, Freeman lacks the pace to break from midfield, either with the ball or to keep up, which costs us opportunities and possession far too often. Luke is a good player, but someone with a little more pace in that position would make hay with Kodjia in front of them. We are well drilled, but possibly a little conservative; would like to see more adventure from us some times. And I don't care if I get called alarmist, but Charlton is a MUST WIN now.

Fair point! Let's amend that to "teams in the top half"!

Last six results; 2-0 win against Forest 2-1 loss to Brighton 0-0 draw at Cardiff 1-4 hammering by Fulham 1-0 victory against Wolves 0-0 draw with Bolton 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses - 8 points, 5 goals for, 6 goals against. That Fulham result is looking like an outlier from our recent form, and considering survival should be our single aim this year, we do currently sit 2 points and a better goal difference from the drop zone, despite getting destroyed at home only one week back. Couple of weeks to get prepared for the league leaders now, and we certainly seem to play better against teams higher up the division, which is a positive.

Quality of entertainment is not important today; the result is.

Was under the impression it was 3 million euros, working out at about £2 million? Either way; doesn't look over priced.

The rate he's going, I think he'd cost anyone interested a small fortune if they wanted him then; we paid over £2 million for him, so imagine we'd perhaps need upwards of £5 million (I am not joking) and don't for one second see anyone other than the most desperate of Premier League team even considering that, and doubt we'd sell to anyone in this division. I think that we've got him until summer at least; can't think he imagined he'd be coming here to get promoted, and seems a level headed chap, so if we can stay in this league, and he can develop his reputation then may very well be a good fit for him for another 12-18 months.

He really is; 8 in 15 appearances, and you could argue he's still settling in. If we can stay in this division, I've little doubt he'll be an important part of that.

Essential result; brilliant. Had said we needed a minimum of 6 points across the next four games; what a way to start off. Away to Bolton should be interesting; can't see them being on good spirits, and certainly imagine we will be.

BBC mobile site for City doesn't make for the best juxtaposition of stories just now. Not Cotts finest pre-match piece of press, all things considered.

And that our only other one we ended up selling to a team who just beat the shit out us inside 35 minutes at home. We cut our own throats this summer.

Kodjia gets one. Good for his value, but little else.