Jerseybean Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 Over the years it seems (to me at least) that we have underperformed against teams who are struggling. Currently we have played every team in the bottom 7, bar Hull, who of course we face next. Of the six teams we have played we have won 3 (Sunderland, Bolton, Reading) drawn 2 (Burton, Millwall) and lost 1 (Birmingham). So have gained 11 points from a possible 18. It is interesting to compare this with our results against teams in the top 7, we’ve so far played 4 of them, with Boro and Sheffield Utd coming up soon, we’ve won 2 (Cardiff, Derby) and drawn 2 (Wolves and Villa). So 8 points from a possible 12. Is it just me or do others feel that generally we underperform against struggling teams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBCFC Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 I'd rather that if we did drop points it was against those at the bottom than those at the top. There is a potential 6 point swing in every game, so getting the wins against the teams around you matter far more than the ones at the other end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bar BS3 Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 21 minutes ago, Jerseybean said: Over the years it seems (to me at least) that we have underperformed against teams who are struggling. Currently we have played every team in the bottom 7, bar Hull, who of course we face next. Of the six teams we have played we have won 3 (Sunderland, Bolton, Reading) drawn 2 (Burton, Millwall) and lost 1 (Birmingham). So have gained 11 points from a possible 18. It is interesting to compare this with our results against teams in the top 7, we’ve so far played 4 of them, with Boro and Sheffield Utd coming up soon, we’ve won 2 (Cardiff, Derby) and drawn 2 (Wolves and Villa). So 8 points from a possible 12. Is it just me or do others feel that generally we underperform against struggling teams? If we are averaging 2 points per game against top 7 teams and a fraction under 2 points per game against bottom 7 teams, then isn’t it the middle 9 teams that we aren’t getting as many points from..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1960maaan Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 I don't think it's top or bottom, I think it's the style or mindset of the opposition we can have trouble with. Millwall , Burton are the two examples that spring to mind (couldn't go Vs Preston) , they sit in deep deny space and spoil the game. Make it bitty and ugly only then hitting on the break. I think we need to work out a way to get success against this game plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerseybean Posted November 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2017 7 hours ago, 1960maaan said: I don't think it's top or bottom, I think it's the style or mindset of the opposition we can have trouble with. Millwall , Burton are the two examples that spring to mind (couldn't go Vs Preston) , they sit in deep deny space and spoil the game. Make it bitty and ugly only then hitting on the break. I think we need to work out a way to get success against this game plan. Absolutely agree, when the game is more expansive and open we tend to play better football. Haven’t seen much evidence to suggest that we can unlock teams that set out with a plan to frustrate and spoil things. Although I didn’t see the PNE game either we apparently resorted to a long ball and in so doing played into their hands. Need to figure out how to overcome teams (which tend to be those who are struggling) whose game plan is to settle for a point and/or hit us on the break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerseybean Posted November 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2017 7 hours ago, Bar BS3 said: If we are averaging 2 points per game against top 7 teams and a fraction under 2 points per game against bottom 7 teams, then isn’t it the middle 9 teams that we aren’t getting as many points from..? Our win percentage against the bottom teams to date is 61% and against the top teams we’ve played it’s 66%. Havent done the maths on the middle 9 teams yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinman85 Posted November 23, 2017 Report Share Posted November 23, 2017 8 hours ago, Jerseybean said: Over the years it seems (to me at least) that we have underperformed against teams who are struggling. Currently we have played every team in the bottom 7, bar Hull, who of course we face next. Of the six teams we have played we have won 3 (Sunderland, Bolton, Reading) drawn 2 (Burton, Millwall) and lost 1 (Birmingham). So have gained 11 points from a possible 18. It is interesting to compare this with our results against teams in the top 7, we’ve so far played 4 of them, with Boro and Sheffield Utd coming up soon, we’ve won 2 (Cardiff, Derby) and drawn 2 (Wolves and Villa). So 8 points from a possible 12. Is it just me or do others feel that generally we underperform against struggling teams? We don't perform when under pressure and favourites. That shows the lack of experience we have in the squad. Top level experience. If we are serious about getting to the Premier League this year, next or in future we have to mix our recruitment strategy and sign one or two senior established pros Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerseybean Posted November 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2017 54 minutes ago, Jerseybean said: Our win percentage against the bottom teams to date is 61% and against the top teams we’ve played it’s 66%. Havent done the maths on the middle 9 teams yet! We’ve played 8 of the 9 teams in the middle of the table (everyone bar QPR) and have won 3 (Barnsley, Ipswich, Fulham), drawn 3 (Sheffield Weds, Brentford, Norwich) and lost 1 (Leeds) meaning a return of 12 points from a possible 24; which at a 50% return is less good than against those we’ve played who are in the top (66%) and bottom (61%) of the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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