10 games in

[CyderInACan]

GJ famously always liked to wait til 10 games to judge how well (or not) we were doing. So after the first 10 games we’ve lost only 1 game, are in 7th place and 4pts off 2nd.

Arguably unlucky not to have had an extra 2pts at the weekend too which would see us in 5th place. 

So after 10 games are we happy with where we are and is it deserved? 

[myol'man]

Excellent start, considering the injuries we've suffered.

 

[Northern Red]

Have to be happy given the injuries.

[oOoOoOoOoOoO]

A must win game at home to reading on saturday to go into the international break would be a class start 

[Malago]

Six away, four at home, so slightly skewed which ever way you want to interpret it.

[SuperRed]

You’d say that Leeds, West Brom and Fulham will be in the top 6. Swansea’s start suggests they’ll be up there to. Lots of other teams, including us, competing for the other 2 spots and there’s not much between them. 

[Dolman_Stand]

Very good start but need to strign together some wins now to capitalise, think the next 3 homes games are crucial as the form at AG needs sorting out.

[Tom Fleuriot]

4 clubs played of those currently in the top half. W1, D2, L1. For me, considering injuries and new signings, I'm cautiously optimistic. We need to work out our first choice attack though. 

[steveybadger]

18 minutes ago, CyderInACan said:

GJ famously always liked to wait til 10 games to judge how well (or not) we were doing. So after the first 10 games we’ve lost only 1 game, are in 7th place and 4pts off 2nd.

Arguably unlucky not to have had an extra 2pts at the weekend too which would see us in 5th place. 

So after 10 games are we happy with where we are and is it deserved? 

Can’t be arsed to look it up but think we also had 17 from 10 in the play off final season,  which Lee’sdad thought was pretty good?

[BanburyRed]

...and already 15 points better off than Stoke. Poor old Stoke.

Decent start i'd say, looking up rather than down. Only 1 outside playoff positions, 4 off top. Some quality home form please, players to return from injury.

It's all good. Top time to be a City fan.

[cidered abroad]

Home form will be crucial because if we don't frequently win at home, just outside the play off's is the best I can see.

Despite the magnificent efforts in away matches to keep the points coming in, we need better quality in the goal scoring department. At the moment, the Afobe injury and our lack of another quality striker, may be the nail in the coffin that keeps us out of the play offs, let alone automatic promotion. Same as last season.

[Mr Popodopolous]

It's definitely been good. The fact we have had all of these injuries means it has been even better.

Were I to look beyond the obvious great aspects, the lack of control and possession in games makes me a little wary. Again all of these injuries mean we are finding a way and doing it well, which certainly increases optimism for when the injuries are clearing up..

The conversion rate without Afobe I also wonder about, plus in general- we've played equal numbers of games with Afobe and without him, will look at these tomorrow. Would've thought we converted more with him.

Overall though, happy with this. 17 pts 10 games, think was the same in that playoff season.

[Davefevs]

17 minutes ago, steveybadger said:

Can’t be arsed to look it up but think we also had 17 from 10 in the play off final season,  which Lee’sdad thought was pretty good?

Pretty sure Gary used to work in blocks of 10, and 17 points was the requirement for him for play-offs.

Need to ensure we don’t turn into a draw specialist, but I think it’s good to go on long unbeaten runs....breeds confidence for a club like us....but will need to improve home form.

Not a must-win Saturday, but 20 points from 11, would be fantastic.

[Allwaysred]

Good start but nothing less that a win Saturday at home..... injuries have been shocking but I can't help feel we're still that proven man short up top to make the difference when it matters. 

[poland_exile]

Already annoyed by my tendency to think 'if only' regards Afobe. Also a little concerned that if this is our injury list after 10 games, what the hell might it look like after 20. 

But casting aside the natural pessimism that comes with being a football fan, delighted at the start and it seems that all the paranoia about our close season dealings has ebbed away - it's almost as if LJ knows more about this game than us.

Long may it continue. 

[Up The City!]

10 minutes ago, cidered abroad said:

Home form will be crucial because if we don't frequently win at home, just outside the play off's is the best I can see.

Despite the magnificent efforts in away matches to keep the points coming in, we need better quality in the goal scoring department. At the moment, the Afobe injury and our lack of another quality striker, may be the nail in the coffin that keeps us out of the play offs, let alone automatic promotion. Same as last season.

With the way the fixtures have landed, and the international break, it seems like our home season has barely even got going. 

[Red Exile]

17 from 10 is good form. Play off form.

Good point tonight.

[Up The City!]

4 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

Good start but nothing less that a win Saturday at home..... injuries have been shocking but I can't help feel we're still that proven man short up top to make the difference when it matters. 

But we had that proven man. A freak injury has seen him ruled out, there isn't nothing we can do until January so we just need to suck it up and soldier on until then.

[Allwaysred]

4 minutes ago, Up The City! said:

But we had that proven man. A freak injury has seen him ruled out, there isn't nothing we can do until January so we just need to suck it up and soldier on until then.

Still think we need another in the summer for that exact reason as it stands we're no different to last year with AW top scorer. October is a massive month so will see if that's telling but on to Saturday we go...

[Mr Popodopolous]

9 minutes ago, Up The City! said:

But we had that proven man. A freak injury has seen him ruled out, there isn't nothing we can do until January so we just need to suck it up and soldier on until then.

Sounds counterintuitive given the 10 games unbeaten but when Nagy in I'd consider either:

Palmer behind Weimann in a 4-4-1-1.

Or, Palmer behind Weimann in a 3-5-1-1. Improve from, bulld on a position of strength- that may help to solve the Afobe issue.

[054123]

56 minutes ago, CyderInACan said:

GJ famously always liked to wait til 10 games to judge how well (or not) we were doing. So after the first 10 games we’ve lost only 1 game, are in 7th place and 4pts off 2nd.

Arguably unlucky not to have had an extra 2pts at the weekend too which would see us in 5th place. 

So after 10 games are we happy with where we are and is it deserved? 

Wonderful evidence of who we are as a club.

Hopefully long gone are the days where we were a div 3 club who very occasionally played up in div 2 for a bit.

A formidable Championship club who most teams will fear and when the chips finally fall right, will March out of this division.

[Alessandro]

3 of the next 10 against teams currently above us - so a good chance to get some more solid points on the board.

[Davefevs]

6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Sounds counterintuitive given the 10 games unbeaten but when Nagy in I'd consider either:

Palmer behind Weimann in a 4-4-1-1.

Or, Palmer behind Weimann in a 3-5-1-1. Improve from, bulld on a position of strength- that may help to solve the Afobe issue.

If we are to continue with 5212 (I hope we do), then Palmer behind:

Weimann / Semenyo - first choice imho

Weimann with either Szmodics or O’Dowda.

Fam cannot play with Palmer or Weimann....it’s becoming a problem.

[ScottishRed]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If we are to continue with 5212 (I hope we do), then Palmer behind:

Weimann / Semenyo - first choice imho

Weimann with either Szmodics or O’Dowda.

Fam cannot play with Palmer or Weimann....it’s becoming a problem.

I think we all knew that Benik’s injury was the one, of all of them, that would have the biggest impact.

Lee needs to find the right mix at the top of the team - and that does not appear to be an easy task.

I think it’s been a very good start, the injuries being the only negative point.

The lack of goals is a worry that all of us recognize, I would hope we are scouring the free agent market very thoroughly but that is not a simple fix either.

I think the plan has to be to stay there or thereabouts until January, then make a move in the loan market.

[Mr Popodopolous]

11 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

If we are to continue with 5212 (I hope we do), then Palmer behind:

Weimann / Semenyo - first choice imho

Weimann with either Szmodics or O’Dowda.

Fam cannot play with Palmer or Weimann....it’s becoming a problem.

Yep agreed, Diedhiou and those players seems to be just incompatible- had worries this time last year or maybe a bit later than that but certainly 2018 about Paterson behind him- let alone Palmer, or alongside him Weimann!

Yeah, like the sound of the setup- just unsure we should be dropping one of Brownhill, Massengo, Nagy when all fit. It's a very nice dilemma to have of course!

Here's another take. The back 3, and then Massengo and Nagy central.

The front 3 or more like 3-4-2-1, the '2' could he Brownhill and Palmer, both able to get up to and past Weimann. All direct, with energy but skilful too. May yield some more goals from Brownhill too?

The good thing there is that Brownhill can naturally drop into that 3 in some phases, alongside Nagy and Massengo- plus in others can pull a bit wirer to help out Hunt to mitigate against 2 v 1...Weimann can at times pull left to help out Rowe in the same way- albeit from a higher position.

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, ScottishRed said:

I think we all knew that Benik’s injury was the one, of all of them, that would have the biggest impact.

Lee needs to find the right mix at the top of the team - and that does not appear to be an easy task.

I think it’s been a very good start, the injuries being the only negative point.

The lack of goals is a worry that all of us recognize, I would hope we are scouring the free agent market very thoroughly but that is not a simple fix either.

I think the plan has to be to stay there or thereabouts until January, then make a move in the loan market.

Yep.  I guess with my option of COD or SS, you could alter it a bit to 5221.

[Dr Balls]

Decent return, considering we lost the opener at home to Leeds, and the last 3 draws against Swansea at home, Preston and Brentford away, all of which were definitely a point gained against teams in form and bogey teams in the case of Preston & Brentford. Really need 3 points on Saturday to jump into the top 6.

As per usual in this division, it’s going to be very tight. Tough games aplenty, and hopefully as players return we can build on what we have already achieved. The only concern remains the goalscorer issue, but then again Weimann now has 4 in 10 games, so perhaps all we need is the others to keep chipping in.

[wendyredredrobin]

I'm sure we need a replacement for Afobe in the Jan window if we really want promotion, but we all know what that window is like for limited availability and inflated prices.

I hope we can find the right man, though we have done pretty well under the circumstances.

How about Arsenal recalling Nketiah due to lack of game time and loaning him to us?

[The Constant Rabbit]

After the Leeds game it all looked a bit worrying didn't it, but a steady bonding as a team improved us, and that has helped to carry us over the really unlucky injury run.

Hopefully we will have 2 players back in the next 2 weeks which should add to the midfield and defence.

Pleased for Jack Hunt to get recognised for his attacking work as well.

LJ will have a headache over who to drop for Kalas!

If we can turn some draws into wins then top 6 is a real chance.

Top two will be hard as the teams above have produced some stunning football at times.

Best league in the world really, anyone can beat anyone on their day!

[wayne allisons tongues]

Not sure how to look at this run we are on. Unbeaten in 9 is fantastic, but could also say only 1 win in 5  which isn’t good.

[Davefevs]

5 minutes ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

Not sure how to look at this run we are on. Unbeaten in 9 is fantastic, but could also say only 1 win in 5  which isn’t good.

7 points in 5 games....if that’s our worst 5 game points haul this season, we’ll be top 6!

In 14/15 our worst 5 game rum brought 6 points (2 wins 3 losses), whereas the other clubs all had much worse runs, e.g. 2/3 points in 5 games.

A win on Saturday would be a very nice start to the season.  Hope we get it.

[Davefevs]

Interesting stat....we haven’t played a promoted or relegated team yet.

The 10 fixtures against the same teams and venue last season yielded 18 points!

But I’m happy.

[wayne allisons tongues]

7 hours ago, Davefevs said:

7 points in 5 games....if that’s our worst 5 game points haul this season, we’ll be top 6!

In 14/15 our worst 5 game rum brought 6 points (2 wins 3 losses), whereas the other clubs all had much worse runs, e.g. 2/3 points in 5 games.

A win on Saturday would be a very nice start to the season.  Hope we get it.

Trouble is we are at the moment drawing to many games.  You could say we have 3 points from the last 3 games which is relegation form.

Convert 2 of the draws into wins we would be top. Personally I think we are set up wrong as a team and leave way to much space down our flanks. Doesn’t help constantly changing formation during games.

Defensively we are letting in far to many goals, 8th worse defence in the league at the moment. To be honest we don’t look like keeping a clean sheet., if we keep conceding goals in the amount we are the draws will turn into defeats and we will move down the table.

Just think LJ needs to sit down and think what he wants from the team or even get his tactics right from the beginning of games. He tries to change to much each game and puts us in trouble quite often with lack of shape and chasing games. 

 

 

 

[mozo]

I'd be interested to know how many double and triple subs LJ has made. More than the average manager I'd wager. I bet he's made more half time substitutions than average too.

[George Rs]

This start is pretty promising imo.

if we say 2 points a game is promotion form , we are currently averaging 1.7 points a game with 5+ injuries , 4 of which are too key players. Also we have played some tough teams too leeds,Swansea, Preston etc.

looking very decent in my opinion, if we can stick this placement or above by January and then recruit the right people and Dasilva , Korey will be off injury it will be a very good run in I think.

[MC RISK77]

Very happy with first 10 games- firstly we look difficult to beat, young players like Moore and semenyo getting important game time, players waiting to comeback after international break.

on paper our next 10 games look more favourable than the first 10

yeah well done Lee and team

[BobBobSuperBob]

16 minutes ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

Trouble is we are at the moment drawing to many games.  You could say we have 3 points from the last 3 games which is relegation form.

Convert 2 of the draws into wins we would be top. Personally I think we are set up wrong as a team and leave way to much space down our flanks. Doesn’t help constantly changing formation during games.

Defensively we are letting in far to many goals, 8th worse defence in the league at the moment. To be honest we don’t look like keeping a clean sheet., if we keep conceding goals in the amount we are the draws will turn into defeats and we will move down the table.

Just think LJ needs to sit down and think what he wants from the team or even get his tactics right from the beginning of games. He tries to change to much each game and puts us in trouble quite often with lack of shape and chasing games. 

 

5 minutes ago, mozo said:

I'd be interested to know how many double and triple subs LJ has made. More than the average manager I'd wager. I bet he's made more half time substitutions than average too.

Personally I think he sets up more than often to win games from the bench having been successful doing so a couple of times 

Its (Use Of bench) is an important part of the modern game but shouldn’t be in  every game 

[mozo]

8 hours ago, Davefevs said:

7 points in 5 games....if that’s our worst 5 game points haul this season, we’ll be top 6!

In 14/15 our worst 5 game rum brought 6 points (2 wins 3 losses), whereas the other clubs all had much worse runs, e.g. 2/3 points in 5 games.

A win on Saturday would be a very nice start to the season.  Hope we get it.

If lose to Reading we'll be down to 6 pts from 5 games with the last win about to drop off.

Let's get this right though, if we're going to be serious challengers this season, you would expect us to collect a healthy points haul from the next 5 games. Reading have been dire this season, and Luton can't defend at this level, so you'd be disappointed from anything less that 4 points from the next 2 fixtures. 

 

[Davefevs]

15 minutes ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

Trouble is we are at the moment drawing to many games.  You could say we have 3 points from the last 3 games which is relegation form.

Convert 2 of the draws into wins we would be top. Personally I think we are set up wrong as a team and leave way to much space down our flanks. Doesn’t help constantly changing formation during games.

Defensively we are letting in far to many goals, 8th worse defence in the league at the moment. To be honest we don’t look like keeping a clean sheet., if we keep conceding goals in the amount we are the draws will turn into defeats and we will move down the table.

Just think LJ needs to sit down and think what he wants from the team or even get his tactics right from the beginning of games. He tries to change to much each game and puts us in trouble quite often with lack of shape and chasing games. 

 

 

 

My point was that if 7 points in 5 games was our worst run of the season.

4 minutes ago, mozo said:

I'd be interested to know how many double and triple subs LJ has made. More than the average manager I'd wager. I bet he's made more half time substitutions than average too.

Leeds - 3 subs, double on 63m

Birmingham - 3 subs, one early in 2nd half, double on 72m

QPR - 3 subs, one at h-t (injury enforced)

Derby - 3 subs in second half

Hull - 3 subs, one in first half (injury enforced)

Middlesbrough - 3 subs, double on 66m

Stoke - 2 subs, one tactical first half

Swansea - 3 subs, one in first half (injury enforced)

Preston - 3 subs, double on 57m

Brentford - 3 subs, double at h-t

hence my “sledgehammer or tactical genius” thread over the weekend!

[Davefevs]

5 minutes ago, mozo said:

If lose to Reading we'll be down to 6 pts from 5 games with the last win about to drop off.

Let's get this right though, if we're going to be serious challengers this season, you would expect us to collect a healthy points haul from the next 5 games. Reading have been dire this season, and Luton can't defend at this level, so you'd be disappointed from anything less that 4 points from the next 2 fixtures. 

 

Completely.

And you’re right about picking up points in our next sequence of games.  There will be some who say it’s gotta be 6 points from next two, but last season’s results reflect the point that there are no easy games, albeit a trend of more points against the lower clubs.

[Up The City!]

1 hour ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

Trouble is we are at the moment drawing to many games.  You could say we have 3 points from the last 3 games which is relegation form.

Convert 2 of the draws into wins we would be top. Personally I think we are set up wrong as a team and leave way to much space down our flanks. Doesn’t help constantly changing formation during games.

Defensively we are letting in far to many goals, 8th worse defence in the league at the moment. To be honest we don’t look like keeping a clean sheet., if we keep conceding goals in the amount we are the draws will turn into defeats and we will move down the table.

Just think LJ needs to sit down and think what he wants from the team or even get his tactics right from the beginning of games. He tries to change to much each game and puts us in trouble quite often with lack of shape and chasing games. 

 

 

 

If we best Reading then it will be 7 from 4 which is almost promotion form.

If you win your home games and draw your away games then come the end of the season you will be there or there shouts. It's vital we beat Reading.

[mozo]

25 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Completely.

And you’re right about picking up points in our next sequence of games.  There will be some who say it’s gotta be 6 points from next two, but last season’s results reflect the point that there are no easy games, albeit a trend of more points against the lower clubs.

Win the next 2 games and we're sitting pretty on an average of 1.9 ppg. Across a season, that's serious contender form.

Win and a draw and we're at 17.5 ppg which is guaranteed play off form.

Either way we'd be looking good after a quarter of the season.

 

[mozo]

4 minutes ago, Up The City! said:

If we best Reading then it will be 7 from 4 which is almost promotion form.

If you win your home games and draw your away games then come the end of the season you will be there or there shouts. It's vital we beat Reading.

Or in our case, win some at home and some away, and draw some at home and some away!

[Rudolf Hucker]

10 hours ago, poland_exile said:

it's almost as if LJ knows more about this game than us.

As if

[Phileas Fogg]

I think, considering the injuries, we've done really well. I can't imagine many City teams in previous years losing their best left back, best centre half, best forward and a very promising centre midfielder (replacing him with an 18 year old) and manage to be in Playoff contention. You could argue with no injuries we'd be comfortably in the playoffs or top 2.

We've also managed to grind out some great results - especially away. A couple of disappointing performances (Leeds and Boro stick out) but that's inevitable and i'm a bit more forgiving of teams getting bad results on opening day (really want to see us beat Leeds eventually though).

Usually I'd be a bit worried that a young player like Massengo could burn out, but so far he's done really well on that front. Impressed with how Rowe has filled in at left back but we're in trouble if he gets injured.

So far, really impressed.

 

[mozo]

2 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

I think, considering the injuries, we've done really well. I can't imagine many City teams in previous years losing their best left back, best centre half, best forward and a very promising centre midfielder (replacing him with an 18 year old) and manage to be in Playoff contention. You could argue with no injuries we'd be comfortably in the playoffs or top 2.

We've also managed to grind out some great results - especially away. A couple of disappointing performances (Leeds and Boro stick out) but that's inevitable and i'm a bit more forgiving of teams getting bad results on opening day (really want to see us beat Leeds eventually though).

Usually I'd be a bit worried that a young player like Massengo could burn out, but so far he's done really well on that front. Impressed with how Rowe has filled in at left back but we're in trouble if he gets injured.

So far, really impressed.

 

Totally agree. Would you also file Brentford away to the disappointing performances folder?

[Major Isewater]

I am absolutely delighted with our return from the first ten games.

When the fixture list came out I thought we had a very hard start to the season.

Despite all our set backs we are comfortably placed , the players have settled in very well and we have not been outplayed by anyone . ( Leeds was unfortunate as there was a bit of a distraction with certain transfers, in particularly Webster ) 

The club are in a good place and all credit must go to the coaching staff .

All the world and his brother know what we need but we must support the players already here and help them fulfill their huge potential.

 

[CyderInACan]

5 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

really want to see us beat Leeds eventually though

Stick Saturday 15th Feb 2020 in yer calendar then! 

[elhombrecito]

We're in an excellent position, considering our injuries and the fact that we've played the majority of our games away! Just need to pick up our home form, starting Saturday against a poor Reading team, and we'll be properly off and running this season. 

Such a difference between our home/away records though. Desperately need to start improving at home.

[Allwaysred]

10 hours ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

Not sure how to look at this run we are on. Unbeaten in 9 is fantastic, but could also say only 1 win in 5  which isn’t good.

You get shot down for it but I totally agree especially when the bottom line is getting promotion. There won't be a better season to do it either. Not buying another proven striker along with Afobe was very short sighted in my view and hopefully doesn't cost us.

[Phileas Fogg]

13 minutes ago, mozo said:

Totally agree. Would you also file Brentford away to the disappointing performances folder?

Personally no, they're an awkward side and stylistically seem a tricky matchup for us. We seem to find games against sides who either come out to play good football (Brentford, Swansea, Leeds) fairly tough.. and likewise on the other end of the spectrum sides that are physical and come to spoil very tough too (Middlesborough, Millwall, Birmingham). 

A point away against Brentford is good IMO. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

5 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Personally no, they're an awkward side and stylistically seem a tricky matchup for us. We seem to find games against sides who either come out to play good football (Brentford, Swansea, Leeds) fairly tough.. and likewise on the other end of the spectrum sides that are physical and come to spoil very tough too (Middlesborough, Millwall, Birmingham). 

A point away against Brentford is good IMO. 

Thought they were pretty good at AG tbh, not just physically, but yeah point very much taken- agreed, a good point and definitely stylistically we tend to have issues against them- agree on your general list too.

Still remember the two games in 2017/18- how we got a point there I'm still unsure and how we only lost 1-0 at home likewise!

[Major Isewater]

2 minutes ago, Allwaysred said:

You get shot down for it but I totally agree especially when the bottom line is getting promotion. There won't be a better season to do it either. Not buying another proven striker along with Afobe was very short sighted in my view and hopefully doesn't cost us.

I don’t totally agree with your criticism of the club ;

Strikers are the most sought after commodity and we had several set backs in our attempts to sign even one , how do you know we weren’t in for two ?

We already had Weimann, Diedhiou , Taylor with Semenyo , Janneh to be introduced to build up minutes add in Afobe and that’s six players battling for one or two places in the team, normally enough isn’t it ? 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing . 

 

[Davefevs]

22 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

I don’t totally agree with your criticism of the club ;

Strikers are the most sought after commodity and we had several set backs in our attempts to sign even one , how do you know we weren’t in for two ?

We already had Weimann, Diedhiou , Taylor with Semenyo , Janneh to be introduced to build up minutes add in Afobe and that’s six players battling for one or two places in the team, normally enough isn’t it ? 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing . 

 

I know it’s been said that Taylor won’t be back in January, but I wouldn’t be hastily agreeing the continuation (with Oxford) until we know what our forward line up is gonna be at the end of the window.

Again, hindsight, but would he have worked in the 5212 alongside Weimann and in front of Palmer?  Interesting???

[Allwaysred]

I don't know we we're in for 2 but that's what we needed in my eye's. None of the players mentioned are proven scores and yes they cost money but if we're serious on getting promotion that's what we need. Just think LJ likes to overload midfield hence why it was prioritised. Just spend the money and and invest we've flitted stupid money on players who will never make it or have already gone Eisa and MW to mention a few when we could have spent on a proven striker / strikers.... frustrating. 

[BobBobSuperBob]

34 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

I don’t totally agree with your criticism of the club ;

Strikers are the most sought after commodity and we had several set backs in our attempts to sign even one , how do you know we weren’t in for two ?

We already had Weimann, Diedhiou , Taylor with Semenyo , Janneh to be introduced to build up minutes add in Afobe and that’s six players battling for one or two places in the team, normally enough isn’t it ? 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing . 

 

This will go down well .......

 

We are now IMHO paying for ‘dithering’ with Diedhiou , Taylor,  for two years and using FD as our first choice pinnacle

We are now semi reliant on a striker who , was never what we were aspiring to (IMHO) , And who has been sent a clear message that he’s not the coaches first choice, even with Afobe injured 

As IMHO he’s not great even at his best , and fully motivated for  ‘maximum’ performance,

 not looking an ideal situation 

 

[pillred]

3 hours ago, RedsTilliDie said:

This start is pretty promising imo.

if we say 2 points a game is promotion form , we are currently averaging 1.7 points a game with 5+ injuries , 4 of which are too key players. Also we have played some tough teams too leeds,Swansea, Preston etc.

looking very decent in my opinion, if we can stick this placement or above by January and then recruit the right people and Dasilva , Korey will be off injury it will be a very good run in I think.

It seems obvious but we do have injuries to 5 of our best players, to even be slightly disappointed with our start seems odd to say the least, we will almost certainly improve when Lee has more options. I for one think this season we will not fall apart towards the end of the season as we did in the last two and will in fact have a very strong finish which IF we only make the play offs rather than automatic promotion will make us the team that nobody would want to play in the finals. 

[LondonBristolian]

I think we are in a great position, especially given our injuries, and - first day of the season aside - we're getting something from games we would have lost in the past.

My one major concern - which is an absolutely understandable and beyond the club's control - is that, with Afobe out, we still haven't got an attacking combination that works. Weimann shows a lot of movement and Semenyo has potential but, much as I've defended him in the past and think he is a much better player than he gets credit for, Famara just does not suit how we are trying to play. I'm almost wondering whether we try to convert Eliasson or Watkins into a forward and play them alongside Weimann. It's obviously no substitute for an out and out striker but we need more options. 

[Rudolf Hucker]

7 hours ago, pillred said:

IF we only make the play offs

Could we ask to play both legs away from home?

[CyderInACan]

4 hours ago, Rudolf Hucker said:

Could we ask to play both legs away from home?

Only 1 home win all season is just not good enough!