I'm not underestimating it at all. If the bottom 7 wasn't absolutely dire, we'd have already moved on to discussing the upcoming derbies. We really need to ditch this strange sense that we're somehow better than the other strugglers; we have the joint-second-worst offensive record in the PL, paired with the joint-third-worst defense. We've been outscored 24-7 over our last eleven league matches, the most pitiful attacking record in that span alongside the second-worst defense. We couldn't trouble the fragile Cardiff defense, and we couldn't resist the largely futile Fulham attack (they had gone well over 400 minutes without a goal when we deigned to ship them three). We're a bad, bad football side, and while I'm hopeful that Hasenhuttl can make us mediocre this season (and better than that in the future), we're a mere few poor weeks away from a point where survival will require him to transform this dreck into one of the better teams in the league. That is not a realistic expectation for he or any other coach.
I would suggest that Fulham and Palace will spend in January, so in theory they should improve (theory doesn't always equate to reality, however). Cardiff and Huddersfield however I doubt will, other than maybe on a half decent Championship player and a back-up RB from the French leagues. Newcastle too are unlikely to spend much, although I would expect Rafa to still acquire one or two astute signings (probably via the loan market). And then there's Burnley, who I'm not too sure on. They may or may not spend - although if they do, it will inevitably be very much focused on British and Irish players. They don't seem to have scouts working abroad for them. I guess in that respect it's a good thing that if Sam joins anyone, my feeling is that Palace are certainly the most likely (partly because, whilst maybe not under immediate pressure, Roy must be the closest of the seven managers to the sack - and partly because Sam did seem to enjoy his time at Palace, and likewise them with him). I say that because whoever Sam joins, if anyone, they will spend money. So if I think Palace are going to spend money anyway, then it doesn't really matter. It would be more dangerous for us if he joined someone who wouldn't otherwise spend money.
With Sam Claflin playing Friday. Such a shame, I hope they have another go at it, it’s a story that needs a wider audience than football nerds.
And you need to remove the red and white stripes from in front of your eyes mate. How does one shot on goal (and a feeble one at that) translate into you deserving a draw. Punchless up front and a shambles at the back - as most of your fans have said. You need a reality check. You have some useful players but others would need to up their game to be good in a Championship side. Your new manager has some hard work ahead of him.
There's always youtube!.... Ninian's avatar was the cover of the Super Furry Animal's single The Man Don't Give a **** which was dedicated to Robin Friday...music nerd here...
I agree with this, there was only one team that looked like they could score and that was Cardiff. Should have been out of sight in the first half with all the unmarked chances they had. We regrouped well second half, but then the competition winner popped up. Not sure why our fans are labelling Cardiff as **** when we were quite clearly worse.
Mate, we were ****. But don't kid yourself you were any better. But for one defensive howler, we could still be playing now and you wouldn't have scored
Valery, on a yellow, was a clear candidate for a red second half as Murphy tore him a new one. And Murphy wasn't having the best of games.
Yeah but they had chance after chance... I just don’t see how any of our fans can call them **** when we were so much worse
Wrong. See highlights. 2 very good saves from Murphy and Mendez Laing and a straight forward save from Arter who should have done better.
Disagree. The shot from Murphy where he tipped it over the bar was a very good save. The others were straight forward saves.
