Our goal difference is pretty good ATM, but Burnley and Sheff.U are better. We need to put the sword to the mid to lower end of table sides IMHO. I think we've got the players to do this, Dykes, Willock, Chair, etc. And I think our defence is above average. We don't want to lose out on either auto or playoffs because of GD. OK, early days yet, but best to humble sides early in season before they get any momentum. The last few months of the season we'll be playing reasonably strong sides, including probable playoff prospects.
We don't seem capable, yet, of puting teams to the sword. Not sure if it's a mentality of being too kind or energy saving but it's been a long time since we thumped anybody 5 or 6 nil. Would love to witness that at HQ!
History will show we struggle with teams in the lower half of the competition, especially the fodder. The lower the team, the more chance of us losing ................ well, that's what our history will show but now we are in the midst of the micky Beale revolution, happier days will prevail, hopefully.
You're right Raving, we are doing alright. But I reckon we can do better. As with everything, you won't reach the stars if you aim for the clouds. Come March/April we don't want to lose spots because of GD. This season many of the teams appear to be evenly matched, the table looks tight. I know it's early days, but we've got to lay a foundation so it doesn't bite us in the bum come end of season. Anyway, that's my two bobs worth.
You know Didley, from the games I've watched from down under, and sure that's not a lot, but from what I've seen in past seasons, the opposition's goalkeeper seems to lift and make "miraculous" saves that have kept us from either winning or drawing. And it's always the mediocre to less than average sides. Maybe it's because I've got QPR blinkers and don't notice this happening to other teams, but that's how it seems to me. HOPEFULLY, Kiwi, that will abate this year.
Way too early to be worrying about goal difference, points much more important at this stage. If we are in top 6 come March then start to worry about it as it very rarely decides the top 2 spots. As long as we keep picking up wins I'd happily take 1-0 every game !
I see your point HB, points are the ultimate goal, but let's face it, we're not going to win every game. My point is the more goals we score, makes the opposition more focused on defence, which means they will score less against us. Hence, more points. Maybe that is being too simplistic. But I'm sure you've all heard the maxim "attack is the best form of defence".
With the exception of Sheff U, where we defended heroically and barely crossed the halfway line for much of the game, we do try and play on the front foot I think and our ‘game management’ is quite positive (Reading, Bristol City etc.) Wigan had us penned in and we couldn’t get the ball off their midfield once Johansen went off but he still brought Richards on with a view to being able to carry the ball up the pitch, which he did.
Point taken Bwood. I think when Willock gets back our attack will step up a notch and become a headache for the others' defences. Either way it's going to be a hell of a ride. So C'mon U RRRs!
This was five months ago and Kiwi, you were spot on. Interesting to see how the table has turned out since then. We were top, but the two teams now in first and second, Burnley and Sheff.U, had a better goal difference. And how Middlesbrough has risen from 21st back then (GD -2) to outright 3rd with an excellent +27 goal difference. Of course, we started going in the opposite direction, both in ladder position and goal difference (one follows the other). I have to stop posting about our lack of ability to score and score big.
Aged like a fine wine!... On a more serious note our goal difference is worth a point to all our rivals. I hope the Blackpool débâcle doesn't prove to have a sting in the tail...
