I had no expectations at the beginning of the season, Beale arrived and I had a bit of optimism, Beale left and I just lost all interest. Neil arrived and sounds totally out of his depth as a no.1 when interviewed. That performance looked like a team totally bored of the whole situation at QPR. Just going through the motions, no attacking threat what so ever. I actually think we are quite a poor team and anything around mid table will be an achievement.
Hope Critchley can persuade them to get a couple of signings in or we could slide away. We're pretty toothless at present...
I don't quite agree with that. I'm not sure we're quite good enough for top six, but I don't think we're a poor team. A couple of decent signings next month could make a difference, although I know how crappy the January transfer market is. On Critchley, he seems to have a good reputation as a coach. I agree he isn’t the best in front of the cameras, but we all know how much Beale bullshitted.
I think I'm drunk already after watching that agme ... game. The only thing that made it interesting was the add in the corner with a very curvaceous girl in a bikini. At least I think it was. There was only a picture of her bust. And let's face it, can't always tell these days.
I think that’s a point we didn’t deserve. Staggering that had we somehow scraped a win (Dune’s penalty awarded maybe) we’d be sitting 4th after having scored 3 goals in seven games. Strange old league.
Exactly. The whole game was kick and hope. Luckily their strikers were just as bad. Bobmid was right that both sides should have agreed to a point each before kickoff instead of serving up that pile of manure. I know it's easy to sit here and be a "keyboard pundit", but really depressed that we couldn't get into 4th place. We've been really poor against lowly teams for a long time now. And you can't expect to get most of your points against quality teams.
Trouble is Didley, as you know single points won't get you far in this league. Sure, they're better than a loss, but the way we played means we'll get flogged by the better teams (as we have been of late), not to mention some of the mediocre teams. Remember the loss to Huddersfield. I'll bet Preston supporters know what I'm talking about.
Very optimistic of you Col. But by this game's standard, Bob is right. Need a big U-turn if we're going to make the top six. I still have to give Critchley his due. Clean sheet today, only due to poor shooting by Cardiff, and not lost a game yet. We'll know more when we face the likes of Luton and Sheff U in the coming games.
Poor game from what I managed to see if it (through family dinner prep and dinner itself). Dykes adds nothing I’m afraid. He was roaming around and any of us could have added in a header or kick from nowhere to match what he did in his 73 minutes. On NC … he seems reticent to bring on subs until late in the game. Things clearly needed changing and we could have had changes early in the second half to make some impact. He does seem to have tightened us up at the back with two clean sheets (which while we can’t score in a brothel adds something I suppose). Hope he does get some new blood up front (but good forwards are like platinum and gold hens teeth, so not holding out for much). Early days, hopefully NC is learning a lot about this team and will be pushing to improve us in the coming weeks. Come on u Rrrrrsss!! Please. Pretty please.
Ref watch: Twice today a Rangers player passed to another Rangers player but the ball hit the dwarf ref on the way through with us being in a good position. Both times he blew up and gave a drop ball. Now I am pretty certain that earlier this season this happened against us and the ref allowed play to continue and the opposition scored. At the time we were told that it’s fine to carry on with the same team in possession. So how come we have to stop play but they didn’t that day. I am sure some of you will remember the match in question.
No. But there hasn't been a great deal of progress for several past games. If there was then we'd be close to the top two. Sure we won before Cardiff, but It wasn't due to a strong attack. Until we can get someone who can finish, then we're going nowhere IMO.
I'm just hoping he's camera shy. I know he's dealing with an inherited squad and I fully support him, I don't forsee any transfer activity to be honest, at least not spending any money anyway. I just get the feeling of a total lack of identity on the playing front which is not Critchleys fault. It's just another season of nothingness (if such a word exits). 2 and a half seasons with Dykes and Im still non the wiser about him. I never doubt his effort but I feel that our game becomes so predictable, play it up to him and try feed off his scraps. Adomah, Dykes and Willock were so easy to mark. So predictable in their positioning. The latter needs the freedom of the forward line to get the best out of him, rather than limiting his pitch area.
Put Johansen and Chair into that team and it’s very good IMO. Much better than most of this dross league. The lack of depth when Dozzell, Amos, Adomah, Shodipo get time is obvious. But that’s no different to most of the teams bar maybe Burnley and Sheff U. Watford are fourth and got completely outplayed today and lost Pedro to what looked fairly serious. Keep Willock, Chair and Johansen fit (we won’t) and we’ll be right up there even with Dykes as our one alleged striker.
I like your optimism mate and wish I could share it. I agree about the lack of depth, adomah starting at 35 years old doesn't bode well for our younger players within the ranks. Dozell has about 2 forward passes a game in him but sometimes I put that down to the total lack of movement and fluidity up top. I believe we were more dangerous when Chair, Willock and Roberts played as the 3, interchanging all across the front line. The lack of pace in our team today was shocking.
And nil goals conceded, surprised at the amount of negativity here this eve. If you can't win, don't get beat, not pretty, not fun but you never know how important a bore draw point might prove.
I’ve tried to see the best in him but I’ve given up. Fed up watching him run around and, on the rare opportunity he does get, shooting at the ‘keeper. I realise it’s hard to find a good striker, but he hasn’t clicked at our club. We need to bite the bullet I think. Be good to have a tight defence. Then we can build on making, and taking, our opportunities. Plenty of room for improvement; and I think NC can see that.