Lots of negativity but we are one point closer to (and only one point away from) the playoff spots. We have a reasonable run of fixtures ahead of us and key other teams (Millwall, Blackburn) are not in form, we have a better goal difference and a better squad. Second clean sheet in a row too. With a sticking plaster defence. And despite that we carved out chances against a determined and organised team. Obviously would have preferred the win, but I think it’s not bad all round.
But, to add to the positivity seriously, each of Millwall, Blackburn and Preston have to play the other - which, by my reckoning (I haven’t checked the maths!) means I think that means a playoff spot is entirely within our control: five wins out of five please…!
I agree with Rob that it wasn't that bad a performance - we've certainly seen worse this season. But the writing was on the wall when we failed to score in that impressive first fifteen minutes. After that I felt we started to snatch at things, summed up by Tzolis's wild shot at goal right at the end. We probably need to win four out of five now, although three wins and a draw might be enough. Millwall's fixtures get much easier now, though, so it's hard to see them failing to get at least nine points. Can we make up for the failure to win here with a shock win at Boro?
Opportunity missed - need to get some shooting practice in, 21 shots but only 4 on target with no goals from any of them is not good enough. One of those shots on target should have resulted in a goal for City
Where does all this optimism come from? We haven't scored in 4 of the last 6 games and approach the last 5 games with the same strikers who all season haven't been able to hit a cows arse with a banjo!! How the hell are we going to now win 4 or 5 on the bounce?
Yes, five out of five would guarantee we make the play-offs because at least two of the sides above us have to drop points. If I have calculated correctly, a win today to get us to 63 would have meant that even four wins (75 points) would almost certainly have been enough. As it is, after today's draw four wins would only take us to 73. That would still be likely to be enough IMO given our goal difference advantage, but four wins looks very tough now. I think someone might sneak into sixth with a record low of 68 or 69 this season, though, especially if Millwall, Blackburn and Preston play out draws when they meet each other and get just two points each from two games, or even perhaps if they do scissors-rock-paper and get three each.
Yes, but they also have Wigan and Blackpool, which should be two gimmes, plus a home game against Birmingham.
Friday and yesterday were chalk and cheese. So annoying, the ability is there but the mindset seems out of sync. Pukki should have had a hatrick at least. Two seasons ago he would have feasted on that.
4 points from 6 isn't bad especially the 6 pointer with Blackburn & if we have any chance of going up we will probably end up playing Middlesbrough again which may trigger some nightmares from them.
On a positive note I was the only one who predicted the draw! Tzolis blasted that last shot partly because his previous shot was cleared off the line as he tried to place it through the crowd of bodies. He was probably thinking 'if only I had hit the first with more power the defender wouldn't have got back' then to counter that the second time he ended up blasting the ball into orbit. It's a funny old season, we're not that good, but we still have a chance of the playoffs
Why do people think our home form has been so poor this season? Our away form has stood up well - it is certainly good enough for play-offs and close to good enough for automatics. Some people are blaming the fans for being 'entitled'. Is that fair?
