Not a reflection of the whole season, it’s a reflection of the ability to build a squad capable of being at the top end. Didn’t make that clear
I would love us to stay there but we aren’t on track to but could easily have made ground had we recruited a left back and done better in the keeper market
It was a disappointing defeat at Wednesday but it wasn't entirely unexpected by some(myself included,I thought it looked a tough game). Their current form over their last 10 games(including the other night) is 16 points from a possible 30,ours is 13 from a possible 30. Prior to our game with them we had very similar form over our previous 6 games(both were sat at 3 wins,3 defeats).We clearly hadn't started very well the other night but the sending off put the tin hat on it!! It's impossible to forecast what would've happened 11 v 11,we'll never know but they are clearly in the process of trying to mount a serious challenge to get out of the predicament they are in.
We have left ourselves short in some areas, but you can't always go from a relegation scrap squad to top 6 quality with depth in only a couple of windows. No transfer policy has a 100% success rate even for the legendary managers of the game and it takes time. But if you look at the disappointing run since December, a lot of it is to do with a specific weakness on the right thats come to the fore the more we've had to rely on Christie. Sort the left back, shift Coyle back accross and hopefully that. Gets resolved. A highly disproportionate number of goals conceded have come from cut ins on the right. We need to eliminate them to get back the form we were in prior. ... And it looks highly probable if you listen to the noises Baz is making that GK, LB, and another winger are priorities that have already been identified to be addressed this Jan.
Or is it that he had one good game and then went back to being mediocre? He's played wide plenty of times previously in his career so he's not been asked to do something against his skill set.
He's started slower than we expected, but has played himself into the season. Has 4 in the last 9 but he's clearly more comfortable centrally than out wide. Bit harsh to judge him on that scenario if you ask me, but he equally has a lot to do to justify trying to get him on a permanent.
It's a pretty common situation and one Ipswich are experiencing too. Decent XI but squad not good enough so when the games come thick and fast, we drop points.
I just think we neglect key areas frequently. It’s only an observation and hope they’re learning from mistakes
These were big areas in summer that needed addressing is my point. Now we are paying the price in current form because we botched it.
I think the practical implications of what you're expecting is unrealistic. We are obviously constrained by Ffp/budget in what we can do in any given window, just like any other non parachute championship club. Besides the point that the areas you highlight are being prioritised this window, so the club are clearly seeing the same things we are.
I’m not expecting perfection, Rosenior banged the drum of wanting robustness all summer. Why was Vinagre his first choice left back then? Left back was arguably our highest priority in summer given we didn’t have one. Goal keeper we went budget and have paid the price on a number of occasions, left it until the last day to sign another much needed winger without a back up option.
They clearly felt Vinagre was over whatever injury he had at Everton. GK I believe we missed out on 2 or 3 others and that appears to be slated for strengthening this window. I get the impression they felt if push came to shove they could use Christie right and Coyle. Left - and also had the option of Greaves out there. Don't think anyone foresaw Christie coming back a liability though, which has been our main issue throughout December if you ask me. As stated yesterday, would make sense to cash in on Ingram, given he needs to play and is uncomfortable with his feet. You'd assume that would also mean Allsop becomes no2.
I get the Vinagre one over robustness but LB wasn't our highest priority, that was making us score more goals which we're doing now. Allsop has been fine, we've missed him massively in the last few games. Yes, he's made a few errors but he's made some massive saves too and his distribution has led to a fair few goals as well.
There’s a reason we are being linked with GKs and it’s because his distribution is no longer enough. Left back absolutely was a priority given we didn’t have one at the club after Elder was released. We also look better with Greaves CB
