This is probably the easiest of the half dozen or so games coming up. If we get towards the end of Jan without a win we really are in trouble, so I’d say it’s a must win!
It really isn't a 'must win'! So, if we fail to win on Saturday then we might as well throw the towel in, hold up the white flag, resign ourselves to relegation, .....!! I hope to hell that Acun and Ruben don't agree with you! A win would be very welcome though. Edit: also, not an easy game for a so called 'must win'. They are 10th. Won 2, Drawn 2, Lost only 1 in their last 5. If our season hinges on Saturday then we might well be f'kd! I think we will get something from the game though.
Why must you take everything so utterly literally? Yes, we won't actually be relegated if we lose this game.. well done.
We also play six league games (not including those before Christmas, so eight in total) before the window closes on February 3rd. If we leave our business late we could have played almost a quarter of our remaining games before we have any recruitment done.
I expect couple of players to be brought in from the Slovakian or Turkish leagues & a young striker from the Chelsea under 19’s who’s scored 2 goals 1 a penalty this season against Crawley in the EFL Trophy.
If we don't show willing on Saturday and show some balls,it could be a pre-cursor for a pretty miserable end of December/beginning of January. Most of these next 5 matches are big banana skins that we could've done without.Swansea are no mugs,the next 2 are away against reasonably tough opposition,the following 2 are tougher than the previous 3...We need a reaction and performance on Saturday that gives us some faith going forward.
I agree Palmers passing was really poor, but he was not the only one, hard to believe professional footballers can't make 10- 15 yard passes accurately. Pedro when he drops back to help out passes the ball better than most of the team, and can't fault his work rate
Out of interest, what assumptions is your forecast based on? We don't know how many points are needed for survival. Imo, there's 9 or 10 clubs to fill 3 places. A lot rests on the January window (including doing good business early)
Agree re Pedro fantastic work rate and passing ability when he just has a little bit of space when he drops back. A bit Harry Kanesque. Maybe he should drop back more after all the rest of he midfield dont seem to know how to pass. We have had deep lying center forwards playing for us before notably a certain future manager who lived on Cottesmore Rd Hessle.
Any appetite for a 442? Pandur Coyle/Drameh Jones Hughes Jacob Omur Slater Alzate Longman Burstow Pedro Allows Pedro to drop deep but still an outlet up top for pace. Omur coming central if required with Burstow able to cover. Palmer and Kamara to stretch the game if needed.
On the must win - it’s clearly not but clearly is at the same time. We can’t leave it much longer otherwise there’s too much to do. Like if you haven’t started your Christmas shopping by Sat. Technically you’ve got three days left but come on it’ll be crap if you leave it after then.
I wish I had your confidence but sadly I don't.. I'm genuinely hoping that we see a marked improvement before then.If we reach the January window without any sign of a resurgence,I see us doomed.We'll be left scurrying around for mercenaries and loanees that no-one else fancies.
