But then we’ve beaten Sheff Utd, Sunderland, Blackburn when they were still up there. Add to that points against Bristol, Leeds, West Brom. Not many around us have put in performances like ours against the blunts, Leeds and sunderland
It’s been interesting watching the reaction to our defeats. As has been shown by the form table since Selles came in - we’re better than anyone in the bottom half - over a longer period of time. Obviously our achilles heal has been defeats to teams around us - but at the same time I’d much rather have decent form over a longer period of time than a quick burst every so often and then a drop off again before the next win. Even Walter managed that….
Yeah I agree. It’s maddening to think even if we’d just drawn those 3 games you’re likely talking about us being safe now. There’s a multitude of reasons but mainly it boils down to having no creativity up top to break down teams that sit back against us. All 3 of those losses I think reflect games we’ve been pretty solid in but failed to but the ball in the net
I think so much of this has been because we’ve had such a lack of threat out wide. Kamara has had good games here and there but on the whole we’ve been poor at stretching defences quickly to create room in the middle. If you think back to the likes of Brady, Elmo, Robertson, Odubajo even Wilks and KLP in League 1 we constantly ran at teams and they needed to get cover over to help - leaving room in the middle. We haven’t done that much this season meaning teams can settle.
It's not even just that we failed to score, in the Cardiff and Luton games (along with many other this season) we didn't even come close. We could have played for twice as long and still not scored. We also had similar problems last season, and similarly we look better against teams that turn up and try to play to win.
I think these two posts tie into each other so thought I would reply to both. Our lack of threat out wide is probably a big reason. Given we’ve also sacrificed some attacking impetus to have Macca at LB, who whilst solid doesn’t offer a great deal going forward, it does mean teams that sit deep tend to parry us off. Good strikers wouldn’t fix our issue it is the pieces around creating chances
Belloumi looked a real threat and was just beginning to find his feet... Millar much the same... Lets just hope we get through, as I think we will be very selective instead of gung ho with signings.
I've been looking into stats and you're right, our strikers aren't getting the service. Our three main CMs of Alzate, Puerta and Slater have apparently only managed 4 successful through balls between them all season. (A through ball is defined as a completed pass sent between back defenders into open space. Palmer has 7 by himself in significantly fewer games). They also have managed 2 goals, and 2 assists between them. (Mehlem had 3 assists). We have a first choice winger in Kamara who can put in a great cross, but only attempts to take on his man twice a game on average, with a 40% success rate, so he hardly ever crosses in against a stretched defence. As a comparison, Gelhardt is a striker playing out of position due to necessity, and he averages 4.68 attempts per game, with a higher success rate.
let’s get safe this season first…..I’m still ****ting it, until we are mathematically safe…anyone know what the safe point is?
I'm glad my eyes weren't deceiving me. Stats support the fact Palmer is one of few who can unlock a defence in this side. Seems to keep making a difference when playing. Duff game the other week but then he only really had Joseph ahead of him at the time.
52 points unless you're obsessed with ppg and win % and form and **** knows what then it could be more or could be less.
Palmer is our only midfielder capable of creating in the final third. Alzate is a fancy midfielder but he’s a ball shuffler.
Alzate is good, but i think the ones in front of him are limited. Stats can make a liar of player, as you don't expect the holding midfielder to set up the chances etc, but you can still occasionally end up with a goal or an assist. Slater has effort and likes to drive forward with the ball, but lacks quality. I know people don't like it as a measure, but when most of your matches come down to 1 goal, 1 goal vs xG of 4.3 is probably the difference between having 44pts and 47pts. Selles himself said he wants more output from Puerta. He's improved recently, but needs to keep at it
But Kamara isn't our 1st choice winger, our 3 first choice wingers are all injured. I wish he'd take his man on more often but he's been a decent stand in. And stats are miss leading as Gelhardt has been playing out wide he's also played more centrally in some games
He may not technically be our first choice if the whole squad is fit, but he's our first choice out of those that have been available since he joined, and is playing in his preferred position (compared to Gelhardt who often isn't)
