I just wanted to air a few things coming to mind so if you indulge me i'll get on with it!.
That damn transfer deadline day provoked much debate about our obvious shortfalls and the type of formation we should go with, leading to debate about who would be best employed to fit it. Some championed us to employ two holding midfielders. 'All the best teams have two holding midfielders sitting in front of the back four.' 'We must have the same system if we are going to compete at this level.' Well today pitted our 4-4-2 against Tottenhams 4-2-3-1 and the lone striker routine for the Spuds failed miserably.
I am so glad we didn't play one up top at home against QPR like the Spuds started with today. I am even more glad that we started with two up top for today's away match. We must play to our strengths. Holt operates infinitely better with Jackson alongside him and fair play to Houghton for not sticking to his guns using a lone forward. Most of us knew it wasn't our best set up, with the personnel we have at our disposal, and that Fulham debacle has definitely sparked a response.
Nobody likes losing but if the team have worked their socks off it is somehow less painful. Houghton has got the maximum from the players with back to back top notch performances. Unfortunately we haven't got our rewards in the form of 6 points but if we play like we did based on the last two performances there must surely be three worse teams than us over the course of the season.
Where are those Jackson knockers again? Some of us continually point out that he provides more than just goals. He never gives the defender a moment's peace, he works the channels, links up well with Holt, is developing a far better first touch than when he joined us and if he can chip in with a few more goals is the real deal and may prove that we didn't need that stellar striker most of us were clammering for.
If we keep playing like we are at the moment somebody is going to get a good tanking. It is soo close to a very polished performance all round. We look a hundred times more solid at the back and the midfield is gelling nicely. I said last week Johnson is playing for his place with the arrival of Tettey and I stick by that. He was mightily impressive today.
In fact all over the park there is genuine competition for places. Hughton has added affordable quality. My only concern would be when we play the top four/five teams that we don't become overly negative.
In general there are encouraging signs.
That damn transfer deadline day provoked much debate about our obvious shortfalls and the type of formation we should go with, leading to debate about who would be best employed to fit it. Some championed us to employ two holding midfielders. 'All the best teams have two holding midfielders sitting in front of the back four.' 'We must have the same system if we are going to compete at this level.' Well today pitted our 4-4-2 against Tottenhams 4-2-3-1 and the lone striker routine for the Spuds failed miserably.
I am so glad we didn't play one up top at home against QPR like the Spuds started with today. I am even more glad that we started with two up top for today's away match. We must play to our strengths. Holt operates infinitely better with Jackson alongside him and fair play to Houghton for not sticking to his guns using a lone forward. Most of us knew it wasn't our best set up, with the personnel we have at our disposal, and that Fulham debacle has definitely sparked a response.
Nobody likes losing but if the team have worked their socks off it is somehow less painful. Houghton has got the maximum from the players with back to back top notch performances. Unfortunately we haven't got our rewards in the form of 6 points but if we play like we did based on the last two performances there must surely be three worse teams than us over the course of the season.
Where are those Jackson knockers again? Some of us continually point out that he provides more than just goals. He never gives the defender a moment's peace, he works the channels, links up well with Holt, is developing a far better first touch than when he joined us and if he can chip in with a few more goals is the real deal and may prove that we didn't need that stellar striker most of us were clammering for.
If we keep playing like we are at the moment somebody is going to get a good tanking. It is soo close to a very polished performance all round. We look a hundred times more solid at the back and the midfield is gelling nicely. I said last week Johnson is playing for his place with the arrival of Tettey and I stick by that. He was mightily impressive today.
In fact all over the park there is genuine competition for places. Hughton has added affordable quality. My only concern would be when we play the top four/five teams that we don't become overly negative.
In general there are encouraging signs.
annoys the hell out of me, and i am not one of the spelling police by any means - i can't even use caps!
)quiet for long periods - no mean feat 
