I've seen a lot of posts saying the next two games are must win or "even I'll start to question adkins" Now I agree we should beat Aston Villa at home, but Everton away is a very very very tough fixture. It worries me if people are this knee jerk about a loss away to Arsenal then are they going to go mental if we lose at Goodison? If we lose to Aston Villa I will be worried however I must say that I still won't be worried if we lose to Everton away. Anyone in the same boat as me here?
Each game has to be taken at the time. Previous results have no effect on the Aston Villa, Everton or subsequent games. It's a strange thing that if we had even 1 or 2 points on the board, none of us would be having this conversation...we'd be quietly confident of the season. Just 1 or 2 points...we have to keep a perspective on this.
Not really - it doesn't make me worried that people are so knee jerk...it just makes me laugh. I felt 2 to 4 points from our first 6 games would be ok - I stand by that.
Anyone who thinks Adkins should be replaced is insane. yeah ok we're 4 games in with 0 points but we've played the top 3 sides so COME ON, I know Arsenal spanked us but we did almost beat the two Manc teams. I have full faith in Adkins. sacking him would be the worst thing to do. honestly, do you think someone else could step in and do a better job?
It's an annoying cliche but it's genuinely true this time. The season does start now. If it comes to February and we're sitting in 15th looking down and comfertable we will be delighted to have gotten 3 of the toughest games out the way. The Villa game IS important, but if we lose it's not a total disaster, there's a lot of time left and a lot of points to be won. Let's put it into context. You need approximately a point a game to stay up. If we beat Villa and Everton we are above that.
That's the thing though, I don't think we'll beat Everton or even draw with them. I think they'll comfortably beat us and then all the doom mongers will come out again.
Everton isn't a must-win game at all, but Villa is more so. I'd be happy with 3 points from the 2 games, but I think we could manage 4.
Thirded! We really do need to beat Villa. Who else is going to finish below us. Losing to Wigan wasn't in the script!
I think we will draw with villa, causing a lot of panic on here but manage to sneak a win at everton.
Indeed. Everton are a serious team. Not title challengers of course, but certainly top six quality. I don't think they'll get a top four spot, but I wouldn't put it past them. You've got to expect an Everton victory in that one.
Agree the season does start here. The Manchester clubs, Arsenal & Chelsea are on another level compared with the rest of the league and three of our free passes are done. Games are still tough(it's the PL) and Everton are bogey side too but it's time for us now settle into this league between now and Christmas. The new signings will have a full week of training and I'm hopeful of an improvement on Saturday.
Despite Villa's poor start I don't think beating them is a formality at all. They've unfortunately played themselves into a bit of form now and we're still gelling as a team with all the new faces and tactics. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see us drop points against them and getting any at Everton will be challenging for any team. Some of the fans will start throwing themselves off the Itchen bridge (if they haven't already) but the sensible ones will realise these are still difficult games and even if we've got no points after 5 games it's not the end of the world. Remember that the easiest run of games comes at the end of the season!
I think we'll draw both of these games. It will be a start, I wonder when we'll keep our first clean sheet?
People need to stop assuming there's such thing as a circle win in this league - it's by no means set we'll beat Aston Villa and considerably less likely we'll beat Everton. Following this, it's certainly not the end of the world if we don't (as much as some people insist the sky is falling over St Mary's)
There are no easy games at this level, and no "must wins" until the last few games of the season when simple maths kick in. The doommongers on the whole are those only used to the saint Markus era. Those who lived through the first 27 years in the top flight have seen us overcome worse! Keep the faith, and trust sir Nigel and the Don.
