Yes we probably are, but there are varying degrees of comfort, or otherwise. If we were 3 points better off today, then most would probably be fine and not so worried (yet). But as it is, we are not 3 points better off, and not looking like achieving that for at least another 10 days. It's fine margins, and I will confess right now, I do fear the drop this season despite the better look to our game in recent weeks, because the the link between and midfield and striker is not working well enough. If that is sorted, it may turn around, and that is where a different manager may be able to make a difference - all if and but of course though.
that is a very good point cromer. our board haven't made many mistakes over the past four or five years but that was a gaff and it could cost them a manager and it has certainly lost them any chance of harmony under him.
i also think southampton's early season form and the continuing success for swansea in europe means a small section of our fan base are jealous, and this doesn't help either. they think we should be able to match them or better them. its not that simple.
Bowkett said we had budgeted for finishing 16th, but the clubs new goal is to finish top 10. They are different points, the first is realistic and they actually have money riding on it, the second is aspirational.
With the best will in the world, the sort of 'supporters' who cheer what could have potentially been a very serious injury to one of their own players because they want to see someone else given a go would be hard pressed to differentiate between those two meanings
I agree with you. I do feel that we have always had this section of our fan base. They've just be shut up but the incredible upward velocity we had, now things have levelled some fans return to complaining.
All that matters to me is that we stay in the Premier league. It would be nice to see us pick up points more regularly but I don't expect us to finish 10th. I think finishing 15th would be ok for me, as long as we do it more comfortably.
That is pretty much my own view as well. With 10 games remaining until the halfway point of the season, I'd think the Board would expect to see City on a minimum of 19-20 points, but hope that they will be well above that. After ManCity away, City have West Ham(h), Newcastle(a), Palace(h), Liverpool(a), WBA(h), Swansea(h), Sunderland(a), Fulham(h) and ManUtd(h). Expecting 11-12 points from those games is reasonable, but there is also potential for far more than that. IMO, this will be the basis of judging how CH is doing as a manager.
Five clean sheets. I know that sounds negative and the last thing people want to hear when we can't score goals, but five clean sheets would do it from that lot. Six clean sheets and I could see us comfortably mid-table.
For me it's about progress. The club has made huge progress financially and up the league. The league progress has likely hit a ceiling. Yes we may finish top half occasionally with the right manager, team and a bit of luck. So what's left. Progression of the team, improvements in the play make it less about luck or poor refing when we avoid relegation. So are we making progress? CH season 1, defends with 10 players and shores up the defense, but then carries little to no attacking threat. Season 2, with his players we start to play slightly better football some of the time, however now we no longer defend with the entire team we are increasingly vulnerable at the back, the improved interplay is producing slightly more chances, but what of there quality, are they sitters (not many) are the strikers (CH's strikers) getting chances, leave alone scoring them? No So really I ask has CH made any great strides forward or given more time will he? My thoughts are that we have shuffled forward a minute amount and that we will continue to do so, as long as he doesn't lose the dressing room. But time must be running out for CH, draw a blank in the next 3 games and may be we need someone else in before the CP game otherwise what if we scrape a 1-0 then what 4 more games? Just a game at a time? I sincerely hope we can win at least a couple of thosegames and then progress further, against my early beliefs CH has made some progress, whether we just need a moment of luck to turn the corner or something will click, it better do it soon cause too soon the atmosphere is likely to really turn sour. Bah!
perhaps not great strides, at least not so far, but small steps in the right direction. ***PATIENCE KLAXON*** small steps are how it'll be from now on, no matter who the manager is.
I started this thread long ago and I feel sad that it has had such a long life. I really feel I have seen some improvements this season, especially in many of the problem areas which Carrabuh highlighted (although he doesn't agree with me about the improvements). I feel there has been better movement in midfield, and more attempt to put passes into the box rather than just waft mindless crosses from the wings, and less reliance on earning free kicks that allow us to put the big boys into the box and hope. But we are starting to get the look of a doomed team. If we play well, we lose or draw. If we play badly, we lose again. The fans seem to be getting restless and the whole thing is beginning to feel like a downward spiral. I hope I'm wrong. The players are good - much better than the ones we had for the past two seasons. But the momentum has gone. (Sorry, I know none of this is about tactical systems or any of that smart football-savvy stuff. It's about a feeling which I can't begin to justify logically, but somehow seems unavoidable.)
it sounds so simple but i really do think we need a bit of luck. a flukey goal, a mistake from a keeper, a dodgy refereeing decision - anything, any lucky break to go for us, to give us a little bit of confidence. i remember saying that lambert was a 'lucky' manager. i was derided for saying it but in my mind, some managers get lucky more often than others and i'm starting to get the feeling hughton is an 'unlucky' manager. lets hope the luck changes soon.
Not sure I buy into that but I get what you are saying. I would say CH is a safe manager. He doesn't take as many risks as say PL or other managers do. He sticks to what he knows, they are well organised and can play some nice stuff but can lack the element of surprise or unpredictability some teams have. Because of this I believe he is a long term type manager, he is not looking for instant success (which often doesnt last) but to build the team up over time. Now if that can be done these days is another matter. People want instant success. And half a season is seen as plenty of time to achieve it, rightly or wrongly. It does make it very hard for any manager to build a team over time as the fans instantly get on their back if it does not bring immediate results.
Yes I wrote something similar very recently and mentioned the word luck as I felt that was the one missing ingredient. All those shots and chances against Villa and Cardiff and not to score any at all was bizarre. I really hope it happens soon but face Saturday with low expectations, despite our win there last season.
I suppose the question has to be asked, if the unthinkable happens for guys and you get relegated this season, what players do you think will remain at the club in the championship and which do you think will want to remain in the premiership?
We needed to win or at least draw against Villa at home, Hull away and Cardiff and we only picked up one point from those games. To get us through the hard games like Arsenal, Chelski and Citeh you need to get something or win the easier games to get you through the barron periods of playing the top sides. It wasn't the result yesterday it was the performance that pissed me off, as some more positive members on this board will tell you we were making steps in the right direction and now it feels like we have taken a step back to be honest. The whole team just capitulated and to be honest it just wasn't good enough, if I had paid the money to go there I would of been incensed. Not by the end result but the total lack of endeavor and commitment shown by the players. I am getting sick of hearing the same things after everytime we get thrashed, CH standing there praising the opposition and not being direct about our performance, Man U were not that good last night. In my humble opinion CH needs to sort it out and put a few rockets up arse's, I'm not talking Di Canio style here but it all seems so amiable all the time, not everyone reacts well to that style of management. Lets see how we all feel after another thrashing on Saturday when Aguero and Co waltz though our much improved defence whilst we muster 1-2 shots on target and fail to score again. I have never felt so sure that we will fail to score. We have been relying on our midfield to score goals and they have dried up a little now.
Christ, watching last night's 'performance' you could be forgiven for thinking it was Hughton's first ever game in charge. Memories of Craven Cottage, anyone?
we've played 9 (NINE) games. why would anyone even contemplate that question right now? we are also 3 points off 9th position.
We should be asking which players from Cardiff/Palace/Stoke might we want to buy when they go down...
