Thanks Spursguru If we extrapolate based on points per game we get 61, but if we extrapolate against changes from the same matches last season we would get 78! I guess it shows we've had a hard set of matches. The next six matches will be interesting - got us 14 points last year. Need at least 12 to stay on target. Anyone know how Arsenal are doing on a similar comparison? Just ahead I would guess as they've still to play Chelsea and City who they got 2 points in total from last year. If they repeat that in December they will come right back into the pack. Still all to play for
No probs PS I guess the current table shows how important every game is, and how vital it is to put teams to bed when you are on top. Take the Chelsea and Everton games for instance. another 4pts would have made a huge difference at this time, and even with the team not looking 100% would still be in the hunt.....and AVB not fearing for his job! Then when you throw in the Newcastle game which easily could have gone our way! I know it's all ifs and buts though.
This could be viewed as The Avb Sack Sheet, with bets placed on which points average Avb loses his job, but of course hopefully it won't come to that.
Three of our next four games are away, I would expect at least 7 points as acceptable but if we pick up four points then it sets up Avb to be sacked just before Christmas!
Agreed. Anything less will mean below 12pts from 27, which isn't really good enough. It's not just the points people are moaning about though, its just the generally bad way in which our strikers are integrating into play. I really think the confidence for the guys to play as a team has gone this year. Stupidly enough we are in the same situation we were in after Ramos, where someone like Harry coming in and putting an arm around the lads and saying "have a go at 'em" is needed (as well as all the technical stuff Harry didn't)
Managers like Redknapp are a rare breed aren't they, it's all more technical based and sports science, rather then the old skool approach. I know managers need to move with the times and embrace modern methods but the old skool still has a place and we definitely need a better balance of both modern and old skool management.
Ramos got us 2 points in 8 games following on from a collapse at the end of the previous season too. AVB's points record is our best ever as a manager How is that 'the same situation'
I expect it is exactly that that made managers like Shankly, Nicholson, Clough and Ferguson so successful. They sounded old school but they knew their stuff too. Check out the formations Nicholson played - quite innovative. Redknapp might have a good grasp of the science too for all I know but if so he hid it pretty well.
You did see where I said get the balance right, it's not about being overly reliant on one approach but more having the balance right and it's fine to quote successful managers but some of these went long stints without any success so their balance wasn't always right in their approach.
PS you actually included the answer to your question in my quote. I was saying the same situation in regards to the players needing an arm around them, lets get at them confidence builder - or in other words, we have a talented squad that is not fulfilling its potential and i think it is being held back both through the system being implemented, and a lack of confidence due to the poor understanding/lack of cohesion in attacking moves. Being up on last year means nothing for me at the minute, as this time last year we went on something like a 12 game unbeaten run, which I cannot see happening again due to the fact we can't get our strikers scoring and don't have the world class talent we did have.
5 pts and (more seriously) 13 goals on GD behind target on the attacking front. Just about on target for goals conceded.
So let me get this right We are up on points from the same fixtures last season? I'm more than surprised.
