Looking at the league table and our goal difference its not great viewing however. When you look at some of our recent results draw with Wet Ham who are 3rd in the league, win today against Newcastle who are above us and people were tipping as outside contenders for Europe, plus draws with the likes of Chelsea, Man U & Liverpool. Our home form is good and we are extremely hard to beat. Then look at the players were missing like PVA (arguebly our best player before he got injured) Jones and now Rev, then our creative players like Giacc and Alvarez who have had serious injuries and been out for a time. Add Fletcher to that who was superb today but has been injured for large parts of the season. When you consider all the above maybe were better than we think. Its almost like things are about to click into place and the derby win is the start of it. Jones and Giacc are back boxing day and PVA and Rev should not be long either. A couple of sensible quality signings in Jan and we could have a really good 2nd half to the season.
Only 3 teams have lost fewer games - the top three. If you ignore the Southampton result, I know, just this once, but it was a freak result, then only 4 teams have conceded less goals. We are bloody hard to beat! With some quality in the top third, we could still have a great season. And the fixtures should help us do so!
I think that Poyet is doing a helluva job coaching the players into his footballing philosophy. We are playing like a top 10 team again, the first time since the Reid era and the good season under Bruce.
LiV, I honestly believe with the players you mentioned and a couple of quality signings we are in the process of building a bloody good top ten team. The players are starting to look good with Gus's system. The football is quite good at times although the unforced errors are still annoying. Hopefully with our creative players getting more game time soon the goals should come and those players unfortunate to be left out will give us a good bench with game changing players on it. Let's hope Ellis sees this.
I hope your all right guys, We just need a super Kev really, someone who knows where the goal is, I thought we were never going to score today.
If we can start nicking a few games, finishing teams off, we'll be a very different prospect. We need players who can move the ball quicker/dangerously in the final 3rd and shoot on sight, on target!! I think we have some of those players already, they just need a bit of confidence to go for it. Just watching the -run of the match today. wickham is out on his 5th yellow at home to Hull. I'm intrigued as to who Poyet will play as the inside forwards, alongside (hopefully) Fletch Up top and on form supported by Any one of AJ, Buckley, Alvarez, Giacc? I'd rather have guile going forwards.
With Wickham suspended id like to see him start Alvarez against Hull. He and Johnson feeding Fletcher. Unchanged middle 3.
I'll be dissapointed if Gus starts Buckley over Alvarez on Boxing day. I thought Alvarez looked quite simply superior in his recent cameo. Still, I think we have to much for Hull and can see us moving onto 22 points.
Fletcher been fit for most of the season pal & I didn't think he was class today. not enough movement for me like. does a couple of fancy flicks & people think his class. we need to buy a forward with some pace for january.
Need to learn how to win more often. Very easy to get excited by a good result but there's work to be done in January still.
He has been injured since the Scotland game, he also was not 100% fit at the start of the season and had a problem with his back, its why Gus has rested him on occasions. I thought he was very good today, very rarely gave the ball away.
Defensively we've been great pretty much all season, and we have had chances to turn a lot of the draws into wins, today we wasted quite a few good chances. Improve our finishing and we will looking towards top ten, easier said than done though
Parker I wanted Alvarez on for AJ. There was a moment when u saw Gus change his mind about taking AJ off though. Brilliant instinct from GP and the ability to see that AJ would take confidence from a great counter attack. He didn't fancy Ricky from the bench today and it turns out he was right. I'd like to see Ricky or Giacch replace Connor for the Hull game
Disagree pal, Fletcher was fit against Leicester, chelsea & Man city. plus the lad had a pre-season & started the season in the team. the lad did ok today but he doesn't give me enough movement for me like. all about opinions tho.
I think Fletcher is a decent striker, but he's not really suited to the style that Gus plays imo. His touch is great, but in terms of leading a counter attack or moving in behind defences when they're sitting back he's not the greatest. I'd keep him because I believe he would be useful in some situations, but like you say I think we need someone a bit sharper, especially for games against the teams around us when the onus is more on us to break them down
He was superb today, watch his involvement in practically every move of quality we put together, he set up the goal after a tremendous run and his cut back for the Gomez chance was the mark of real quality, if only some of this can rub off on Whicks we will be in business.
