We are better then we are 2 years ago but then again if we weren't then there would be no point in this discussion. I very much like the fact that we have beaten Villa, Sunderland, Leicester, Burnley & WBA at home but felt we really rode our luck in those games. This evened out the poor luck for the OGs against Liverpool and the Aguero handball. Were we unlucky to draw today? Not really, we could have had Rob Green sent off in the first 15 and Swansea (like WBA, Leicester, Burnley) should have scored more. Positive was Vargas who had his bets match in a while. And Fer for whom the goal will likely give a big boost in confidence. Negative was that we remain a side that are 1) too slow and 2) really poor at passing and give the ball away so easily. I like the fact that Harry has persisted with Hoillet and Philips and cannot believe we cannot get something better out of these 2 in the second half of the season. Please let's keep trying. They are the pace players we are lacking. Also hope Adel gets a run out in the cup and proves he is 1) fit and 2) up for it. Lord knows we could use another midfield player that can "unlock the door" and score a goal. Oh and dont be afrid to drop Barton even if today was better than his last 3 matches. Net/Net: 2nd half will be harder especially at home. Pessimistic side to me says we will fail to pick up enough points away, positive side to me says that we will play better at home the higher the quality of the opposition. I think we have only a 50% chance of staying up but think the support of the crowd and the forums makes a difference when we decide to highlight the positive. On that note a 1:1 draw with Swansea is an improvement. So, will we stay up??
My major concern is that other teams at the bottom are showing some exceptional fight and no little skill to cling on to our shirt-tails. Leicester came back from conceding two soft penalties at Anfield and outplayed Liverpool in the 2nd half. Burnley equalised three times at Newcastle and, by all reports, were all over them in the 2nd half. Palace are well-organised at the back and difficult to beat. Hull were clear winners over Everton for two-in-a-row. West Brom were comfortable at West Ham. Sunderland came back from 0-2 before losing at the death at Man City. I fear we just don't have THAT capability at the moment, perhaps two or three in the window will help but I fear were are just too poor and porous at the back, I don't see any improvement...
No idea. But I think the way to survive is to be anti QPR and be essentially a destructive, battling team, big on effort and scrapping. As a purist I don't much like it, but you have to cut your cloth. We can create chances (loads of good ones today) but can we stop conceding?
Not with HR's tactics away from home - we never look like scoring. Look at LC & Burnley's recent efforts away from home in terms of attacking intent and goals scored. Also a midfield of Henry and Barton is sadly championship standard and no real support or alternative to Austin suggests we will struggle to get enough goals
I've said yes as I know we can although it's probably 50/50. We certainly can't afford to loose points by not being able to hold on against 10 men at home. Also need at least 3 additions to strengthen the squad.
I think we can stay up, however we need more pace in the team, only been down to one game this year so would like to know from those that have been and watched live who would they drop ? Barton or Henry ? just feel we need a bit more steel and creativity from midfield. Personally I think Henry has been good in the games I've seen on tv. Barton gives the ball away too much. IMO
I think we can stay up. Need a quality, creative midfielder and desperately need a couple of strikers. OBZ can't survive the rest of the season and I hope Charlie's not going through a bad patch. Need to stop conceding goals although our defence is beginning to shape up well.
I wish I could say we will easily stay up but it is likely to come down to the last few games and our run in is not easy culminating in the away game at Leicester. You can bet that will be on Sky if it's a decider and if the too end is sorted. Over the last two weeks I had begun to think we were better than three teams but they are improving faster than we are - so far. Roll on a transfer or three and see what impact that has.
"You can't handle the truth!" Truth is, it's difficult to answer this question until we see what business bith ourselves and the other clubs around us do during the transfer window. I'm hoping HR will get the right players to continue the fight, that we can hold on to Charlie, and that those around us sell iff some if their prize assets - reckon WBA will sell Berahino to give Pulis money to spend. Burnley may have to sell Ings as he's out of contract at end of season, Leicester don't really have any individuals but will their owners dip their hands in their pockets? Hull spent big in summer and seem to have turned a corner, and Palace will be relying on Pardew working his stuff but don't reckon they'll be spending too big either. Harry needs to get his business done quick so the new players can have an immediate impact as there are some important games this month. Overall, I think we'll stay up, but it's gonna be a nail-biting end to the season - just hope it doesn't come down to goal difference as our early season thrashings have put a huge dent in ours!
It wouldn't surprise me if the team wins 2-3 away games before the seasn is over. Games at West Brom, Leicester, Burnley, Stoke, Sunderland, Palace and Hull are certainly winnable and the Rs are not going an entire seasn without points on the road,
A good question, being the indecisive yes man that I am I'm just not sure. Being serious for a mo (very hard for me!) I think we will be in the prem next year! I think we have made the next step from a Championship/prem yoyo club to a bottom five yoyo club. It's a weird one still, If we can string two wins on the trot together we would shoot up a few places.
