So today I thought we were a bit scrappy against a Doncaster side that were pretty fluent in their football. They gave us the second goal although we nearly screwed that chance up as well as the numerous others we missed. Even then I thought we were going to win but not by the large margin that I had predicted. And they looked like scoring also with large amounts of possession in the first half. Secondly, from goal kicks their center backs are always going to be bigger than Earnie or Miller, and as shown over the last few games, they don't win many of the kicks Marshall sends up. I would suggest Gestede but he's too young, so why don't we play crab football like the Swans do. They have no height so kick the ball into places their more likely too win it, i.e. not at their center backs. We have relied on the height of Bothroyd for too long. Though I can't remember what we did before we signed Jay...... Finally, I would say that today was a must win considering we now face big spending Leicester twice, Blackpool away and high flying Southampton. Gulp. We'll be doing well to be in the top six after this run
Coventry helped us today by beating Derby as well. Still early days. Before Jay we had Thompson or Alan Lee to win the headers. Not as effective as Jay, but they got the flick ons.
In this league it's not how you start it's how you finish. The league aint won before Christmas, i'd like to think if we are top ten come Christmas the board will make funds available for the January window and hopefully we can make a push till the end of the season
I think those funds should be committed now in the shape of a couple of quality loan players. We haven't gone down the "loan route" like last season, but there are many good players that didn't make the Prem 25 man squads that want regular football NOW. I'm not saying that January would be too late, but points dropped up until then can never be got back - they're gone for good. Points in the bin are everything - let the others chase, it can be a thankless task.
Promotion is not going to happen. This season is all about Malky rebuilding after the mess Jones left the squad in. We were poor yesterday but at least the crowd stuck with the team. The Earnie/Miller partnership simply doesnt work. There is also no pace anywhere going forward. We are desparate for players with pace. Im sure we will use the loan market but I still think asking for promotion is too much. This season is all about laying the foundations. We cant just keep on throwing money at promotion challenges. We have to spend sensibly. There are players on our books who probably have no long term future at the club but are on good wages - Naylor , Mcphail , , Gypes. The club also have had to pay Jones , Burton. Im sure next summer we will be in a far better position on and off the pitch than when the whistle blew after the game against Reading. A couple of players with pace and im pretty sure we wont be far off the play off positions. I reckon we will be top 10. That will be a job well done. The signing of Turner when we have plenty of centre halves is a sign that Malky is thinking long term.
That's a matter of opinion. I tend to agree with most of that, but he's wrong about Malky and the board going for it this year - we will be up there in contention come May. Top 6 for definite with more than just a chance of doing it auto.
I would like to think of us as promotion contenders and I do hope we at least get a top 6 finish. However, I would not be overly disappointed if we fell just short. As long as we're competing and giving it a good go I think that's the best Malky can do, at least for this season. After all the leaving and re-building you would be stupid to start saying "Malky Out!" if we don't get promoted this season. Not that I'm suggesting you will Sparkey
Malky is definitely going about it the right way, no question. I just believe that both his and the board's ambition this season are being underestimated. If we fall short, so be it, but to settle for that at this stage would be a mistake that I don't believe we'll make. They will all go for it, and that includes the players.
I don't believe we will get up this season based on the current squad. DJ was let go and MM brought in to move the club forward be it in MMs 1st or 2nd season at the helm. There are many different trains of thought regarding forward movement as a team on this board. If MM does not move us to the premier league within 2 seasons is that a failure? DJ moved us forward every season and his time was up and the constant sniping at him is extremely boring, so how about looking forward folks and stop dwelling on the past. Yes that does mean stop bringing up how you believe DJ left us in such a bad position!
The good point about all of this is it shows that our owners are in for the long haul, and not the quick fix that others have predicted, we are realistically looking at a top ten finish, play offs possibly and a bonus, but top ten and kick on next year............though if we are in the playoffs after Christmas then all bets are off, I can see the management and owners giving it a go in January...............like most of us on here I've seen the really dark days, but IMO the club is in good shape, the best shape for a long long time, lets be patient I'm confident that it will all come right in the end, maybe not quickly enough for some people, but patience is a virtue
Patience Proph? I never confuse that with a lack of ambition. It's just terminology. Plenty have patience (including me), but that doesn't mean that having it confines you to accepting a status quo. (....and having said that, please don't turn this into a music thread )
Personally, I'm staying positive ...I looked too far ahead last year and where did that get me? Not so long ago we had no manager, no direction (in theory) and I could have held a squad meeting in my bathroom. But now, after only 6 games, we're in 6th position and with the current points per game ratio, 'on target' for a potential 84pts so not a bad start. With a few players getting back to full fitness and the possibility of a couple of quality additions I think we're yet to see the best of Malky's Bluebirds. I had a couple of doom and gloom merchants sat behind me (and pissing me off) yesterday who had written the season off already...until Gerrard popped up. Didn't hear them after that...Nice one Gezza
I'm with Sparkey, we must not only say we are going for the top 2 but believe it too. To go for it and fail is not the end of the world but to be content with mediocrity is.
Three wins two draws and only one loss. This is top six form and I expect us to get better not worse. We are top six so why worry about not being there, the time to worry about not being in the top six is when you are not there. As far as the games coming up who cares who we play we still need three points on the day. We have a chance to take three points off these sides the next few games like we did at West ham. The manager and the players are here to get results if they don`t then fans will not be happy, we have a cunning plan to get auto this season. Already our odds on auto and promotion have dropped. It is a long way down to the bottom of our division from where we are. We are not far off top.
Lets hope Sparkeys right and im wrong. Dont get me wrong I think we are targeting promotion. But I think this time its more hopeful. Last season I think autos was expected. The board I dont believe are prepared to gamble like that again. I think the budget is tighter and rightly so. With a few more players and staff off the payroll Malky will be able to really kick on with his squad. Good to see him on the touchline getting involved. Ive no doubt we would have failed to get the 3 points last season. The team looks much fitter and more motivated. They are working much harder. To keep up that workrate with a small squad is going to be difficult and may prove costly points wise.
I hope I'm right too Hilts - but then again it's only a forum poster's opinion at the end of the day. I know it's early days, but looking at the current top 6 and specifically the 5 above us, who are the early season flatterers? Can the two promoted League one sides stay in the auto spots, or does anyone see a bad starter coming good later on? I can't see Derby staying there, but Boro and WHU look strong contenders. Cardiff will be amongst them if not above them - just a forum opinion of course.
I think a lot will depend on Malkys performance with what he has now to work with. Keeping close contact with the leaders might make the Malaysians look hard at it again come January and they may be prepared to give it another hard shove. I doubt they are prepared to run up wages as they did last season, but if Malky is in touch and looks the part (what was lacking last season) by getting results in difficult areas, then an influx of extra cash may be made available. I'm of the opinion we have a good as chance as most of the other clubs, you might expect the likes of West Ham to get auto, but a team prepared to fight is worth quite a few extra points during a season, and thats what we have, a team prepared to play for 90+
my original 6 were Leeds, Cardiff, Reading, WHU, Forest and Leicester so I am getting a hammering bar you guys and the Hammers. Can Ston and Brighton keep going, doubtful imo. tbh i hope Cardiff and WHU are auto and be interesting for the other 4.
