You honestly think, as we are at present, we'll lose 30 of the next 37 games? We'll do the double over Lester for one
Yes .... unless something significant changes. Here's why: The 11 who played on Saturday are well capable of way more than 11 points, that 's for sure. HOWEVER, it's absolutely inevitable that we will get more injuries & suspensions (and even transfer requests) way before Dawson, Dave and Bruce return. It would only take one or two key players, say Davies & / or Livermore to get injured or suspended and we could be fooked. This temporary bubble will then burst. Once it bursts, we are in free-fall. On top of that risk, without a change in ownership and new signings, I have no doubt we will see transfer requests coming in. I do think the sale is going through though, and new players will join shortly. But if it doesn't ......
Well yeah, all 11 starters from Saturday could get injured in theory, but the likelihood of that happening before we get another 7 points is pretty slim. He hopes.
Can't see what's wrong with a lot of the above. The 11 who played v Lester were drained by the end - clear to see. That will take it's toll especially after we play 3 games in 10 days v Swans, Exeter (I know many juniors will play, but numbers dictate that some 1st teamers will play) and man u. Then the run of high intensity games against the other 'traditional' top 6 teams arsenal, liverpool and chelsea, we could have a dismal total by 1st Oct (hope I'm wrong). The players will then have the psychological problem of playing catch up from a long way back ... i know leicester did it the season before last, but with a full squad to select from. Diomande took a couple of knocks and appeared to be hobbling a bit esp after the second. I know Snoddy was on the deck a few times, but the one in 2nd half where he stayed down for some time was worrying given that it was his left knee, that kept him out last season. We were light on bookings which is good, but that soon changes, esp with the new rules supposed to be stopping dissent. Whereas we had several players naff off in 2000 / 2001 season when the club went tits up, that was more out of desperation for a wage. Players nowadays don't think twice about jumping ship at the first sign of troubled times, or the need to graft. As things stand I think we will get more than 11, but if any of the above kick in before we get players back from injury, or transferred in, then we'll struggle.
Who can we play in the Exeter game then, it's ridiculous if the squad isn't expanded or can't be to get youngsters in. As for them being drained by the end, good, it shows they made an effort. They should be able to play a good 90 minutes a week, they get paid enough. The problem shouldn't be the 90 minutes a week, it's more bad tackles/awkward falls and suspensions.
90 mins per week every week becomes a problem if it is the same 11 or 12 playing it every week. Injuries and suspensions would not usually be a problem, if there was a squad so select from.
I think it makes sense to have a team that's used to playing with each other rather than mixing and matching anyway.
We could be in for a rare day on Saturday if we win 4-3 with Ibra scoring a hat-trick: My points prediction of 7 for the season would fail. My bet that Ibra wouldn't get 5 by Christmas would fail. Strap yourselves in.
We don't have anything to lose really. Isn't this a monkey we need to get off our backs as well? They must be one of the few regular top tier sides we haven't beaten in our time in the top flight (Chelsea seem to be another). That record has to come to an end sometime, the sooner the better.
No decision to be made, Phelan has little other option with maybe only 2-3 exceptions. That said I anticipate that maybe 5 'first teamers' will start
Simple answer. No training between games and complete rest. Wrap them all up in cotton wool and hope for the best. I still believe we need 6-8 new players but can't see us managing to get that many in before Aug 31st because of the limited time and whatever funds are actually available. 1 keeper 2 defenders 3 midfielders 2 forwards
Our all time Prem record is: P154 W34 D41 L79 So about 0.93 points a game. So over a season we average 35 points. Since the 95/96 season when the prem went down to 20 teams only 3 teams have survived with that total. 04/05 - West Brom - 34 08/09 - Hull City - 35 09/10 - West Ham - 35 (Portsmouth had 9 points deducted) This obviously means nothing as we're currently on course for 114 points and a new record. Average points needed to stay up since 95/96 is 39 (rounded up) so an average of a point a game until the end of the season would see us safe.
