In a response to a couple of recent comments I've read, and as much to lift my own malaise, I thought I'd find some causes for optimism surrounding our club and its current situation. 1. We have a win - there are other teams around us that are yet to register a victory. This might be temporary but we all know that a winless streak creates pressure of it's own and plays on the minds of the players. 2. The best is yet to come - For the same reasons that you could take a dim view of our start to the season (we weren't ready in terms of fitness and the formation wasn't settled and of second nature to the players), you could equally use this as a huge plus - we started in the worst possible way and will get better as our team gets more comfortable with the systems that we employ. 3. We have won an almost acceptable number of points from a fairly representative sample of games. Six matches in, we have played two top teams (33%) and four others. Slightly more than a third of our matches will be against the top seven but you could offset the slight difference against the fact that both have been away (with arguably a better chance of stealing something at LR). Despite all the misery, we have picked up 4 points from these which would project to an overall points score of 25/26. A win in our next match would increase that projected score to 38 (an almost viable target for survival). 4. We have a good squad. This was a fairly universally accepted at the start of the season and I don't think the players have had their feet replaced by breeze blocks since. 5. Isla and Vargas will get better - I always believe it takes several months for players to adapt to the Premiership (unless from a Northen European league where the cooler climate allows for a more frenetic pace). 6. We do have experience in the management team. There are several people that can provide input into the training and preparation of the team - Redknapp, Bond, Hoddle - they all have experience and voices and they're all watching the same games we are. I'd imagine the reality of changing things can be a bit like halting a juggernaut - it takes some time, hence why we haven't leapt on some issues and instantly altered them but there are enough wise heads to assume that, even if you don't like/trust one of the team (ahem) then the others still can make a difference. 7. We have Fortress Loftus Road. Despite its size, it is widely accepted that the proximity to the pitch makes it an intimidating place for teams to visit. The fans continue to make a significant noise that can lift our own players and take a small percentage away from the opponents ' game. 8. Financial lessons are being learnt - it does appear that we haven't overstretched ourselves in terms of wages (encouraging to see we refused a player for being greedy) and we weren't a big spender in terms of transfers. 9. The off-field ambitions. Despite the questions being raised against TF and his ability to deliver on the large-scale, progressive projects, it is worth noting that he was the one that mentioned them in the first place. It could be argued that he has raised potentially false hopes but that could be countered that we would have been content had he not raised them at all (while knowing that a false PR exercise would quickly turn people). Although progress has been slow, the objections raised by parties to the training ground and stadium plans at least show that there has been material effort made to get these moving. 10. The debt levels / being left stranded if the owners leave. The only real example of TF leaving a project like this is Caterham where it appears he left it as a going concern and ensured that the factory etc remained in play. The debt levels themselves are possible the biggest struggle to sugar coat but I'm not scared by the football league threats yet. This is as much to do with the inequality of punishments imposed (embargoes if in the league and incredible fines otherwise) and my feeling that a compromised position would be the worst we could expect. I'm sure it will be possible to drive a bus through some of my logic but hopefully we can try to pick some silver linings too....
You are a brave one, aren't you Matt! Too much logic here! Expect those who know everything about everything to take the opportunity to change this thread into an anti TF or anti Harry thread.
I like that Matt. Also, notice that Sunderland have only lost one league game - to us and Hull have not won a league game since they luckily beat us on the opening day.
I'm as guilty as anyone of seeing pitfalls and worries but I thought it might be a healthier outlook to try the other side! Good stats CCJ - there are teams - some highly rated and others less fancied (I think we can put ourselves in the latter) that haven't had what they'd even call an average start.
Thanks for this Matt. Hasn't been easy reading this forum lately. Whether its Harry haters, Tone moaners - or the latest - a Clive Wittingham diatribe against coke sniffing racist supporters, there has been little of interest unless you work for the Samaritans. This is more like it!
Nice post, Matt. I will resist the temptation to counter some of your points, for fear of being accused of not 'supporting my f**king club'. I sincerely hope that things improve as you suggest.
Good post Matt...I for one am always try to be positive. Only just seen last nights stoke/newkie result. at least we're not newkie....can't believe pardew is still there tbh. think we'll be ok...just.
Thank you for the post!! On point 7 - I think we need to step up and do our part - we are supposed to be 'supporters' not 'moaners' - I am sure the negative posts (which the players read) and the crazies who email and twitter them directly after every game do our players no good in terms of morale - I would hate it if after every meeting at work - strangers started to target me on social media telling we I was a twat. Heads up!
Like it, Matt. I'd add that I felt Charlie Austin was slightly overwhelmed emotionally and lacking in some belief early in the season. Two goals now, and a cracking one at that at St Mary's, his confidence should be soaring. Vital for us.
Nice one Matt. And we're only one win off 12th - 14th too (assuming some pretty freaky draws around us).
There has to be a balance between positive and negative. Recently it has become very negative - too negative. Too many state the bleedin' obvious, like "If we don't win games we will be relegated". Well no **** Sherlock!
I think there is something more to it than that (and anti Harry, anti TF etc etc) Eamon, but I won't clutter up this thread with it.
There doesn't need to a balance between anything IMO … I do not agree in grey unless you want to waste time and that's something that beats us all Great post Matt Fight negatives with positives continually in a circle … We have no right to even amuse we ever under balance because its only temporary anyway
Fight that by stating we will not be relegated …. Anyone who says we will be relegated is a fool because no one can see that far. It's game time so this is this and we should enjoy it I don't like Harold but that won't stop me thinking we will win every game
Til I die - I am on and off on about 4 different QPR fan sites etc. - all of them have the same tone as this one right now - negative. I do meet players every now and then - social functions etc - (no more riding the train with Peter Hucker or teasing Stanley in the betting shop - miss those days) and they are on social media just like us. They read the same stuff..... I am not saying we should not post our opinions - just that a negative mood is pervasive from us fans to the team and the management etc -
Good post Matt. We are only two wins behind Arsenal as well. That is just six points outside a Champions League place!
