In the Reading game, Sky Sports News commented that Reading didn't have to worry at 2-0 because Bristol City were experts at letting leads slip - according to them we have let 23 points slip from winning positions so far this season. As I said on the matchday thread, if we hadn't let those leads slip we would be a comfortable second. Of course, letting a lead slip will happen occasionally - otherwise there would be no score-draws ever, but 23 points is the most points slipped from a winning position out of all clubs in the league. I'm absolutely sure that opposition managers will use this to encourage their sides to push hard for an equaliser/winner in the last 10 minutes of the game - of course they will - I would too. In fact, the final 10 minutes of the game is when we look the most vulnerable. In the early part of the season I was critical of us trying to play the 'Italian' way; getting an early goal and seemingly sitting back on a 1-0 lead for the rest of the game, only to be punished when the inevitable breach happens - which is to be expected when you sit back and invite the opposition to launch wave after wave of attack on your goal. Our defence is simply not solid enough for this to be effective (unlike in the Gary Johnson days when our defence got us to the playoffs almost single-handedly). Recently however, we just seem to turn into frightened rabbits at the 80 minute mark. We look terrified and that will raise the opposition's morale. I think it's got to the stage now where EVERY team we play against will raise their game at the 80-minute mark. Every f-ing game is 'squeaky bum' for us in the last 10-15 minutes - especially in Extra Time. WHY IS THIS? Fitness (lack of)? Psychological nerves, Tactics? Or just plain fluke? Why aren't WE the team trying to put the game to bed in the last 10 minutes?
The main aim is to find a balance, we struggled to create & score going back early part of the season and last season....Being able to get in a creative position without exposing defence is what needs to be worked on....and defending set pieces.. I believe, the longer you have a consistency in team selection and tactics the quicker the players will learn.....we are getting there, but slowly. hence the indifferent performances.....Of course, understanding the set up of the opposition is also key!
We've actually just had the worst run of 10 results all season THE LAST 10 we should have gained 15 -16 points not 11, as the next 10 look a lot harder When you look at last 10 snatched a point v HULL ... lead after 2mins HUDDS lost 3- 2 we scored in 90+7.... QPR lead after 3 ...king red lost at 90 + 3 ... PNE lost 2pts 90+5 ... other 6 games "sort of normal" basically lost out on 3pts
Your Auntie’s genitalia is something that can’t be changed (well, these days who knows), so your comment - when applied to your relative - is valid. Letting stupid late goals in however, is something that can and should be changed, without painful and life-changing gender re-alignment surgery.
Up to 26 points now dropped from a winning position. Playing against us is easy - just cruise it until 80 minutes then attack - we'll always roll over......
