In the last promotion season we were on exactly the same points tally as we are now albeit with a far superior goal difference,now the question raises itself was the opposition in the most of inferior quality in that season compared to this?Having being able to watch the game last night Bournemouth in patches played some neat football but lacked ideas up front(ring any bells?) The team was changed around last night with AJ starting and it looked better from the off but you can only beat what is put in front of you and lets be honest they simply had to be beaten as they offered very little.Next two home games will be a far sterner test of our progression with Blackburn then Leicester coming to HQ.The seven point gap between us and fourth this time of the season is very healthy and needs as much as possible to be maintained. We have the squad of that there is no doubt to get back up and hopefully Arry has realised Charlie needs a partner as he cant do it all himself yet has 9 goals in 18 games which in this league is not too shabby.2 defeats in 18 is nothing to sniff at either and yes we got what we deserved at Doncaster because most didn't turn up but that's football it happens have you never had a bad day at work? That is not making excuses as we all know they get handsomely rewarded for their work but it happens,certain personages on facebook and twitter were calling for Arry to be sacked after Doncaster well frankly they need to chill and look at the table but then moaners will always moan that is their disposition.Anyway the next three games will guage where we are at so bring it on I say HUZZAH !!!!!!!! Ade
Suprised this hasnt been jumped on Ade sO I'll bite. In that seasons we were scoring more goals because of playing a completely diffrent system & having a player in our team that quite frankly should never have been there.."he who shant be named" Problem was it was a completely unsustainable system when we moved up a league. So whilst w are scoring less ATM, Id say we are in a better position to compete when (& if) we get to the top table. In short, Colin built for 1 season where as 'Arry, love him or hate him, is building for the next 3. It may not be as entertaining, but as long as it gets us up, then thats mission accomplished. I know who id rather have in charge IF we go up !
Good post Ade. And as you rightly point out, "you can only beat what is put in front of you". Goal difference, very overrated. What good did it do us last time we went up? Doesn't matter, if you're good enough you're good enough and points will be enough. Last time we were overly reliant on one individual, this time around Harry has built a solid enough squad so that we can cope without any of our current players, Austin included. If we're in a 'healthy' position come January I'm sure TF & co will push the boat out to support Harry in bringing in whatever is necessary to get the job done.
Not sure I agree completely. 1 Colin realised that a team built round one player would not work. Unfortunately he seemed to believe that he could leave it to the new players he brought in to devise a new system. He did not have a Plan B himself as he jettisoned many of those who got us up and therefore we lost that work ethic and team spirit which had been so instrumental in moulding what was a pretty ordinary Championship outfit into the Champions themselves 2 Harold has not built a team for the next 3 seasons. He has designed one to get us up one way or another. DT is absolutely spot on about this. We will have another huge makeover if we go up as several of our first team squad are frankly too old and/or injury prone to make a go of it. If he is building for the next two seasons, I hope he will be buying sensibly with a view to surviving the first season back and leaving a legacy for his successor to take us to the next level. I don't want another period when we/Tony F chase the dream whatever the cost may be.
Fair enough yorkie & both good points. it seems to me that some of the younger players we have brought in are htere for the future as opposed to just this year. With a bit of luck and regular games, others like BAE can be persuaded to have another season if we go up. Austin will stay & we may have the basis of a team. We will probably have another make over but i think the likes of those mentioned along with posibly Ali, Joey Simpson etc will form the nucleus. The defence aint to bad with BAE, Ned & our right back (?) sorry having a blank!! We can prob keep 4 of our currwent midfield and Austin will partner (Remy) a new striker. With Colin we were woefully out-gunned all over the pitch. As Norway said, a few decent "top ups" in jan to get the job done, and we have the basis of a decent team. Or at least one as good as Norwich & other promoted teams. Also id say that it doesnt matter that much if we dont make it this year as the players we have will still compete at this level next year. We can only hope Arry has got a master plan
Warnock had a group of players playing far above their combined ability, we have a better team on paper but they are playing far below the I combined ability with the exception of the defence. Is anyone enjoying this season more than the last promotion season? As someone else pointed out, they are enduring the games rather than enjoying them. YH pointed out the thing I've been saying all season, its a short term team with at least a dozen new signings next summer and 14 out of contract.
Dont think thats the issue mate and totally agree that season was far more entertaining. BUT, I'd have more faith in this team than the previous promotion team. Yeah its great to see goals going in I agree. Just not convinced COLIN would have done any better even if he had been given the money. Still...Promotion is the be all and end all at the moment it seems....lets hope we get it right.
I personally think we have quite a good base to build on (when) IF we go up, with Green, Simpson, Onuoha, hopefully BAE, maybe Ehmer can step up, if not next, then following season. In midfield we'd have Faurlin(?), Hoillett, Phillips, JB? and in attack Austin. Still waiting for Sutherland and maybe Sendles-White(?) to make good progress in training, and who knows, we might see 1-3 lifted from EDS to first team squad. Was playing FIFA14 the other day, player career mode with personally created player in the Hoops. Got to European Super Cup? (CL winner against EC winner) game against Barcelona in season 2016, guess who was in Barca midfield
Agreed the football this season is far less entertaining but is still as effective regarding points tally,hopefully after the Bournemouth result Arry will stick with the more expansive formation.Some have said that with Adel here we would hammer teams but this division is vastly different to the one he played in.
