So, after a run of 10 undefeated we have now lost 4 on the spin. There are many reasons why but I would like to suggest the following: with Holt & Ruddy missing we clearly have two major players who are nearly irreplaceable. Subs Morison and Bunn have not distinguished themselves - Russell Martin has scored more goals that Morrison in as many starts and he is a full-back! Bunn lacks Ruddy's presence in the area and seems less confident with high balls. Today we were missing Holt, Ruddy, Garrido & Johnson and seem not to have the quality of replacements. With a full strength side we are team that can take on anybody in the Prem, but with any four of them missing we will struggle. Fortunately, teams below us are also loosing so not too much damage is being done in our position in the league. I think we will get another striker even if Morison stays, but I can't see others players coming in unless present squad members leave.
Bad Patch? We lost away to WBA who have the best home record outside the top four by a single goal We lost be a single goal to the Champions of Europe We lost by a single goal to the Champions of the PL We today lost away to a mid table team after some shocking decisions and half our team out injured Get real it's just a run if very tough games Holty and Johnson and Garrido will be back for the Toon along with a good signing from Mr H and hopefully we can get the first of the 15 points there Cheer up just look at Ipsquit
No need to panic at all. In the space of 11 days we have lost four games, but three of those four have been against sides in the top seven and two of those were the reigning European champions and the reigning Premier League champions. Had we come out of this period with four defeats against Wigan, QPR, Reading and Fulham for example I would be worried.
I'm not sure if this is quite right, but at the end of our run, we were 10 points from the drop, we've lost 4 games in a row, and are still 7 points away. At that rate, we'd need to lose the next 8 in a row to get dragged into the relegation battle proper. I don't think that's necessarily realistic, but it demonstrates that our position is still very healthy. I think I said previously that last season we had a tight knit squad of similar ability players. This season we have a strong first side, and an average second string. The aim for the next 18 months (assuming survival), will be to bolster the squad so that we've got depth of the same ability as our current first team, with a few improvements too. I'd also like us to bring in players which allow us to adapt to effectively play a second formation if suited to a game.
Why the major concern...no shame in losing to the PL Champions and Champions League Winners and Mark Clattenburg Meltdown! Imagine if you were Villa and just been stuffed 8-0 and 4-0, at least we are scoring goals! Honestly, just relax, it will all be fine once Ruddy is back; the defence will settle down and our clean sheets will return
Some fair points we've really suffered with injuries this season. I'd like to see the following: -Two decent forwards to compete with Holt hopefully in their 20's. -Defensive Midfielder who can pass like Fox would. -Some competition for Pilkington -A Fullback who can play either side. -Dare I say it another backup goalkeeper (awaits the fallout)
Besides if Swansea had not been so bloody wasteful, Villa would have lost another game and Lambert could have been very close to being fired. Reading and QPR are diabolical (a definitely getting relegated), and Newcastle can't seem to buy a win recently. Assuming that those 2 are heading down, it means that from our current position that 6 other teams will miraculously ALL perform better than us and make up the point difference. By law of averages, one will have a meltdown in the 2nd half.
Yes, no need to panic. It's obviously disappointing to lose 4 games on the trot, particularly as it has coincided with the Christmas period. But, we have some very winnable games coming up and I think the points will soon start to clock up again. Bit surprised at the criticism of Bunn - he seems to have played pretty well to me, and has pulled off some outstanding saves. Could we be tempted to cash in on Ruddy?
Losing to Chelsea 0 - 1 is no disgrace - especially when our former manager went to a "bigger" club in the summer who lost to Chelsea 0 - 8 a couple of days previously! I know excuses don't equate to points, but there's not too many panic buttons being pressed up in Crooomer just yet. And our New Year's Day fireworks off the pier - and some from under the sea, were totally stunning tonight. Better than a Russell Martin goal...just.
Missing a few key players isn't helping us, hopefully we will re-enforce our squad this month. But I am not panicking just yet, still in a good position.
Agreed Bunn has made some excellent saves, but his command of the box is still some way short of Ruddy's. IMO, it would be foolish to 'cash in on Ruddy', as - 1. He's happy living here, as opposed to in a 'commuter belt' of a sprawling metropolis. 2. The fans love him. OK - I accept whilst he plays for 'little old NCFC' his chances of becoming 1st choice England GK are limited, but Hart has been prone to a few errors recently.
I can't see us making all of those signings in January, but as a list for before August, I can't argue with much of that. If our current formation is here to stay (and why not?), and we don't look to learn a second system, then I imagine we'll start to see some departures too. As it stands, neither Fox or Surman fit our system, and much as I rate the pair of them when played in the correct way, unless they're happy to be bit-part players, I could see both of them being replaced, probably with the defensive midfielder and left winger mentioned. Lappin, Martin, Ward and probably Vaughan will go too, with hopefully a reasonable return made on them.
I think you can add Jackson to that list of players as well DH. Hughton quite clearly prefers Holt, Morison and Kane over him. I know he's a different type of player to those three but he's currently fourth choice and has only started getting games because Holt and Morison are both injured.
Yeah, Jackson was one I was unsure about, simply because he does offer something different. Up front, getting the lone striker sorted will be prioritised over any improvement on Jackson. For that reason, I think Jackson might well be kept for a little longer. Although, maybe if we bring in a new left winger, it might free up Pilks to sometimes play a more advanced role, but he hasn't quite got the pace.
No i personally don't want to see Ruddy go. It would have to be an insane amount of money. Bunn has done ok made some good saves but in my opinion he just isn't big enough and i fear we could lose more goals like against WBA because of this. It a matter of opinion. Also had Ruddy not have got injured he should really be number 1.
