I have had more bollockings off jgf2 for using the Bristol Post than most but his contribution to this forum is constant and wanted and I still seem to survive, a broad base and different opinions is very healthy for all of us.
It is hard to believe that it is not a fluke … but level headedness rules that we have not really been tested all that hard, yet ! [ I am a realist not a dreamer ] Coventry are, at this point in time hardly a top of the league candidate, Stoke have been slow to get it together, their points from other starting strugglers. . . . whereas SHEFF W has shown a bit of form albeit against an indifferent Cardiff & draw with ex Prem Watford.. [ made my case already v NF ] and good to see you agree that a result against NF could be the stepping stone to a good season …...
I don't give you bollickings … every bit of info on here is always welcome useful and mostly interesting, you do a very good job … the evil Post is the annoying thing … used to be ads upon ads upon ads … when you wanted to delete the ones you didn't want it was like a few hundred [ now it is simpler just reject all ] What is interesting is that quite often a point is made on here ..or some stats posted .. and within 48hrs bingo Post runs a feature …. almost identical! We do have a very good mix of peeps on here [ including the invaders from across the water ! ] some are blunt! others more inclined to qualify or point out "*?*" ! whilst others, well they are "others!" …….. anyone ele on Barclays? just put in my 3rd complaint in 2 months 2nd in last 5 days! Logging on!!!!! so far has cost me £700 … they did give me back £25 though!!!!!
ah so its your face on the board … so many holes you cant see the picture ...lol can you send me another one !!!!!
I’m really impressed so far, obviously it’s early days and there will be much sterner test ahead of us. What’s impressed me most is the way we’ve gone about our business, scores at vital times and closed games out. it’s also a nice change to see other teams adapting to us rather than us to them. We’ve also tweaked things a bit and been better second half , something I’ve been used to seeing other managers doing to us in the past. At least we only need another 45 points Fur safety now .
We’ve played so far three teams. Just out of interest how do we know at the time that they will be sterner test? We may get to season end and it’s those 3 up there challenging. Won’t be the case but it’s nice being in this bubble.
If Stoke can add goals to a tight defensive, they could well be up there. Our win against them are the only goals they have conceded in their 6 league and cup games this season.
the interesting thing is no teams have had to perform in cold wet windy conditions [ winter type temps ] without a crowd ..from my sporting activities in the past a wet windy day of spring /autumn has not had much effect ...however a cold wet windy day in the winter month's has needed a lot of effort …. I ponder whether lacking a crowd in these sort of conditions will turn team performances on their head …. by then any crowd noise will be appreciated as piped music!
in the first 10? games there is a lot of unsettled teams .. and Stoke is probably one of them Sheff wed likely a middle table and Coventry may feature in bottom half. ..FOREST Derby and CARDIFF likely to be in top 12 come the end . its the wonder of football who knows? we play a team that has lost 3 or 4 ..they beat us … play a team won 3 or more … we beat them .. every team seems to get a purple patch and a dark patch …. key is playing them not it / in it! NF in a dark patch? … a draw would be good!
Iv'e been off the world due to an internet issue and just had it fixed and how pleasant to see the result vs Sheff Wed. Well done lads and keep it up!
Another win, starting to get dizzy Can we take advantage of the terrible start that Forest have had and get another 3 points on the board ? And we've had a decent record there over the past few seasons.
What has happened after the Exeter game and an hour of the Coventry game is the introduction of one young man in central midfield, has transformed our midfield from the disorganised shambles it has been for far too long into something approaching a functioning midfield. + a striker with a football brain, who sees the game developing around him and who's link up play is superb and crucially can hold the ball up, thus relieving the pressure on midfield, Diedhiou can do none of these things, Martin may not score a shedload but look at his assists stats as the season progresses and I believe he has been the instrumental in the emergence of Semenyo so far this season. The result is Paterson can be freed up from mundane midfield duties and let loose on defences especially in and around the opponents box. Bakinson's inclusion has also improved Weimann in that central midfield role and now he keeps his place on merit, with DaSilva, Williams, Walsh and Morrell all hopefully approaching fitness and Kalas to return as well, all bodes well. Do I think we can fully mount a challenge?, possibly not, after nearly 64 years I am not getting carried away, I am just enjoying the moment. However at least the product is a vast improvement on last season, it is eminently watchable and decisions being made with team selection, tactics and substitutions are understandable for a change.
People need to keep their feet on the ground. Last season after an opening day defeat to Leeds we then went 10 league games unbeaten and people were raving about a young midfielder called Massengo.
Quite agree with your comment about Diedhiou, who can barely be described as a professional footballer at times. Doesn't read the game well at all, often can't control the ball at the first attempt, doesn't anticipate things or close defenders/keepers down etc. I could go on but won't. He's more useful as a squad player than as our first choice striker. It could be a crazier than normal league this time around. Let's see where we are at Xmas and hopefully enjoy a few more highs in the meantime as some of the fancied teams have got off to very slow starts and not many people would have had us 9 points clear of Derby, or Forest after 3 games. Lets hope we're 12 points clear after Saturday !
Very true the problem was when the wheels started to fall off, he was still being used in a hopelessly failing midfield, mainly because we had 2 midfielders who could have relieved the pressure on him loaned out and bewilderingly not brought back in January. His confidence must be shot to pieces, this time we have an abundance of midfield options, who can replace Bakinson if he starts to struggle.
Mawson, Bakinson and Martin have 'improved' the City. Early days but seem they are our 'spine', something we've lacked for a few seasons. You lot have watched Massengo far more than I have, I wonder if Massengo and Bakinson could play in the same midfield ?
The crux IMHO with Massengo he desperately needs to do what Bakinson, O'leary, Vyner, Walsh and Morrell have done and go out on loan to serve his 'apprenticeship" and gain strength in the 'mans game' in the lower leagues, I lived in France for many years and went too many games and trust me it is nowhere near as physical as the English game, I actually watched Diedhiou in one of his final games for Angers and he looked a beast of a player but in reality, I think he is lightweight for the English game. But to answer your question, I see no reason why he and Bakinson can not eventually play together, but my guess is by that time if Bakinson continues in this vein of form/improvement he will be long gone.
Jiffie said: ↑ Your 2nd sentence is wrong for the following reasons, firstly I have seen more attacking intent in the last half hour of the Coventry game and the whole of the Stoke game instead of trying to have a stab ...which in this case you are wrong and missed, as YOU ANSWERED something that is not there made your statement which you can apply to anything …. should you care to read the sentence correctly …… where did I mention attacking? ...time to get your shovel out me thinks!
