What were our expectations for this season? Improvement? free flowing football? (Remember Blackpool went down after a season of free-flowing football) 50 points and free of relegation? finishing 9th? ................ many of our members have offered these and other 'expectations'. Every season I write down the fixtures and try and forecast the points we are likely to get. Below is my 'half season forecast', we are currently 3 points less than I expected.
Up to Xmas
Team expectation result
Liverpool (a) Lose Draw
Newcastle (h) Draw Lose
Chelsea (h) Lose Lose
Swansea (a) Draw Draw
Stoke (h) Win Win
Norwich (a) Draw Lose
West Brom (h) Win Draw
Arsenal (a) Lose Lose
9 points 6 points
Bolton (a) Draw
Aston Villa (h) Win
Man Utd (a) Lose
Fulham (h) Win
Wigan (h) Win
Wolves (a) Win
Blackburn (h) Win
Tottenham (a) Draw
QPR (a) Draw
Everton (h) Draw
Man City (h) Lose
19 points +6 points = 25 points from 19 games (half way)
Surely SB would have looked at the fixtures and knew it may be a difficult start with a new team that had not gelled, and with a lack of experienced forwards. The dissappointment is that when results have gone badly, some expected, he has panicked, made strange selections and substitutions, played people out of position and been less than inspirational with his team (even though the players reactions suggest they support him). I would much rather him stick to his principles, be consistant and build a solid team round important players ..... and tell supporters and media that is his intention, rather than looking to blame others.
I still think that by Xmas the players will turn it round despite SB's failings
KTF
Up to Xmas
Team expectation result
Liverpool (a) Lose Draw
Newcastle (h) Draw Lose
Chelsea (h) Lose Lose
Swansea (a) Draw Draw
Stoke (h) Win Win
Norwich (a) Draw Lose
West Brom (h) Win Draw
Arsenal (a) Lose Lose
9 points 6 points
Bolton (a) Draw
Aston Villa (h) Win
Man Utd (a) Lose
Fulham (h) Win
Wigan (h) Win
Wolves (a) Win
Blackburn (h) Win
Tottenham (a) Draw
QPR (a) Draw
Everton (h) Draw
Man City (h) Lose
19 points +6 points = 25 points from 19 games (half way)
Surely SB would have looked at the fixtures and knew it may be a difficult start with a new team that had not gelled, and with a lack of experienced forwards. The dissappointment is that when results have gone badly, some expected, he has panicked, made strange selections and substitutions, played people out of position and been less than inspirational with his team (even though the players reactions suggest they support him). I would much rather him stick to his principles, be consistant and build a solid team round important players ..... and tell supporters and media that is his intention, rather than looking to blame others.
I still think that by Xmas the players will turn it round despite SB's failings
KTF
