We've spent most of this season around the bottom of the Championship, if not bottom ourselves. To use your own argument, simply being in the Championship doesn't make you Championship quality. You could ask the question of Blackpool and why they are doing so well, but then you see the likes of Gary Madine, Richard Keogh and Chris Maxwell in the side and you see why their young players are holding out. The experience in each position is guiding their younger lads during games. We have Smallwood and Honeyman who consistently play, while Huddlestone is here but not playing. KLP, Honeyman, Baxter and Greaves are quality, and if we had XI of their standard, we wouldn't be where we are now. Smallwood had eight seasons in the Championship, then dropped down to League One. Ingram had his first full season for us in League One, but I'd argue he's good enough to play at this level. Fleming and Longman are finding their feet and look alright, but they've got got a lot to learn.* The likes of Doc, Wilks, Elder, Coyle (injury aside), Smith, Eaves, the ones that make up most of our appearances this season, are not Championship level players. They might have good games, but they don't consistently perform at this level otherwise, once again, we'd be much higher up the table. *this is probably an important factor as well. We have a young squad; while having young players is great for things like transfer money, it's not so great when you're in the **** and need somebody to pull you out. We've got Honeyman, Smallwood I don't think makes a good captain as he doesn't seem motivational enough on the pitch. I'm hoping that with a season behind them in this league, next season they can really push on. We're obviously building our squad around these home grown and young talents, which is a perfect scenario and one that's enviable from other clubs without decent academies. But right now, in the 21-22 season, we lack any form of consistent quality and those young players need time to develop properly. The likes of KLP and Greaves have done it, Fleming and Longman like I say are nearly there. I understand totally why Shota set up yesterday the way he did, he wanted to stifle Fulham and try and catch them on the break or with a set piece. That was, in my opinion, totally the right thing to do against much better opposition.
We didn’t do too bad yesterday. Once again we had our chances and could have taken something and if we did, I wouldn’t say it would have been undeserved. It’s promising that we’re still giving ourselves the chance and not just rolling over getting beaten without creating a single meaningful opportunity. A few decent additions in the summer, a bit more confidence, a bit of swagger and arrogance and a decent manager and we could go anywhere in this league. We’re not a million miles away it’s a solid footing to build a very good team from. IMO
Football is a squad game. Collectively our league position reflects where we are right now in the Championship.
If Smallwoods shot towards the end of the second half had swerved to the right instead of the left we could have had a point. It was a terrific shot but unfortunately bent towards the keeper as opposed to the other way-small things
Good analysis-agree I thought we played well and agree with your other points. Think Shota is beginning to find his team and his formation. Still wanna see Allahayar get a run out.
It's not about just 'going for it' without any thought. It's when you go for it and what you do to go for it. 1-0 down last 10 minutes you have to take some chances. Surely?
With what we had, how did you expect us to go for it? We had one striker on the bench who still has yet to score in this division, we threw him on. We don't know what Shota told the players to do at 75 mins, but he probably won't have told them to sit back. KLP and Longman had to come back because Fulham were consistently in possession and on the attack, otherwise Fleming and Coyle would have been badly exposed. We were outclassed, simple as that. So now we go to Sheffield United, which will be equally as tough as they're on a roll and will probably be lucky to get a point. But that's where we are at the moment. We can produce giant killing, FA Cup style performances, but with the squad we've got, that's the best we can hope for against better quality teams. It's the games against the teams around us where it matters, which was why Derby was so disappointing.
Also, after what Ebosele did to us, can anyone blame Shota for taking a more cautious approach defensively against the league leaders who score goals for fun?
Could one of you explain with that available squad on the day what going for it would have entailed ? Forget whether we are L1or C’ship players . Some of you loved Bruce beyond criticism would he have done anything different?
Bruce would’ve subbed all our available forwards on after they scored. Oh wait, Shota did bring Smith on, our only available forward on the bench.
Exactly my point Teams sling their big centre back up front Which we could have tried? Or move potter up front who is our biggest goal threat instead we moved him over to the right Midfield to accommodate moncur He hardly got a kick after that Anything really to try and get a goal back Do something different We were ineffective for 80 minutes why not change something anything to try and get a goal? Nope nothing
Sort of like this it explains your go for it comment - agree about KLP he should be there all the time for me , can’t tackle but can make space and shoot . Think an English manager might have tried the Greaves up front but not sure it’s in a continentals thoughts .
