Just put this on TWTD, thought I would put it up here as well; We are 10th overall for chances/shots created 2nd overall for converting these chances/shots to shots on target Unfortunately we are 3rd bottom overall for converting these chances/shots into goals At the other end we are; 2nd overall for chances/shots allowed (around 7.5 per game, of which just over a third are on target) we are 5th bottom overall for allowing these chances against to be converted into goals. All this point in the direction of; Things are pretty tight at the back, just need to cut out the odd mistake, we are creating plenty of chances/shotsâ¦.the problem is to few are being converted, thus we need a striker to partner Didsy, if we sort that out our stats would IMO realistically make us play off contenders.
Stats can be often be quite misleading IMO but are always useful to see. They don't tell you the whole picture for example they count every shot as a chance whether it's a pot shot from 30yards that goes high into the stands. How I've seen it this season is we've still be pretty tight at the back and conceded some pretty unfortunate goals that we couldn't do alot about, lots of deflections but there have also been some poor shows of GK in there aswell. In terms of chances created I don't think (apart from yesterday) we've created enough clearcut chances, they've mainly been half chances or pot shots not created through a show of intent or good team play. Most of our chances/goals have come from set pieces, Cresswell putting in superb crosses or shots or McGoldrick creating space for himself and shooting from outside the box. I think the defence is fine and would eventually like to see Hewitt given more of a chance although I understand why Chambers is playing there currently. We could do with a better GK though. But our midfield looks unbalanced and we need to show more intent and creativity but at the same time we need a striker who's instinct is to get on the end of things in the penalty box.
I know some don't like stats, that is why I tried to separate the shots off & on target, shots on target do tend to be a clear cut chances, although Chambers header against the bar yesterday counts as off target, so make of that what you will, for me stats are stats and are fact.! The error by Gerks yesterday only happened because we were chasing the game, if it had been level or we had been ahead I am 100% certain he would have just knocked it out of play.! I actually think we are creating a good number of chances this season, from all forms of play, think you are being a tad harsh PTC.`
Considering the sides we have played i don't think we have done that bad, remember we have played the three relegated sides already, by no means outclassed by them and in fact could have claimed to have got something from all three. I think from the first 8 games its quite clear that we are by far closer to the top teams in this division than the bottom ones, in the short time span Mick has been here that is a fantastic achievement.
i cant disagree with what you've said there guru. in all fairness will we ever be 100% happy. probably not. we are aware where we're lacking. still slightly concerned on keeper front but im still of opinion top 10 is in reach
We aren't as bad off as some people think on the keeper front, we have 2 very able keepers for this division. Lee Camp not too long ago was being rated as the best keeper in the championship, and i wouldn't swap either of our keepers for him in a million years. We are notoriously slow starters, If we pick up as we normally do, we won't be far away from the playoffs.
Another couple of stats to throw into the mix: We have the 5th lowest average age of the squads used in the championship at 24.9 .... And We also have the joint 2nd lowest number of players used in the league so far at just 19, with only 6 being classed as foreign (joint lowest) Almost the polar opposite from last season (where we used 39 players ) What I read from this is we have a smaller, younger nucleus of a squad whereby they will/should be improving as we continue through the season. It seems MM is happier to stick with what he has than ever Jewell was and hopefully we will bear the fruit from the hard work and patience shown from MM & TC come the end of May. I think 10 points from 8 is an acceptable start, Obviously I'd love to see us bring in a couple of more players to try and make this season a bit more entertaining and successful, but even that doesn't bring an absolute guarantee... There is a long way to go and I'm sure we'll have many more joyous and frustrating weekends to come
the biggest plus is we're a million miles from where we were last season. MM and TC are doing a good job with the available players we have. which as the summer went on most of us said was one of the better squads we'd had in years. and as you rightly say king many more joyous and hopefully not too many frustrating weekends to come.. blue and proud. Ipswich till i die.
We are a bit unbalanced at the back, with Chambers at full back. Should never have broken up him and Smith as central defenders. We still lack pace all over the pitch, so we are missing a major asset there, especially in away matches. Its apparent to everyone, including the manager that the midfield are not contributing enough in terms of goals, or variety. Might upset some, but sorry, Hyam is not good enough for this level, and many people are patient with him because he is a local boy, if he was a signing, or a loan player, he would be in for a tougher ride from our supporters. As we discuss the merits, or otherwise of our players, can we truly say they are multi purpose players, in their respective positions. Take Tommy Smith, a fairly good defender, but can he link up with the midfield, make dashing forward runs, true he is a danger to the opposition from crosses in their box, but generally speaking, our players don't have enough all round skills in their locker, the team that does wins the Championship
I agree with whats been said except when Mick says we are not ruthless enough in front of goal, surely what he means is that we lack players who are skillfull and capable enough to consistently score when 1 v 1 with the keeper and also are able to score from the edge of the box? McGoldrick is the best we have at doing this but we desperately need others to stand up and be counted, Murphy in my opinion isnt capable of taking this on perhaps a fully fit Taylor might be the man, whether its from the squad or maybe a loanee nothing will change until we have some quality alongside McG. Personally Im starting to get a bit slashed off hearing about how we dominated some away matches only to lose again. We have the basis of a really competitive Championship team so come on ME trust Micks judgement and give him the cash for a quality striker.
I would disagree and say that we actually have one of the worst squads we've had in the ME era (bar a couple of players) but we certainly have the best TEAM collectively now but as individuals I think it's by far the worst since probably Royles last season.
Yes I'd like to see Hewitt as RB in the end but I can understand why Mick has played Chambers at RB because Hewitt was getting a little bit caught out (not badly) but he seemed the weakest defensively in that back line although he did play against some very good players in that period. I think our midfield looks more unbalanced and I disagree with you on Hyam. I think Hyam is a good player but we're just not playing to his strengths, he's never going to be the CM in a 442 who is given the responsibility to force the play and in Skuse he has a good partner but one that seems fairly content to sit back, start the move off but then leave the rest of the team to get on with it when we attack. I'm not keen on the Skuse Hyam partnership but I do think what would improve it would be if Skuse would take more responsibility going forwards and they both share the attacking and defensive responsibilities equally. I feel a little sorry for Tabb because I think he's been very good this season although would prefer to see him in the centre rather than outwide.
