Like all supporters I was delighted when we got promoted back to the Premiership in 2011, but for some reason this season has failed to ignite any real excitement in me. I have begun to wonder if this continuous struggle, that we are told is the best we can ever hope for, is actually worth it. It's reasonable comment. Scrapping hard for a 0-0 draw at Loftus Road or worse still a 1-1 draw at home does not stir up the feelings the same as the possibility of surging up the Championship and sitting in one of the top 6 places but we all wanted promotion when we got in to the top 6 two years ago so we now have to live with it I suppose. Just ask JWM etc. just how much they want to see ITFC promoted to the top flight, I am sure it's as good as it could get for them these days, as it is for us but I also have little doubt they would not enjoy the PL anywhere near as much as they did last time if clinging on for survival every season was the only viable target, which it probably would be (no disrespect intended - just how life in the PL is now).
this is the problem with modern football. this is the reason many are falling out of love with the game. and its all because of the enormous rewards on offer at the end of next season. i don't agree with the new finance coming into the game as it will only create an even bigger divide between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' but if we ever want our club to progress both on and off the pitch and be one of the 'haves', we need to stay in the league this season. otherwise, we end up a long way behind. we've given ourselves a superb platform to build on and make the club grow and give it the best shot at becoming a regular in this league for years. is it any surprise there is an element of fear? fulham played with fear. newcastle played with fear against us. even qpr did and if any club needs to start converting draws into wins its them. we are at a crossroads with the development of our team where our stronger players are now defensive-minded - there is nothing wrong with that as long as the balance is addressed. we can't do that until the summer, so again, that word i put in every single thread is required. patience.
Yes, that really sums it up for me and I'll probably contnue to renew my season ticket for the foreseeable future - though the excitement of back-to-back promotions will be hard to beat!!!! The wins against ManUre and Arsenal were excellent, as was the defeat by Citeh and the draw with Spurs, but I really want us to try and beat teams who are around us in the league, rather than play 'not to lose'. Hopefully, we'll get some better players join us in the summer (though I see Hooper reckons he's off to Spurs - http://metro.co.uk/2013/02/13/gary-...to-tottenham-as-he-plots-celtic-exit-3475531/ ) and we'll be able to avoid the type of game we've had against Newcastle, QPR and Fulham.
I donât understand why a lot of these blogs/threads present our options as dour + survival versus cavalier + relegation and inevitably refer to Blackpool. Surely the best comparison for us is with our own team last year? We werenât forced to sell anyone and we improved the squad. Only the coaching and system has substantially changed so why not compare? Entertainment value is subjective â I can enjoy any Norwich game but that has been tested this year. The stats are not subjective. Weâve scored 13 fewer goals, accumulated 6 fewer points and won 3 fewer matches than at this point last year. However the statistic that stands out the most is that we have only conceded 3 fewer goals. For a side that has invested a lot in being defensive, that is disappointing. The table suggests we should be including a 'dour + relegation' option in our discussion - Blackpool also had 29 points at this point. I think we'll be OK though and, incase anyone thinks Iâm Hughton bashing, he is the right manager for us and he can improve us. He will also be disappointed. Letâs not kid ourselves, weâve already seen this squad avoid relegation using a cavalier approach. It doesn't have to end the Blackpool way.
