So now the cup dream is dead and we're left to concentrate on the league I thought I'd chuck out some stats to track how we're doing. Based on the last 15 seasons the average points per game needed to finish: 1st - 2.07 2nd - 1.92 3rd - 1.84 4th - 1.77 5th - 1.71 6th - 1.61 City are currently averaging 1.92 points a game which is good news. But... Table on points per game: 1st - Doncaster - 2.05 2nd - Lincoln - 2.00 3rd - Hull City - 1.92 4th - Portsmouth - 1.83 5th - Accrington - 1.82 6th - Peterborough - 1.79 Actual Table: 1st - Hull City - 48 pts 2nd - Lincoln - 48 pts 3rd - Doncaster - 45 pts 4th - Portsmouth - 44 pts 5th - Peterborough - 43 pts 6th - Sunderland - 40 pts
With a clinical goal poacher we could be much better off at this stage, we've only put a team to the sword in a couple of matches. KLP is the most gifted goal scorer we've got, but it's a hell of a lot of pressure to put on someone's shoulders when they are so young. The fact KLP missed the games he did could be the difference between making it or falling short, to think Ehab/Terry saw fit to leave him out the starting line up when he wouldn't sign!
Couple that with McCanns insistence to play KLP out wide while accommodating the donkey Magennis in the middle
So we've more or less got the 'who's to Blame' game sorted already.....Half way through the season,top of the League and a squad that will see us through until the end of it but I don't see any credit for the work done in the January window?Who gets the credit or blame for that?
Don't worry, myself and a couple of others have been saying this every week and been accused of not being proper fans as a result. Apparently criticism = wanting to lose now.
So what part of your first post is 'bleeding obvious'? Clinical goal poacher,I'd agree with that,don't suppose you could name one that comes within our budget? KLP....yes,it's a hell of a lot of pressure,what would you suggest? KLP...'Could' be the difference between making it or falling short,what's your hunch?
A\proper analysis would take account of declining points in the second half of the season- most promotion chasers start to flag and very few keep up the 2 points per game ratio after 46 games.
In Bowens first full season he tired as the season went on .. he was about the same age as KLP and I fully anticipate KLP to do the same. So if your suggesting we rely on KLP for the remainder of the season I suspect you'll be left wanting. It would help of course if he was played in his correct position !
I do think we're going to make promotion more difficult than it needs to be. Anyone looking at our team can see we're missing a decent striker. All we needed to do was bring one in loan or maybe buy someone from the league below... its not rocket science. The Allams have basically let a few players leave and brought a few in on loan, no ambition yet again.
You seriously can't say this window shows a lack of ambition.... Plz tell us your joking? Also, this mythical striker you think we should have got...how do we fit him into a wage bill where we are pretty much bang on the limit in regards to the cap? How do we fund it transfer/loan fee wise at the same time as wanting the allams to bring down the debt and sell up?
He's the perfect foil for an out and out striker,which we are certainly struggling with but he's not an out and out striker in my opinion. I have said for some time that Eaves and Mcgennis aren't good enough but replacement wise we haven't been able to fill the void.
Given the current circumstances ie salary caps, no gate receipts, etc I thought our Jan window was pretty good. I agree buying or loaning a striker isn't rocket science but finding one in the first place probably is.
Didn't think I would say this, the Allams DO deserve credit after the December / January transfers in and out. What an outstanding player Docherty is, an Ashbee in the making. Crowley doesn't appear too far behind. Creative fulcrums of the team with Honeyman. No doubt. But ... How to handle company assets. Of the 13 games KLP has started, we have won 9. Of the 9 games during the 'Sub/Contract' **** up, we won 3. When he was left out completely (Burton, MKD and Ipswich) we won all three! Ipswich was City's 14th league game (KLP played 9, sub 1, out 3) we had 33 points, 5 more than Lincoln in 2nd, +6 on Charlton in 3rd. PPG 2.35. Donneh, (the start of the 'Sub/Contract' **** up), 36 points, +7 on Lincoln 2nd and +8 Posh 3rd. PPG 2.4. Oxford, 37 points, +5 on Lincoln 2nd and +8 on Accrington 3rd. PPG 2.31 Oxford marked the run of 7 games with 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses. Move on to the 2nd Blackpool game (the last of the 'Sub/Contract' **** up) we had 38 points, level with Lincoln 3rd, +3 on Pompey who had a game in hand. PPG 1.9. He's then back in the team for the first AS game, plays 4 games of which we win 3. 48 points, level with Lincoln who now have a game in hand, +3 on Donneh who have 3 games in hand. PPG starting to rise again to 1.92. He's maybe not an 'out and out' striker, but scares the **** out of defenders and maybe creates opportunities for Wilks, Magennis and Eaves. Undoubtedly damage to our season has been done during the 'Sub/Contract' period, when bullying a teenager. Self harm at its finest. But nobody tells them how to run their business.