These boards have been very very quiet recently, I don't know if its because for the 1st time in a few years we have been on a decent run, with decent performances or what. But fans from other teams appear to post on here more than our own fans nowadays and the talk is boring, there's no substance to it, its so called "Banter", can someone please raise my spirits and have a proper debate about our football club rather than "Bantering" with each other and opposition fans. I really don't mind opposition fans coming on here and alot of them actually talk alot of sense but some, its just like they've got nothing better to do with their lives. Anyway, rant over, I could not make the game today and just wondered what people thought about the game, performance and where we stand at the moment?? I was expecting the run to come to an end eventually, but its good to see that the poor performances atm are less than the better ones for the first time since before ME took charge, so we are at least improving and going in the right direction. There is no doubt we need to improve alot to really progress. But I think we have come a very very long way since Jewell has taken over and yes he and this team has major flaws but I have been very impressed with how far he has taken the club over a very short period of time. I think we will finish around about the playoffs this season or possibly better but in away I hope we don't go up this season, as I feel it would be a step too soon, we need to build a squad up, one which once we get to the promised land would be able to stay there, we need to build for the future but at least now we have the base of a good squad to build upon. Another point, anyone see how Jordon Rhodes is doing this season. It just makes me hate Keane even more for not even giving the kid a try. (Sorry just couldn't resist dragging this up again)!!
I agree ptc, the posts have dipped into silly banter and not very meaningful debate or team observations. I cant attend many games, but those I have, I see a definite overall improvement and commitment. I suspect yesterday's relative poor performance was due in part to 2 regular forwards given a break, and Sonko missing as real tour de force in defense. We have won games in fine fashion and as well grinding out a result when last 2 season swe would have given up. Equally, we dropped a few points when we could/should have won. I think PJ has the right players, and we need consistancy now, plus a few injured back in the frame. Worringly, we seem to be playing better away than at home. Fortress Ipswich?! But also I notice many happier faces at PR and think you are right that 606ers dont feel like commenting so much in a generally good seam of results. But, with Milwall a tough game away next up, I would hate to see us spiralling downwards again. Talking of Rhodes, what is the boy wonder up to at Sunderland?
Cheers Southcoastolfgaffer, it seems my words seem to have fallen of deaf ears, with the continued threads with Norwich fans, were basically the argument goes, they're doing much better than us atm, so they like to let us know and then we bring up about how much better our history is than theirs and then they say its not about the past its about the future and it keeps going on and on and on and on and on and on and on, its boring and very predictable. Then there's the Hull fans who go on about Bullard, its boring but it seems that this kinda stuff is the only thing people respond to on this site. As for the next much, I think its probably time to change it abit, maybe put some wingers on in Martin and Carson, in a 4-4-2 formation or either put Bullard further up the pitch as he is wasted in the DM position and a bit of a liability. Hopefully, Chopra and Scotland will be refreshed and able to play aswell. By boy wonder do you mean, the guy who we sold rhodes for to keep and develop because it was between the 2 with which one we wanted to keep, because we certainly couldn't have kept both?? That what such a stupid decision and really the first in a long line, it was the first decision that made me realise Keane really wasn't going to be any good for us, I had serious doubts when he first took over and this just cemented these doubts!!! Anyway I see Wickham started for Sunderland for the first time in the league yesterday. IMO its a shame he didn't stay here for at least another year, I think he and us would have been better for it but in saying that I don't blame the club for selling him, we got very good money for an 18 year old who's not guarenteed to make it.
Wickham didn't look out of place yesterday, I was quite impressed from what I saw on Match of the Day. But then again, it was a poor Bolton side and I'd love to see how he does against other teams. Colback played too; surprising how many past Town players are in the Premier League and doing well really! I'm unsure about Martin still. I honestly haven't seen anything that makes me think he's any better than Carson, and we could do with developing Josh so he turns into a great player for us (or at least gets us a bit of money!). Bullard needs to be going into an attacking role definitely, he hasn't got the legs or tackling to play in a defensive role. Chopra and Scotland to start up front and build on that partnership (who thought that would work?!) and I'm wondering whether we should start Wabara soon? I haven't been able to get down for a long old while so I don't really know who's been playing, but I haven't heard much about the lad so I'm assuming he's on the bench.
I agree TractorBoy, lets see Chops and Scotland partnership really mature, and yes, when I saw the lad Wabara he imressed in his 20 minute cameo! And Sonko back hopefully, then we can find that rhythm again, and yes, most would like to see Bullard further forward in more creative role and shine with his passing and fine distribution. So that's Wickham, Colback and I see Walters on the score sheet regularly...but that's all history and very much Keane legacy and relations he didnt establish during his painful short tenure.
I don't think we should start in a 4-4-2 ptc. We should stick to what's been working for us but have people on the bench to allow us to change the formation if needed to counter the opposing team. If you don't have a winger on the bench it's difficult to change things up. We could have changed it a bit on Saturday by bringing Wabara on at right back and pushing Edwards up. Let's just leave the whole Rhodes/Wickham thing behind us can we and move forward and concentrate on the players we do have.
Why oh why didn't Chopra and Scotland start? I bet Dougie Freedman was laughing his head off when he got our team sheet before kick off! Not much to be said about that absolute shambles we saw yesterday. The only player to come out with any credit was Stockdale! Lets have it right (to borrow a PJ phrase) out team selection was wrong to begin with. We looked nervy and shaky from the start and at this level of the game there should be absolutely no excuse for players not being able to complete 5 yard passes to one another! Our midfield looked tired and bereft of any creativity and the number of times Bullard "passed" us into trouble was nobodies business. The only player who drove us on in the middle was Bowyer who worked his nuts off all game. Leadboots again was totally absent and Danny Collins had a mare at the back. Just goes to show how badly we will miss Sonko. The tactics were a little mystifying when you consider that Palace have pacey wide players who were always going to nulify out threat down the wings. Edwards hardly crossed the halfway line. I counted 2 crosses from our fullbacks in the entire match! JET is anything but and looks more and more like a luxury player that we can't afford. Ellington did the best he could without much in the way of service from Midfield or the fullbacks. All in all very poor and if Pompey was a "wake up call" I think the alarm bells should now be ringing after this shambles against an average Palace side. Jewell needs to find a plan B and fast because after that performance and a trip to fast improving Millwall I can see us slipping down the league. Negative possibly but I have witnessed two inept displays and with our elderly midfield seemingly not able to cope with the rigours of 2 games a week issues need to be rectified and quick. Start Carson and Martin and drop Bullard but always start with our in form strikers ffs!
JWM its good to have some discussion about football on these boards, even if I don't agree with you on some points, but I wasn't there so, I'm just going on what I've seen in the past and highlights. San Diego, perhaps your right, regarding the formation, we just need some wingers on the bench so we can change it around a bit for now. Although I would say we definitely need to move Bullard out of the DM role, put Andrews there, I like his authority on the ball but when it comes to the final third, he doesnt quite have the creativity like Bullard. The problem with Bullard is he doesn't have the legs to play in DM and he always wants to make the defence splitting pass, I think this is why he's lost the ball alot because he wants to be the one pulling the strings and creating stuff, but can't do it quite so much from that position. JWM I was a little surprised that Scotland and Chopra didn't start but what I've seen over the past couple of matches they have looked a little flat or knackered, so can understand why he would do that but then again so has our midfield, although I would say why not start with Scotland and Chopra and then if they look lethargic change it around then. JWM I'm sure you know by now but I think Delaney is an awful defender because he draws the whole defence out of line, and you said that Collins had a poor game, do you think it has anything to do with Delaney playing, in that whoever Delaney partners always has to work doubley hard because he's just positionally useless, I know you disagree with me on this but I often think the reason why some people didn't rate McAuley that much was because with Delaney in defence it made him looked stretched all the time. So do you think Collins poor performance was partly to do with this?? 2 poor performances but perhaps a little wake up call to those who think we are better than we are, we've got to remember where we've come from and how much we've improved since this time last year and also from the start of the season. Perfomances to be dissapointed with, lets just hope these aren't too frequent.
As I said a couple of days ago, If we can stay in the top half from now until the end of the season I would be happy. I just don't want another season of looking over our shoulders or getting dragged into a relegation battle. I agree that we should've started with Chops and Scotland and took them off later to give them rest. In my eyes it's better to have your best strikers on at the start so that you may go a goal in front and have the luxury of taking them off then starting poorly and bringing them on later to try and get something out of the game. If Palace were up against Chops/Scotland they would have been more wary of our attacking threat then when faced with Ellington.
Have to admit I only feel like coming on here when we lose, need to get it out of my system and as itfcptc has pointed out there is a lack of decent football discussion. If we're going to play Bullard we need players who will move into space and want the ball. Martin and Carson might not be the best wingers in the world but they stretch the pitch and give Bullard more options to get the ball moving. Problem is if we stretch the pitch we also create space for the opposition and with only two CMs out of the four playing we wouldn't have enough to track back as none of the four are particuarly defensive minded. I get the feeling PJ wants four in midfield to keep it tight and congested as otherwise we run the risk of another Posh or Saints incident, however when we purposefully congest it and come up against teams like Palace who keep it tight in midfield and defence we are going to struggle. We've got away with playing Bullard as an anchor man so far but it looks like he's grown tired of doing something he's not naturally good at. I think we should partner him with Andrews and keep bowyer out wide and bring in either Martin or Carson with JET or Scotland partnering Chopra. Will be interesting to see if changes to the formation are made for Millwall. My guess will be that PJ sticks with what has worked (diamond) and brings back Chops and Scotland but with either Whight or Kennedy at left back. The diamond might even get us a result against Millwall but if it does it will only paper over the cracks a bit more. If we are to win this league we need more pace and creativity and a bit of youthful hunger.
Just out of interest after the first 13 games played under Keane last season we were on 18 points and now after the same number of games we are on 20 points! 2 points better off so far but we are beginning to show the same signs as last year! The Millwall and Doncaster games I believe will be the defining games of our season.
Interesting stat JWM but I can't see us heading the same way as Keane's side, we've too much experience in this squad for that to happen unless there were catastrophic injuries. I predict we will be consistently better than average over the rest of the season but not as good as the better organised sides like Saints and Palace. A play off finish looks likely, which I would gladly accept.
True JWM, based on the facts and figures it seems we are not much different this year to last year. But taking performances, personel and the direction the club appears to be going in, I am far more confident this year than I ever was last year. We have a far more competant manager in charge than this time last year with a far higher calibre of player. And remember we had a better start last year compared to this year, points wise. Every club has poor performances and poor results, especially in this league and I'm not too concerned about the loss or performance at the weekend, we are far from the finished article and it'll be a while yet before we are even close. But after only being to a handful of games this season, I have seen far more to convince me that we are going in the right direction than anytime under Keane and yes I did even go to the Southampton game and even in that game I saw more to convince me than under Keane. I agree with svendusts last statement. We've basically had to get in a whole new squad over a few months, obviously this takes time to gel(sorry couldn't resist) and also the squad still needs adding to and evolving over time. Although not saying Jewell's signings were panic buys, alot of them are not for the future but they at least give us a base to build from. Like I've said so many times this year, we really are in a transitional year, due to the state we were left in and there will be alot of mixed performances this year. But I will say we certainly will not be relegation candidates this year, unless we suddenly become bereft of CB's and Delaney becomes first choice!!!
Thank you all on this post for producing quality knowledgeable observations! I was getting tired of not606 already...but will return weekly. The board somehow lacks the fizz of the old 606. And can someone please tell me how to remove the first 3-4 old posts that are long since dead and gone!
JWM although I believe these 2 games are very important I don't think they will define our season either way. yes if we win them both we will looking good in the play offs and if we lose them we will back to mid table mediocrity but I don't think anyone will argue that the championship is an extremely long season where there will be periods of good results and bad results, so a bad run at this stage won't put us out of the running whereas 2 wins wont mean we are dead certs for the play offs or more.
JWM always likes to overreact to a result, good performance and a win = the next game will define if we win the league or not, poor performance and a loss = the next game will define if we are relegation candidates or not. Sometimes I think you need to take a step back and have a little perspective and not go on the past 90 minutes of what you have seen.
haven't you been on a decent run of late ptc while playing the diamond? why the sudden doom and gloom after one result or have you been fortunate in the wins you've had?
I'm not sure what your getting at Superman, I haven't been doom and gloom at all this year. Yes the diamond has done us well but it also has big weaknesses, like a lack of width if the fullbacks cannot get forward and not having anyone who is comfortable in the more defensive role and a lack of pace. But for the time being it probably suits the players we have best, although I do not see it being for the long term, once we get some decent wingers into the team or Martin and Carson, hit form in the team. But it would be nice to be able to change it around a bit from time to time.
i wasn't referring to you as being doom and gloom - you normally look to the positives. i meant in general on your board.
