Wasn't sure where to put this but I found it quite interesting if the figures are correct, I can't guarantee that they are as I robbed it from someone else on a transfer rumour site. "9 games ago we were 14th and 4 points clear of the bottom 3, we are now 12th and 5 points clear. Last 9 games we accumulated 9 points, the same as Stoke, Fulham and Hull ( and Southampton incidentally) Sunderland 10 points and Palace 13 were the only botton half teams that accumulated more. Every other team in the bottom half got less points than that. Villa 8, WBA 6, Swansea 6, West Ham 5 and Cardiff 5. We often think other teams are doing so much better than us until you look at the actual figures." Maybe the Christmas period wasn't so bad after all
article in the telegraph today about the relegation battle, Alan Smith predicted us, Cardiff and Palace to go down. seemed a bit of a finger in the air, not surprising given the situation
Yeah, saw that. Completely devoid of analysis. His basic argument was that because we're playing Man U and Chelsea in our last two matches, we therefore have to beat Stoke City, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion at home. Not sure how that tallies with the fact that (a) we have points on the board and (b) we have more games to play than just those six, and our away form has actually been quite reasonable against the lower teams. Personally, I'm not a subscriber to the argument "oh, our last five games are against top teams, but they could be on the beach". Our last five games are undoubtedly tough ones. But if they are tough, then we have equally "easier" games elsewhere. I'm confident that by the end of the season we will discover that technically we were safe before the final five games, even if not mathematically immediately before.
The things that seriously worry me, are the fact we were in among the worst teams anyway, on results and most of all performance (I haven't seen many teams play worse, negative, boring and depressing football all season) but now, teams below us have had the sense to change manager, and its had a fantastic response. not only that, but seeing the players these teams are now getting in. While we stay very very dormant. Same clueless manager, and no rumors or gossip that excites me what so ever....It will take amazing good fortune for us to stay up this season, like last. lightning cant strike twice.
Ever heard the expression "when you're already in a hole, stop digging?" You've made some outrageous statements with no proof to back you up. in fact the thread about how we've performed against those around us in the table are polar opposite of your statement!
I can't ever recall posting that someone else's thread was utter bollox.Partly because it's very rude.All I would say then to this one is "If the cap fits"
Hmm,Would you really say the teams that have changed managers have had "A fantastic response"?.I would say Pulis has done the best and the others have achieved little if anything
Bit of stats and that: http://www.kickoff.co.uk/teams/?team_id=2&area=results Kind of highlights our tendency to beat 'the teams around us'.
Another replay for Fulham then, which can only be a good thing. Only scoring one against a 10-man league one side can't be too great for the confidence either.
Which just goes to highlight how totally ineptly and embarrassingly we played in the third round replay
No,not really although we did take 7 points from the 5 fixtures at home to the teams in that lower top half.On the other side it looks good for the Cardiff game judging from the same info.Glass half empty by any chance?
Rumour has it that both Pullis at Crystal Palace and Laudrup at Swansea are ready to leave their respective clubs as they have had major words with regard to January transfer policy with their Chairmen. Perhaps there may be repercussions with the way these sides play for the rest of the season?
It's Cardiff that look like they have had it to me.Since the ructions regarding the unseating of Malky emerged just before their game away to Liverpool they have taken just one point from twenty one,and that a home draw to Sunderland. On the one hand they are only a point off Fulham in 17th.on the other we are maybe beginning to see the detachment of the bottom four.Sunderland v Stoke tonight is a big game at the bottom.Our game at Cardiff is a crucial one for them.If they fail to break that 7game winless run then they are surely doomed,dooomed!
I agree CT, but the main thing is the results needed compared to City, as we now need 4 wins and 4 draws from 15 matches to reach 40 points. Cardiff now need 6 wins and 4 draws to reach 40 points. The bottom 4 are much nearer to being cast adrift now unless Sunderland beat Stoke and West ham win at Chelsea tonight.
