Not really a moaning type thread but do we all agree that with 11 games played the table is starting to reflect reality now? Cardiff getting a point against Man U has left a 2 point gap for us now to reach the teams above and they look a decent side tbh. I think it's going to be very close this season for us and there does not seem to be any signs of improvement or consistency from us to think we are capable of anything more. Also we have some injuries in key areas of the squad such as Tettey, Snodgrass, Pilks and RVW. Us having to play Murphy is a sign that our squad is depleted. Let's hope our injured players come back soon and have an immediate impact as it may be our only hope. What really concerns me is our away form, it is shocking.
One small positive - 7-0 v Citeh doesn't look quite as bad... As for the table, yes. There are some anomalies though - I don't see Southampton staying the course, as impressive as they've been. I also don't see any of the teams up to Hull pulling much further from the bottom three for a while, either. If we're in this position at the end of January, I'll be very concerned. At the moment, I think Hughton's time is drawing near because he's lost the fans, but I don't see him taking us down.
But how many fans actually want CH out? Given that City have a fan base of at least 30,000+, how many want him out? I have to say that it is crucially important that City stay in touch, but they are in touch now and have a winnable match against Palace coming up. A poor performance and a loss, or even a disappointing draw will put even more pressure on. What is plan B though? A manager who knows the PL like Pulis? You have to ask why Stoke wanted rid of him. Who else then? A foreign manager who may or may not know the PL? A big gamble, IMO.
The situation now is very different from the situation at the start of the 2009-10 season. McNally and the board are in a position of strength, with the club in the best shape it has ever been off the field. They will make their own decision on CH independently of any fan reaction -- and rightly so. And just to add to Rick's post, if you were McNally listening to the grumbling of the discontented section of fans, would it not occur to you that you have no way of guaranteeing that they will be satisfied more than temporarily by any replacement you might conceivably bring in? The respite you might get by terminating CH's contract is likely to prove brief given the particular mindset.
This chap likes to wear a V neck sweater and suit or perhaps big Guus Hiddink ?<maybe a tad pricey> please log in to view this image
Depressing to who? People who started the season with unrealistic expectations? Superman said all along that it will be another season of fighting for survival; others said the most we should hope for is relatively comfortable survival (which is still perfectly possible, even likely). It's so-called "supporters" who are most depressing.
It's not about expectation setting, I thought we would be in a scrap from the start Robbie Doesn't make it any less stressful IMO the reality of it
I don't think it was just people having unreal expectations, I think because we spent a lot (for a club of our size) in the transfer window people thought that the performances would be improving and with that the points would come. That's the thing Robbie, there has been none or very little improvement in the way we play and the results since CH got the job. This is why some of the fans are doubting CH, the way we approach away games is terrible and our goal scoring record is not too good either. The solid defense that we have built our team on last season has eroded and it looks like a bit of a shambles at the moment.
Robbie, it's also worthwhile remembering that the club have raised expectations on more than one occasion in the summer, with talk of consolidating a mid-table position, toughening up the defence so we are harder to beat (which has gone horribly, horribly wrong) etc... Not to mention those fans who seem to know all about every player in Europe telling us how great our new signings were, and how great they would be in the PL.
at the end of the day it's only football so i don't get worked up about it robbie it's monday morning, i'm looking forward to a Superman post if he's around so to speak
Just look at last weeks, or the week before or the week before or the week before or the week before etc
My expectation was,at best,that we would stay out of the relegation spots.I think you must bear in mind that we are still odds against going down.We have still to play all the clubs in the relegation spots and I am guessing that we are probably the only club in that situation.
Such a wise old sage. I've stopped trying to form my own opinions and generally just like to take what he writes as gospel.
