mozo Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 (edited) What do we make of our season after 10 games? Good start? Bad? Average? 1.5 ppg isn't too bad, and it's amazing that we're only 1 point off playoffs. I think it's fair to say we haven't looked like a top 6 side so far, but that doesn't mean to say we can't raise our game...? Edited October 4, 2023 by mozo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidercity1987 Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Pretty solid for the most part. Stoke is the only really annoying result so out of kilter with the game. At least Birmingham deserved to win. I think on balance we could have had a few more points. Our defence is stronger this season 8/10 , as an attacking unit could be better 6/10 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCFCGav Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 More good than bad, but the bad has been BAD (Birmingham (H), Stoke (H), tonight pre TC). Defense has been tighter than in previous years (even on Saturday we only faced 4 shots on target, we just let most of them in). Attack growing into the season nicely. New players bedding in well. Injuries and refs continue to hurt us, but that’s football… we do go get it bad though. Overall - B. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_bristol Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 We’ll never make the play offs until the refereeing improves. Four penalties in the last two games is a joke, we can’t sustain that sort of deficiency. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocking Red Cyril Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 As I have said before I think our key part of the season will be from Jan onwards. Hopefully all current inquired players back fit and with games under their belts. Current start not bad considering those players missing. Could be better or a lot worse. Just my thoughts any way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watkins1983 Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Most well drilled team we have had for a while IMO . Knight settling in well in midfield and we have cover in key positions we didn’t have last year (king playing centre back for example) Just don’t look good enough in the final third for me. That will be the difference. Good start to season for me 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Nige's first 10 games by season: 2021/22 - 13pts 2022/23 - 14pts 2023/24 - 15pts Slow progress. But progress, all the same. 11 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 9 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said: Nige's first 10 games by season: 2021/22 - 13pts 2022/23 - 14pts 2023/24 - 15pts Slow progress. But progress, all the same. (And 20/21 first 10 too, albeit very different circumstances!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Masked Man Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 If we hadn't dropped points to Stoke and Preston when winning we'd be in third place. We weren't one of the big spenders in the Summer so I think overall the team has been doing well. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT The Optimist Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 All in all, not too bad a start. Blighted yet again by major injuries. An expensive signing McCrorie out ‘injured’ until new year with some nasty bug. Never seen him play, a £2.0m signing. Who knows what difference he will make. Tommy out and missed, again huge benefit his return. Atkinson to return soon, as well as Zak…. All of a sudden with a change Lady Luck and injuries NP will have a match day squad headache who to leave out ? Nice to pick up something at Leeds. After Saturday played 11..quarter of season as good as… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cityboy1954 Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 45 minutes ago, watkins1983 said: Most well drilled team we have had for a while IMO . Knight settling in well in midfield and we have cover in key positions we didn’t have last year (king playing centre back for example) Just don’t look good enough in the final third for me. That will be the difference. Good start to season for me True midfield also not feeding the strikers enough passing tonight was abysmal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prankerd Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 19 minutes ago, The Masked Man said: If we hadn't dropped points to Stoke and Preston when winning we'd be in third place. We weren't one of the big spenders in the Summer so I think overall the team has been doing well. Spot on! Tbh, any complaining must see the progression at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoPal Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 I Feel that Tommy Conway's play will bring more penalytybility into the play ... give it a couple months tho ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Constant Rabbit Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Solid if inconsistent. Solid enough for a signing or two in January at the minimum. We can't hope that the squad won't pick up more injuries, so hopefully this start will be enough to loosen the purse strings. Top ten finish would be fantastic after all the injuries and the late Scott transfer. Plus another 2 years for NP. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron W Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Tonight was a test of character and we came through it, just. The mood change is tangible - now it feels like Stoke was a blip and 15 points really should've been 18. Had we lost tonight as we easily could've done, that's three defeats on the spin and a real bottom-half feel to things. Agree above on the defence looking solid but the attack needing a bit more. Perfect time for Conway to return. Get anything at Leeds on Saturday and we can be optimistic. It should be a bit of a free hit with the squad they've got, I think at the end of the next six up to QPR on November 11 we'll have a real idea of how this season is going to pan out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porto Red Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 50 minutes ago, DT The Optimist said: All in all, not too bad a start. Blighted yet again by major injuries. An expensive signing McCrorie out ‘injured’ until new year with some nasty bug. Never seen him play, a £2.0m signing. Who knows what difference he will make. Tommy out and missed, again huge benefit his return. Atkinson to return soon, as well as Zak…. All of a sudden with a change Lady Luck and injuries NP will have a match day squad headache who to leave out ? Nice to pick up something at Leeds. After Saturday played 11..quarter of season as good as… Pretty sure it was Nice Brest, guess you don't have social media Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 10 minutes ago, Ron W said: Tonight was a test of character and we came through it, just. The mood change is tangible - now it feels like Stoke was a blip and 15 points really should've been 18. Had we lost tonight as we easily could've done, that's three defeats on the spin and a real bottom-half feel to things. Agree above on the defence looking solid but the attack needing a bit more. Perfect time for Conway to return. Get anything at Leeds on Saturday and we can be optimistic. It should be a bit of a free hit with the squad they've got, I think at the end of the next six up to QPR on November 11 we'll have a real idea of how this season is going to pan out. I think tonight showed how 2 defeats on the trot can have an effect. A battling defeat at Leicester, followed by a good performance and a sucker punch at home to Stoke, can dent morale. And then you have to go to Rotherham, although lacking in quality, you know are gonna pump balls back to front and work their nuts off for the bits and pieces. It was a tougher test than had we win on Saturday, because a poor result tonight and a tough game at Leeds coming up builds pressure. We didn’t play well, we got dragged down first half, but we’re better second half, just very wasteful with our final ball. We controlled possession a bit more and moved the Millers around the pitch, creating space for diags. We will have much more confidence on Saturday now as a result of tonight. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderingred Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I’ve felt much more entertained watching City than I have in recent seasons, and to me that’s just as important as our improved results. I honestly think we’ve been great to watch in our games against Millwall, Hull, Swansea, WBA, Plymouth and Stoke (the latter absolutely robbed us). I’ve enjoyed watching Sykes and Knight in particular. If the rest of the season continues in this manner, and we finish 11th then I’d be satisfied. I’m a bit more concerned about our long term prospects, with the vultures likely to be circling again next summer, and little sign that we are able to spend. Hopefully Tins and the academy can keep churning out bright young players. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) Am reasonably happy. A few less injuries would be a real help, both for the 1st XI and competition, depth- that can help to improve the overall picture. A fully fit Conway for a long period, I think he can and will go up a level provided he remains fit for prolonged periods. 1.5 ppg is solid. The playing style generally quite enjoyable too. Oh please, please, please back NP sensibly in the market, offer him a 3 year deal and offer him most of the power over the squad and transfer activity. Edited October 5, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-S-M Seagull Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 2 hours ago, mozo said: I think it's fair to say we haven't looked like a top 6 side so far, but that doesn't mean to say we can't raise our game...? I don't think it is fair to say that. I think we should be at least 5 points better off as we should have beat Hull and Stoke. That would have seen us with a points per game of 2 which is usually promotion form. I think the points we have got so far have been earned, only just tonight tho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-S-M Seagull Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 6 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said: 1.5 ppg is solid. The playing style generally quite enjoyable too. This is the bit that excites me. We have achieved a 1.5 ppg without Conway who can be a 20 goal a season striker and without the likes of McCrorie and Atkinson. If Conway alone can help improve the ppg even just a little then we'll be in for a good season. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 When we are good we are very good when we are bad we are horrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) We're about where we should be. We've lost games we could have won, we've won or drawn games that we might've lost. The numbers are ok but not spectacular. We're taking more shots than in previous years, but fewer are on target and the xG per shot has dropped from 0.13 after 10 games last season to just 0.1 this season. I said we're taking more shots but not quite enough to compensate, and so total xG for the first 10 games has dropped from 14.7 last season to 12.3 this season. So the attack is looking weaker and less potent than at this stage last term. However, defence is tighter. We've allowed fewer shots, and fewer on target, and they've been lower quality. All very good. The numbers are therefore good. Right now it's looking like we'll score roughly the same number of goals than last season (maybe a couple fewer), but we should probably concede fewer. That should mean we finish with better GD and a better points total. We're not looking top 6 quality - the only way in which we are is in goals conceded - but any prediction of finishing 7th-12th is looking very fair. It is looking like another season of improvement, but we're not going up this time imo. Edited October 5, 2023 by ExiledAjax 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Isewater Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 6 hours ago, Ron W said: Tonight was a test of character and we came through it, just. The mood change is tangible - now it feels like Stoke was a blip and 15 points really should've been 18. Had we lost tonight as we easily could've done, that's three defeats on the spin and a real bottom-half feel to things. Agree above on the defence looking solid but the attack needing a bit more. Perfect time for Conway to return. Get anything at Leeds on Saturday and we can be optimistic. It should be a bit of a free hit with the squad they've got, I think at the end of the next six up to QPR on November 11 we'll have a real idea of how this season is going to pan out. Nigel has the happy knack of winning when it matters most. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy082005 Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 7 hours ago, cidercity1987 said: Pretty solid for the most part. Stoke is the only really annoying result so out of kilter with the game. At least Birmingham deserved to win. I think on balance we could have had a few more points. Our defence is stronger this season 8/10 , as an attacking unit could be better 6/10 Think this is a fair assessment . We will finish higher this season I think - but only by a few places. I still don’t think we are good enough to mount a playoff push 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wokingham Red Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I think where we are right now is probably where we’ll end up. Defensively we are much better this season but I feel we have missed Vyner recently, especially against Stoke. Going forward we can be outstanding at times but can also be so frustrating. Tommy Conway could end up being a catalyst but I worry about our lack of creativity. Obviously, Scott is irreplaceable but I really worry about the midfield three at the moment. All in all, I am the most enthusiastic about watching City since the 2017/18 season. Onwards and upwards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinmans Love Child Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 We just need to be in touch with the playoffs at this point for me, which we are. We easily could/should be on more points as well which although annoying is positive. It's all about the second half of the season which is where historically we seem to fall away. If we are within 6 points of the playoffs in Jan then it's all to play for. I think there are so many teams who are similar to us who have a chance, so hopefully the 3 years of Nige gives us a bit more? Time will tell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Its been decent. Defensively on the whole we look ok just need to cut out the mistakes. Attacking play obviously can improve but having Conway fit should help that. Probably say 7 out of 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozo Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 6 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said: I don't think it is fair to say that. I think we should be at least 5 points better off as we should have beat Hull and Stoke. That would have seen us with a points per game of 2 which is usually promotion form. I think the points we have got so far have been earned, only just tonight tho. I stand corrected! I even very much doubt that Nige would claim that we've shown the quality of a top 6 side, but maybe you've seen something that I haven't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cidercity1987 Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) 6 hours ago, W-S-M Seagull said: I don't think it is fair to say that. I think we should be at least 5 points better off as we should have beat Hull and Stoke. That would have seen us with a points per game of 2 which is usually promotion form. I think the points we have got so far have been earned, only just tonight tho. On the other hand , I think we got three extra points against Preston (1) and Rotherham (2) than they might think we deserved. We've left some points behind but not five. Edited October 5, 2023 by cidercity1987 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvio Dante Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I think we’re roughly where we deserve to be. It’s notable (but also a sign of resilience) that two of the four wins have come through injury time winners - no doubt Millwall and Rotherham will feel we got more points than we should there. I’ve watched all games bar Millwall and my feelings on what was merited from each game are: Preston - Draw, possible loss Hull - Draw Birmingham - Loss Swansea - Win WBA - Draw Plymouth - Win Leicester - Loss Stoke - Win Rotherham - Draw That says to me we’ve broadly got what was merited each game, drawing and winning games against PNE and Rotherham we probably could have lost and drawn respectively and losing a game we should have won against Stoke. Bizarrely, had the points come as merited we’d have exactly the same number now. With Conway and Weimann now fit, Vyner, McCrorie and Atkinson to come there are lots of reasons to be optimistic from a solid base. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spudski Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) The Progress chart of form for the last 10 games for all Championship sides. The likes of Boro, Leeds, WBA and maybe Southampton look like they are on the upturn. I still feel with the strength in this league that a top 10 finish would be a fine achievement. Top 6 for me would be astonishing. Go to table and press on ' Progress' above table. https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/7/Seasons/9622/Stages/22080/Show/England-Championship-2023-2024 Edited October 5, 2023 by spudski 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supercidered Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I think the Championship is living up to its reputation. This is demonstrated by the concertinaed look of the top half of the table. Much of where we will or could end up will be to a certain extent out of our control. In the main, that will be injuries and how long term those injuries are. All in all we look competitive and a division that apart from Leicester any team are there for the taking on a regular basis. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledAjax Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Silvio Dante said: I think we’re roughly where we deserve to be. It’s notable (but also a sign of resilience) that two of the four wins have come through injury time winners - no doubt Millwall and Rotherham will feel we got more points than we should there. I’ve watched all games bar Millwall and my feelings on what was merited from each game are: Preston - Draw, possible loss Hull - Draw Birmingham - Loss Swansea - Win WBA - Draw Plymouth - Win Leicester - Loss Stoke - Win Rotherham - Draw That says to me we’ve broadly got what was merited each game, drawing and winning games against PNE and Rotherham we probably could have lost and drawn respectively and losing a game we should have won against Stoke. Bizarrely, had the points come as merited we’d have exactly the same number now. With Conway and Weimann now fit, Vyner, McCrorie and Atkinson to come there are lots of reasons to be optimistic from a solid base. I think that overall it's a block of 10 games where, for once, points return, eye-witness judgement, and the statistics all align. xG and other numbers suggest that we could be on 16 points, with one extra win but two fewer draws. So it's pretty on par. There is potential optimism in terms of who may return, but we shouldn't discount the fact that as much as the football gods can give, they can just as easily take away. For every return of Conway or Atkinson there's a potential snapped ACL for Knight or a broken ankle for Pring. For every last minute wondergoal at Rotherham there's the Stoke debacle. It just feels like we aren't quite going to mix it with the top 6. Edited October 5, 2023 by ExiledAjax 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_bristol Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Birmingham must wonder how we’re (marginally) above them, cos we were absolutely dreadful against them, they looked a class above us. Just proves what a bonkers league we’re in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Fox Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Nigel Pearson , and the team , have done well with what we have. Should everyone stay fit , and our injured players return fit , we can improve, but the squad is thin, so further injuries and fatigue may scupper any chance of success. Think where we might be if our current side included a fit Alex Scott/ Tommy Conway. That is the opportunity we blew. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid in the Riot Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 18 minutes ago, Grey Fox said: Think where we might be if our current side included a fit Alex Scott/ Tommy Conway. That is the opportunity we blew. We are in no position to stop a player going to a Premier League club. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozo Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 31 minutes ago, Grey Fox said: Nigel Pearson , and the team , have done well with what we have. Should everyone stay fit , and our injured players return fit , we can improve, but the squad is thin, so further injuries and fatigue may scupper any chance of success. Think where we might be if our current side included a fit Alex Scott/ Tommy Conway. That is the opportunity we blew. I'm still fuming about Andy Cole leaving... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) 15 points from a possible 30 is a reasonable return. We’ve only been outplayed once (by Birmingham) in the league so far IMO, which has surprised me. If we hadn’t had injuries to Conway, Vyner, and Naismith at various stages we would be in the top six, so I think it’s fair to expect us to kick on now two of those are fit again and Vyner shouldn’t be far away. We’ve got nothing to fear from the next block of 10 either. Leeds and Ipswich will be big tests, while Cardiff are on a roll. But we should beat Sheff Weds, QPR, Boro, and Huddersfield to get at least 12 points and we can get at Southampton if Martin’s still in charge. Edited October 5, 2023 by tin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 5 hours ago, wtf said: When we are good we are very good when we are bad we are horrid Worst grand old Duke of York version I’ve heard! 2 hours ago, luke_bristol said: Birmingham must wonder how we’re (marginally) above them, cos we were absolutely dreadful against them, they looked a class above us. Just proves what a bonkers league we’re in. See, I thought they were ordinary, just that we gifted them the win. I didn’t think we were dreadful - we just gave balls away playing from the back and let them have easy chances on a couple of occasions. They didn’t do a lot else imho. For good spells in both halves we were fine, just going through a spell of not creating. Even down to 10-men we fashioned a great chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hinsleburg Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Feels like we were a bit of luck away from being 4/5 points better off. Also feels like 23 other teams would probably be saying the same thing... I think we are where we are on merit and there's certainly enough positives to suggest we may improve our position between now and January. It also feels like we are very light in some areas and the International Break has come at a good time to rest and aid players with injuries/niggles. Would like to see us hit a good run of form between now and January and be in a position to 'go for it' within FFP reason. That doesn't mean try dropping an extortionate amount on Diony but continue our model of signing young, hungry players who can compete for the first team. Two of those in the right areas (which may change between now and then) could potentially define our season and whether we finish 4th-10th or 11th-22nd... Now we could also suffer 3 or 4 injuries over the next 6 weeks and be in a relegation battle but I hope not... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonBristolian Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I think the positive is that we've performed decently despite having key players out at various points and that has to give you optimism that we can keep ourselves solidly top half as the season goes on. All our central defenders have missed at least one game and we've largely functioned without them and we've managed okay with McCrorie, Conway and Weimann missing. What's not quite so clear to me is how much of a ceiling for improvement there is at the team clicks together and those players (and Benarous) come back. My feeling is that - Conway aside - those players will help give us depth but won't transform our season. So essentially my feeling is we are well placed to finish a little higher than last season and feel confident we can maintain somewhere between 10th and 13th but I don't currently see the element that is going to take us into serious play-off contention. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 If Wells had scored that chance v Birmingham just after we had gone down to 10- might we have rallied and got a point or would the extra man and their counter attacking prowess have still told? The crowd was certainly up at that point as we were battling with 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W-S-M Seagull Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 5 hours ago, ExiledAjax said: We're about where we should be. We've lost games we could have won, we've won or drawn games that we might've lost. The numbers are ok but not spectacular. We're taking more shots than in previous years, but fewer are on target and the xG per shot has dropped from 0.13 after 10 games last season to just 0.1 this season. I said we're taking more shots but not quite enough to compensate, and so total xG for the first 10 games has dropped from 14.7 last season to 12.3 this season. So the attack is looking weaker and less potent than at this stage last term. However, defence is tighter. We've allowed fewer shots, and fewer on target, and they've been lower quality. All very good. The numbers are therefore good. Right now it's looking like we'll score roughly the same number of goals than last season (maybe a couple fewer), but we should probably concede fewer. That should mean we finish with better GD and a better points total. We're not looking top 6 quality - the only way in which we are is in goals conceded - but any prediction of finishing 7th-12th is looking very fair. It is looking like another season of improvement, but we're not going up this time imo. But probably worth remembering we had Conway available last season for those 10 games so it's difficult to compare the two blocks of 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFree Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Overall, pleased. Concerned that we don’t have much muscle or size in our team, and that we always struggle against those type of teams. Feel Max needs strong competition for his place. Feel we need a big number 9, not for continual use but for use when needed, a Moore type for me. Finally, keep hearing the Championship is mega-strong this year, but I’m not sure it is, perhaps Leicester aside. That said the quality gulf between us is absolutely massive and ever widening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Fox Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 3 hours ago, mozo said: I'm still fuming about Andy Cole leaving... The lack of a sell on clause also stings a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Fox Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 3 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said: We are in no position to stop a player going to a Premier League club. But we can plan for it, with two years remaining on the contract, agreement to sell next summer was not impossible. Brighton have managed their exits to the big boys , only allowing individual players to leave once they have a replacement in place. But there again , Brighton , want to , and have , got somewhere Now , let’s go beat Leeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Oil Services Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 3 hours ago, Davefevs said: Worst grand old Duke of York version I’ve heard! Think @wtf was thinking Mae West there, Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red-Robbo Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I think we have a so-so squad with a few nuggets of real quality and it only takes a few injuries to have people playing in less favoured positions and we look a bit lightweight. But Nige has built squad resilience, bonding, morale: all of our players now look as if they are determined to fight for points and happy to be here. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leveller Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) 54 minutes ago, Bristol Oil Services said: Think @wtf was thinking Mae West there, Dave The original is actually a poem by Longfellow: “When she was good she was very good indeed But when she was bad she was horrid “ (a little girl with a curl on her forehead, pronounced forrid). I think Mae West misquoted that as “and when I’m bad I’m better”. Edited October 5, 2023 by Leveller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petehinton Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 42 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said: I think we have a so-so squad with a few nuggets of real quality and it only takes a few injuries to have people playing in less favoured positions and we look a bit lightweight. But Nige has built squad resilience, bonding, morale: all of our players now look as if they are determined to fight for points and happy to be here. I think any team can say that re injuries though. Unless you have an insanely bloated expensive squad, full of broadly unhappy players who aren’t playing much. Like we had under LJ & MA, really. And even then free agents and loans covered injuries thereafter! I do think too much is focused on injuries tbh. It’s an absolute inevitability that it’ll happen over the course of the season. And if we did ever have a fully fit squad, even for just a game or two, the narrative would probably be “X can’t even get in the squad, he’s on loads of money, the squads too big” Im personally really happy with the balance we have. Squad is by far the most balanced with proper strength in depth that we’ve had for many many years. And it actually has some value in it too… Maybe riding our luck with GKs, but who knows how Bajic would be if required to properly rise to the challenge. Could be a revelation. Getting McCrorie and Atkinson back will be huge too, especially the former. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) Squad feels a bit thin although the return of Conway and Weimann is timely. Albeit Conway is just working his way back. Outfield- if we are by original position, fortunately we have players who can play in multiple in some cases. Dickie Pring, Roberts James, Naismith, Williams, Knight, Gardner-Hickman, King Sykes, Cornick Bell, Mehmeti Conway, Wells, Weimann 16 outfield players is too low albeit some versatility. As players return the situation eases but... Not including youth who have just pushed through but those who have been around at least a while. Edited October 5, 2023 by Mr Popodopolous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Squad is thin, in many respects purposely so, because of budget. It’s made to look thinner by being allowed 9 subs. Last season we’d have been leaving Nelson out and one other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozo Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 6 hours ago, hinsleburg said: Feels like we were a bit of luck away from being 4/5 points better off. Also feels like 23 other teams would probably be saying the same thing... I think that's a really good point. It's easy for us to focus on our own ifs, buts and maybes but every team will have their own. For example, Rotherham fans will say that if Blackett didn't do his hamstring, the result would have been different last night. Ultimately 10 games gives us a good progress check and 15 points is locked in. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityexile Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Done alright. Copied this from something I saw which does put it a little in to perspective however… The table the same day last year Most teams had played 11/12 games, Coventry had played 9 Sheff Utd were top - finished 2nd Norwich were 2nd - didn’t make playoffs (13th) Reading were 3rd - Relegated (albeit after pts deduction) QPR were 4th - Almost relegated Burnley were 5th - Champions Swansea were 6th - Finished 10th The play off sides were: 8th (Sunderland) 9th (Luton) 18th (Boro) 24th (Coventry) None of the Bottom 3 at the time got relegated. One of them made the playoff final (Cov) and the another nearly snuck in to the playoffs (WBA) The promotion, playoffs and relegation is not decided in October Still not time to get too worried or excited about what may come by end of the season Unless you’re a Sheff Wed fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 1 hour ago, cityexile said: Done alright. Copied this from something I saw which does put it a little in to perspective however… The table the same day last year Most teams had played 11/12 games, Coventry had played 9 Sheff Utd were top - finished 2nd Norwich were 2nd - didn’t make playoffs (13th) Reading were 3rd - Relegated (albeit after pts deduction) QPR were 4th - Almost relegated Burnley were 5th - Champions Swansea were 6th - Finished 10th The play off sides were: 8th (Sunderland) 9th (Luton) 18th (Boro) 24th (Coventry) None of the Bottom 3 at the time got relegated. One of them made the playoff final (Cov) and the another nearly snuck in to the playoffs (WBA) The promotion, playoffs and relegation is not decided in October Still not time to get too worried or excited about what may come by end of the season Unless you’re a Sheff Wed fan Surely Leicester top 2 or even Champions looks fairly nailed on too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozo Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said: Surely Leicester top 2 or even Champions looks fairly nailed on too? I suppose in comparison, Leicester could be the Shef United. Ipswich could be the Norwich. Boro could be the... Boro. Edited October 5, 2023 by mozo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkev Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 On 04/10/2023 at 23:07, watkins1983 said: Most well drilled team we have had for a while IMO . Knight settling in well in midfield and we have cover in key positions we didn’t have last year (king playing centre back for example) Just don’t look good enough in the final third for me. That will be the difference. Good start to season for me Might be different if we can firstly keep TC fit and secondly just keep TC , however a lot to chuck on a player so young , can’t knock nahki or Harry’s efforts but they don’t look overly threatening in front of goal , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkev Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 On 05/10/2023 at 09:11, spudski said: The Progress chart of form for the last 10 games for all Championship sides. The likes of Boro, Leeds, WBA and maybe Southampton look like they are on the upturn. I still feel with the strength in this league that a top 10 finish would be a fine achievement. Top 6 for me would be astonishing. Go to table and press on ' Progress' above table. https://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/7/Seasons/9622/Stages/22080/Show/England-Championship-2023-2024 Agree about Boro , Leeds WBA on the upturn and will get stronger as the season goes on , Southampton got the look of a win 4-0 one week lose 4-0 next week , as for us looking on the optimistic side we have decent players coming back which will deffo improve us , but we need to be lucky with injuries it seems like as soon as we get 1 or 2 back we lose 1 . Also on a serious note we really need to have more consistency not just us but with refereee decisions I know all teams of poor decisions against them but we really seem to have no luck at all 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 On 05/10/2023 at 10:24, tin said: 15 points from a possible 30 is a reasonable return. We’ve only been outplayed once (by Birmingham) in the league so far IMO, which has surprised me. If we hadn’t had injuries to Conway, Vyner, and Naismith at various stages we would be in the top six, so I think it’s fair to expect us to kick on now two of those are fit again and Vyner shouldn’t be far away. We’ve got nothing to fear from the next block of 10 either. Leeds and Ipswich will be big tests, while Cardiff are on a roll. But we should beat Sheff Weds, QPR, Boro, and Huddersfield to get at least 12 points and we can get at Southampton if Martin’s still in charge. Think Leicester outplayed us as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUTOR Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 On 05/10/2023 at 01:06, Mr Popodopolous said: Am reasonably happy. A few less injuries would be a real help, both for the 1st XI and competition, depth- that can help to improve the overall picture. A fully fit Conway for a long period, I think he can and will go up a level provided he remains fit for prolonged periods. 1.5 ppg is solid. The playing style generally quite enjoyable too. Oh please, please, please back NP sensibly in the market, offer him a 3 year deal and offer him most of the power over the squad and transfer activity. He already has. You could tell in pre-season. With him in the side we have an extra 4 points minimum this season, he really is that difference maker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozo Posted October 6, 2023 Author Share Posted October 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Super said: Think Leicester outplayed us as well. Yeah the Leicester game was positive in the sense that it was a valiant losing effort, but it was heavily in their favour. 1 hour ago, Super said: Think Leicester outplayed us as well. Yeah the Leicester game was positive in the sense that it was a valiant losing effort, but it was heavily in their favour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 2 hours ago, Super said: Think Leicester outplayed us as well. Yes, I thought that was obvious! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Popodopolous Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 1 hour ago, BUTOR said: He already has. You could tell in pre-season. With him in the side we have an extra 4 points minimum this season, he really is that difference maker. Perhaps. He is a major difference maker hut trying to think of games where he may have tipped the balance Hull away maybe? Point or 3 at home v Stoke? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUTOR Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said: Perhaps. He is a major difference maker hut trying to think of games where he may have tipped the balance Hull away maybe? Point or 3 at home v Stoke? Immediately thought of Hull and West Brom, but we had a spell with chances towards the end at Leicester and certainly could have done with him on the pitch on Saturday. At least 4 extra points from those four games with TC on I’m convinced of that. There’s not really a type of goal he can’t score Edited October 6, 2023 by BUTOR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davefevs Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 2 hours ago, BUTOR said: He already has. You could tell in pre-season. With him in the side we have an extra 4 points minimum this season, he really is that difference maker. Yep, Scott too, both looked massively hungry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 1 hour ago, tin said: Yes, I thought that was obvious! So Birmingham wasn't the only time...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tin Posted October 6, 2023 Share Posted October 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Super said: So Birmingham wasn't the only time...... If you want to pick hairs, you are right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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