Well let's have a look at those draws shall we? Cardiff 1 - 1 Reds QPR 2 - 2 Reds Reds 1 - 1 Brum Stoke 1 - 1 Reds Reds 0 - 0 Blackburn An away point to start the season in a game where we came from behind. Great goal from Sibbick following Benson's pass. More corners, more possession, the same number of shots, less shots on target. Conclusion? A good point. We probably should have won against QPR - throwing away a 2-0 lead. Having said that, in the second half, QPR dominated the game and probably deserved a point according to match stats. However, it's a little frustrating to concede so late. Goals from Frieser and Woodrow. Conclusion? Should have won. Birmingham at home wasn't a great performance - however they're a decent side. Styles put us in front, but the away side had most of them game and deserved the point. At home though, we would all prefer it if we were on the front foot more, but sometimes the opposition don't allow this. Conclusion? Deserved to lose, but gained a point. Stoke away? Great point at a terrible place to visit. Incredible goal from Woodrow. Another point from a losing position. Conclusion? A point at Stoke on a cold Tuesday night? We'd have all taken that. Blackburn at home. Had most of the possession. Created most chances. Had most corners. Again should have won. However, they're 6th. I think they're a good side. Mowbray is no idiot. Conclusion? Should have won, disappointed we didn't. --- Looking at those games, our away performances have been very good. To go to Cardiff, Stoke and QPR and return unbeaten is fine by me. We should have beaten Blackburn, and were poor against Brum. --- Could the manager maybe risk a little more in the home games? Possibly, but he made changes that were available to him at the time, and still he has numerous attacking players either injured, unfit or missing for other reasons. --- Upcoming fixtures: Blackpool (A) Forest (H) Millwall (H) Reading (A) Middlesbrough (A) I think we'll get 9/10 points from those 5 - which will give us 17/18 points from the first 13 games - a PPG that would see us with 64 points to end the season. At the minute I don't see the panic - if we've only 10 points after 13 games, then maybe we ask a few questions. Anyway, I've finished my poo. Hope this helps.
We'd be 13th if we'd got a deserved win against Blackburn. Yet certain quarters are calling this Saturday a relegation six pointer.
Correct & losses will put you even nearer , however there are another 38 games to go which will decide our season
I largely see it the same way. The injuries / visa malarky have left us well under strength. We've still pulled out some decent results, if the entertainment levels haven't always been the best.
Should of could have would have..... we need to start turning draws into wins. We should have beat Blackburn but they could have won it with collins pulling off 2 good stops. Like you say I'm hoping for a decent return of points from the next fixtures the lack of goals in worrying.
but that is concerning in its own way. The reason we’re not winning is more down to lack of quality in our attack than it is about the quality of opposition. 2 goals from 4 games is a cause for concern. As is 4 points from the last 6 games. If we’re still a point per game or less going into the international break the concern becomes worry.
Anything relating to performance not being as we want it is unconcerning. Is it meltdown concerning though when you consider the squad and players we’ve had available? Context to what I was saying is everything. Anyone would think we’re bottom of the league showing zero promise reading some comments.
QPR and Cardiff were decent points. We should have beaten QPR but on paper, is a solid one. Stoke are the same. Horrible place to go and despite them probably deserving three points based on the chances they managed, a point is a point. Unfortunately I do not agree with Brum and Blackburn being good sides and are teams we should be beating at home if we want to do anything this season. Birmingham played us off the park and despite us arguably being the better side against Blackburn, we still looked pretty toothless. Birmingham and Blackburn will be closer to the bottom of the pile come the end of the season than the top, no matter the position they are now. Both bang average side, especially Birmingham who should have got all three points at our place. I expect us to get nine points like you say. Definitely six points from the two home games and we should really be beating Blackpool. The Boro and Reading games could go either way.
We’re in danger of getting #TeamsLikeBlackpool trending! I’d take four points providing things are starting to look up better as players gain fitness. Would be a poor return if performances were similar to Birmingham and Stoke. Realistically through we’ve got to be hoping for 5/6 points from the next three games to get our season going.
You’re right, looks arrogant from me and don’t mean to be! Bang on about next three games. Not going to get nine in those three. If we pick up five or six, hopefully we look at winning at either Boro or Reading.
Why turn up to the games unless we look to be able to win them? "Oh it's Middlesbrough". " Could be a draw that". " 0-0 or goal scoring draw?" "0-0 bore draw". "I'll give it a miss then". I'm glad the 11 on the pitch decide what happens. It's ironic that even the most optimistic on here are that conservative with their predictions they'd have us down by Christmas. Telling people not to panic, urging calm and then tipping 5 points before international break. I'd be very surprised if we aren't in bottom three with 13 points at international break.
I said in a thread a few weeks ago we right now had draws from games we should have won. We maybe should have done better but given the disruption in squad i am not too unhappy. But the trajectory aint good if we continue like this. The next 5 games will give a better picture. Im working on the principle that we will pick more points up due to a) more options and quality to select from b) players now starting to adjust to the new setup. im not over impressed by the balance so far and we definitely have to improve in performances to win games. So i expect this weekend to start the kick on.
It's just variance though in such a small sample - that's the whole point of people saying not to panic after just 8 games. If we're still in this position after 25 games, then questions probably need to be asked. But after 8 games, a boat load of injuries, and a pretty difficult run of fixtures, there's no reason for everyone to be Corporal Jones!