Eight league games in and we've picked up seven points (as well as being booted out of the FA Cup). At this point during the Great Escape under Flitcroft's reign he'd added 16 points to our tally and got us through three rounds of the FA Cup with no splurge on big wages for the likes of Frimpong, Shea, Lawrence and Proschwitz. Just a bit of perspective.
But under Flitcroft this season, we'd accumulated just 11 points from 17 league games with a minus 19 goal difference. After complete financial backing. As you point out, we've gained 7 points from our 8 league games since Danny returned. Not a great total, granted. But the minus 1 goal difference points to an improvement defensively. Under Flitcroft, we averaged less than a goal scored per game. It's a goal per game under Danny, so it's not improved much, but his obvious concentration on making us more solid at the back hasn't affected us at the other end. The three games we've lost thus far under him were all by one goal, and two of them were perhaps unlucky defeats (Bolton, Wednesday) and even in the other we had late chances to scrape a point (Derby). So we're clearly a lot harder to beat now. We're 18th in the form table since Danny was appointed. Unfortunately, he needs a 'Flitcroft-esque' run of victories if we're going to be safe before the final day. I'll give you the cup run (or exit, this term). The biggest disappointment in his second reign for me. A trip to Arsenal would have been welcome, both for ticking a ground off, and for the club coffers. The cup run last year I think helped Flitcroft and his tubthumping style. It gave the squad another focus, a respite. I think Wednesday/Stuart Gray are basically going through a similar thing this season. As for our 'splurge' on big wages, I'm not so sure that's true or even relevant if it was. Flitcroft was very a much a part of the club even before becoming manager, and involved in recruitment. Wilson on the other hand, will have had very little knowledge of the players here when he arrived. He also took charge of the club during it's busiest period. So in summary, I'd suggest it was harder for Danny - circumstance wise - than it was for Flitcroft when they each took over as manager. Again, I think Wednesday/Gray are proving that theory this season. Interesting stuff, though. And a couple of wins/defeats in our next two fixtures and our mood/thoughts may alter somewhat. I know one thing already though, and that's that I prefer this BFC side/squad to the one Flitcroft had. Although, I feel Paddy is getting overlooked (unfairly so as well) just as Bobby/Jennings were by Flitcroft. Managers eh? They can't please us all.
The form of the other clubs at the bottom is worse than ours. If said form for all the clubs remains static we may just do enough to stay up I think. Only need a slight improvement and I reckon we are looking capable of that. The games in February are massive mind, got to beat Charlton and Millwall and we really can't afford to lose to Donny.
I think Danny's been extremely unlucky. In the main we've played good sides since he took over. We've only played two poor sides. Birmingham were relatively poor & we drew there & should've won it by all accounts. Obviously the Charlton game was postponed. In my opinion we'd of beaten Wednesday, we were just getting in the game & carried more of an attacking threat than they did before the sending off. He's had bad luck with a couple of players he's brought in, Frimpong looked a great signing but he messed up on his debut, he signed a quality right back in McLaughlin who unfortunately got injured in his debut. Hunt looked good but unfortunately can't do 90 mins at the minute which has cost us in the last 2 games. Our most creative player, Mellis spent a few games injured then has gone & got himself a 3 game ban. He brought Hassell in who did a great job against Leeds & Bolton but again unfortunately he's been injured. I think Danny's going to improve things, like others have said the games against those around us will be massive. I'm happy with him as he's improved Kennedy, he's moved on Wiseman, he's dropped the error prone M'Voto, Perkins who's legs looked gone to me has been moved on. Keep the faith.
I think there's been a tangible improvement in our team under Danny. We okay more as a unit. Players played in correct positions. Some of the deadwood axed and a couple of decent recruits. I can't see him keeping us up as I think it's too big an ask but at least now we are on the right track.
Yeah but there would have been lots of subtle changes to events leading up to the draw which would mean that the draw itself would be different, and whilst we might have drawn Arsenal, it's unlikely.
Both managers were left with a difficult situation, Flicker succeeded and Danny has a good opportunity to succeed and in my opinion will pull it off. Flicker also lost quite a few games by the odd goal and was said to be unlucky in games but its quite easy for folks to just point to the hammerings in the first few months and just to state he was ***** now he`s gone. Still it plays to folks agendas when trying to prove one manager is better than another.
Please can you elaborate. Would someone have given the bag a small extra shake because our name was on the ball rather than Coventry's?
There are loads of things that would have been slightly different - for example the highlights shown in the coverage before the draw would have been of a different game and of a different length and so the draw would have taken place at a different time, with different results.
