| todays win 20:23 - Jan 1 with 9788 views | digswellhoop |
a bit like arsenal one win andits all ok NOT |  | | |  |
| todays win on 05:34 - Jan 4 with 1631 views | nix |
‘Isaw’ Looking at your table and where we were after 23 games (26 points), so based on a simple projection) we are on track for 52 points ; only two teams since 2004/5 have been demoted with 52 points or above, so it’s possible but not probable for us to be relegated if we continue along that trajectory.
After 26 games we have played 14 away matches and 12 home matches. Since only 8 of our 30 points have been gained away from home, we would expect to get slightly higher average points haul in our remaining matches.
We have also played 5 out of the 6 top teams at home already.
In the run of 6 matches without a win you mentioned we played three top six sides, Derby (a), Villa and Leeds, plus Notts Forest (who we haven’t beaten away since before the war) and a London Derby on Sky against Brentford, plus Preston away. That kind of run of games is unlikely to be repeated.
I agree that we can’t be complacent. We need to keep picking up points and we need to be able to pick up more points away from home and do better against lower level teams when we’re at home.
However I think most of us would have accepted two wins, two draws and one loss in our last five matches.
Also what your analysis doesn’t highlight, is that we have had appalling injuries to our defence over the first half of the season. With most of them now back and us starting to be able to play a regular defensive line up, we are looking more solid. We’ve only let in four goals in the last five matches, two of which were questionable penalties.
Personally, I want some stability in the club, and if we can keep Olly because results are just about good enough to keep us up, then I’d much rather do that. There is no doubt that the team spirit and playing for the badge is out of sight better than in previous seasons. |  | | |
| todays win on 06:32 - Jan 4 with 1611 views | Roller |
Our up turn in form dovetails with the return of Onuoha. This is no coincidence. A quick analysis of our season to date shows:
With Ned: 6W, 4D, 4L.
Without Ned: 2W, 5D, 7L.
Our much maligned captain is vital to our team; playoff challengers with him in the team, relegation without. |  | | |
| todays win on 06:37 - Jan 4 with 1609 views | danehoop |
| todays win on 06:32 - Jan 4 by Roller |
Our up turn in form dovetails with the return of Onuoha. This is no coincidence. A quick analysis of our season to date shows:
With Ned: 6W, 4D, 4L.
Without Ned: 2W, 5D, 7L.
Our much maligned captain is vital to our team; playoff challengers with him in the team, relegation without. |
Agree to a point, but the injuries to whole defence as Nix pointed out, is as relevant in this case. Chiefs return and absence has also coincided with the return of our other defenders. |  |
| Never knowingly understood |
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| todays win on 11:00 - Jan 4 with 1480 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
isawqpratwcity
I downvoted you as you are being knowingly or not, repeatedly obtuse. [Post edited 4 Jan 2018 11:53]
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| todays win on 17:18 - Jan 4 with 1365 views | W7Ranger |
| todays win on 06:37 - Jan 4 by danehoop |
Agree to a point, but the injuries to whole defence as Nix pointed out, is as relevant in this case. Chiefs return and absence has also coincided with the return of our other defenders. |
Which other defenders? |  | | |
| todays win on 23:48 - Jan 4 with 1254 views | isawqpratwcity |
| todays win on 05:34 - Jan 4 by nix |
‘Isaw’ Looking at your table and where we were after 23 games (26 points), so based on a simple projection) we are on track for 52 points ; only two teams since 2004/5 have been demoted with 52 points or above, so it’s possible but not probable for us to be relegated if we continue along that trajectory.
After 26 games we have played 14 away matches and 12 home matches. Since only 8 of our 30 points have been gained away from home, we would expect to get slightly higher average points haul in our remaining matches.
We have also played 5 out of the 6 top teams at home already.
In the run of 6 matches without a win you mentioned we played three top six sides, Derby (a), Villa and Leeds, plus Notts Forest (who we haven’t beaten away since before the war) and a London Derby on Sky against Brentford, plus Preston away. That kind of run of games is unlikely to be repeated.
I agree that we can’t be complacent. We need to keep picking up points and we need to be able to pick up more points away from home and do better against lower level teams when we’re at home.
However I think most of us would have accepted two wins, two draws and one loss in our last five matches.
Also what your analysis doesn’t highlight, is that we have had appalling injuries to our defence over the first half of the season. With most of them now back and us starting to be able to play a regular defensive line up, we are looking more solid. We’ve only let in four goals in the last five matches, two of which were questionable penalties.
Personally, I want some stability in the club, and if we can keep Olly because results are just about good enough to keep us up, then I’d much rather do that. There is no doubt that the team spirit and playing for the badge is out of sight better than in previous seasons. |
Cheers, nix, an excellent reply.
The last five games have helped us a lot. If this is the new form, we will escape relegation, no question. But the only consistent thing about Holloway is inconsistency: he looks like he's got it sussed, then we go through another points drought.
I don't think you are right about the imbalance between home and away games, nix. I make it thirteen apiece. Our away form is dire, of course, and I don't know why it should be as bad as that, but as long as we get enough points from somewhere.
That bad run did include some top teams, agreed, but at home. With wins against Wolves and the Blades, you might have expected perhaps a draw or two: inconsistency, again. As for the voodoo hoodoos - Forest away, Sky, London derbies - again, they are all in our own heads. There is no rational reason to automatically expect a bad outcome. Such superstitions haven't been confined to Holloway's stewardship, but they are something to be worked against.
Yes, we did have a shortage of defenders, I'd say more for the second quarter of the season rather than the first half, and even then, I think it was more about missing Ned's cool head than anything else. But like the complaints about a lack of strikers, we have a huge squad, and there are opportunities to ameliorate these deficiencies. We really need to formulate some Plan Bs and Cs and to work on them.
Who doesn't want stability? I did say that circumstances fall on the side of Holloway staying, taking into account that the relegation threat is receding, despite the lower sides finally finding some form. It also takes into account just how bad we are at finding decent managers. But stability is nothing against the disruption of dropping to League One. Knowing when to pull the trigger is about as difficult as finding the right manager.
Finally, Holloway's strong points. There have been games, both last season and this, when Holloway has crafted really good performances. Games that surprised, impressed, delighted. But again, inconsistency causes exasperation. See Clive's recent Millwall report for an example in that 'purple patch'. As for man management, Holloway should be, and is, better than Ramsey or Hasselbaink, given their ages and experience. But those two were also battling far greater inequalities in their squads, Ramsey especially. Holloway also has the unfortunate habit of making public criticisms that I'm sure must be counter-productive, and he isn't shy about picking favourites and leaving others out in the cold. Still, that is an good area of improvement.
I'm not concerned about the Cup game, but a decent showing against Burton would be very reassuring. |  |
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| todays win on 08:11 - Jan 5 with 1162 views | smegma |
| todays win on 17:18 - Jan 4 by W7Ranger |
Which other defenders? |
The ones that were injured ?? | | | |
| todays win on 09:54 - Jan 5 with 1132 views | terryb |
| todays win on 08:11 - Jan 5 by smegma |
The ones that were injured ?? |
But Baptiste & Robinson had been playing long before Ned returned.
This comment is not meant to be a slight against the improvement that has happened since the three started playing together. The balance in now right! | | | |
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| todays win on 09:58 - Jan 5 with 1126 views | W7Ranger |
| todays win on 08:11 - Jan 5 by smegma |
The ones that were injured ?? |
The only that's come back is Ned.
Perch is still out. Hall only a game or two. Furlong's not played for ages.
So I don't see that our upturn in form is down to other defenders as well as Ned coming back in. Baps and Robinson have been a constant presence bar the odd suspension and niggly injury. So Ned is the only long term absentee that has come back in to the side from what I can see. | | | |
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