Which needs to come first? Obviously in an ideal world to avoid relegation both happening in the same game would be the answer. However - especially away from home, I feel that the latter is the starting point. My instinct like many I presume is that it`s already too late to save us this season so progress to me would be to stop conceding, especially away from home is or should be the starting point. I was hoping this would be the priority for the present coach when he took over but this doesn`t seem to be the case (reference the FA Cup game). Probably already done to death but 2 defensive central midfield players would be a start together with a return to last year`s proven back 3. Do we know if Helik is fit again and whether Sibbick will ever feature again? Sorry about the ramblings of an old duffer!
I'd prefer us to concentrate on scoring, just for entertainment value as we're going down anyway. I'd prefer to watch us lose 3-1 or 4-2 than a load of dour 1-0s
Don`t disagree but successful teams don`t have to go away week in and week out and score 2/3/4 to win. I`m just hoping that clean sheets may turn into the occasional success.
Still doesn't change the fact that you can't win without scoring. I don't mind working on the defensive aspect, but as sh it as we've been this season we've not been shipping bags of goals. Our biggest problem is a non existent midfield and a catastrophic lack of goals.
I think we’re at the stage where we have simply to go out from the off and get that first goal, if that means backs to the wall for the rest of the game then so be it, 3 points has to be the priory now.
I don't think you can focus on one then the other latterly. Simple because to change to a more attacking approach, you change your shape and positioning of players and that then affects how you defend. It comes down to the coach to shape the team to his vision as far as they are able as soon as possible. He's had a good amount of time in post now with a few breaks to groove his methodology. As others have touched on, it's our midfield thats the problem. I don't think the defence is that bad if there is pressure on the ball and they know their jobs. I don't think the front line (with Woodrow) is that bad if they are given service. As we've seen, with the same midfield options, the same outcomes are likely. Having said that, we now have a game in hand on Reading and if we could somehow nick a win for that game in hand, the gap is only 5 points. We've been lucky so far that this season has perhaps the weakest championship I can recall, though on the other hand, it makes it all the more galling we're bottom of the league given other teams points deductions.
I looked at the table for the first time in a couple of months and thought it is possible to avoid relegation provided we go on a run of wins. Odd win here and there won't be enough. We need 3 or 4 on the spin to restore a bit of parity.
If we had the perfect defence and were unable to score, a league campaign of 46 0-0 draws would relegate us on 46 points. I agree that there has to be a foundation of defensive solidity, and for a new coach coming into a losing team it is probably nearly always the most immediate fix that is required. However, it's probably also an easier one to implement than to fix a team that can't score goals.
He said that was his priority when he came. Anderson is back and I've not see marked improvements beyond what I'd expect from having a more experienced player back I personally like to see goals, and it's those that get you all 3 points and confidence. Hanging on for a grim 0 0 draw, devoid of chances can't be why you play or watch football surely?
Can't lose if you don't concede. Not conceding may not entertain but it guarantees a point. Not scoring guarantees nothing.
I'd be pleased to throw caution to the wind and go all-out attack. Even then it might only lead to a few 2-0 type wins, and the risk of an occasional drubbing, but the 'few wins' would suit me in my final year as an ST holder* and give me something to look forward to of a weekend. *Current mood.
But it’s the draws that really aren’t helping us. We’ve lost the same number of games as Hull and Cardiff. Peterborough have lost more games than we have, but have only drawn half as many as us and that’s why they’re above us. Replace half of our draws with wins and the bottom of the table would be much tighter.
If we won 3 or 4 on the spin, we could be quite a few points clear. You often see a big turn in results as the season reaches its conclusion with lower teams picking up points and higher up teams choking a bit. I don't think it will need the usual level of points to survive. Maybe even mid 40s will be enough. But at this stage of the season, I think we are in the position we deserve. Whether we can muster survival, I doubt, but we're not as far from safety as we'd expect given our dreadful run of form, lack of scoring and lack of wins.
What worries me is that seems all that Poya is interested in. They certainly cannot do any shooting practice because all of them seem too frightened to for some unknown reason
So am i but we havent really tightened at the back under poya either imo. West brom could have had a cricket score had it been for not finishing so could Blackburn the preston goals were embarrassing as was conceding 4 against 10 men barrow.
Not scoring guarantees that you don't win. If we drew every remaining game we'd finish on 36 points. You can be successful and ship lots of goals, just look at our 99/00 season with big Kev Miller between the sticks. We need goals, for confidence and to have any chance of picking up a substantial number of points. Scoring also makes us harder to play against.
