1 defeat in 15 league games

Anyone who isn't a happy clapper. There are only 2 types of supporter, apparently. You have to be happy with everything or unhappy with everything. There is no middle ground, so don't be coming on here expressing any kind of critical analysis. It's either Minority Report or Majority Report. Nothing else exists.

 

At the start I was praying that we’d have a successful season by reaching mid table mediocrity

 

Think minority report has been seen off!!

 

My blood pressure would kill for a season of mid table mediocrity!
Or more to the point - it wouldn't

 

Oh how we pray for a season of mid table mediocrity!

 

Thought that's what we were signing up for this season but Val and the lads had other ideas!

 

Luton. Pretty much bob-on half way. 50 points. Looks good.
I was praying for that in September, hopefully some time before the last couple of weeks of the season.

We ain't done too bad.

 

This table sorts teams by the most points picked up in the last 15 games in England, France, Italy, Spain and Germany.

 

So only 2 points outside play offs in Europe

 

Level on points with Real Madrid.

 

No. 19. Clermont Foot.
I had that when I was a boy and had to put talc on it.

 

We need to work on our flipping goal difference though

 

Don't think we get enough credit for football we play - it is direct but we can knock it around as well.

 

Agreed. It's sad that trying to give an honest opinion is seen as disloyalty at times.

I've just watched yesterday's game. With the benefit of knowing the result which may have calmed the normal nerves I have to say we were never under pressure til the last ten minutes. We were very effective, controlled the pitch, had the better chances and looked much more up for it. Given the system we play we played it well and Luton didn't try to play the same way which often sees games descend into head tennis (am I allowed to say that?).
It seems no coincidence that we look better away as teams would, I imagine, be more reluctant to change their normal style of play on their own patch and that seems to play into our hands.
It was far from a great match but it wasn't too bad and, as I say, I thought we did what we do pretty well. Dike has made a massive difference to us.
As for flowing football there was virtually none but three points is adequate compensation for a fan. If I were a neutral though I don't think I'd be going to watch us. There are other ways of playing football than our style or the infuriating tippy tappy across the back. I'd like to think that at some point we can start to see our play be a bit more free flowing but for now getting up is the priority.
There, as a perceived boo boy I hope I've covered all my bases and tried to be as objective as possible without being too negative or wearing rose tinted specs.

 

I managed to watch the game yesterday which is a rarity for a non televised Saturday (well bank holiday in this case) game. First half, I thought we played pretty well and passed it a fair bit of the time. Second half, we did that less so. We look far more dangerous when the ball is on the floor and if we are using Woodrow or Morris in the build up. I know Dike is a freak of nature in terms of his strength, but it seems a waste, for him as much as anything, to play balls at him and expect him to work miracles. He's got searing pace and power, so a ball in front of him to run at is much more dangerous and suited to his game.

Asking him to control an 80 yard long ball neck or head high (if he's lucky) is ridiculous. He's strong, but he isn't a target man, despite his strength. Just like its ridiculous to do the same with Woodrow (who i thought was outstanding yesterday).

I've said many times before, I've no issue with putting a foot through it, or channelling it when under pressure. That will forever be sensible. I'm hoping we can transition more to a team that has more confidence on the ball and mixes play so that midfield can come into it more rather than just being encouraged to keep the ball off the grass for long periods.

The last 2 games have been better in spells though.

What I will say now, we're beyond the point of style now, it is literally about points with just 6 to go.

 

It's a double edged sword though, isn't it. If we were only about points until we had 50 and then experimented with styles, would we be happy? Or having shown we can get 50 points in record time by concentrating solely on points should we keep with a winning formula to try and get promotion?
Surely it's not better to do what what we did last season, which was to stick to a style that with the players we had at the time resulted in one win in eighteen.

I'm quite happy to watch Man City and Bayern Munich play lovely one touch football for my entertainment, and see us pick up 3 points every week winning ugly.

 

Not before time!

 

I just enjoy us trying to play good football. Always have, always will. If we win while doing it, even better. But I've seen many a game where I've enjoyed and admired how we played and yet taken nothing from it.