(19-08-2018, 04:02 AM)woody Wrote: Not in my eyes. Our luck is going to run out soon and with that defense it could be a spanking we get.

Considering the recruitment during the close season, bar West Brom its been an abject start from a performance point of view. I would be happier if we were on zero points but the performances were good. The showing so far points to another long season.

Problem area from my point of view to start with are our two full backs are defensive liabilities. Luckily here we have two players in the squad who can probably solve that problem. Solve our problems there and there will be far less chances being created against us and our centre halves may be able to concentrate on defending their part of the pitch than having to worry about our wide.

Even after the West Brom performance, I was concerned that the show had been ran by Geddy. He was never going to be able to keep that level of performance up. He has gone quiet again and no coincidense that the team as a whole have done too. The central midfield position is vital to the overall performance of the team. Lose that part of the game and the rest is uphill. I never wanted Colback back to be honest, I would have rather us spent on a more dynamic player who can carry the ball, who has an edge and who can put a cruncher in to lift the mood of the whole team and crowd on a match day. In watson and Colback, we have two plodders who give defensive cover. Sorry but thats about all they bring to the table. 

The Portugese boys have yet to fire. There's promise there but so far thats been all. SUtton said on the radio yesterday that they were lightweight. Ok, no problem if you have the right combination in midfield but at the moment we havent and its not allowing them to show what they are good at. Ball at their feet and players running off them. Its not hapening.

Grabban is isoalted. He scores everywhere he goes so he hasnt become poor overnight, his performances are down to a team problems clearly. Long balls up to an isolated figure? Surely we have to improve our method of delivery to him and get players supporting quicker. That isnt so easy when we're on the back foot and lying so deep down the pitch. More midfield control required.

How do we put it right? Karanka surely has to drop the two full backs and pick Robinson and Byram. I honestly think the whole defense would be better as a result whether the central combination be Figs and Fox, Dawson and Hefele, the unit would improve. 

Midfield, we dont seem to have the player at the club who can take control of the centre of the park. Geddy has to be in the mod or perhaps better supported but in my mind, Karanka has to really colve that conumdrum. Sell Brereton and recruit? It may be the only answer.

I really think our problems can be much improved if those two areas are addressed, lets see.

Of a special mention to Pants. That first goal is his all day long. As a goalkeeper and especially one his size, that cross was his and he wants an almighty bollocking for that one. 6 foot 7 fairy who no forward fears. Similar scenario to Shilton Maradonna hand of God goal, we can all blame a bit of skullduggery but at the end of the day, a goalie has to be brave and do the necessary's when it matters. Anyone remember a German keeper called Harold Schumacher?

(19-08-2018, 08:47 AM)Turkish Wrote: 5 games unbeaten from a squad that has had an absolute overhaul, performances have been extremely patchy which is exactly to be expected  when you have such massive changes, however the never say die spirit is in abundance and results breed confidence confidence brings this squad closer together quicker and performances follow

Its small steps not wholesale changes that are needed but again it won't be long before they are up to speed, to think that good performances and no points at this stage of the season would be anything other than disastrous to the point fans talking new manager would be at least whispers in the air by this point are testimony to a complete misunderstanding if you think 6 points in 4 games is anything less than what you should be hoping for

This is not a fingers crossed and hope half the squad come good season this is a squad that is good enough to challenge not by a long way Soudini is being carefully managed and will no doubt start next Saturday Dawson won't be far behind and over the next few games fitness levels aside Robinson and Byram will become the first choice fullbacks. We now have a week to prepare for 3 games in 7 days and again AK will be thinking about managing fitness, it wouldn't shock me if its more of the same this side of the international break

We have our part to play and as fans and what a part we are playing unprecedented season ticket sales, sell outs and large away contingents and this is holiday season.  It would be an absolute crying shame if we cannot show a little bit of patience and allow the team time to gel and build the combinations across the team that can flourish

IMO the opening comments are an over reaction, not withstanding reference to the performances which are absolutely spot on we have got out of jail 2 times now however that being the case we get 4 extra points for Brizzle who we should have beaten easily and WBA who should have been long dispatched before the last 20 minutes of daftness took place but that's football for you

The original question is so far so good, I reckon you've hit the nail on the head with that, not great, not brilliant, not anything to write home about or get overly excited about, just a good old fashioned scrappy, some good, some bad performances underpinned by a 5 game unbeaten run which for me turns average into good

(19-08-2018, 01:41 PM)Sausage Roll Wrote: I'm satisfied with the start we've made. Not blown away but not downcast either. I'd say we probably deserve one point more than we've got, having dropped two against WBA but stolen one from Wigan.

If was probably unrealistic to expect us to immediately start playing teams off the park with 13 new players to bed in. We've shown how well we can play against West Brom, now we need to see it more consistently.

The defence needs to improve, no question. I like Osborn but it sounds like he struggled vs. Wigan so perhaps it's time to give Robinson a start in the league now. Darikwa is good going forward but gives the ball away a lot and can get caught out defensively - he got skinned for Wigan's penalty. I hope Byram gets in the team soon as I think he's the better player.

I don’t feel Fox has done much wrong, if anything Figueredo has looked the more shaky, so maybe it's time to get Dawson back in if Hefele isn't quite ready yet.

Colback does so much that isn't noticed so for me he should start every game in the league. Guedioura has been outstanding - if he's injured for a while then the choice is between Watson and Yates I guess.

Carvalho has shown in fits and starts what he's capable of, which is what I'd expect. He's barely more than a kid in a new team and country - I think it'd be wrong to expect him to run games already. His pressing and pass for Cash's goal vs. Wigan were excellent. Dias looks pacy and dangerous, just Gonclaves been a bit off the pace as yet.

It's a shame Grabban didn't bag the penalty as the goal would've done him the world of good. Feels a bit early to be writing him off yet though. I'd be using Brereton as his understudy rather than Murphy but it seems his future could lie elsewhere so I hope we bring someone else in - we'll need to.

Soudani looks a real character and livewire and has to be pushing for a start soon. Cash has shown a tremendous attitude. Left out of the team at the start of the season but played his way back into it. I do wonder if Brereton has been sulking a bit and that's why we're considering the offer?

We're four league games in, still unbeaten and at the right end of the table without having played brilliantly yet aside from one game. I think there's a lot to be optimistic about. If it gets to ten or fifteen games and we're still talking about waiting to click or hit our stride then maybe there's cause for concern. For me I'm pretty happy as I think there's so much more to come.

(20-08-2018, 11:20 AM)optimistic_red Wrote: I think we're had a steady start. Agree that so many changes it's unlikely that we'd blow every team away.
The full-backs are an obvious problem, we have the replacements so get them in the team.

I'd like to see Karanka change the plan if it's not working, but he just changes players. Sometimes 4231 isn't going to do it, there are other formations, it can't be that hard to train to have a plan b or even c!

However, we are unbeaten. Still think that there is better to come and plenty of time. COYR

(19-08-2018, 10:14 PM)Sizzler Wrote: Maybe expectation was set too high after the euphoria of our summer recruitment drive?