waving automatic promotion goodbye

[lenners]

If you're serious about it, you don't go into a match like we did last night.
We've spent £3m on a striker who looks worth less than the one we bought for £300k and we haven't even got a replacement centre half.
For a manager who builds on the basis of tight defence, it's barking.
The league's different this year, the teams that came down are evidently stronger and that's where we needed to be competing.
Seven games in and the chance to compete has more or less already gone.
Very poor management and not just from Blackwell. McCabe should never have allowed this situation to arise.

 

[beechblade]

Were you at the match?

I wasn't myself. I agree that we should be going in with cover for CB position but as or Evans from what I heard he played well when he came off the bench, missing a good chance and clipping the bar??

Wasn't it 1.5mil with a clause to take it to 3mil.

We have lost one game out of 7, when we beat the unclean friday thats 6 points out of 9 I'd expect us to beat Ipswich and that gives us 9 out of 12 pts this month I'd be happy with that.

 

[mattbianco1]

Seven games in and the chance to compete has more or less already gone.

We've got another complete muppet here boys!!

7 games in and we've lost our chance of promotion. Are you forgetting that there is still 117points to play for?

 

[lenners]

Were you at the match?

I wasn't myself. I agree that we should be going in with cover for CB position but as or Evans from what I heard he played well when he came off the bench, missing a good chance and clipping the bar??

Wasn't it 1.5mil with a clause to take it to 3mil.

We have lost one game out of 7, when we beat the unclean friday thats 6 points out of 9 I'd expect us to beat Ipswich and that gives us 9 out of 12 pts this month I'd be happy with that.

No, didn't go but how far are we already from automatic?
The comparison between our result at Coventry and Middlesbrough's last night, in a similar type away match, speaks volumes.

 

[lenners]

We've got another complete muppet here boys!!

7 games in and we've lost our chance of promotion. Are you forgetting that there is still 117points to play for?

Our only hope of promotion is automatic and the pattern of results and strength of other teams is already staring us squarely in the face.

 

[mattbianco1]

Our only hope of promotion is automatic and the pattern of results and strength of other teams is already staring us squarely in the face.

No! We've got teams like Wednesday laying down and just letting the relegated teams turn them over. Wednesday lost 3-1 at home to Middlesbrough last night. Newcastle and WBA are still unbeaten.

We played WBA & Middlesbrough and i thought that on our day we would beat them.

the quicker other teams start realising that the 3 relegated clubs aren't invincible the better. they'll tail off soon. And i don't think they'll know what's hit them or how to react, especially Middlesbrough and Newcastle. they haven't experienced this division for sometime. when they start losing, we'll still be plodding along working our way into the top 2.

 

[beechblade]

No, didn't go but how far are we already from automatic?
The comparison between our result at Coventry and Middlesbrough's last night, in a similar type away match, speaks volumes.

It speaks that we need cover, and I'd say it speaks volumes that were taking more chances than we did at Middlesbrough those goals last night would normally win games, its a shame we made a costly mistake and I'm sure its top of the agenda off the field. On the field this team is very capable, even weakened at the back we are scoring, we do need the likes of Hendo and Evans, Quinny, Taylor to take there chances when they are in those positions and am sure they will start scoring as the team is seemingly getting used to each other and getting better each game. Mistakes happen it cost us but its far from the end of the season.

 

[Darren]

We've got another complete muppet here boys!!

7 games in and we've lost our chance of promotion. Are you forgetting that there is still 117points to play for?

Lenners is the old "lendegoey1" from BU. He was a much loved character there whose whole persona was based around (a) predicting that United would lose every game and (b) claiming that the end of the world was nigh whenever we lost a game.

He used to wind people up with this attitude until everyone realised that he wasn't entirely serious and that one should deal with his posts in the spirit with which they were intended.

Len is also an intelligent chap with good left wing views and the more you know him, the more you grow to love him...

 

[Deleted member 2102]

1st away defeat in 20 games - yes the wheels are really coming off - get real.

 

[Houso]

If you're serious about it, you don't go into a match like we did last night.
We've spent £3m on a striker who looks worth less than the one we bought for £300k and we haven't even got a replacement centre half.
For a manager who builds on the basis of tight defence, it's barking.
The league's different this year, the teams that came down are evidently stronger and that's where we needed to be competing.
Seven games in and the chance to compete has more or less already gone.
Very poor management and not just from Blackwell. McCabe should never have allowed this situation to arise.

You know I'm a fan Lenny, but you can't poke your head in after we lose when you've been quiet in recent weeks

 

[beightonblade]

We never waved hello to it !

 

[Revolution]

1st away defeat in 20 games - yes the wheels are really coming off - get real.

This is not the first time I've seen this line today about 1st defeat away in 20 games. I know we were awful, but everyone seems to have forgotten last seasons Burnley league match...

And he didn't say the wheels were coming off.

And this:

we haven't even got a replacement centre half. For a manager who builds on the basis of tight defence, it's barking.

Is 100% on the money.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Well you, see, Houso, the way the forum thread pattern is designed doesn't allow him to be seen everywhere does it?

Mind you he has a few good points in that post, along with the occasional barking two or three.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

You know I'm a fan Lenny, but you can't poke your head in after we lose when you've been quiet in recent weeks

His PC's been broken only just got it fixed

Last night result sounds like a bad day at the office, a case of bad defending and not taking our chances.

 

[Guesty]

Losing away to Coventry really scuppered us the last time it happened didn't it?

 

[Trigger Blade]

I was a bit doubtful until now whether lenners was really len, the style was softer and the trademark every silver lining has a cloud, wrist-slitting style seemed a bit absent.

I have to say though that this post has convinced me, welcome back to the old len!

Yes, our second away defeat in a year, absolutely shocking.

I came away last night feeling pretty upbeat. We're attacking much better than last year, quick incisive, proper passing football, undone by untypical shortcomings at the back. I felt sorry for Kyle Walker, he shouldn't have to be a makeshift centre back and the absence of Killa really cost us, almost certainly, two points.

 

[lenners]

I was a bit doubtful until now whether lenners was really len, the style was softer and the trademark every silver lining has a cloud, wrist-slitting style seemed a bit absent.

I have to say though that this post has convinced me, welcome back to the old len!

Yes, our second away defeat in a year, absolutely shocking.

I came away last night feeling pretty upbeat. We're attacking much better than last year, quick incisive, proper passing football, undone by untypical shortcomings at the back. I felt sorry for Kyle Walker, he shouldn't have to be a makeshift centre back and the absence of Killa really cost us, almost certainly, two points.

Thanks, your post pretty much underlines the point I made.
I didn't say we've been shocking, I said we were under-prepared which we blatantly are.
I said we couldn't afford to be this season because it already looks much stronger than last.
We were undone by not having proper cover at the back - the kind of cover any team with genuine promotion credentials would have.
Just jobbing along with fingers crossed won't be good enough this year. Middlesbrough lost a key centre half and have already replaced him. Pissing about with just two centre halves was always ridiculous.

 

[Pinchy]

He wasn't 'much loved' at all, Darren. BU is dead and thank goodness for that. This is a completely new and much more attractive community. I sincerely hope that Lenners will continue to contribute in the way he has so far rather than revert to De Goey. Do you really want to revive the old style nonsense? It rather sounds like you do I'm afraid; Trigger too. It's rather sad and an unwelcome development.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

I was a bit doubtful until now whether lenners was really len

Course it is, funny how our wins at Reading and Derby and the fact we're the only team to keep a clean sheet against Boro so far don't 'speak volumes' yet our first defeat blatantly does.

Of course his points about CB cover are valid as most of us have been saying since Bromby went.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Just jobbing along with fingers crossed won't be good enough this year. Middlesbrough lost a key centre half and have already replaced him. Pissing about with just two centre halves was always ridiculous.

Replaced him with a £3-4 Million signing incidentally money we don't seem to have at the moment.

 

[lenners]

Course it is, funny how our wins at Reading and Derby and the fact we're the only team to keep a clean sheet against Boro so far don't 'speak volumes' yet our first defeat blatantly does.

Of course his points about CB cover are valid as most of us have been saying since Bromby went.

And it cost us three points or even one and puts us further away from the top two.
Skating on thin ice was never a good idea and a really bad idea when the heavyweights in this league are particularly heavy this year.
As for spending millions on a centre half, probably not but if we were going to buy one and then sell him in the space of about six months you'd think we'd have someone else lined up.
As someone once said, it's not rocket science.

 

[MAQ]

If you're serious about it, you don't go into a match like we did last night.
We've spent £3m on a striker who looks worth less than the one we bought for £300k and we haven't even got a replacement centre half.
For a manager who builds on the basis of tight defence, it's barking.
The league's different this year, the teams that came down are evidently stronger and that's where we needed to be competing.
Seven games in and the chance to compete has more or less already gone.
Very poor management and not just from Blackwell. McCabe should never have allowed this situation to arise.

WHat a completely bizzare statement to make, As has been mentioned before, first defeat in 20 and all of a sudden the season is over. You must be a REAL joy to be around!

We've got another complete muppet here boys!!

7 games in and we've lost our chance of promotion. Are you forgetting that there is still 117points to play for?

This is exactly the right statement matt.

less than 10 games gone and we have started the season well even if we arent playing the best football. One defeat in 20 doesnt mean that the season is lost.

Yes we are battling against the relegated teams, and yes they are still undefeated, but lets be fair, we all knew that the season wasnt going to be straight forward and easy. The relegated teams were always going to pose a threat to automatic promotion, but they are the ones under the pressure to maintain the unbeaten run. they anly need to pick up a few injuries and that run can be under threat straight away.

This is exactly the DOOM and GLOOM that we dont need

 

[oldblade]

His PC's been broken only just got it fixed

Last night result sounds like a bad day at the office, a case of bad defending and not taking our chances.

His PC breaks every time we win!

But, as others have said, he is right about the lack of any cover in central defence.

 

[Micalijo]

Spot on with every comment.

I'm really disappointed with the defeat last night, much more so than with a regulation defeat where we have been outplayed. I don't ever recall a situation where one player missing has caused such disruption - as you say McCabe should be fuming about this lack of preparation. It's no good all you apologists saying it is only 3 points, another 117 to play for etc. Succesful outfis do not operate like we did last night.

Could Henderson have played at CB? Seriously I think he would have been more effective than Walker and it is essential to have Walker at RB. Can we turn him into one? At least this would get our £3m striker on the pitch.

3 points totally lobbed away and if Ryan France plays on Friday there is only one result.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

And it cost us three points or even one and puts us further away from the top two.
Skating on thin ice was never a good idea and a really bad idea when the heavyweights in this league are particularly heavy this year.
As for spending millions on a centre half, probably not but if we were going to buy one and then sell him in the space of about six months you'd think we'd have someone else lined up.
As someone once said, it's not rocket science.

No arguments there lenners, everyone agrees.

Given our 're-profiling', we were always going to be up against it if the relegated clubs hit the ground running. It's the same every year, if they adapt to the Championship, they are generally too strong. I still think we're about where we deserve to be, challenging for the play-offs. Unfortunately, we all know that'll end in tears

 

[Micalijo]

MAQ - I think you totally miss the point that Lenners is making.

He is saying I think that the lack of cover is a disgrace. We know all the stats you trot out but if we don't sign a CB immediately then yes the chances of automatic - already slim - are non-existant.

 

[oldblade]

1st away defeat in 20 games - yes the wheels are really coming off - get real.

That is not true.

Our last away defeat was on 20/4/09 at Turf Moor. Since then (and not counting last night) we have played 4 away league games and 1 away play off game without defeat. Although we did lose the play off final on neutral territory.

 

[Darren]

He wasn't 'much loved' at all, Darren. BU is dead and thank goodness for that. This is a completely new and much more attractive community. I sincerely hope that Lenners will continue to contribute in the way he has so far rather than revert to De Goey. Do you really want to revive the old style nonsense? It rather sounds like you do I'm afraid; Trigger too. It's rather sad and an unwelcome development.

I thought that by pointing out that Len is not to be taken seriously before people start getting aplopletic about his "outrageous" opinions I was actually trying to put a lid on the "old style nonsense".

And, come on, the late period self-referential post modernist Len was a bit of a licensed jester on BU and I think most people had a soft spot for him, he was a bit like your foul mouth cantakerous old granny who could be a pain in the arse but lovable underneath.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

That is not true.

Our last away defeat was on 20/4/09 at Turf Moor. Since then (and not counting last night) we have played 4 away league games and 1 away play off game without defeat. Although we did lose the play off final on neutral territory.

The stat they were quoting during the game was that prior to last night we'd only lost 1 away league game in 20, basically from the Wendy defeat through to Derby, we'd only lost at Burnley.

 

[Pinchy]

Spot on with every comment.



Could Henderson have played at CB? Seriously I think he would have been more effective than Walker and it is essential to have Walker at RB. Can we turn him into one? At least this would get our £3m striker on the pitch.

...and if Ryan France plays on Friday there is only one result.

2 good points Micalijo. Unless I'm very much mistaken, Hendo actually began his career as a centre back. It would have been far less disruptive to have utilised him as an emergency [an eminently foreseeable emergency, let it be said] defender rather than displacing the best young FULL-BACK in the league to a position he can't yet play and bringing in the hapless France who is comfortably the poorest and most urgently transferrable of Blackwell's recent recruits.

Another option would have been to play Taylor at centre back [at least he's 6feet tall, unlike Walker] and bring in Jordan Stewart at left back.

This really does need to be sorted before Friday!