Are we underestimating this squad?

[ShockingBadBuy]

There has been a lot of (sometimes justified) criticism of our form since at least the World Cup. With a consensus of opinion, more or less, that we play halfway up the gears just long enough to win each game, then fall back into mediocrity.

There have been obvious exceptions. Burnley at home. Half a handful of games early doors in the season. Possibly also today, where I'd say we played mainly in 3rd, occasionally in 4th, and well within ourselves for most of the game, but still handed out a spanking to a steady-if-flawed-Champ-side.

So, ahead of the next and decisive run of games, I'm going to shout 'MAKE ME A CLAPPING HOSTAGE TO FORTUNE', and suggest that 'we' (meaning some of our supporters, inc plenty on this forum and sometimes me) have significantly underestimated the ability and potential of this squad.

Yes, if we go up, Hecky may need to develop his ability to be flexible with Plans A-F, particularly in-game. Yes, if we go up, we will need to spend a serious amount of money and hang on to key players. Yes, a good number of the current squad will need to be shown the door. And yes, we will need a new owner who has the capability to fund and administer a Prem club professionally.

But I do feel that we are in significantly better shape, with significantly better prospects for next year (if, if, if we go up) than many of 'us' have recently been willing to acknowledge.

Come at me.

 

[Caveblade]

Completely agree. Today was the best performance in while but this team / squad are very good at seeing out and winning matches.

It's not always as exciting or flamboyant as we would like it, but the table does not lie.

Hecky has done a fantastic job over the last 12 months. With the squad fit again I am hoping we may just kick on again to put this to bed.

 

[bakeblade]

There has been a lot of (sometimes justified) criticism of our form since at least the World Cup. With a consensus of opinion, more or less, that we play halfway up the gears just long enough to win each game, then fall back into mediocrity.

There have been obvious exceptions. Burnley at home. Half a handful of games early doors in the season. Possibly also today, where I'd say we played mainly in 3rd, occasionally in 4th, and well within ourselves for most of the game, but still handed out a spanking to a steady-if-flawed-Champ-side.

So, ahead of the next and decisive run of games, I'm going to shout 'MAKE ME A CLAPPING HOSTAGE TO FORTUNE', and suggest that 'we' (meaning some of our supporters, inc plenty on this forum) have significantly underestimated the ability and potential of this squad.

Yes, if we go up, Hecky will need to develop his ability to be flexible with Plans A-F, particularly in-game. Yes, if we go up, we will need to spend a serious amount of money and hang on to key players. Yes, a good number of the current squad will need to be shown the door. And yes, we will need a new owner who has the capability to fund and administer a Prem club professionally.

But I do feel that we are in significantly better shape, with significantly better prospects for next year (if, if, if we go up) than many of 'us' have recently been willing to acknowledge.

Come at me.

Ask me again after the next 3 games

 

[Stretch]

I don't underestimate them and if anything I think they still haven't hit top stride yet.

Should we seal promotion, I wouldn't be dismantling the main starting 11, bar a quality box to box midfielder alongside Norwood, as we won't have Doyle or McAtee.

In addition to this we would still need to sign a GK, 2 CBs (right and left sided) another CM, an AM and 2 stikers, but none of them get straight into the team.

 

[ryza]

It's pretty telling with the atmosphere at the lane atm. Were not playing shit enough ( quite evidently cus were not losing )for the fans to get on the players back but we aren't playing the best football for us the fans to be over joyous of our performance. Feel like we're coasting through the league with a very strong capable squad. It will be interesting to see what hecky does to the squad next year to say the least.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Thought the crowd were a lot better today.

 

[Cappy]

Thought the crowd were a lot better today.

A shit referee is absolutely great for the atmosphere

 

[Frank the tank]

We could take a lot more risks and lose more games then everyone would be happy

 

[Stretch]

Thought the crowd were a lot better today.

Agreed, it seemed quite lively. That's what tends to happen when we get a plankton for a referee though.

 

[nezimão]

I don't underestimate them and if anything I think they still haven't hit top stride yet.

Should we seal promotion, I wouldn't be dismantling the main starting 11, bar a quality box to box midfielder alongside Norwood, as we won't have Doyle or McAtee.

In addition to this we would still need to sign a GK, 2 CBs (right and left sided) another CM, an AM and 2 stikers, but none of them get straight into the team.

why sign players who wouldn’t get straight in to the team?

 

[Big.Dane.w]

why sign players who wouldn’t get straight in to the team?

Correct, makes no sense at all

 

[Stretch]

why sign players who wouldn’t get straight in to the team?

Because whilst I would rate Wes as good enough for the PL, I wouldn't feel the same about Davies or Amissah. 1 GK needed.

We only have 4 CBs of our own, and one of them is Bash (god love him, but not the player he was). So we need 2 more.

Norwood and Berge are (IMO) the only midfielders that we own who are immediately good enough for the PL. I don't see Osborn or Fleck as good enough for that level anymore and whilst Coulibaly & Arblaster have potential, we will need more experience. 3 midfielders will be needed to both fill the 3rd position and compete with Norwood & Berge.

Onto the strikers, and we have Ndaiye and McBurnie to lead the line, but Sharp's contract is up in the summer, and whilst I would love for him to stay, the club may decide otherwise due to his age. Brewster is hit & miss and then we are onto Jebbo and Osula, who again have potential, but we will need more proven firepower. 2 strikers required.

All of the signings need to be good enough to get into the team, but the point I made above is that we need to trust the core team who got us promoted initially, and then have the strength in depth to make changes if needed.

 

[Flumps]

I'd certainly not say under estimate I think a lot of people generally are frustrated that they don't quite seem to be performing the ability we know they can. Considering we're on a promotion push it's annoying to see them almost seemingly sometimes sit back as though they're mid table with no worries about relegation or promotion.

 

[billyblademan]

Because whilst I would rate Wes as good enough for the PL, I wouldn't feel the same about Davies or Amissah. 1 GK needed.

We only have 4 CBs of our own, and one of them is Bash (god love him, but not the player he was). So we need 2 more.

Norwood and Berge are (IMO) the only midfielders that we own who are immediately good enough for the PL. I don't see Osborn or Fleck as good enough for that level anymore and whilst Coulibaly & Arblaster have potential, we will need more experience. 3 midfielders will be needed to both fill the 3rd position and compete with Norwood & Berge.

Onto the strikers, and we have Ndaiye and McBurnie to lead the line, but Sharp's contract is up in the summer, and whilst I would love for him to stay, the club may decide otherwise due to his age. Brewster is hit & miss and then we are onto Jebbo and Osula, who again have potential, but we will need more proven firepower. 2 strikers required.

All of the signings need to be good enough to get into the team, but the point I made above is that we need to trust the core team who got us promoted initially, and then have the strength in depth to make changes if needed.

Fully agree, and a question I’ve posed in Shoutbox a fair amount. If we could get McAtee back on loan, would anyone be unhappy with the same XI starting our first match of the season? Assuming Oli Mac in for Sharp, that is.

I think it’s fine for the Prem - but we’d need several others of a similar ability or better for competition.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Great on the pitch and strong bench today, just don’t lose Wednesday and I’ll start believing!

 

[10-0 win]

We,ll be better playing in the run in,if we continue winning is another ballgame. We,ve played safety first during injuryperiode ,opening up and attack more with more players back will also make us letting in more.

 

[Nightsweats]

There has been a lot of (sometimes justified) criticism of our form since at least the World Cup. With a consensus of opinion, more or less, that we play halfway up the gears just long enough to win each game, then fall back into mediocrity.

There have been obvious exceptions. Burnley at home. Half a handful of games early doors in the season. Possibly also today, where I'd say we played mainly in 3rd, occasionally in 4th, and well within ourselves for most of the game, but still handed out a spanking to a steady-if-flawed-Champ-side.

So, ahead of the next and decisive run of games, I'm going to shout 'MAKE ME A CLAPPING HOSTAGE TO FORTUNE', and suggest that 'we' (meaning some of our supporters, inc plenty on this forum and sometimes me) have significantly underestimated the ability and potential of this squad.

Yes, if we go up, Hecky may need to develop his ability to be flexible with Plans A-F, particularly in-game. Yes, if we go up, we will need to spend a serious amount of money and hang on to key players. Yes, a good number of the current squad will need to be shown the door. And yes, we will need a new owner who has the capability to fund and administer a Prem club professionally.

But I do feel that we are in significantly better shape, with significantly better prospects for next year (if, if, if we go up) than many of 'us' have recently been willing to acknowledge.

Come at me.

My opinion has always been our squad has regularly underperformed . played for half a game and only briefly at full capacity. Today was exactly what we should expect week on week. Excellent all over the pitch pretty much from start to finish. I held management accountable for drop offs and would love to see the handbrake off for the rest of the season. Pound for pound we have a squad more than capable of running Burnley close. Jebbo back, Clark and Fleck returning. L RND and Brewster for the last month. Let them off the leash.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I think it's more a case the wilder promotion is still fresh and those two championship campaigns we weren't expected to be where we were. Last two years we were certainly expecting to be in the autos/play offs mix up.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

We could take a lot more risks and lose more games then everyone would be happy

This sums up my feelings to be honest. Our 70% is too much for most of the league. It’s low risk, solid and has us 10 unbeaten, 11 wins in 15, 1 defeat in 18 and 10 points clear in an automatic promotion spot. Our 70% will (highly highly likely) see us comfortably promoted. Why change anything?

 

[A Storm of Blades]

My opinion has always been our squad has regularly underperformed . played for half a game and only briefly at full capacity. Today was exactly what we should expect week on week. Excellent all over the pitch pretty much from start to finish. I held management accountable for drop offs and would love to see the handbrake off for the rest of the season. Pound for pound we have a squad more than capable of running Burnley close. Jebbo back, Clark and Fleck returning. L RND and Brewster for the last month. Let them off the leash.

See, I just don’t understand this sentiment (no offence). We have the best defensive record, 2nd highest scoring record and averaging over 2 points a game. We’re on track to hit the highest Championship points score not to win the league. What possible extra would ‘letting them off the leash’ give us that’s worth the risk?

 

[Nightsweats]

See, I just don’t understand this sentiment (no offence). We have the best defensive record, 2nd highest scoring record and averaging over 2 points a game. We’re on track to hit the highest Championship points score not to win the league. What possible extra would ‘letting them off the leash’ give us that’s worth the risk?

Today we played at a level approaching our potential. Pretty much the first time since the second half against Burnley.
Our results have disguised largely mediocre performances. Lets say we lose midweek. We would have no default performance level to fall back on to forge on. Doubts start to appear along with fragility of physical and mental approach to adversity
Now imagine if our performances matched our results. It's pretty straight forward. Oh and I don't understand anyone wanting to see anything different, Put the opposition to bed.

 

[Toronto Blade]

We will see what happens if we are taken over or not.
This group although playing well will be a year older and have to deal with quicker PL players. Some will benefit from being a year older some will find it more difficult than Champ opposition.
Getting the right players in is going to take some good scouts to earn their pay to find key players to add to our squad.

 

[Frank the tank]

See, I just don’t understand this sentiment (no offence). We have the best defensive record, 2nd highest scoring record and averaging over 2 points a game. We’re on track to hit the highest Championship points score not to win the league. What possible extra would ‘letting them off the leash’ give us that’s worth the risk?

We are a well coached savvy outfit that knows how to manage games and alter our gameplay vs differing opposition we have enough quality to score goals and are solid enough to keep the opposition out

What most of our fans do not understand is that we are not real Madrid and teams can tactically set out to stifle us and nullify our strengths it's in those Instances that the character of the side shines through and they show their
Gritty determined side
Unfortunately instead of being proud of this team the fans complain that they aren't being entertained enough and are willing a run of defeats so they can wallow in self pity

 

[manxblade]

There has been a lot of (sometimes justified) criticism of our form since at least the World Cup. With a consensus of opinion, more or less, that we play halfway up the gears just long enough to win each game, then fall back into mediocrity.

There have been obvious exceptions. Burnley at home. Half a handful of games early doors in the season. Possibly also today, where I'd say we played mainly in 3rd, occasionally in 4th, and well within ourselves for most of the game, but still handed out a spanking to a steady-if-flawed-Champ-side.

So, ahead of the next and decisive run of games, I'm going to shout 'MAKE ME A CLAPPING HOSTAGE TO FORTUNE', and suggest that 'we' (meaning some of our supporters, inc plenty on this forum and sometimes me) have significantly underestimated the ability and potential of this squad.

Yes, if we go up, Hecky may need to develop his ability to be flexible with Plans A-F, particularly in-game. Yes, if we go up, we will need to spend a serious amount of money and hang on to key players. Yes, a good number of the current squad will need to be shown the door. And yes, we will need a new owner who has the capability to fund and administer a Prem club professionally.

But I do feel that we are in significantly better shape, with significantly better prospects for next year (if, if, if we go up) than many of 'us' have recently been willing to acknowledge.

Come at me.

Best post of the year

 

[Dougie]

There has been a lot of (sometimes justified) criticism of our form since at least the World Cup.

Justified criticism? 12 games, 9 wins, three draws

 

[William Large]

I have been critical of performances lately because I DONT underestimate our team. I know that we can’t expect to blow every team away and thankfully our 2nd or 3rd gear has been enough to see us through most games. That said, we have the players to be more convincing and really lay down a marker for next season.

 

[Nightsweats]

Justified criticism? 12 games, 9 wins, three draws

Justified criticism of performances yes. Not of results.

 

[jono_t2000]

We will see what happens if we are taken over or not.
This group although playing well will be a year older and have to deal with quicker PL players. Some will benefit from being a year older some will find it more difficult than Champ opposition.
Getting the right players in is going to take some good scouts to earn their pay to find key players to add to our squad.

We'll be Wolves mk2.

Except for Portuguese international squad, it'll be the Nigerian squad in blades colours lol

At least we'll have plenty of pace on the pitch aye!

 

[Bell4]

It's pretty telling with the atmosphere at the lane atm. Were not playing shit enough ( quite evidently cus were not losing )for the fans to get on the players back but we aren't playing the best football for us the fans to be over joyous of our performance. Feel like we're coasting through the league with a very strong capable squad. It will be interesting to see what hecky does to the squad next year to say the least.

Cracking post

 

[Lane Ender]

I don't underestimate them and if anything I think they still haven't hit top stride yet.

Should we seal promotion, I wouldn't be dismantling the main starting 11, bar a quality box to box midfielder alongside Norwood, as we won't have Doyle or McAtee.

In addition to this we would still need to sign a GK, 2 CBs (right and left sided) another CM, an AM and 2 stikers, but none of them get straight into the team.

Norwood can’t go back to the Prem