Hog Roast Headlines

[ucandomagic]

I'll post my graphs and XG stuff tomorrow when I get all the full XG data from all the Championship games, but I just wanted to put out a few facts and thoughts:-

1. Yesterday's game wasn't one for the purists, but with an average age of our starting 11 in the mid 20's, and then bringing on more youth, it was a fantastic learning experience for the likes of Blaster, Sydie, Femi, Ryan et al - that experience is something that they have under the bonnet for the future.

2. After 15 games and with a 2-point deduction we're even closing in on Warnock 2005, this is beyond almost everybody's expectations:-

Warnock 2005 - 37 Points
Wilder 2024 - 31 Points
Wilder 2018 - 29 Points
Hecky 2022- 25 Points

3. Preliminary XG data for yesterday was Blades 0.58 - Pigs 0.57.
Tyrese is a clinical finisher, but he isn't a leader of the line. We have a fantastic squad now, but our XG production in games is only mid-table, with our position being crucially dependent on defence, reflected in XGA. We had no effective out-ball yesterday. When Kieffer is fit I think we need to be 4-4-2, at least at home. the previous 2 games showed Big Kieff's great value to us when we use him properly, with Tyrese beside him we have an out-ball and an end product.

4. In tight games we need to use dead-ball situations better. We have 2 huge weapons in Harry and Kieffer (when fit) and yet we almost always hit low near-post balls. The only one that got to Harry yesterday was one that got through and he had to dive low down for it! The high ball to the back post isn't clever tactics, but when you have giants in the team it is one that can't fail.

Graphs Tomorrow Evening

This City is Ours.
UTB & Slava Ukraini!

 

[Selly]

I'll post my graphs and XG stuff tomorrow when I get all the full XG data from all the Championship games, but I just wanted to put out a few facts and thoughts:-

1. Yesterday's game wasn't one for the purists, but with an average age of our starting 11 in the mid 20's, and then bringing on more youth, it was a fantastic learning experience for the likes of Blaster, Sydie, Femi, Ryan et al - that experience is something that they have under the bonnet for the future.

2. After 15 games and with a 2-point deduction we're even closing in on Warnock 2005, this is beyond almost everybody's expectations:-

Warnock 2005 - 37 Points
Wilder 2024 - 31 Points
Wilder 2018 - 29 Points
Hecky 2022- 25 Points

3. Preliminary XG data for yesterday was Blades 0.58 - Pigs 0.57.
Tyrese is a clinical finisher, but he isn't a leader of the line. We have a fantastic squad now, but our XG production in games is only mid-table, with our position being crucially dependent on defence, reflected in XGA. We had no effective out-ball yesterday. When Kieffer is fit I think we need to be 4-4-2, at least at home. the previous 2 games showed Big Kieff's great value to us when we use him properly, with Tyrese beside him we have an out-ball and an end product.

4. In tight games we need to use dead-ball situations better. We have 2 huge weapons in Harry and Kieffer (when fit) and yet we almost always hit low near-post balls. The only one that got to Harry yesterday was one that got through and he had to dive low down for it! The high ball to the back post isn't clever tactics, but when you have giants in the team it is one that can't fail.

Graphs Tomorrow Evening

This City is Ours.
UTB & Slava Ukraini!

Wilder 2017 - 30 Points

Just a reminder that its possible to drop off the pace - especially if your squad is a little "thin"

 

[McGrath]

Wilder 2017 - 30 Points

Just a reminder that its possible to drop off the pace - especially if your squad is a little "thin"

Yep, it's great now. Fingers crossed we don't run out of steam come March/April time due to tiredness and fatigue.

Hopefully January can help with that

 

[Balham]

Wilder 2017 - 30 Points

Just a reminder that its possible to drop off the pace - especially if your squad is a little "thin"

The key difference is that this team is nowhere near as reliant on any one single player as that 2017/18 team was on Coutts (and Fleck and Duffy). The only one who comes close is Vini Souza.

 

[ThirdGenBlade]

Selly - as Balham said, we don't rely as much on individuals this year. Couttsy broke his leg in Game 17 away at Burton in 2017 and we went from 36 points after Game 17 to 38 points after Game 23! He was absolutely pivotal to our team and we only recovered when Norwood came in August 2018. Exactly the same happened when JOC got his career-ending injury - from which we never recovered. Although, as Balham said, Vini is really important at present, I think Sydie and Blaster are not far behind in coverage. Gus is probably the most irreplaceable without substantial $.

Anyway, great original post Graphman - I agree about Kieffer and Tyrese - I also think that Cal and Tyrese looked comfortable together. Not enough has been made of our goal, which had 4 touches of class - Gus's turn, his pass, Cal's touch and pass and Tyrese's finish. Probably our best worked goal this season.

UTB & FTP

 

[KiwiBlabe]

The key difference is that this team is nowhere near as reliant on any one single player as that 2017/18 team was on Coutts (and Fleck and Duffy). The only one who comes close is Vini Souza.

I would suggest Souttar is just as indispensable as Souza. He has been massive...........I'll get my coat

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Opta predicting 78 points would be enough. I don't buy that at all!

 

[BladeInIreland]

I'll post my graphs and XG stuff tomorrow when I get all the full XG data from all the Championship games, but I just wanted to put out a few facts and thoughts:-

1. Yesterday's game wasn't one for the purists, but with an average age of our starting 11 in the mid 20's, and then bringing on more youth, it was a fantastic learning experience for the likes of Blaster, Sydie, Femi, Ryan et al - that experience is something that they have under the bonnet for the future.

2. After 15 games and with a 2-point deduction we're even closing in on Warnock 2005, this is beyond almost everybody's expectations:-

Warnock 2005 - 37 Points
Wilder 2024 - 31 Points
Wilder 2018 - 29 Points
Hecky 2022- 25 Points

3. Preliminary XG data for yesterday was Blades 0.58 - Pigs 0.57.
Tyrese is a clinical finisher, but he isn't a leader of the line. We have a fantastic squad now, but our XG production in games is only mid-table, with our position being crucially dependent on defence, reflected in XGA. We had no effective out-ball yesterday. When Kieffer is fit I think we need to be 4-4-2, at least at home. the previous 2 games showed Big Kieff's great value to us when we use him properly, with Tyrese beside him we have an out-ball and an end product.

4. In tight games we need to use dead-ball situations better. We have 2 huge weapons in Harry and Kieffer (when fit) and yet we almost always hit low near-post balls. The only one that got to Harry yesterday was one that got through and he had to dive low down for it! The high ball to the back post isn't clever tactics, but when you have giants in the team it is one that can't fail.

Graphs Tomorrow Evening

This City is Ours.
UTB & Slava Ukraini!

The games we had Moore and Campbell together we didn't concede either so I don't think playing two makes us that much weaker defensively but we looked so much better offensively. Moore struggled on his own and he is arguably the by far most suited to it out of our options. If Moore is out (or even if he isn't) we have to switch to a two. One really helps with this as a real option and hopefully it's an area we can improve in in January.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

The key thing you’ve said is set pieces. I don’t think we’ve made the most of our height and strength yet this season, it should be a deadly weapon of ours but haven’t seen much as yet, hopefully that improves between now and Jan where the priority is a striker.

 

[jono_t2000]

Opta predicting 78 points would be enough. I don't buy that at all!

Saw one yesterday which basically had only us, Leeds and Sunderland hovering round +/- 50% chance of finishing top 2.

Next highest was Burnley with 6% chance and everyone else less than 2%

Basically a 3 horse race for the top 2 spots.

 

[coaxingstar71]

The key difference is that this team is nowhere near as reliant on any one single player as that 2017/18 team was on Coutts (and Fleck and Duffy). The only one who comes close is Vini Souza.

Selly - as Balham said, we don't rely as much on individuals this year. Couttsy broke his leg in Game 17 away at Burton in 2017 and we went from 36 points after Game 17 to 38 points after Game 23! He was absolutely pivotal to our team and we only recovered when Norwood came in August 2018. Exactly the same happened when JOC got his career-ending injury - from which we never recovered. Although, as Balham said, Vini is really important at present, I think Sydie and Blaster are not far behind in coverage. Gus is probably the most irreplaceable without substantial $.

Anyway, great original post Graphman - I agree about Kieffer and Tyrese - I also think that Cal and Tyrese looked comfortable together. Not enough has been made of our goal, which had 4 touches of class - Gus's turn, his pass, Cal's touch and pass and Tyrese's finish. Probably our best worked goal this season.

UTB & FTP

Whilst these are valid points about the reasons for our drop off in 2017-18, I think the stats in the OP refer to the 2018-19 promotion season as the year refers to the start of the season year.

 

[Blademan18891889]

Saw one yesterday which basically had only us, Leeds and Sunderland hovering round +/- 50% chance of finishing top 2.

Next highest was Burnley with 6% chance and everyone else less than 2%

Basically a 3 horse race for the top 2 spots.

If we finish above burnley I think we will be promoted for sure. I also think boro will be firmly in the hunt too.

 

[Champagneblade]

I'll post my graphs and XG stuff tomorrow when I get all the full XG data from all the Championship games, but I just wanted to put out a few facts and thoughts:-

1. Yesterday's game wasn't one for the purists, but with an average age of our starting 11 in the mid 20's, and then bringing on more youth, it was a fantastic learning experience for the likes of Blaster, Sydie, Femi, Ryan et al - that experience is something that they have under the bonnet for the future.

2. After 15 games and with a 2-point deduction we're even closing in on Warnock 2005, this is beyond almost everybody's expectations:-

Warnock 2005 - 37 Points
Wilder 2024 - 31 Points
Wilder 2018 - 29 Points
Hecky 2022- 25 Points

3. Preliminary XG data for yesterday was Blades 0.58 - Pigs 0.57.
Tyrese is a clinical finisher, but he isn't a leader of the line. We have a fantastic squad now, but our XG production in games is only mid-table, with our position being crucially dependent on defence, reflected in XGA. We had no effective out-ball yesterday. When Kieffer is fit I think we need to be 4-4-2, at least at home. the previous 2 games showed Big Kieff's great value to us when we use him properly, with Tyrese beside him we have an out-ball and an end product.

4. In tight games we need to use dead-ball situations better. We have 2 huge weapons in Harry and Kieffer (when fit) and yet we almost always hit low near-post balls. The only one that got to Harry yesterday was one that got through and he had to dive low down for it! The high ball to the back post isn't clever tactics, but when you have giants in the team it is one that can't fail.

Graphs Tomorrow Evening

This City is Ours.
UTB & Slava Ukraini!

Playing 4-4-2 might also cushion the blow of losing Arblaster for a bit. Campbell can either play centrally or he can go wide left and we stick to 4-2-3-1.

It would mean Gus being more central but let’s be honest, that ain’t a bad thing.

Hopefully Arblaster isn’t out for too long. A few ACL reports on Porktalk but not clear if true or wishful on their behalf.

Havong Tom Davies in the mix could be perfect timing.

 

[BladesOnToast]

Opta predicting 78 points would be enough. I don't buy that at all!

Don't have much faith in Sunderland do they?? I'm getting flashbacks to Norwich 2018-19. No-one predicted them for promotion, everyone thought they would fade away, but they just went on getting stronger.

 

[Balham]

Whilst these are valid points about the reasons for our drop off in 2017-18, I think the stats in the OP refer to the 2018-19 promotion season as the year refers to the start of the season year.

I was responding to Selly ’s point that we also started 2017/18 extremely well.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Boro seem to be finding some form now so I expect them to be in the mix to , you would think any 2 from the 4 of us , Leeds , Burnley & Boro .. but still a very long way to go & injuries , suspensions & the JTW will play there part to

 

[Blademan18891889]

Boro seem to be finding some form now so I expect them to be in the mix to , you would think any 2 from the 4 of us , Leeds , Burnley & Boro .. but still a very long way to go & injuries , suspensions & the JTW will play there part to

Bang on. Should we lose tyrese too we are in a bit of bother aren't we, also if souttar got injured that could easily de rail us as well, so far so good though.