Mill of the Wall

[SteveBlade]

It's bugging me.

Last season we were miles better than them. We finished 27 point ahead, and when we played them at the Lane towards the end of the season it was a routine win.

They're now 3 points behind us, thoroughly deserved their win against us, and have been more consistent over the last few months.

Of course, there are plenty of games left, but to not finish as the highest placed newly promoted side would be disappointing.

Would that mean they've improved more than we have? Or does their style of play just suit this division a bit more when it comes down to grinding out results?

The other thing that frustrates me is that I'm confident the team from this time last season would have given the likes of Bolton, Millwall, Hull, and Birmingham a pasting, whereas now, we look different, almost laboured.

Having said that, we've still been a class above against many teams, and we're in with a shout of the play-offs. Fulham and Wolves are out of the way, and If we can't take a considerable points haul from our remaining games, I'll be disappointed.

Customary I'd have taken mid table at the start of the season, whatever happens it'll have been a great season etc...

 

[GuangzhouBlade]

I think a lot of it come down to style of play. We had a way of playing in League 1 and we could stick to it because we were that much better than everyone else in the league in every sense. In the championship that is simply not the case. Most Championship teams would have gone to Fulham last night and setup for a point which is something we simply don't have the players for. In the end what we got was neither here nor there. We wanted to attack but at the same time were so preoccupied with Fulham's ability and pace on the break we never fully committed and perhaps rightly so. So when we do win, we win well as the system is fluid and attacking but when we aren't the quicker and slicker side we struggle. Sides like Millwall will pick up points against Fulham and Wolves by being tight and compact but may struggle to break down the 'weaker' teams which appears the opposite to us. Ultimately we aren't a bad side but we aren't the best at anything so we do need a plan B when we come up against sides like Fulham who lets face look a better version of us in terms of system and style of play.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Us, Millwall and Bolton will all stay up comfortably.

Wish I'd had a couple of quid on it at the start of the season!

 

[Ricky]

I'd like to engage in a round of cap doffing.

Millwall have done brilliantly.

So have Preston and Cardiff. Bolton too. As for Fulham, oh what a great team....

But I really hope Preston and especially Millwall don't finish above us. I want us to top the pound for pound rankings.

 

[vorpal blade]

 

[blade too long]

It's bugging me.

Last season we were miles better than them. We finished 27 point ahead, and when we played them at the Lane towards the end of the season it was a routine win.

They're now 3 points behind us, thoroughly deserved their win against us, and have been more consistent over the last few months.

Of course, there are plenty of games left, but to not finish as the highest placed newly promoted side would be disappointing.

Would that mean they've improved more than we have? Or does their style of play just suit this division a bit more when it comes down to grinding out results?

The other thing that frustrates me is that I'm confident the team from this time last season would have given the likes of Bolton, Millwall, Hull, and Birmingham a pasting, whereas now, we look different, almost laboured.

Having said that, we've still been a class above against many teams, and we're in with a shout of the play-offs. Fulham and Wolves are out of the way, and If we can't take a considerable points haul from our remaining games, I'll be disappointed.

Customary I'd have taken mid table at the start of the season, whatever happens it'll have been a great season etc...

Unfortunately we don't have a sole patent on improving. Millwall are improving but have been lucky with avoiding major injuries.we d be shoe ins for an auto if Coutts had never got injured

 

[Esablade]

They've bought well and been impressive.

 

[LenTednTony]

Unfortunately we don't have a sole patent on improving. Millwall are improving but have been lucky with avoiding major injuries.we d be shoe ins for an auto if Coutts had never got injured

BTL does that mean you think we are a one man team?

 

[UnitedBlade]

Seven points separate 6th to 12th and we have to play all of them in the run in. We really do have some important “6 pointers” to look forward to.

Even goals scored and goals conceded are within a narrow range for these 7 sides although clearly a couple have a good goal difference advantage.

The one thing that stands out for us is how few draws we’ve had - just 4. We have to keep going for it, that’s where we’ve had success although I suspect there will be several tight games.

 

[blade too long]

BTL does that mean you think we are a one man team?

No but funny how Chelsea look far weaker with out hazard or man city look less potent without de breune. All teams function better with their better players playing

 

[SteveBlade]

I'd like to engage in a round of cap doffing.

Millwall have done brilliantly.

So have Preston and Cardiff. Bolton too. As for Fulham, oh what a great team....

But I really hope Preston and especially Millwall don't finish above us. I want us to top the pound for pound rankings.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Centre half called Jake Cooper has been immense.

Millwall will finish above us,and that will bug me.

 

[Davalon]

Unfortunately we don't have a sole patent on improving. Millwall are improving but have been lucky with avoiding major injuries.we d be shoe ins for an auto if Coutts had never got injured

No evidence of that whatsoever.

Not only did he play in some of our defeats and poorer performances early season, but our 'drop off' has coincided with other factors.

Other players going through losses of form, other injuries, suspensions, teams setting up differently against us, new players bedding in etc.

A blind man on a flying horse can see Coutts has been missed but to suggest we would be top two with him is well wide of the mark, and quite honestly will probably look even more bizarre come the season's end.

A shade more realism was needed earlier in the season from some imho. You can thoroughly enjoy the ride without the constant need to be uber positive.

I'm confident most of us will reflect come May on a more than satisfactory campaign.

 

[loyalblade95]

Millwall are so high up the table due to their incredible home form they turned the den into a fortress

 

[blade too long]

No evidence of that whatsoever.

Not only did he play in some of our defeats and poorer performances early season, but our 'drop off' has coincided with other factors.

Other players going through losses of form, other injuries, suspensions, teams setting up differently against us, new players bedding in etc.

A blind man on a flying horse can see Coutts has been missed but to suggest we would be top two with him is well wide of the mark, and quite honestly will probably look even more bizarre come the season's end.

A shade more realism was needed earlier in the season from some imho. You can thoroughly enjoy the ride without the constant need to be uber positive.

I'm confident most of us will reflect come May on a more than satisfactory campaign.

its not so much Coutts was outstanding , but was the right player for our system . he gave balance
a football teams like a cake , the right ingredients make a great cake
Coutts was just the right grade rising agent that made us look tasty
all really good sides are players that click when out on the park
thats what he did more often than not, we were top after Burton , we havent quite got the mix right since then

 

[Isar]

It is good to see Millwall doing well, they were many peoples bet for relegation this season. It is surprising to see how well they have done, mid table finish.

 

[WhiteHawk]

I must admit, I'll be very disappointed if Millwall finish above us.

 

[Rodley]

Like us they’ve recruited well on a smaller budget and have excellent home form. I’d have Neil Harris on the shortlist for Manager of the Year. Tufty would be on there as well.

 

[Dalelane01]

its not so much Coutts was outstanding , but was the right player for our system . he gave balance
a football teams like a cake , the right ingredients make a great cake
Coutts was just the right grade rising agent that made us look tasty
all really good sides are players that click when out on the park
thats what he did more often than not, we were top after Burton , we havent quite got the mix right since then

Save me a slice next time you bake.sounds wonderful

 

[finlaytheblade]

its not so much Coutts was outstanding , but was the right player for our system . he gave balance
a football teams like a cake , the right ingredients make a great cake
Coutts was just the right grade rising agent that made us look tasty
all really good sides are players that click when out on the park
thats what he did more often than not, we were top after Burton , we havent quite got the mix right since then

We wernt a one man team but it deffinately upset the balance to such an extent that consistency and confidence has drained which has left us searching for the balance which so far has eluded us