Narrow Margins

[Balham]

Who's to say Walsall won't be favourites for the title next year?

Me. However, it is testament to the great job that Dean Smith's done there that they could lose three players who scored 40 goals (Grigg, Paterson and Brandy) over the summer yet arguably be just as strong this time around. A lot of that is down to the manager - he's got the players on his side. Contrast that to Weir...

It also helps that none of the Walsall players are big time Charlies which is the main issue for Clough to sort out at the Lane.

 

[ghandi]

I think you're being extremely downbeat here. We've just lost 1 in 9 and are picking up points we definitely wouldn't have under David Weir. If we kick on again and lose only 1 in the next 9, I'm sure we'll be nearer the top half than the relegation zone.

Whilst the Play Offs are an unrealistic aim, 9th / 10th is very much achievable. We will not get relegated from this division. No chance.

Unbeaten runs are no good if the majority are draws as in our case. It is much better to win a couple and lose a couple and thats is our problem we don't win enough matches which if this isn't adressed PDQ we will be relegated..

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Just seen the highlights - normally a fan of his, but Hill looked culpable on the winner (and was out of position for a chance that nearly led to another). The penalty looked soft.

Cracking finish from Porter.

 

[BladeFisher]

I think you're being extremely downbeat here. We've just lost 1 in 9 and are picking up points we definitely wouldn't have under David Weir. If we kick on again and lose only 1 in the next 9, I'm sure we'll be nearer the top half than the relegation zone.

Whilst the Play Offs are an unrealistic aim, 9th / 10th is very much achievable. We will not get relegated from this division. No chance.

With due respect, you are confusing what I think we'll do (survive) with the narrow margin we currently have. I am merely pointing out that whilst we are not the worse team in the league, at the moment we could very easily be dragged back into the bottom four by virtue of our inability (crap capability) to score that many goals.

I am an analyst and whilst current Clough form (which is actually equal to Robson's tenure at 1.45pts/game - Robson 1.42) should be enough by about 17 points to see us clear of the drop, a few defeats will see confidence fall and make it much more harder to survive.

I don't think we will go down, but at the moment things are fragile, and we've err kind of been there before, haven't we?

Losing at Walsall was a bad result. We have a mega game coming up at Notts County. We must not lose that one. There is still a long long way to go, but United kind of have 'form' in 'drifting into relegation scenarios'. I am merely pointing out the (nearly) obvious. Or to put it bluntly - we must start scoring more fucking goals/conceding less!

 

[Bladesman]

Seemed like we were a tad unlucky yesterday.

Not many even noticed a penalty and I think that changed the game really.

We do need to add to this squad though some new experience is needed.

 

[Selly]

With due respect, you are confusing what I think we'll do (survive) with the narrow margin we currently have. I am merely pointing out that whilst we are not the worse team in the league, at the moment we could very easily be dragged back into the bottom four by virtue of our inability (crap capability) to score that many goals.

I am an analyst and whilst current Clough form (which is actually equal to Robson's tenure at 1.45pts/game - Robson 1.42) should be enough by about 17 points to see us clear of the drop, a few defeats will see confidence fall and make it much more harder to survive.

I don't think we will go down, but at the moment things are fragile, and we've err kind of been there before, haven't we?

Losing at Walsall was a bad result. We have a mega game coming up at Notts County. We must not lose that one. There is still a long long way to go, but United kind of have 'form' in 'drifting into relegation scenarios'. I am merely pointing out the (nearly) obvious. Or to put it bluntly - we must start scoring more fucking goals/conceding less!

7 points surely? I make it 57 points for the projection, not 67...

 

[BladeFisher]

7 points surely? I make it 57 points for the projection, not 67...

Absolutely, bang on SOB. I'll take my rose tinted Calcuspecs off! Regards.

 

[mattbianco1]

Unbeaten runs are no good if the majority are draws as in our case. It is much better to win a couple and lose a couple and thats is our problem we don't win enough matches which if this isn't adressed PDQ we will be relegated..

It's a weird one since the 3pts for a win came in. It is better to win 1 lose 1 than draw 2. But, I hate losing and would much rather us draw three than win 1 lose 2. Also, a draw keeps up momentum and gives that "we can't lose" attitude.

 

[BladeFisher]

It's a weird one since the 3pts for a win came in. It is better to win 1 lose 1 than draw 2. But, I hate losing and would much rather us draw three than win 1 lose 2. Also, a draw keeps up momentum and gives that "we can't lose" attitude.

Agreed. It is strange that the outcome of 3pts for a win is like one step forward then one step back and is mathematically better than two half steps forward.

 

[Racy]

If we win some think we will make the playoffs ,if we draw some think we will go down ,if we lose some think we will merge with the filth. Over reaction on a weekly basis.

Nailed with those comments Sitwell and it all gets a bit tedious.

This season is all about rebuilding Clough to me is doing a brilliant job here and nobody will convince me different.
Like most I was gutted how the Wallsall game finished I thought we were cruising until that very dubious penalty.
Any talk of relegation is utter bollocks who he brings in in the window will be key but for sure anything Clough does will not be rash and well planned unlike previous managers.

 

[Grecian2000]

Agreed. It is strange that the outcome of 3pts for a win is like one step forward then one step back and is mathematically better than two half steps forward.

Not really strange, in that this was entirely the intention of the 3 point win.

The reward for winning was made greater to encourage teams to go for the win rather than play out a bore draw. Therefore, theoretically, creating more attacking play in order to win the game and discourage mass defence, usually from the away team, which was rife at the time.
In my view, the conservative/cowardly nature of football management means that this, over time, has failed to a large extent.

 

[Grecian2000]

Nailed with those comments Sitwell and it all gets a bit tedious.

This season is all about rebuilding Clough to me is doing a brilliant job here and nobody will convince me different.
Like most I was gutted how the Wallsall game finished I thought we were cruising until that very dubious penalty.
Any talk of relegation is utter bollocks who he brings in in the window will be key but for sure anything Clough does will not be rash and well planned unlike previous managers.

I was hovering over the "like" button until that last sentence.

How can talk of relegation be "bollocks" to a team halfway through the season that is one point above the relegation zone?

Whilst I don't think it probable, it is far from not possible and, at this stage, a long way from bollocks.

 

[Racy]

I was hovering over the "like" button until that last sentence.

How can talk of relegation be "bollocks" to a team halfway through the season that is one point above the relegation zone?

Whilst I don't think it probable, it is far from not possible and, at this stage, a long way from bollocks.

That's how much confidence I have in Clough.
We are 4th/5th on current form why shouldn't we climb to a respectable position in our present mode?

 

[Grecian2000]

That's how much confidence I have in Clough.
We are 4th/5th on current form why shouldn't we climb to a respectable position in our present mode?

IF we keep up the present form then we will climb out of the shit. However, the actual facts are, that at this moment in time, we ARE in a shitty position and are 1 point above the relegation zone.

There are reasons we could climb (a good January window, players remaining injury free, players finding form/confidence). There are equally reasons that things could still end up pear shaped (no decent signings in Jan, an injury glut, poor referees etc.).

My actual main concern is the one btl bangs on about as being a huge positive (i.e. we have played all the top teams away). This, to me, means they all have to come to BDTBL and that our HOME games will be tougher for the remainder of the season and it is home form that will shape our season.

 

[Racy]

IF we keep up the present form then we will climb out of the shit. However, the actual facts are, that at this moment in time, we ARE in a shitty position and are 1 point above the relegation zone.

There are reasons we could climb (a good January window, players remaining injury free, players finding form/confidence). There are equally reasons that things could still end up pear shaped (no decent signings in Jan, an injury glut, poor referees etc.).

My actual main concern is the one btl bangs on about as being a huge positive (i.e. we have played all the top teams away). This, to me, means they all have to come to BDTBL and that our HOME games will be tougher for the remainder of the season and it is home form that will shape our season.

There's not a massive difference between us and such as Bradford/Swindon points wise.
All I'm saying is we will improve as others falter not talking about a play off place just respectability.
Its all about rebuilding.

 

[sitwell]

looking at it that way ,Weir was the best thing to happen to us. He ripped the club apart and forced us to start from fresh and rebuild over a lengthy period. Maybe not the disaster he really is , if looked at laterally.

 

[BladeFisher]

Not really strange, in that this was entirely the intention of the 3 point win.

The reward for winning was made greater to encourage teams to go for the win rather than play out a bore draw. Therefore, theoretically, creating more attacking play in order to win the game and discourage mass defence, usually from the away team, which was rife at the time.
In my view, the conservative/cowardly nature of football management means that this, over time, has failed to a large extent.

I don't disagree, I know why they did it, but in the end its a bit counter productive.

 

[Grecian2000]

looking at it that way ,Weir was the best thing to happen to us. He ripped the club apart and forced us to start from fresh and rebuild over a lengthy period. Maybe not the disaster he really is , if looked at laterally.

God I hope so.

If, as you say, we've ripped it up and started again, and within a couple of years it's all good, then we might view him as the catalyst of our revival (albeit it, completely by accident). Much in the same way that Don Givens penalty drove massive change and a reversal of fortune 30 years ago.
There is always a reaching of the lowest ebb, perhaps wee Davie was our driver there.

If it doesn't all turn around then he'll be viewed as just another step (and a bloody big one at that) in our continued march down shit highway.

Either way, I suspect we won't be needing a sculptur to measure him up for a car park slot anytime soon.

 

[Snowman]

looking at it that way ,Weir was the best thing to happen to us. He ripped the club apart and forced us to start from fresh and rebuild over a lengthy period. Maybe not the disaster he really is , if looked at laterally.

Laterally!!!? That is so lateral it is on a tangent to a different dimension. You must be a devotee of Edward de Bono.

 

[sheffielder]

looking at it that way ,Weir was the best thing to happen to us. He ripped the club apart and forced us to start from fresh and rebuild over a lengthy period. Maybe not the disaster he really is , if looked at laterally.

Weir was the best thing that happened to us because the timing of his sacking gave us Clough.

 

[sitwell]

Laterally!!!? That is so lateral it is on a tangent to a different dimension. You must be a devotee of Edward de Bono.

Love a bit of Lateral thinking me ,but what have U2 got to do with it.