Performances vs Results

[HillmortonBlade]

Beating an opponent is the best result, irrelevant of the performance. Anything else is nonsense. On to the next game.

 

[Lane Ender]

Winning is everything but winning it well is special

 

[andy m]

It seems the oppositions have done thier homework. Double team Rak-Sakyi, pressure Ohare and Hamer to make mistakes, put a man in the huge gap between strikers and midfield. Still can not understand why Hamer and Rak-Sakyi aren't continually swapping sides causing confusion. We are very rigid in our set up and very slow, mostly, with the ball. I get the passing around the back to draw teams more forward but when they aren't biting there seems to be one plan...hoof it forward.
Defensively we are phenomenal but offensively average. If we attack as well as we defend we'll crush teams. Maybe it takes longer to get the balance than we all hoped.
I guess we all want our cake and eat it to....just like every team wants.

Teams are blocking us passing through the middle and forcing us to go right to Gilchrist. Because Rak Sakyi never runs in behind it leaves Gilchrist with the option to go to Rak Sakyis feet when he is double up on or down line where O Hare is too slow and weak to cause a problem, so we turn over the ball.

 

[CrookesBlade]

I am entertained by Sheffield United winning football matches.

 

[AWetFlannel]

I'll add that many teams that go up playing nice football find it doesn't work in the PL anyway. Leeds will have to change their style or go down like Farke's Norwich teams.

We should always look at improving our performances, but at the moment we are the best team in the league. Consistent, solid and clinical.

 

[Andy67]

Of course points are more important but if you keep on having poor performances sooner or later the points dry up, usually in the games that matter.

Or performances improve or both or neither. That’s footy.

 

[JayGreen17]

Another game goes by where questions can reasonably be asked as to whether or not the performance was ‘good enough’.

We have found ourselves in a (very good) habit of not playing particularly well, but still picking up points.

Question is, which is more important?

Obviously points… but playing poorly for a period of time leads to lack of points…

 

[Johnyblade1]

I think we have far too many fire stick pundits on here... You need to go to the games to realise that as much as we’re exceeding all expectations, it’s more by good fortune than anything else.... something is missing and everyone that goes can sense it.... As always UTB

 

[JayGreen17]

I think we have far too many fire stick pundits on here... You need to go to the games to realise that as much as we’re exceeding all expectations, it’s more by good fortune than anything else.... something is missing and everyone that goes can sense it.... As always UTB

Agreed, we’re winning games due to moments of quality, can you imagine if we were actually playing well in these games and creating more, the amount of expected goals continues to be low, to the amount of goals scored. Question… if we had better management and a different style of play would we be even further in front, or is it down to us being defensively savvy that were are where we are?

I’d say every time we’ve gone up it’s been more about us being solid than being extraordinarily great. Is this just how teams win promotion.

 

[Charlieblade]

I see no problem expecting both.
We do rely heavily on our defensive record, and inconsistent performances in midfield and attack will always undermine performances.

Three games in 6 days, a tiring side, injuries and our tactics have gifted the opposition opportunities to play well against us!
We are fortunate that other sides are also having inconsistent performances. This league is looking weaker every passing week.

The overall lack of quality opposition, and the indifferent performances have helped us take points from lesser teams. Others see this and look to counter, with adding depth in the JTW. Our thin squad depth will catch us out then, unless we are fortunate to add depth to a tiring and predictable weakness in our games.

This state of affairs must change, or we will be condemned to winning the Championship, and suffering a lack of depth and quality in the EPL.

Until then, of course our blessing of points will hide a poor future. Yo yo here we come, again.

 

[SUFCinks]

Points is the short term answer and performances is the long term answer. I think defensively we are performing well, but the midfield and forward play is average. So whilst we are in a fantastic position in the league we can be doing much better in my opinion. I don’t see how focussing on performing better in the midfield and attack and levelling them up is ever going to be detrimental to points, quite the opposite.

Points have put us in a position to potentially compete in the prem. fantastic, but also a massive worry with the current level of performances against average opponents. If thats what we want then with this current output we are going to be another potential ‘low points record’, its not something we can address when we get promoted and needs to implement now. To expect the same players to up the performances and learn a new style against even average prem teams is a HUGE ask considering our current level of performances. If we can’t do it against Plymouth then how are we going to do it against even a Bournemouth, Brentford or Palace. It needs to be addressed now if we have ambitions of competing next season in the prem.

 

[SouthStandGBlock]

I haven't voted, but I enjoyed the result today but not the performance..I was bored for most of it, and got frustrated at our inability to create chances. Quick crosses and early shots lead to chances and goals imo.

I think we are set up to defend exceptionally well, but to create chances we need to commit some our "defenders" to gamble in attack and support the lone forward. Not something they are prepared to do.

Solid defensively, but boring to watch. It'll get us promoted (possibly) but it's boring and doesn't get you off your seat (hence why the atmosphere is flat.

Result - 10/10

Entertainment - 3/10

 

[itsinyerblood]

Ideally performances, but of course the frustration that comes as a result of not winning is painful.

Points are everything, but I hope the coaching and management staff can instil the necessary basics
that add threat as well as well as defensive solidity. I want to see our midfield impose itself, bully the opposition
if they have to. If we achieve promotion this season we'll need all of this and more if we're to have a chance of
remaining in the Prem.

 

[Melbourne Blade]

Wilder said in his after match it wasn't good to watch. His comment are genuine - 3 days in 6 days with a makeshift team due to injuries.

We're missing Anel is my -#1. His forward runs and passing. However JLT's pass for the Millwall goal was sensational so who am I to comment,

JRS has looked shit for a few games now. Looks tired and lethargic so maybe he needs a rest but what's the alternative? Seriki offers more going forward but he's injured and Campbell's injury has come at a terrible time just as he was gaining fitness and scoring every week.

I'm not worried - the performances will come after January once we've got over the horrendous Xmas schedule and hopefully have 2-3 quality additions.

 

[Charlieblade]

Ideally performances, but of course the frustration that comes as a result of not winning is painful.

Points are everything, but I hope the coaching and management staff can instil the necessary basics
that add threat as well as well as defensive solidity. I want to see our midfield impose itself, bully the opposition
if they have to. If we achieve promotion this season we'll need all of this and more if we're to have a chance of
remaining in the Prem.

Agreed. We cannot rely on lucky wins or draws in the EPL, because it is less likely to happen. Better and stronger opposition every week.

 

[gordoncharles]

It's not performance vs results, it's performances and results. They're not mutually exclusive. Sometimes, because football is what it is, you don't get the latter.

I don't see why that should be controversial

 

[Blade56]

Our performances under Warnock’s PL promotion season were not great but we kept nicking points.

It’s not how you get there it’s what you do when you get there. That’s always been our downfall, usually under investment until Wilders spending spree on dross

 

[Pedro's Winger]

Having a relatively thin squad really showed for the first time yesterday when we looked tired in mind and body.
Also think the loss of Arblaster is having a significant effect in terms of ball retention and general midfield stability.
Some very tough games coming up over Xmas and New Year and wouldn't be surprising to see us slip out of the top two. Transfer window absolutely crucial but in terms of strength in depth Leeds and Burnley the more likely to go up automatically.

 

[FriethBlade]

I see no problem expecting both.
We do rely heavily on our defensive record, and inconsistent performances in midfield and attack will always undermine performances.

Three games in 6 days, a tiring side, injuries and our tactics have gifted the opposition opportunities to play well against us!
We are fortunate that other sides are also having inconsistent performances. This league is looking weaker every passing week.

The overall lack of quality opposition, and the indifferent performances have helped us take points from lesser teams. Others see this and look to counter, with adding depth in the JTW. Our thin squad depth will catch us out then, unless we are fortunate to add depth to a tiring and predictable weakness in our games.

This state of affairs must change, or we will be condemned to winning the Championship, and suffering a lack of depth and quality in the EPL.

Until then, of course our blessing of points will hide a poor future. Yo yo here we come, again.

Charlie that's the key point....3 games in 6 days with a depleted squad and key players missing. We've got 20yr olds playing 90 minutes game after game and players being brought back from injury ahead of schedule due to the lack of numbers.

We have got a full week to prepare for Cardiff now so that means a rest for those who need it and more training for those coming back.

Everyone can see we aren't at our best which is not surprising but the main thing is we keep picking up 3pts. With Vini, Tyres, Anel to come back and 3 or 34 additioon the window we are well set for the second half of the season

 

[Johnyblade1]

I agree with that and it’s a fair assessment, apart from maybe 34 additions, I think that’s a bit ott ... As everyone says, we need the ownership situation resolving and Wilder needs the cash now to buy some quality players and push on from this fantastic position that we’ve got ourselves in... As always UTB

 

[Pollingtonblade]

One point I don't agree with is the "x games in so many days" that is same for all teams, such as Plymouth for example who played well yesterday according to the cap doffers.

 

[Bladezz]

Another game goes by where questions can reasonably be asked as to whether or not the performance was ‘good enough’.

We have found ourselves in a (very good) habit of not playing particularly well, but still picking up points.

Question is, which is more important?

Yesterday was a shocker. But our performances are normally that we are the better side and are extremely efficient.

Our goal difference suggests this too.

But what games have we played poorly in?

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

Question… if we had better management and a different style of play would we be even further in front, or is it down to us being defensively savvy that were are where we are?

We're top of the league, should be 5 points clear, unbeaten in 10 games, 9 games at home without conceding and you want to start questioning our management team.
That is about as stupid as it gets.

 

[BobbyDavison'sDebut]

It’s great that we’re winning games but let’s be honest we’re really boring to watch. That’s been the case for most of the season. As much as we hate to say it but football has become more of an entertainment business. Attracting new fans is difficult if they’re not yet invested in the team and aren’t enthused by the performance (and referring to the other thread on atmosphere which would cancel out the performance on the pitch to a degree) and are perhaps less likely to visit regularly.

 

[coolasanidiot]

It’s great that we’re winning games but let’s be honest we’re really boring to watch. That’s been the case for most of the season. As much as we hate to say it but football has become more of an entertainment business. Attracting new fans is difficult if they’re not yet invested in the team and aren’t enthused by the performance (and referring to the other thread on atmosphere which would cancel out the performance on the pitch to a degree) and are perhaps less likely to visit regularly.

Boring to watch FFS. I'd take this every day of the week and Sunday twice- compared to last season. Top of the league, grinding out results this is so so good to watch.

 

[SUFCinks]

Boring to watch FFS. I'd take this every day of the week and Sunday twice- compared to last season. Top of the league, grinding out results this is so so good to watch.

Watch games outside of ours, we’re pretty boring to watch. Personally if i’m giving 2 hours of my evening/weekend i’d like to at least enjoy what i’m watching. It's watchable but very little entertainment value. Not saying the win doesn't have value but comparing poor/average performances to one of the worst seasons we've ever had is a pretty low threshold.

 

[Lord Eddard Muir]

For the neutral, performances. For fans of a club who want that club to do well, points every time.

There's a reason Kevin Keegan's Newcastle are generally remembered much more fondly outside of Newcastle. Always brilliant to watch just as Sky was becoming mainstream, but among the biggest bottle jobs in PL history.

 

[Shadota]

It's clear to see that Wilder's goal this season, from a tactical perspective at least, has been to eradicate the memories of last season.

At present, we are exceptionally hard to beat. While we are in a lower league, and this is therefore easier to achieve, it is in stark contrast to last season, where we were always wondering how many we'd lose by, not if we'd lose at all.

It's a wise move by Wilder, but the fact that it has worked to this degree is a marvel in itself. However, being so defensively solid typically comes with other sacrifices. And that's the offensive threat (or lack thereof). Burnley are the same as us - incredibly defensively stingy, but not freeflowing at the other end.

Admittedly, if given the choice, I'd go for a more offensive style than we're currently employing. But, at present, that feels very much like having the cake and eating it too.

 

[dexter101]

For the neutral, performances. For fans of a club who want that club to do well, points every time.

There's a reason Kevin Keegan's Newcastle are generally remembered much more fondly outside of Newcastle. Always brilliant to watch just as Sky was becoming mainstream, but among the biggest bottle jobs in PL history.

Having watched the Norwich vs Burnley game yesterday, I am quite glad we don't play like Norwich, I am not sure my heart would last to the end of the season.

They had absolutely no control, but were fun to watch as a neutral!

 

[Pintor75]

We are winning despite not really hitting top form, which is ok, but makes me wonder if the top flight won't suit our system. Need to bring in better players, stating the obvious, some might go even if we reach the premiership others will be going back to their clubs. Doyle might be an option, Diaz & bring in a centre back