Table since the turn of the year

[Roygbiv]

Thought this was fairly interesting as there seems to be a feeling that we've run out of steam as the season has gone on but this table shows that we've actually done ok since the turn of the year. Seems to prove that we are a decent Championship outfit and not one who has just relied on early season momentum to keep them in with a shout.

In terms of performances we should have had a lot more points too.

 

[Bladesman]

View attachment 38607

Thought this was fairly interesting as there seems to be a feeling that we've run out of steam as the season has gone on but this table shows that we've actually done ok since the turn of the year. Seems to prove that we are a decent Championship outfit and not one who has just relied on early season momentum to keep them in with a shout.

In terms of performances we should have had a lot more points too.

So the shit has not hit the fan that much since Coutts got injured.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Nov - end of Dec has done us. About 6 points in 9 games. Spectre of the Coutts injury

 

[JJ Sefton]

View attachment 38607

Thought this was fairly interesting as there seems to be a feeling that we've run out of steam as the season has gone on but this table shows that we've actually done ok since the turn of the year. Seems to prove that we are a decent Championship outfit and not one who has just relied on early season momentum to keep them in with a shout.

In terms of performances we should have had a lot more points too.

We aren’t far off being a team that can realistically challenge at the top of this division.

 

[Balham]

Look at Leeds in that table!

 

[shrubbery]

I’m surprised at that.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Surprised at that, I'd have guessed we'd be much lower.

 

[Houston_Blade]

We draw too many at home now (having not drawn for a few months at the start of the season) and lose too many away. Sort it out Wilder

 

[blade too long]

Still possible
With so many playing each other such as millwall going to Fulham next week we are still very much in it. Derby were woeful at Burton Bristol seem to be falling off too. Boro could take 5th and take out a couple more leaving 6th up for grabs . We are playing well enough just got to be more clinical starting at St Andrews. Win our last 3 we can discount those below us which leaves 3 to lose a game and a draw and with the head to heads left something's got to give.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

We aren’t far off being a team that can realistically challenge at the top of this division.

Hopefully you've posted that drunk WB. Otherwise you're picking out subtle facts that I'm missing. The top of that table has nearly twice as many points as us over the period, 2nd place has 1.5 times as many. We have a minus goal difference over the period, whilst all the other teams in the top 6 have double figure positives. Over 17 games we've scored 18 goals; in the same period Fulham have scored 38, Villa & wolves 29, Cardiff 28 and Millwall 27. No matter how you spin it or wish it to be true, we're not currently knocking on the top 2's door.

 

[JonnyRed(WCFC)]

No away win for Bristol City, very telling...Derby running through treacle and Leeds fallen off a cliff

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

As we are (rightly) focussed on our form, we tend to forget that other teams, such as Leeds, Derby etc have had a pretty poor 2018, so by their standards we've actually done OK.

Just shows though how a better January window could have really kicked us on (given how rubbish/average some other teams have been).

 

[oldblade]

View attachment 38607

Thought this was fairly interesting as there seems to be a feeling that we've run out of steam as the season has gone on but this table shows that we've actually done ok since the turn of the year. Seems to prove that we are a decent Championship outfit and not one who has just relied on early season momentum to keep them in with a shout.

In terms of performances we should have had a lot more points too.

In truth, the only really bad spell we've had came in the 5 games immediately after Coutts was injured. We only took one point from those 5 games.

Since then we've taken 29 points from 21 games. Not the sort of form to get you promoted, but nowhere near relegation form.

 

[robbiez666]

If not for our start, we'd be down there with Wednesday and Forest.

Look at Fulham and Millwall.

 

[Roygbiv]

If not for our start, we'd be down there with Wednesday and Forest.

Look at Fulham and Millwall.

Were actually more points in front of Wednesday and Forest now as we were then

 

[Stretch]

If not for our start, we'd be down there with Wednesday and Forest.

Look at Fulham and Millwall.

Bristol City will be kicking themselves along with us as well.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

All very true but somehow it doesn’t make me feel any better.

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Interestingly, the goal difference shown in those tables (basically two blocks of similar numbered games) shifted from +10 to -1. After the 1st sixteen games (game before Burton) we'd scored 24 goals & conceded 14. In the 2nd table, we've scored 18 and conceded 19.

 

[Roygbiv]

Interestingly, the goal difference shown in those tables (basically two blocks of similar numbered games) shifted from +10 to -1.

A -6 goal difference against Wolves and Fulham hasn't helped

 

[Bellypork]

Were actually more points in front of Wednesday and Forest now as we were then

But Wednesday have fielded largely a reserve team in this period.

It means that United have only managed 4 more points than the Owls' second string since January.

It only serves to underline the need for investment in the summer.

Looking at that table, it shows what happens when the element of surprise is lost in the second half of the season.

This is the reason why I don't think losing in the play-offs would be a good idea.

The last thing United need is a hangover next season.

 

[tomtheblade]

Makes sense to me. We had an outstanding start, a really poor middle and an ok end.
It's like when you concede a last minute equaliser rather than scoring one. It's a draw and a point for both sides either way, but it feels completely different.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Our problem has been consistancy we have played really well but also had some poor matches,the problem has been not getting what we deserved when we have played well ( Saturday a good example )
Game management has cost us loads of points.We still have an opportunity !
Win last 3 games and we will do it in my opinion.can we find the consistency of early season and manage games better ?
If we do playoffs are there for the taking.

 

[Fanny magnet]

But Wednesday have fielded largely a reserve team in this period.

It means that United have only managed 4 more points than the Owls' second string since January.

It only serves to underline the need for investment in the summer.

Looking at that table, it shows what happens when the element of surprise is lost in the second half of the season.

This is the reason why I don't think losing in the play-offs would be a good idea.

The last thing United need is a hangover next season.

Your reserve team have been better than your first team
The reserve players aren't desperate to get out and actually try

 

[Roygbiv]

But Wednesday have fielded largely a reserve team in this period.

It means that United have only managed 4 more points than the Owls' second string since January.

It only serves to underline the need for investment in the summer.

Looking at that table, it shows what happens when the element of surprise is lost in the second half of the season.

This is the reason why I don't think losing in the play-offs would be a good idea.

The last thing United need is a hangover next season.

I slightly disagree. I actually think it shows that we weren't all about the element of surprise. We are a decent Championship side as the table above shows. We started off brilliantly, then showed relegation form then showed mid table form which is where we are realistically at.

Our performances for most of this period have been consistently good and we've undoubtedly deserved more points on the balance of play in many games. The reason we havent picked up those points is simply down to quality and confidence. (and a bit of luck). Our performances of late indicate we haven't been found out or are on a downward spiral. Its just shown that we lack that extra bit of quality you need. We don't play like Millwall who rely a lot on set pieces , physicality and grinding out results. Our game is all about possession so it's natural that when we come up against teams better than us at this style we will lose. I think Millwall and Cardiff have done so well as they know their limits and have a way to beat teams who are technically better than them. For better or worse we play one way which involves us trying to take the game to whoever we play. This has seen us get nothing in games where a more reserved approach might have seen us pick up those extra points we needed.

You won't find many United fans wanting to change the football we play though and this season has seen us play some excellent stuff. Our problem is that we don't have the quality at either end to complete the performances and we don't have another way of playing. We possibly lack experience in seeing games out too. In the last 5 games we've been leading them all with 15 minutes left but only won one. This is why I don't personally think the element of surprise that you talk about is why we have dropped off. We are still outplaying most sides but the quality of the players in certain areas has proven to be not be good enough and we have thrown away so many points late in games that it suggests its our game management that needs improving more than anything if we want to gain a play off spot next season.

 

[blade too long]

But Wednesday have fielded largely a reserve team in this period.

It means that United have only managed 4 more points than the Owls' second string since

utter crap
Injuries have hit us just as hard
No Coutts freeman Evans all season if you look at the appearance stats we've had as many players out as the. Swine . We haven't had 8 players play 35 plus games
Wednesday had all their first team until after the Birmingham game they losf 1-0 the week after the derby and were 12 th then