We're going down.

[grafikhaus]

That would put us on around 50 points. You think that will be enough? If that's all you're hoping for then we will be in a dogfight til the last day...

Last season, 51 points was 'safe', however the Pompey deduction will have skewed things.

 

[Darren]

Last season, 51 points was 'safe', however the Pompey deduction will have skewed things.

View attachment 6692

Portsmouth would have got 42 without the deduction so would still have been relegated. 49 would have been enough to survive.

 

[Eskimo]

It wasn't pretty last night but I'm glad a sense of realisation has crept in and we are scrapping for points. I'd settle for 19th position now.

I dont think there is a lack of effort and I dont think that the players generally aren't good enough. Clough has inherited jigsaw pieces to fit together, yet no pattern to work to. Some may well and should go elsewhere and may do well in a system that suits them.

I'm not keen on White or Lappin and I could give young Long shouting lessons. It is an important season for him and he needs to be more assertive

I'd imagine is a difficult team to play in at present, there is clearly little fluidity/cohesion or understanding or confidence - these things only come with winning. I saw last night plently of safe but hopeful balls played out of defence to no one in particular which would have brought howls of derision under Wilson but which, in our position I think is justifiable.

I thought Walsall played well, they did not sit back and were confident on the ball - a draw was a fair result.

Orient next.

 

[JohnDenver]

according to the Sun , Long saved us with his heroics in a game we dominated for long periods !!

I need a job in journalism.

 

[Trafford]

Anyone care to disagree? Just can't see Cloughy turning this around. The players don't give a shit.

Genuine question - were you there last night? I ask because some of the most negative posters on here seem to be regulars on Shoutbox, rather than attending the games, and it's easy to get a jaundiced view.

 

[sitwell]

To say the players didn't give a shit last night is ridiculous.

 

[Deadbat]

I would not say out and out they didn't give a shit - what I am seeing is players beating us to so many 50-50 balls; to headers and second balls. Maybe it is just slowness of mind/feet as much as work ethic but I do maintain fitness (or lack of it) has a big part. These players seem to be treading water very early in games.

I just feel we should see more passion/desire and urgency. Number of times we dallied over throws/restarting game and our tempo is incredibly slow (maybe been told to slow it down) so we make it very hard to counterattack or get many forward thrusts and rely on set plays or goals like the last two games.

In short teams simply seem to have fitter and more committed players aswell as some with more skill. As bad as our players are as many have said; a lot have played Champ or higher and so many they are up against have not. Are they as bad as they are making out or could they up it by 20% in terms of effort alone. I honestly believe despite all issues with defending/attacking this season; if players just won more 50/50 balls, we got the vital headers/tackles in, we would have more ball, more chances (just on percentages alone) and won more games.

Maybe I am wrong and even with extra effort/commitment to win balls; it would not translate to more wins. I'kll have to be honest though and say we have lost so many individual battles all season and mostly it has been as much about desire as ability (although latter helps). Last night other than maybe Hill and Porter who could say they got better out of their respective opponent?

 

[Bergen Blade]

He made two good saves and caught everything that came his way. A 4 is incredibly harsh.

We wouldn't be very happy now if he hadn't made one on one saves in each of the last two games...

 

[Sirius]

,[quote="Deadbat, post: 547146, member: 2141"]No worries entitled to opinion. Corner thing I was wrong. Should have checked stats but it was late, I was tired and it seemed like about 7!!!

Thanks DB it sounds as though it is bad enough having to watch, without reporting as well. Thanks from us lot far away.
Cant remember saying he mishit one due to lack of passion -if I did then I retract that - ability/ fatigue maybe! (very unfit as are most - the fact he could not land a corner summed it up)

Surely a fit, athletic side, even one without much ability should be able to do the basics. Can't land a corner.!!!!
They should have tried it with a casey on a wet and windy pitch in Graves Park. FFS

Care to offer your opinions on marks - no worries if disagreeing - maybe Doyle could have a touch higher on reflection (as I say it was late!) but not sure other than Hill or Porter who can say they had a decent to good game. They were all very ordinary with White (and Miller sadly) I felt particularly poor.[/quote]

I do like to see how others marked the players and their thoughts. I, like many, are indebted to DB for the reports that he does Thanks DB

 

[MBoreman]

A few people have said Miller was poor but I'd have to disagree. He got the odd shot off and kept turning well when he got the ball but was sadly often to deep for a shot. He's our only player who I think might do something when he gets the ball, the sort to win you a game.

 

[sheffielder]

A few people have said Miller was poor but I'd have to disagree. He got the odd shot off and kept turning well when he got the ball but was sadly often to deep for a shot. He's our only player who I think might do something when he gets the ball, the sort to win you a game.

Miller did have a poor night and he didn't look at the races. His mind didn't seem on it as usually he makes better decisions, however gave the ball away all the time and didn't pass when given the opportunity. I felt he dropped back a bit too much where as I think he should play on the shoulder all the time

 

[madeinsheffield]

I don't think he's fully recovered from having best part of a year out from a potentially career ending injury, he's going to be lacking in both fitness and match sharpness for a while yet I expect.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Miller did have a poor night and he didn't look at the races. His mind didn't seem on it as usually he makes better decisions, however gave the ball away all the time and didn't pass when given the opportunity. I felt he dropped back a bit too much where as I think he should play on the shoulder all the time

Porter won a lot in the air, but he often competed against one of Walsall's midfielders, meaning their centre halves dropped deeper, ready to deal with Miller or just pick up the flick on. It's not easy for strikers when they're so isolated.

 

[GRENO]

I don't think he's fully recovered from having best part of a year out from a potentially career ending injury, he's going to be lacking in both fitness and match sharpness for a while yet I expect.

So what's Doyle's excuse.

 

[sheffielder]

So what's Doyle's excuse.

Doesn't need one when people constantly do it for him

 

[madeinsheffield]

So what's Doyle's excuse.

I wish I could answer, I've been watching him more closely of late, and come to the same answer, he's robbing the club every week, should be ashamed to call himself Captain!