Could not be better (6 Viewers)

[Mucca Mad Boys]

And why did we lose that one? Injuries. And what’s more likely to happen as the season goes on not less? Injuries.

The main difference between autos and POs isn’t talent it’s mostly squad size allowing consistency.

One player was injured...

How often have we lost under Lampard from a winning position? Off the top of my head, it’s around 3-5 games.

Agree on the difference between automatic and POs which is why I think we need to be proactive in Jan and get 2-3 players.

Keeping things in perspective, 4 points from the next 2 going into the international break will keep us top. December to January will be a bit of a gauntlet.

 

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[shmmeee]

One player was injured...

How often have we lost under Lampard from a winning position? Off the top of my head, it’s around 3-5 games.

Agree on the difference between automatic and POs which is why I think we need to be proactive in Jan and get 2-3 players.

Keeping things in perspective, 4 points from the next 2 going into the international break will keep us top. December to January will be a bit of a gauntlet.

One?

We were without: MvE (suspended - will also happen more as the season goes on), Thomas, Dasilva, Torp, Rudoni. We play high intensity aggressive football. It’s not a surprise we pick up calf injuries and bookings. People are acting like it’s some freak incident we won’t see again this season.

 

[clint van damme]

The main difference between autos and POs isn’t talent it’s mostly squad size allowing consistency.

Sorry, but teams that have gone up through the autos generally have a lot more quality, of course a bigger squad is a factor but not many teams who don't have parachute money have the size of squad most supporters would like.

 

[David O'Day]

It's been an issue since we came back to the championship.
This squad is still far stronger than many we've started the season with though its still light in certain areas but I don't think we'll ever have the strength in depth we'd all like unless we go up and come back down and have access to parachute money.

That probably applies to most of the championship

yeah, we lose 6 to 7m a year outside of transfer sales so this is what we can afford and as you say it is gradually getting better.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

One?

We were without: MvE (suspended - will also happen more as the season goes on), Thomas, Dasilva, Torp, Rudoni. We play high intensity aggressive football. It’s not a surprise we pick up calf injuries and bookings. People are acting like it’s some freak incident we won’t see again this season.

Rudoni being out isn’t why we lost to Wrexham, we’ve just won 6 games on the bounce without him. Of the players listed, only 1 player was unavailable - Thomas. MVE was a suspension and will be back on Tuesday.

Of the players that came into the side, they’ve barely played with one another and for me, changing 3/4 defenders was disruptive and they need time to gel.

 

[shmmeee]

Rudoni being out isn’t why we lost to Wrexham, we’ve just won 6 games on the bounce without him. Of the players listed, only 1 player was unavailable - Thomas. MVE was a suspension and will be back on Tuesday.

Of the players that came into the side, they’ve barely played with one another and for me, changing 3/4 defenders was disruptive and they need time to gel.

Sorry, are you available during a suspension then?

 

[shmmeee]

Sorry, but teams that have gone up through the autos generally have a lot more quality, of course a bigger squad is a factor but not many teams who don't have parachute money have the size of squad most supporters would like.

That’s why not many make a sustained autos push. Our squad size is below even most playoff challengers if we’re honest. I know the likes of Allen and Bidwell have been great servants but time moves on as do the needs of the squad and we can’t keep pretending we have options from the bench or that outside of half the defence and the striker the drop off to the reserves isnt colossal if reserves even exist.

 

[Cally Fedora]

But the fact is no other championship clubs can state that either. No one has 22 equally talented players across the positions. It’s a myth. Our depth is actually fairly good. I’d say we are one good midfielder off being a well balanced unit in the division.

 

[shmmeee]

But the fact is no other championship clubs can state that either. No one has 22 equally talented players across the positions. It’s a myth. Our depth is actually fairly good. I’d say we are one good midfielder off being a well balanced unit in the division.

Can we just have a conversation without the ludicrous hyperbole on here?

We have some very clear gaps in our squad. Wide forward and AM we have zero proper cover. BTA has been scoring playing basically a second striker. When we want to change a game we have few proper options and forwards do a lot of explosive running and turning and are more prone to fatigue and injuries. Unlike say DMs or CBs.

That and having Jamie Allen as our backup midfield has cost us the last few games. The defence looks OK. But we play a game that relies on attacking fullbacks and ideally would like to be able to rest and rotate for similar reasons to our forwards as our fullbacks essentially play as forwards in possession so cover a lot of ground and will tire and we’ll want options if we’re not breaking a team down or if they’ve got a particular threat. KKH is good, ideally we’d have Brau as well.

Rudoni an Torp missing has been huge and Eccles and Allen as the go to replacements is a huge drop off in terms of output which is understandable Rudoni and Torp are two of the best in the division. But in terms of play style as well Allen and Torp and Rudi and Eccles are very different types of midfielders which means a big change to how we have to play if they’re not about. Not to mention loss of dead ball prowess and goals.

In an ideal world Brau would be OK and we’d have shipped Bidwell and Allen out and got a couple of forwards who can cover across the 3 behind the striker and a CM who can cover Torp (who is made of glass).

 

[Flying Fokker]

It would help if Wrexham hadn’t turned up.

They had similar squad issues as us. Regarding the other players needing to gel…I’m wondering if those days are behind us? FL will be working with the squad and no doubt rotating the players during training.

The subs have been getting 25 mins plus during the last few matches Our form dipped because of this. But this would suggest Lampard was planning for injuries etc. along the way.

 

[DT-R]

Fuck me son. How many times are you going to post it?

You got something right for once, get over yourself. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

How many times am I gonna post it? Ive posted it once! I can post it again if you'd like?

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[DT-R]

We have lost 1 in 13.

On a shoe string. But, as shown, the likes of Bidwell, Lati, Allen, just arent good enough! Theyre ok for 15 min cameos to rest players once 2 or 3 - 0 up, but once we start to get injuries theyre not good enough to cover for full games or back-to-back games like Allen has had to.
The difference between Allen and Torp the other night was night and day, same at LB with Bidwell and JDS. Imagine if JDS was injured for 5 or 6 weeks, can you imagine the damage Bidwell would inflict in that time? We've also been lucky that BTA has found some sort of form and has covered across 3 positions, and we've also been lucky he's only had to cover one at a time, Imagine if 2 of Rudi, Saka, and EMC were injured at the same time. BTA can only cover one of them, who covers the other position? If it were 2 long term injuries we're reaching the realms of recalling Raphael or playing Brau, who FL clearly doesnt rate either but what other choices would we have?
I still say we've got one of, if not the best starting 11 in the league. But once injuries set in and we have to make any kind of changes, we get turned over by a group of average, overpaid cloggers!

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[Mucca Mad Boys]

Sorry, are you available during a suspension then?

If we are talking specifics, you said we lost the game because of injuries. Which is a knee-jerk thing to say because it was only one player out with injury. Sure, include Rudoni if you want but we’d just won 6 consecutive games without him.

We went 1-0 up so should’ve been in a good position to at least draw the game.

 

[clint van damme]

That’s why not many make a sustained autos push. Our squad size is below even most playoff challengers if we’re honest. I know the likes of Allen and Bidwell have been great servants but time moves on as do the needs of the squad and we can’t keep pretending we have options from the bench or that outside of half the defence and the striker the drop off to the reserves isnt colossal if reserves even exist.

We're, (and others are), definitely taking a fingers crossed approach to injuries.
With hindsight it was some achievement by Robins to get us to the play off final with that squad given its lack of numbers and quality, even with Hamer and Gyokeres in it.

With regard to the likes of Allen how much of an upgrade can we sign without the player expecting to be more than bit part?

 

[Cally Fedora]

Can we just have a conversation without the ludicrous hyperbole on here?

We have some very clear gaps in our squad. Wide forward and AM we have zero proper cover. BTA has been scoring playing basically a second striker. When we want to change a game we have few proper options and forwards do a lot of explosive running and turning and are more prone to fatigue and injuries. Unlike say DMs or CBs.

That and having Jamie Allen as our backup midfield has cost us the last few games. The defence looks OK. But we play a game that relies on attacking fullbacks and ideally would like to be able to rest and rotate for similar reasons to our forwards as our fullbacks essentially play as forwards in possession so cover a lot of ground and will tire and we’ll want options if we’re not breaking a team down or if they’ve got a particular threat. KKH is good, ideally we’d have Brau as well.

Rudoni an Torp missing has been huge and Eccles and Allen as the go to replacements is a huge drop off in terms of output which is understandable Rudoni and Torp are two of the best in the division. But in terms of play style as well Allen and Torp and Rudi and Eccles are very different types of midfielders which means a big change to how we have to play if they’re not about. Not to mention loss of dead ball prowess and goals.

In an ideal world Brau would be OK and we’d have shipped Bidwell and Allen out and got a couple of forwards who can cover across the 3 behind the striker and a CM who can cover Torp (who is made of glass).

Ridiculous hyperbole? Weird. To answer the points. Wide forward. EMC, Wright, BTA. Wide forward right Saka, BTA, EMC. AM - Rudoni, Torp. Midfield - agreed, we need one more of quality but Allen isn’t our back up. We’re just unfortunate Eccles and Torp are out. Eccles for me is no drop off and I imagine we’ll fill that gap in January having had to take such a good deal for Sheaf late in the window. Full backs - we have 5 for two positions. On the right we have two of the best in the division. Left, not so good but would like to see more of Brau. Every squad needs more but is it realistic to expect it?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

That’s why not many make a sustained autos push. Our squad size is below even most playoff challengers if we’re honest. I know the likes of Allen and Bidwell have been great servants but time moves on as do the needs of the squad and we can’t keep pretending we have options from the bench or that outside of half the defence and the striker the drop off to the reserves isnt colossal if reserves even exist.

You’re making a habit of jumping the gun on things so I’d suggest just relaxing. Allen is a 4th choice CM and Bidwell has started 1 game…

After Xmas 2024 to the end of the season, we won the 3rd most points in the league and that’s without winning away from March. The squad is stronger than last season and whilst I agree the squad lacks in areas, specifically ‘creators’ (wingers and AMs) we’re in a v good spot.

Come January, we’ll almost definitely open the cheque book.

 

[DT-R]

If we are talking specifics, you said we lost the game because of injuries. Which is a knee-jerk thing to say because it was only one player out with injury. Sure, include Rudoni if you want but we’d just won 6 consecutive games without him.

We went 1-0 up so should’ve been in a good position to at least draw the game.

It wasnt only one player injured though. It was one player long term injured. Rudoni. But Thomas was out with a calf strain (id call that an injury), Torp was on the bench because he was coming back from injury so not able to play a full 90 mins (aka, not available for selection because of injury), Eccles the same as Torp. JDS was ill. Not available whether ill or injured is not available. Potato - Tomato. Same outcome. Thats 5 players unavailable for a full game for one reason or another. Then add suspensions in to the fold also (Kitch on 4. Thomas, JDS, and Haji on 3) we're gonna miss players due to that. Albeit only 1 game, but as MVE has proven, it has a knock on effect.

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[DT-R]

If we are talking specifics, you said we lost the game because of injuries. Which is a knee-jerk thing to say because it was only one player out with injury. Sure, include Rudoni if you want but we’d just won 6 consecutive games without him.

We went 1-0 up so should’ve been in a good position to at least draw the game.

We were never in a position to get anything from that game. Even at 1-0 up we were still the worst team.

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

If we are talking specifics, you said we lost the game because of injuries. Which is a knee-jerk thing to say because it was only one player out with injury. Sure, include Rudoni if you want but we’d just won 6 consecutive games without him.

We went 1-0 up so should’ve been in a good position to at least draw the game.

It was the only chance of the half and we should have been 2-0 down even by then.

Lampard going with 2 in midfield and a defence with 3 imposed changes couldn’t cope.

 

[shmmeee]

We're, (and others are), definitely taking a fingers crossed approach to injuries.
With hindsight it was some achievement by Robins to get us to the play off final with that squad given its lack of numbers and quality, even with Hamer and Gyokeres in it.

With regard to the likes of Allen how much of an upgrade can we sign without the player expecting to be more than bit part?

As I say though. We all see Robins PO season as a great success but arguably it was and even bigger success scuppered by injuries and squad size. Robins would play players past what they should do because he didn’t trust his subs. Lampard it seems so far is willing to risk the game but the long term outcome is the same.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

As I say though. We all see Robins PO season as a great success but arguably it was and even bigger success scuppered by injuries and squad size. Robins would play players past what they should do because he didn’t trust his subs. Lampard it seems so far is willing to risk the game but the long term outcome is the same.

He got away with it against a better side and thought he could push his luck again. Bizarrely he nearly did purely from a scoreline perspective, but we’ll see next week whether or not it was right to hold players back.

 

[shmmeee]

Most seasons I wouldn’t say we should overspend. But chances like this don’t come around often and the pay off is huge. We can make deals that mean we aren’t fucked if we don’t go up I’m sure of that. But if we’re up the top by new year IMO Doug would be mental not to fund what we need to make it through the season.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Most seasons I wouldn’t say we should overspend. But chances like this don’t come around often and the pay off is huge. We can make deals that mean we aren’t fucked if we don’t go up I’m sure of that. But if we’re up the top by new year IMO Doug would be mental not to fund what we need to make it through the season.

The insurance policy to a big January spend is a big summer sale, including at least one player who the club assumed would be sold the summer just gone.

 

[shmmeee]

The insurance policy to a big January spend is a big summer sale, including at least one player who the club assumed would be sold the summer just gone.

Im willing to be we haven’t budgeted for Milan’s wages for another year. You’d think there will be a fire sale if we don’t go up but sellers need a buyer. By my count we’ve got another year left on Doug’s wild ride anyway so maybe there’s budget for next year anyway.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Im willing to be we haven’t budgeted for Milan’s wages for another year. You’d think there will be a fire sale if we don’t go up but sellers need a buyer. By my count we’ve got another year left on Doug’s wild ride anyway so maybe there’s budget for next year anyway.

Well his personal insurance is to sell the ground and club in a package, but there's some work to be done before that's oven ready.

 

[shmmeee]

Well his personal insurance is to sell the ground and club in a package, but there's some work to be done before that's oven ready.

I think that’s the five years. Maybe a year or two more of getting it actually sold. Either we go up or we get sold as a better prospect. It’s why I also think there’s a budgeted debt amount he thinks he can recoup in either scenario.

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

Most seasons I wouldn’t say we should overspend. But chances like this don’t come around often and the pay off is huge. We can make deals that mean we aren’t fucked if we don’t go up I’m sure of that. But if we’re up the top by new year IMO Doug would be mental not to fund what we need to make it through the season.

I'm not sure about that. Every transfer window you seem to post about bringing in endless new additions!

That said I'm sure DK will support FL's ambitions in January, albeit I supect it will be primarily through the loan market.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

We were never in a position to get anything from that game. Even at 1-0 up we were still the worst team.

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It was the only chance of the half and we should have been 2-0 down even by then.

Lampard going with 2 in midfield and a defence with 3 imposed changes couldn’t cope.

Based on what? We created the best chance in the first half, had more corners, more shots and deserved to be 1-0 up at half time. The data supports this.

Second half, the 100% deserved a goal but scoring 3 goals from less than 1 xG is over performing. 3 goals from 4 shots on target…

It was a game of 2 halves. We edged the first half and Wrexham punished us in the 2nd.

It wasnt only one player injured though. It was one player long term injured. Rudoni. But Thomas was out with a calf strain (id call that an injury), Torp was on the bench because he was coming back from injury so not able to play a full 90 mins (aka, not available for selection because of injury), Eccles the same as Torp. JDS was ill. Not available whether ill or injured is not available. Potato - Tomato. Same outcome. Thats 5 players unavailable for a full game for one reason or another. Then add suspensions in to the fold also (Kitch on 4. Thomas, JDS, and Haji on 3) we're gonna miss players due to that. Albeit only 1 game, but as MVE has proven, it has a knock on effect.

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They weren’t unavailable because barring Thomas and Rudoni, they all played. Rudoni was out for the 6 game win streak against stronger opposition.

There’s a lot of panicking about squad depth and in reality, our depth is good overall. We just don’t have a winger or AM on the bench to change a game. I was making that case in preseason and had grief from people saying we needed yet another striker.

 

[Cally Fedora]

Im willing to be we haven’t budgeted for Milan’s wages for another year. You’d think there will be a fire sale if we don’t go up but sellers need a buyer. By my count we’ve got another year left on Doug’s wild ride anyway so maybe there’s budget for next year anyway.

Who’s engaging in hyperbole now. “A fire sale”. No. You’d probably just see a perfectly normal turnover of players.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Based on what? We created the best chance in the first half, had more corners, more shots and deserved to be 1-0 up at half time. The data supports this.

Second half, the 100% deserved a goal but scoring 3 goals from less than 1 xG is over performing. 3 goals from 4 shots on target…

It was a game of 2 halves. We edged the first half and Wrexham punished us in the 2nd.


They weren’t unavailable because barring Thomas and Rudoni, they all played. Rudoni was out for the 6 game win streak against stronger opposition.

There’s a lot of panicking about squad depth and in reality, our depth is good overall. We just don’t have a winger or AM on the bench to change a game. I was making that case in preseason and had grief from people saying we needed yet another striker.

I get that’s what the xG might say, but O’Brien seriously fucked up early on and Rushworth just about kept out another. We should have been far behind.

 

[Cally Fedora]

We didn’t deserve to be 1 up. They missed 2-3 sitters.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I get that’s what the xG might say, but O’Brien seriously fucked up early on and Rushworth just about kept out another. We should have been far behind.

We didn’t deserve to be 1 up. They missed 2-3 sitters.

This is without a doubt overestimating Wrexham’s threat here. For context, Watford had 3 ‘big chances’ against us last week and scored the one (the pen). In contrast, EMC’s goal was the only big chance created in the game from both teams on Friday.

0.44 v 0.98 xG in the first half. Even taking out the goal, we still had the higher xG (0.44 v 0.46) so the game was balanced in the first half and we edged it by creating one good chance.

The whole game, Wrexham’s xG was 1.41 which in most games will not yield 3 goals and v much points to subpar defending.

 

[clint van damme]

Im willing to be we haven’t budgeted for Milan’s wages for another year. You’d think there will be a fire sale if we don’t go up but sellers need a buyer. By my count we’ve got another year left on Doug’s wild ride anyway so maybe there’s budget for next year anyway.

Let's be honest,none of us know the implications of now owning the ground on player budget, especially not in the short term.

 

[shmmeee]

Let's be honest,none of us know the implications of now owning the ground on player budget, especially not in the short term.

If owning the ground doesn’t make us more financially secure why do it?

 

[clint van damme]

If owning the ground doesn’t make us more financially secure why do it?

I'm sure it will, I just don't know what it does to the playing budget short term.
Might increase it, might not, I've no idea.