Half term report (7 Viewers)

[Sky Blue Pete]

Rushworth - 9 quite simply brilliant must have secured almost 10 points. Still some whinging with his distribution, not for me
Mve - 8 for me so important to how we play and he gets Thomas and Kitching out of so much trouble. Has had some poor games by his standards
Dasilva - 7.5 absolute revelation compared to last season
Thomas - 8 not as many goals as I’d hoped but an absolute man mountain and passing coming on
Kitching - 8 same as above I think him playing with Dasilva regularly has helped them both
Grimes - 9.5 the heartbeat of the team, leader and captain
Torp - 8.5 gaining strength and stamina to his significant talent on the ball. His dribbling the length of the pitch is becoming a regular thing
Saka - 7.5 struggling to find his absolute class and at times has been loathed to take his player on. Brilliant dribbler
Emc - 8.5 could easily be the difference between record points and just promotion. So many important goals, most chances created etc etc
Rudoni - 7 not reached the heights of last year. Will be such an important player in the second half of the season
Wright - 7.5 started off like a train and has had some in and out performances but still one of the best strikers in the league
Simms - 7 stepped up with a quite wonderful month of goals and performances
Bta - 8.5 revelation. Added goals to his energy. Missing him and hope he comes back in the same form
Kkh - 7 still not seen the best of him but what a player to bring on to see out a game
Woolf - 7 see above. Seems to have found his feet last 2 games
Allen - 7 love his energy when coming on last 15 mins. Not a starter anymore
Eccles 7.5 again think he will be an important player for us second half of the season
Bidwell - 6 no longer has the pave but has the heart of a lion as shown against Ipswich
Brau - 6 looks lively but clearly Lampard still requires him to do more in training to get game time
Andrews 6.5 looks like he has pace and confidence imagine if we bring someone in he will be going out on loan
Lati - 6 great we have players who won’t rock the boat when they’re not getting game time
Wilson - 6 excellent mascot can see him staying around as the third keeper irrespective of the league next year

Lampard - 9.5 what a job he has done, well him and the coaches. Most impressive when not blowing people away that we keep finding a way

Doug King - 9.5 can he pull it off!!!

nb I’m sure I’ve missed someone

 

---

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Everything is 10/10 right now. We’re in a position that it’s v difficult to mess this up now.

 

[harvey098]

Agreed. There are a handful of players that you could make a case for POTS so far. Everything is a rosy shade of sky blue

 

[Deity]

Everything is 10/10 right now. We’re in a position that it’s v difficult to mess this up now.

It really is a great position to be in but don’t be fooled … 1 bad week of losses and the gap gets close and it tests our nerve.

Assuming we are almost certain to go up is one of our biggest risks in achieving it ….

 

[Bernie Rhodes Nose]

Rushworth - 9 quite simply brilliant must have secured almost 10 points. Still some whinging with his distribution, not for me
Mve - 8 for me so important to how we play and he gets Thomas and Kitching out of so much trouble. Has had some poor games by his standards
Dasilva - 7.5 absolute revelation compared to last season
Thomas - 8 not as many goals as I’d hoped but an absolute man mountain and passing coming on
Kitching - 8 same as above I think him playing with Dasilva regularly has helped them both
Grimes - 9.5 the heartbeat of the team, leader and captain
Torp - 8.5 gaining strength and stamina to his significant talent on the ball. His dribbling the length of the pitch is becoming a regular thing
Saka - 7.5 struggling to find his absolute class and at times has been loathed to take his player on. Brilliant dribbler
Emc - 8.5 could easily be the difference between record points and just promotion. So many important goals, most chances created etc etc
Rudoni - 7 not reached the heights of last year. Will be such an important player in the second half of the season
Wright - 7.5 started off like a train and has had some in and out performances but still one of the best strikers in the league
Simms - 7 stepped up with a quite wonderful month of goals and performances
Bta - 8.5 revelation. Added goals to his energy. Missing him and hope he comes back in the same form
Kkh - 7 still not seen the best of him but what a player to bring on to see out a game
Woolf - 7 see above. Seems to have found his feet last 2 games
Allen - 7 love his energy when coming on last 15 mins. Not a starter anymore
Eccles 7.5 again think he will be an important player for us second half of the season
Bidwell - 6 no longer has the pave but has the heart of a lion as shown against Ipswich
Brau - 6 looks lively but clearly Lampard still requires him to do more in training to get game time
Andrews 6.5 looks like he has pace and confidence imagine if we bring someone in he will be going out on loan
Lati - 6 great we have players who won’t rock the boat when they’re not getting game time
Wilson - 6 excellent mascot can see him staying around as the third keeper irrespective of the league next year

Lampard - 9.5 what a job he has done, well him and the coaches. Most impressive when not blowing people away that we keep finding a way

Doug King - 9.5 can he pull it off!!!

nb I’m sure I’ve missed someone

Joe Edwards, Aled Williams and the presenter of "Kick it to Win it"

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

It really is a great position to be in but don’t be fooled … 1 bad week of losses and the gap gets close and it tests our nerve.

Assuming we are almost certain to go up is one of our biggest risks in achieving it ….

You can’t be too complacent but when you do the maths, it’s v difficult to see how 2 teams beat our form over the next 23 games.

Our home and away form is better than Boro and Ipswich and we’ve had a more difficult teams away than both.

The only people doubting us at present is our own fans who have an ingrained belief that it ‘doesn’t happen for people like us’.

Every milestone, we’ve said ‘wait til 10, 15, 20, 23 games’ and we’ve got stronger. December was going to be the month where things could’ve went badly and the gap to 2nd is 8 points and the gap to 3rd has extended to 13 points.

Boro and Ipswich aren’t consistent enough to catch us up at the moment, Ipswich will probably catch Boro but not us.

 

[Jonny]

Joe Edwards, Aled Williams and the presenter of "Kick it to Win it"

They can't be that significant if you don't even know what the game's called!

 

[Deity]

Historic form as a guide to future form is a natural approach to take but it is also had its flaws.

Most teams have a form wobble during the season. We haven’t had one yet ? Have the chasing team had theirs ? The teams won’t be the same due to the January window, injuries, form etc ….

Historic form is a guide but it’s far from fool proof.

 

[Bernie Rhodes Nose]

They can't be that significant if you don't even know what the game's called!

True, I'm usually dashing for the loo.

 

[skybluecb]

The fact that we are finding ways to win right now when we not at our best due to illness and injury, gives me the believe. Also i have never seen a city team so together, if someone is off form, then someone else stands up, heads dont drop, we fight till the game is won. I would give the whole team 10 out of 10 so far. With special mentions to Rushworth, Thomas, Grimes, EMC and BTA. I also love Lampard, we are so lucky to have him, if players can't be inspired by him then there is something wrong. I also don't see where the hate from fans of other clubs comes from, he is a top class English manager, who is taking City to the Preimer League?

 

[clint van damme]

Historic form as a guide to future form is a natural approach to take but it is also had its flaws.

Most teams have a form wobble during the season. We haven’t had one yet ? Have the chasing team had theirs ? The teams won’t be the same due to the January window, injuries, form etc ….

Historic form is a guide but it’s far from fool proof.

I think December was our wobble, 2 draws and a defeat so far being our worse month of the season.

And whatever the fans think, I can't see Lampard allowing complacency to creep into the squad.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Historic form as a guide to future form is a natural approach to take but it is also had its flaws.

Most teams have a form wobble during the season. We haven’t had one yet ? Have the chasing team had theirs ? The teams won’t be the same due to the January window, injuries, form etc ….

Historic form is a guide but it’s far from fool proof.

It’s not fool proof but it’s a solid indicator. We’ve lost 2 league games under Lampard so realistically, will we lose more than 3 games in the next 12
Home games? I’d say probably not.

Similarly, Ipswich’s away form is currently 1.18 ppg, is it likely that they will turn into a 2.3 ppg team away from home? Bearing in mind only a handful of promoted teams actually average 2 ppg away from home.

Not sure about ‘wobbles’ but if you go through Boro and Ipswich’s away games, it’s fair to say our ‘strength of schedule’ has been tougher.

After 23 games, if you’re clear of 3rd place by 13 points, the likelihood of you getting promoted is probably 90% and above.

 

[clint van damme]

I also don't see where the hate from fans of other clubs comes from, he is a top class English manager, who is taking City to the Preimer League?

He's high profile, it happens to all high profile explayers who go into management.

Look at the schadenfreude around Rooneys car crash managerial career!

 

[Speedie's Head]

Torpy for me - he's really been outstanding.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I think December was our wobble, 2 draws and a defeat so far being our worse month of the season.

And whatever the fans think, I can't see Lampard allowing complacency to creep into the squad.

He’s been there and done it as a player and this point is something the players mention in interviews. It’s pretty clear they respect Lampard and trust that he knows what it takes to win a league title.

He’s a manager that’s had a Top 4 Prem finish which is an achievement unmatched by any manager post-Prem years. It’s not a stretch to think he’s capable of managing a Top 2 finish in the championship.

 

[fatso]

Lampard has taken many of our players to another level, and his tactical awareness is the best ive seen.
Replacing MR was always going to be a tough challenge, but appointing FL was a masterstroke.

Mondays game against Ipswich will be a huge test, if we can get all 3 points then that sends a massive message to the rest of the league. That we are ready for the PL and the rest are playing for second place and the playoffs

 

[clint van damme]

Lampard has taken many of our players to another level, and his tactical awareness is the best ive seen.
Replacing MR was always going to be a tough challenge, but appointing FL was a masterstroke.

Mondays game against Ipswich will be a huge test, if we can get all 3 points then that sends a massive message to the rest of the league. That we are ready for the PL and the rest are playing for second place and the playoffs

A win tomorrow and I can't see us being stopped. Especially with a couple of useful additions in January.
The approach to the cup game should be interesting.

 

[skybluecb]

Lampard has taken many of our players to another level, and his tactical awareness is the best ive seen.
Replacing MR was always going to be a tough challenge, but appointing FL was a masterstroke.

Mondays game against Ipswich will be a huge test, if we can get all 3 points then that sends a massive message to the rest of the league. That we are ready for the PL and the rest are playing for second place and the playoffs

Yeah his tactical awareness is top class, really noticeable in the last few games. Changing formation at exactly the right time during games and also credit to the players to be able to execute it. This is exactly why we are so hard to beat.

 

[Cool Cory]

Everything is a definite 10/10. Everything is as perfect as it could be now. PUSB

 

[fatso]

A win tomorrow and I can't see us being stopped. Especially with a couple of useful additions in January.
The approach to the cup game should be interesting.

I'd play the kids and the fringe players against Stoke, give the regulars a week off, and a well earnt rest before the run in.

This is one year when we dont need any cup distractions.

 

[Speedie's Head]

This is one year when we dont need any cup distractions.

He won't though! Piss the Cup and the League

 

[Deity]

It’s not fool proof but it’s a solid indicator. We’ve lost 2 league games under Lampard so realistically, will we lose more than 3 games in the next 12
Home games? I’d say probably not.

Similarly, Ipswich’s away form is currently 1.18 ppg, is it likely that they will turn into a 2.3 ppg team away from home? Bearing in mind only a handful of promoted teams actually average 2 ppg away from home.

Not sure about ‘wobbles’ but if you go through Boro and Ipswich’s away games, it’s fair to say our ‘strength of schedule’ has been tougher.

After 23 games, if you’re clear of 3rd place by 13 points, the likelihood of you getting promoted is probably 90% and above.

I agree it’s a solid indicator but no better than that.

The parachute teams typically start off slowly which is in their historic ppg but won’t be in their future ppg. The January window isn’t yet factored in etc etc

If your still not convinced then look at our ppg pre Christmas and post Christmas last season …. Look at Walsall last season …. It happens

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I agree it’s a solid indicator but no better than that.

The parachute teams typically start off slowly which is in their historic ppg but won’t be in their future ppg. The January window isn’t yet factored in etc etc

If your still not convinced then look at our ppg pre Christmas and post Christmas last season …. Look at Walsall last season …. It happens

Southampton, Leicester, Sheff U and Ipswich are well below the usual run rate.

After Boxing Day, the Top 4 all had 44 points and only Sheff U had 50 points. We’re ahead of Leeds. Burnley and Sheff U this time last year for context. Only Boro are on 40+ points and they’d be 5th on last years tally.

Even if Ipswich hit 53 points in the 2nd half the season, which is equal to Burnley in 24/25 tally (Leeds got 52)… they’ll be on 91 points. To hit the same tally, we need 40 points.

Walsall lost key loan players, we won’t lose key players in the transfer market this Jan. They also had an absolute stinker of a 2025, that’s what it’d take for us to mess this up and there’s no sign of that happening under Lampard because we’ve averaged over 2 points a game in his tenure with a near perfect home record.

 

[covcity4life]

A win tomorrow and I can't see us being stopped. Especially with a couple of useful additions in January.
The approach to the cup game should be interesting.

We have got a points buffer to allow ourselves to play a strong team Vs stoke tbh

Also got to take into account what momentum does for you so we won't wanna lose it

Also how will robins approach it? Hopefully he throws in towel. I wanna advance to next round. We are a great team this season and could go deep on top of winning league

As for half term report the times podcast this week said cov have no superstar but are a team made up of stars. Think that sums it up well

 

[clint van damme]

We have got a points buffer to allow ourselves to play a strong team Vs stoke tbh

Also got to take into account what momentum does for you so we won't wanna lose it

Also how will robins approach it? Hopefully he throws in towel. I wanna advance to next round. We are a great team this season and could go deep on top of winning league

As for half term report the times podcast this week said cov have no superstar but are a team made up of stars. Think that sums it up well

I definitely think they'll play a weakened team, and hope they do.
They've got a few games coming up that we could do with them picking up points in

 

[hill83]

Still maintain we should have won away at Leicester if we are serious about this season.