Let’s have some calm (19 Viewers)

[Londonccfcfan]

Someone made a thread the other week about an “us against them mentality” I can’t find it but it pretty much hit the nail on the head in terms of how we need to be. The celebrations last night from Norwich like they had just won the league tells you everything about being top of the league, teams are raising their game against us wanting to get a result.

I hope Lampard read them the riot act last night, we were very poor, the standard we set at the start of the season is the very minimum we need to be hitting, we’ve got a full squad back now so there’s no excuses.

Starting with QPR on Saturday we need to raise our game, Lampard has a part to play in terms of sorting that gaping hole in the middle of the park we’ve been letting teams exploit for long enough!

I was angry last night, slept on it and woke up remembering were still 3 points clear at the top, 8 off third.

That being said if there’s not a vast improvement on Saturday I’ll start to worry.

Yes agreed. But its the form of last 11 games. We really did scrape some of the wins we have got.

We dont look convincing at all in any match.

I prefer the games where Rushworth doesnt have anything to do.

 

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[Great_Expectations]

I understand the call for calm, and I agree things are still in our hands - just.

However it’s also understandable why fans are concerned; team performances have been poor, individuals well under par, constant failure to adapt our tactics and style of play, players preferred regardless of form.

Plus external factors; teams around us finding momentum and strengthening this window. On the latter we’ve done so, but we still need more.

It is an extra emotive time right now, this is the closest we’ve been since we dropped out the premier league - nobody wants to see us blow it when we’re so close.

And those who recall the Mowbray season are likely getting flashbacks. Never mind what followed the season after!

 

[CCFCSteve]

Seem to have lost that discipline,is Frank not the second coming?

The clinicalness included a bit of luck earlier in the season, now it’s not quite going for us. We weren’t quite as good as people thought we were earlier in the season, we’re not quite as bad as some are saying we are now. That’s not to say we don’t need to sort some stuff out though and I’d be disappointed if we don’t

 

[Lamps]

What makes me laugh is I was called clueless by many before the season started for predicting we would finish 2nd to 4th this season as we had a poor squad. Now I'm not supposed to be relaxed by the present situation caused by illness and injuries the squad which for now are over.

We've nearly played all of our most difficult games of the season. We have a stronger squad than we started with. We're back to 2 points a game since we could put good players on the bench.

QPR A
Oxford H
Middlesbrough H
WBA A
Sheffield United A
Stoke H

That's our games until the end of February. It's also more or less 1/3 of our remaining games. 4 wins 2 defeats puts us on 70 points with 13 games remaining.

Middlesbrough

Norwich H
Sheffield United A
Coventry A
Oxford H
Leicester H
Birmingham A

Ipswich

Preston H
Portsmouth A
Wrexham A
Derby A
Watford A
Swansea H

They also have a cup game against Wrexham in the middle of that.

 

[Grendel]

The last thing we need to do is act entitled.

We're not going to win every game. We lost last night because of a defensive mistake yet we had the better chances away against the present form side.

And still we have many that decide to ignore the reasons for our little bad run like injuries and illness that went through the squad.

The way we play was seen as excellent when we were picking up lots of wins. We're now back up to strength and the wins will come back, but we still won't win every game.

Most of the predictions on here were playoffs at best, yet here we are needing less than a point a game to get into the playoffs and many are looking for someone to blame. ⁸

The way we play was reliant on grimes acting as a sweeper across the back to to allow the full backs to get further forward.

It’s not working anymore - we get cut open too easily. Torp looks like he’s physical age has increased by 10 years since the start of the season.

We don’t have the energy in midfield now. Ironically if O Hare was here then we possibly could still have done it. Let’s not kid ourselves. If we do end up in the play offs it will be very difficult to recover morale to get through it

 

[MacReady]

I’ll say it again. When was the last game we were actually in control? The concern is that we’ve been flaky as fuck for so many games. If we get through this window without midfield enforcements and just a couple of loans then it’ll be a missed opportunity.

Trying to stay positive as at least we own our stadium… but we are playing like a mid table team and have been for a while now.

 

[Grendel]

I understand the call for calm, and I agree things are still in our hands - just.

However it’s also understandable why fans are concerned; team performances have been poor, individuals well under par, constant failure to adapt our tactics and style of play, players preferred regardless of form.

Plus external factors; teams around us finding momentum and strengthening this window. On the latter we’ve done so, but we still need more.

It is an extra emotive time right now, this is the closest we’ve been since we dropped out the premier league - nobody wants to see us blow it when we’re so close.

And those who recall the Mowbray season are likely getting flashbacks. Never mind what followed the season after!

Which players are played regardless of form?

 

[stupot07]

Interesting looking at the average xG against, it shows we have been leakier and leakier.

Games
1-10 average xG 0.86
11-20 average xG 1.17
21-29 average xG 1.28

In the last 9 every team (100%) has managed to created chances of xG of 1+, in the previous 20, only 11 (55%) of teams having managed to create chances of xG of 1+.

Going forwards our xG for is also in decline

1-10 average xG 2.23
11-20 average xG 1.77
21-29 average xG 1.63

 

[Freddie]

What makes me laugh is I was called clueless by many before the season started for predicting we would finish 2nd to 4th this season as we had a poor squad. Now I'm not supposed to be relaxed by the present situation caused by illness and injuries the squad which for now are over.

We've nearly played all of our most difficult games of the season. We have a stronger squad than we started with. We're back to 2 points a game since we could put good players on the bench.

QPR A
Oxford H
Middlesbrough H
WBA A
Sheffield United A
Stoke H

That's our games until the end of February. It's also more or less 1/3 of our remaining games. 4 wins 2 defeats puts us on 70 points with 13 games remaining.

Middlesbrough

Norwich H
Sheffield United A
Coventry A
Oxford H
Leicester H
Birmingham A

Ipswich

Preston H
Portsmouth A
Wrexham A
Derby A
Watford A
Swansea H

They also have a cup game against Wrexham in the middle of that.

We just got out played by 20th in the league. Your paragraphs mean nothing.

 

[shmmeee]

Depends what you mean by "deserved"

You look at all the stats from last night, they're very even. Both 16 shots with 5 on target. We created 3 big chances vs their 2. We had 1.9 xG v 1.18.

Yes watching the game you could see we lacked control especially in midfield, but that game often ends in a draw or even a win for us. People forget EMC hitting the bar from yards out etc.

And you’re forgetting them hitting the post from yards out. And the two red cards we somehow avoided.

 

[Lamps]

We just got out played by 20th in the league. Your paragraphs mean nothing.

That have now win 5 out of their last 6 games after bringing in a new manager and some good players.

That's the problem with this place. When someone has a point to force the truth isn't considered.

 

[Lamps]

And you’re forgetting them hitting the post from yards out. And the two red cards we somehow avoided.

For those that say xG is a good pointer ours was a fair bit higher than theirs.

 

[skybluecam]

We just got out played by 20th in the league. Your paragraphs mean nothing.

If league position is all that matters clearly we are the best and have nothing to worry about?

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Off the top of my head we had Preston (keeper having a great game we dominated against 10 and 11), Charlton (awful error by Brau), Southampton (winning and playing well until Dasilva got sent off)

Could’ve/should’ve won a couple of those and deserved to more than we did against Boro who played great. We were just clinical that night. Football though isn’t it

And we hit the woodwork twice and had one cleared off the line last night arguably could of had a 3-2 win , lots of twists and turns too come. Momentum is massive in football and we need to get back on track. It will start on Saturday. Worried about a potential ban on BTA

 

[StrettoBoy]

We have been poor for two months.

We will not be promoted unless we turn things around quickly. Otherwise, at some point in February, Middlesborough will overtake us and Ipswich and probably Hull won't be far behind.

 

[jto123]

 

[CovveeBreak]

We’ve taken 15 points from our last 10 games. Contrast that to poor form runs of auto promotion winners in previous seasons.

Leeds 19/20 (10 points)


Boutnemouth 20/21 (12 points)


Leicester City 23/24 (10 points)


There is no denying this can’t go on like this. But our insane over-performing start to the season, combined with our fan bases outsized expectations as a result, means a lot of folks losing their minds over a scenario that still hasn’t played out.

This is all on FL now. We’ve been rightly found out, lost momentum, and need a hard reset in our tactics if we are going to halt this change.

As a fan base we need to keep our heads and back them to turn it around.

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

I mean, this says that both Middlesborough and Ipswich have lost the same amount of games, but converted a draw to a win over us….

Middlesborough have to go away to both us and Ipswich, we beat them, which i FULLY expect us to. The gap grows and that game vs ipswich is massive for them both.
Both Ipswich and Middlesboough also have to play Millwall & Watford who could be chasing them down for 2nd.

We’ve all got tough games coming, none of the 3 of us arent dropping more points between now and April.

We need to sort the performances out and the wins will come.

We are not beating Middlesbrough, unless something changes, we have been poor, since November.

 

[SBT]

I understand the call for calm, and I agree things are still in our hands - just.

I'm not sure how this is even a debate?

 

[covcity4life]

I genuinely don't think the performances in those wins were that convincing. We still looked error prone and had to get a bit lucky to get the results. Whilst they were important, I am still seeing the same concerns.

I am not in the bedwetting camp, but I have been watching us play for a few months now and thinking that we look second best in a lot of the basics. Every team we play seems to want it more than us. That is something that is very alarming to me.

Can we still do it? Of course. Will we do it if we keep putting in half-hearted performances? No. Something needs to change. The mentality is wrong and I think some of the players are either not up for the fight, or are struggling with the pressure.

Fair points.

I think for me personally I never thought we were dominant like a Leeds or Burnley even when we winning games by 7 so the come down doesn't feel as bad to me.

I don't think we are frauds or anything but I've never thought we are as good as says suggest either. Which prob isn't true but it makes it easier to deal with us not rubbing away with title at least

 

[alexccfc99]

We are not beating Middlesbrough, unless something changes, we have been poor, since November.

Tbh we have no reason to panic over a home game, the home form has remained fine but the drop off away from home is staggering

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Fair points.

I think for me personally I never thought we were dominant like a Leeds or Burnley even when we winning games by 7 so the come down doesn't feel as bad to me.

I don't think we are frauds or anything but I've never thought we are as good as says suggest either. Which prob isn't true but it makes it easier to deal with us not rubbing away with title at least

I agree with that. Those teams were just ridiculously solid and largely consistent. Between the two of them they lost six games all season, which is fucking bonkers.

As a fans I think our views on games are really focussed on what the result is. I do the same thing. We win a game and I cannot even be bothered to analyse it sometimes. From what I have noticed though, the general performances in the last few months have looked a few notches down. Look at other teams when they play us, they are prepared to die for the win. We look half baked too regularly.

 

[covcity4life]

I agree with that. Those teams were just ridiculously solid and largely consistent. Between the two of them they lost six games all season, which is fucking bonkers.

As a fans I think our views on games are really focussed on what the result is. I do the same thing. We win a game and I cannot even be bothered to analyse it sometimes. From what I have noticed though, the general performances in the last few months have looked a few notches down. Look at other teams when they play us, they are prepared to die for the win. We look half baked too regularly.

The difference in physicality between makamba and Wright and Simms is something to be annoyed about for sure.

 

[Bigelvesy]

We are not beating Middlesbrough, unless something changes, we have been poor, since November.

We ALWAYS beat middlesborough.
We’ve had them pocketed for years now, they turbo bottle it against us and we’ll know its do or die by the time they come to town

 

[Nick]

The space down our left is getting ridiculous. MVE gets away with it on our right because he's rapid. If you're a right winger against Cov you won't believe your luck at present. We're so naive when defending

Again, last night EMC gave the ball away and stood there (or tried for a free kick) and meanwhile their full back has sprinted down the line under no pressure.

 

[skybluecam]

Again, last night EMC gave the ball away and stood there (or tried for a free kick) and meanwhile their full back has sprinted down the line under no pressure.

I did think the recovery runs were lacking from both EMC and Esse last night.

 

[clint van damme]

I did think the recovery runs were lacking from both EMC and Esse last night.

What?
Definitely from EMC.
And there was one example in the first half last night where he pulled on to a Norwich player in the middle and let Fisher belt down our left unmarked.

I thought Esse was OK in this regard but others have said MVE was on his case about getting back so I'd need to see it again

 

[Londonccfcfan]

I’ll say it again. When was the last game we were actually in control? The concern is that we’ve been flaky as fuck for so many games. If we get through this window without midfield enforcements and just a couple of loans then it’ll be a missed opportunity.

Trying to stay positive as at least we own our stadium… but we are playing like a mid table team and have been for a while now.

Funnily enough the last game i saw us dominate was brum away. 77% possesion.

They had 3 shots and scored 3. Out of nowhere. Its a funny old game.

No coincidence Eccles started that with Rudoni...we did look alot more secure WITH THE BALL.

But we still conceded 3..!