Ccfcisparks
Well-Known Member
how many wins till playoffs first
I think we'll win one of the next two and draw the other.I don’t think we beat Leicester. The parachute clubs seem really pissed at us for being top. And like Brum yesterday we are their cup final. Maybe if we’ve actually made some signings by then but I expect a Doug special last minute job there.
Leicester (H) W
Millwall (H) D
Norwich (A) L
QPR (A) W
Oxford (H) W
Boro (H) W
We’ll be active in the transfer market so we’ll be alright in the end.My concern is that a short respite may not be enough on its own after the squad has burnt itself out.
how many wins till playoffs first
I know...haven't we been mostly fantastic.I’m not panicking, it’s been a tough schedule and this week has come at the right time to freshen up the pack and bring in a few players.
Far too many people losing their nerve. We’re still top by 2 games!
I know...haven't we been mostly fantastic.
It was though our defending yesterday that has unsettled me...I even thought on another day Carl might have saved them all despite those in front of him leaving him to it.
We've lost one home game all season.Would be wonderful have that run. Problem now is we can’t predict anything with certainty
A month ago we felt like we would beat anyone at home and always put in a performance away.
Now we are huffing and puffing and all consistency has ebbed away. Needs a spark from somewhere but I do think the fundamentals of the team are still really good and we could just as easily go on another run.
I think we need a tactical reset. Forget the high line and the long throws. Think they are causing more harm than good and leaving us more exposed at the back. To get back to winning ways we need to be more solid at the back and start keeping clean sheets again.Would be wonderful have that run. Problem now is we can’t predict anything with certainty
A month ago we felt like we would beat anyone at home and always put in a performance away.
Now we are huffing and puffing and all consistency has ebbed away. Needs a spark from somewhere but I do think the fundamentals of the team are still really good and we could just as easily go on another run.
When did I say we are missing out on the playoffs?you love it don’t you
Whipping people up into a frenzy that we’re gonna win the league then just a few games later it’s disaster stations and we’re missing the playoffs lol
So, abandoning what has got us to the top of the league... right.I think we need a tactical reset. Forget the high line and the long throws. Think they are causing more harm than good and leaving us more exposed at the back. To get back to winning ways we need to be more solid at the back and start keeping clean sheets again.
Think we need defensive reinforcements in Jan as much as we need attacking ones. Huge window
So, abandoning what has got us to the top of the league... right.
Most of the time Rushworth saves the 3rd and we get at least a draw if not a win.I know...haven't we been mostly fantastic.
It was though our defending yesterday that has unsettled me...I even thought on another day Carl might have saved them all despite those in front of him leaving him to it.
The high line is pretty integral to how Lampard wants to play football, he’s not going to abandon his principles at the first sight of trouble.Hes right though. We've become very vulnerable.
Nothing wrong with a rethink
Just because something worked previously doesn't mean it will carry on doing so
These tactics may have worked before, but teams are catching us on the break when we are most vulnerable. We need to adapt and adjust accordingly.So, abandoning what has got us to the top of the league... right.
I also don’t actually think we have been ‘sussed out’, teams have been trying these tactics against us for most of the last 12 months. We have however struggled to continue executing the gameplan from earlier on because it demands a lot from players’ energy reserves and Asante, who had that in buckets, has been injured while the rest have been depleted by illness and fixture pile ups.The high line is pretty integral to how Lampard wants to play football, he’s not going to abandon his principles at the first sight of trouble.
I think it’s more likely that the players are just not executing at 100% because they’re dead on their feet. From Boxing Day, they’ve played 4 games in 9 days and it’s a thin squad. Players are probably also jaded by the flu that’s gone around too, all these little % points here and there add up.The high line is pretty integral to how Lampard wants to play football, he’s not going to abandon his principles at the first sight of trouble.
The high line is pretty integral to how Lampard wants to play football, he’s not going to abandon his principles at the first sight of trouble.
100% - I don’t think it’s tactical, there’s been a lot put on the players starting and if they’re only executing at 85-90%, it isn’t enough at this level.I also don’t actually think we have been ‘sussed out’, teams have been trying these tactics against us for most of the last 12 months. We have however struggled to continue executing the gameplan from earlier on because it demands a lot from players’ energy reserves and Asante, who had that in buckets, has been injured while the rest have been depleted by illness and fixture pile ups.
This is why FL has banged on about depth. With it, you rotate similar players around and keep the energy levels up.
He did against Charlton, and some poor defending from Brau cost us the equaliser. We also stood off Ipswich more on the 29th and the fans were getting on player’s backs.Sometimes you have to be pragmatic.
If you haven't got the depth and there's fatigue in the squad, maybe you have to adjust things a bit.
Rudoni I am sure is carrying a problem, but with the enigmatic Wright, who knows.100% - I don’t think it’s tactical, there’s been a lot put on the players starting and if they’re only executing at 85-90%, it isn’t enough at this level.
Look at Ipswich, in one position they had 2 players valued £30-40m to rotate on a game by game basis. Both Philogene and Clarke would be the best player on the 23 other teams in the league.
The thing that’s concerning me is that Rudoni and Wright are not performing well enough - our two best players when in form.
He did against Charlton, and some poor defending from Brau cost us the equaliser. We also stood off Ipswich more on the 29th and the fans were getting on player’s backs.
You can’t help things like yesterday when Birmingham score all 3 shots they had on target. The goal that’ll have Lampard and his staff most angry is the 3rd goal because the attacker waltzes in the box and scores at the near post.
The first and second of their goals were good counter attacking football to be fair. The first goal was similar to our goal v Derby when it’s 2-3 passes for the move. Second goal was a good run from Koumas and he did well to round the keeper.
Rudoni I am sure is carrying a problem, but with the enigmatic Wright, who knows.
The way we were playing with players nearer to full fitness was almost unplayable, and it would be again. Championship teams cannot handle proper ‘pass and move’ football.
Haji looks like he’s checked out to be honest. There were times he could’ve turned with the ball and ran at a defender but just gave it straight back.
My judgement is perhaps clouded by Haji getting new representation and following that Burnley fan account. I’ll freely admit I’m probably reading too much into it but he’s looked off it since he came back.
The first goal isn’t as bad as has been made out. It was a long ball up to the winger, he crosses it first time and it was a good finish. These are low % moves that when they come off, are unplayable.I thought we were very poor defensively yesterday and I include Rushworth in that.
If he wants to play for the US he has a funny way of showing it.Haji looks like he’s checked out to be honest. There were times he could’ve turned with the ball and ran at a defender but just gave it straight back.
My judgement is perhaps clouded by Haji getting new representation and following that Burnley fan account. I’ll freely admit I’m probably reading too much into it but he’s looked off it since he came back.
Haji can’t have any complaints whatsoever. He’s upfront for a team that’s top of the league and his last goal was v Sheff Wednesday back in October. Meanwhile, Simms has overtook his goals tally.Ive not been on Hajis back at all but he did indeed look checked out yesterday. Not sure if partly because he was clearly asked to play the 10. But he did look like he couldn’t be arsed.
I seriously don’t get it. If he plays well, he becomes a Prem player and with it, Prem money.If he wants to play for the US he has a funny way of showing it.
Haji can’t have any complaints whatsoever. He’s upfront for a team that’s top of the league and his last goal was v Sheff Wednesday back in October. Meanwhile, Simms has overtook his goals tally.
If an offer came in that was significant, I’d seriously consider it and that’s a big U-turn from even just a couple of weeks (if not days).
I don’t think I’m overreacting either, he’s not even looked like scoring this Xmas period. Again, recent red flags definitely make me more cynical.
I agree it’s one of those two scenarios. The new agent leads me to the latter one though, but he has got to accept that he isn’t going anywhere for less than the club values him, and if he’s worth it someone will pay.I seriously don’t get it. If he plays well, he becomes a Prem player and with it, Prem money.
Best case scenario: he’s playing with an injury that’s holding him back.
Worst case scenario: he’s fully checked out and trying to force a move.
That’s my take on Haji atm.
I agree it’s one of those two scenarios. The new agent leads me to the latter one though, but he has got to accept that he isn’t going anywhere for less than the club values him, and if he’s worth it someone will pay.
Frankly, he’s been misfiring for months and I don’t think he has attracted the interest he’s hoping is there.
Haji looks like he’s checked out to be honest. There were times he could’ve turned with the ball and ran at a defender but just gave it straight back.
My judgement is perhaps clouded by Haji getting new representation and following that Burnley fan account. I’ll freely admit I’m probably reading too much into it but he’s looked off it since he came back.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?