The Championship/PL "Gap"/Step Up

[slondonskyblue]

All summer, and in most pre and post match interviews since, the players and Frank have talked about how big the step up from the Championship is. I’m starting to think saying it so often has become a self-fulfilling prophecy and an easy excuse not to have a go at teams.

From what I’ve watched the gap is overstated. Apart from Arsenal, and maybe Brighton once we collapsed, I haven’t seen a game where I thought we were miles off. Yes, quality players have changed moments, but that’s about it.

What I have seen is a team that looks afraid to play. Milan looked class last year and now shits the bed every time he’s on the ball, scared to make a pass. On Saturday the crowd got on the players’ backs, and rightly so. Time and again someone received it in space with the chance to turn and face goal, then took a couple of negative touches and went back or sideways.

We need to believe we belong here and play like it, instead of giving the league too much respect. I’d rather have lost 2-0 to Fulham having taken the game to them. Surely I’m not the only one?

Also, why isn’t Torp getting a look in? I think he’s better than Yirenkyi, who’s a headless chicken.

 

[stupot07]

The gap is massive. It's about quality where it counts that produce consistently in the moments that really matter.

 

[long way home]

Prem players make better decisions quicker and can complete the tasks at a higher success rate than championship footballers, hence why you get punished for mistakes.

What can we do? well i think the most positive thing i have seen so far is our structure and shape, we don't get played through, we are getting punished from distance or by the space we allow in and around our box. The negative is we don't transition well once we win it and i believe the players that can improve us in this part of the game are not being trusted to do both aspects. Hopefully time allows these players to come in and this will allow more freedom to create the chances that could win you points.

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

All summer, and in most pre and post match interviews since, the players and Frank have talked about how big the step up from the Championship is. I’m starting to think saying it so often has become a self-fulfilling prophecy and an easy excuse not to have a go at teams.

From what I’ve watched the gap is overstated. Apart from Arsenal, and maybe Brighton once we collapsed, I haven’t seen a game where I thought we were miles off. Yes, quality players have changed moments, but that’s about it.

What I have seen is a team that looks afraid to play. Milan looked class last year and now shits the bed every time he’s on the ball, scared to make a pass. On Saturday the crowd got on the players’ backs, and rightly so. Time and again someone received it in space with the chance to turn and face goal, then took a couple of negative touches and went back or sideways.

We need to believe we belong here and play like it, instead of giving the league too much respect. I’d rather have lost 2-0 to Fulham having taken the game to them. Surely I’m not the only one?

Also, why isn’t Torp getting a look in? I think he’s better than Yirenkyi, who’s a headless chicken.

Thought Yirenki looked great at right back.

 

[gspotgaz]

There definitely is a big step up in quality. You don’t have so many flair players anymore but every team is full of athletes who do everything with precision, quality, consistency and at speed. Some of our players struggle with the basics such as trapping the ball properly.

The myth that you get more time on the ball in the prem isn’t true either which we really are struggling with. We don’t have many players who can buy an extra yard or 2 with a clever turn or feint so feel constantly under pressure every game all over the pitch.

 

[shmmeee]

There definitely is a big step up in quality. You don’t have so many flair players anymore but every team is full of athletes who do everything with precision, quality, consistency and at speed. Some of our players struggle with the basics such as trapping the ball properly.

The myth that you get more time on the ball in the prem isn’t true either which we really are struggling with. We don’t have many players who can buy an extra yard or 2 with a clever turn or feint so feel constantly under pressure every game all over the pitch.

(G)spot on

 

[robbiethemole]

we've let in goals from shots outside the area, yet the players we have that can do that don't even get game time?? it's Lampard's stubborness that will get us relegated without a fight.