Dickie 0 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 You're right in that the key is consistency, but we need to be consistent from the start, not some time in mid-autumn. In 09-10 we only lost 4 games in total. It's mid-August and we already have lost 2. Doesn't seem feasible to me that we won't lose more than 2 the rest of the season. In fact, will we lose less than 5 and better West Brom's total of 7 losses that year? I hope so but I doubt it. Aye I agree but if you look at the league tables for the last few years we probably need another 24 or so wins out of the next 43 games. Based on what we saw in the last 10 games of last season and also Rafa's career record, plus the fact that I would say on paper our squad looks good on paper for this level, I can't see us not doing that. Then as long as we can draw more than we lose out of the remaining 19 games we'll be there or thereabouts. Losing 10 might even see us in the top two spots, losing 7 almost certainly would. I don't think we're going to run away with it by any means, it's going to be a slog but I just think we'll be picking up results consistently all the way through and we'll just do enough. Alex I totally agree - I'd far rather have the 09 squad than the one we've got now, but I think we'll still have enough to get one of the promotion spots. We'll need some luck with key players (last time we were extremely lucky in that regard) but you can say that about any team at any level. Ritchie and Hayden are already looking like they might make the difference for us this season, and if Gayle can get 20 or so goals we'll be laughing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 4711 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 It's going to be pretty hard for most non match going fans to have any worthwhile opinion on players or team performance given the disgraceful lack of any streams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGingerQuiff 2412 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Yes, because I'm anticipating the new additions to provide a balance that has thus far been lacking. Most teams won't try and play a possession game at St James' and I trust that if we dominate the ball Aarons, Armstrong, Gayle, Perez and Ritchie will create enough opportunities between them, to pry open most Championship defences. Even if it's just winning a freekick or corner. I'm hoping we're going to add another striker in a similar mould to Mitrovic so that when he's missing through injury or suspension we aren't faced with Gayle and Perez trying to out-muscle Lewis Dunk. I'm also hoping we're going to sign a proper Left back as I think that, while Dummett had a decent game there vs Reading we need a specialist to provide balance to the side and free Ritchie up more. A Right Winger would be the icing on the cake. I don't think 3 signings is unfeasible and Benitez said as much earlier this week. Our defensive pant shitting is what worries me the most. And with two cbs in already I fear we aren't going to strengthen in that position further Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15449 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 It's going to be pretty hard for most non match going fans to have any worthwhile opinion on players or team performance given the disgraceful lack of any streams. It's a trudge and no mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13840 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 It's going to be pretty hard for most non match going fans to have any worthwhile opinion on players or team performance given the disgraceful lack of any streams. Sure it won't stop you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 34938 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 It's a trudge and no mistake. It's like the days of dial up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 34938 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Sure it won't stop you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15449 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Sure it won't stop you He said "worthwhile" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10793 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Our defensive pant shitting is what worries me the most. And with two cbs in already I fear we aren't going to strengthen in that position further No, I don't think we're going to buy a new CB, but I reckon the ones we've got will be good enough to get out of the Championship. I mean, we got promoted with Colo, Taylor, Williamson, Khizanishvili, Fitz Hall and Kadar! Mbemba will get used to the league, Lascelles, Hanley and Clark are all much of a muchness, though the former has the potential to improve beyond the latter two imo. I think having an actual Left Back will make a massive difference. As will a midfield and attack that keep the ball and thus lessen the pressure the defence endures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 21404 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 He said "worthwhile" I'd say the solution would be get to more games but not really sure I can recommend that with a clear conscience after last night. It's early doors like and hopefully the quality will pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howmanheyman 32847 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 You massive fanny, as has been said, the standard of the league is shit, these players (plus the ones we're yet to sign) under this manager, we'll not only get promoted but we'll likely get an automatic spot. Don't know what you mean... This. If we get promoted it HAS to be an automatic promotion spot. Hell will freeze over before we win in the play offs or win at Wembley full stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10793 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 If we get promoted it HAS to be an automatic promotion spot. Hell will freeze over before we win in the play offs or win at Wembley full stop. What're you on about man? We're going to do the treble this year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpirlo68 0 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) Can we loan Hanley back to Blackburn and bring in another cb? I don't trust Clark or Lascellas Edited August 18, 2016 by gpirlo68 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayvin 5188 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I still reckon Lascelles will come good. Clarke and Hanley I'm less sure about but it's still too early to tell really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpirlo68 0 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Both Lascellas and Mbemba will be top centre backs in years to come, I just don't think right now Lascellas is good enough for us to get promoted We need an experienced centre back next to Mbemba imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 4711 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Sure it won't stop you Correct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13840 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Both Lascellas and Mbemba will be top centre backs in years to come, I just don't think right now Lascellas is good enough for us to get promoted We need an experienced centre back next to Mbemba imo Lascelles and Mbemba have a full season (barring injury, suspensions and rests) to build up a partnership. I've no doubt that Lascelles will grow as the season progresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobos 298 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 (edited) First thing in the morning for me, so not read whole thread - if anyone hasn't seen the highlights here: give it a watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3PAYMP4_vc Having seen that - Mick Lowes really didn't portray the match the way this makes it look. oh and a great tackle and pass from Dummett in there too (I think) Edited August 18, 2016 by scoobos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10793 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Lascelles and Mbemba have a full season (barring injury, suspensions and rests) to build up a partnership. I've no doubt that Lascelles will grow as the season progresses. Like Ben Arfa did? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10793 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 30385 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Lascelles is going to be a disappointment to most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobos 298 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Yes, totally agree - GPirlo if you're saying Lascelles isn't good enough for championship, you're effectively saying hes a league one or below standard player - and that he isn't. No better place for him to develop than the championship and , at times, I'm sure Mbemba will carry him - but this is really one of the few positives to take out of the championship - we don't need to loan players to give them experience and keep them out the squad. They can be selected and play alongside their squad players and hopefully develop themselves and their interaction with the "Premier League" first teamers. I'm really hoping this is what Rafa's doing - that all these signings he sees as fringe players who just need a bit of development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGingerQuiff 2412 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I don't know what attributes he's displayed that have people convinced he'll turn into a top centre half like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayvin 5188 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I don't know what attributes he's displayed that have people convinced he'll turn into a top centre half like. Have you ever had a positive, optimistic thought though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13840 Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 I don't know what attributes he's displayed that have people convinced he'll turn into a top centre half like. Back end of last season, he showed good strength, solid reading of the game that negates a lack of pace, a comfort on the ball and the desire, commitment and bottle to dig in and drive others on. He doesn't need to be a top centre half to improve on what we've had, just a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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