6 games in...

KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab · Post by **KeeeeeeeBaaaaaaab** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 9:24 pm

Lord Kangana wrote:I'd take either though.

Either what? The encouraging/excellent thing? Oh yeah. Much better than a Scouse start to the season....

bw@bw · Post by **bw@bw** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 11:23 pm

What I said on another thread after the Arsenal match

"I don't see this season being much different to last yaer.
The top 8 with all the money will probably all break 50 points - the rest including us will have to fight hard to get40.
To get that means winning home games against the bottom 10, and drawing away. Anything from the top clubs is a bonus
By that reckoning we should have 7 points by now.
We are 2 points down - not brilliant but not exactly a cause for alarm "

Two games on - we have 2 points from games we would expect nothing
So in fact I think we are on par for the course to date.

I don't see Blackpool getting 40 points
Probably not Wiggin
Likewise Wolves
Maybe not Spam

hisroyalgingerness · Post by **hisroyalgingerness** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:45 am

Well there's a danger we'll be heading to November still looking for our first home win, which isn't handy. There's some good points to date - the annual 3 at West Ham, bonus points versus Villa and arguably even United at home. But these are slightly tainted with "dropped points" to Brum and Fulham.

Worrying is the number of suspensions already. Am I right in saying we've already had Davo and Fab miss games through suspension, or is it just Davo? Either way they'll be missing for two come the crucial games in Feb/March time. Also missed 2 key players through sendings off.

Top and tail, next 3 games are massive already and we need to look at picking up 5-6 from them.

boltonboris · Post by **boltonboris** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:52 am

hisroyalgingerness wrote:Well there's a danger we'll be heading to November still looking for our first home win, which isn't handy. There's some good points to date - the annual 3 at West Ham, bonus points versus Villa and arguably even United at home. But these are slightly tainted with "dropped points" to Brum and Fulham.

Worrying is the number of suspensions already. Am I right in saying we've already had Davo and Fab miss games through suspension, or is it just Davo? Either way they'll be missing for two come the crucial games in Feb/March time. Also missed 2 key players through sendings off.

Top and tail, next 3 games are massive already and we need to look at picking up 5-6 from them.

I think Muamba is one away from a suspension. That may have had some bearing in the decision to brng him off... I know he wasn't at his best, but it still seemed like a strange sub, to me at least. I was worried we'd lose some bite.

Davo, Cahill and Jussi are the ones who've 'done time'

BWFC_Insane · Post by **BWFC_Insane** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:55 am

I also think its somewhat important to look beyond results and at the ultimate picture. We are competing in virtually every game, even Arsenal away we were in the game till the sending off.

We're playing much nicer football, and giving games a "real go" something everyone asked for under our previous manager.

We're also looking pretty difficult to beat. The style change is seeping through gradually and seems to be quickening in pace.

Given all of that we've had a decent start and if we can stay in the league this year, hopefully above the bottom 5 or 6 Owen can offload some natural wasteage and hopefully improve things again.

I really do think Owen is completely changing round the mentality at the club that has been ingrained for the past 10 years and that takes time. Similar to how Wenger changed Arsenals philosophy.

Il Pirate · Post by **Il Pirate** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:24 am

I watched the game in a pub in Ryde yesterday with a man u fan. I didn't know him, but he was a decent bloke, originaly from Ireland, and he knew his football. Even tho a MU fan; he was much better company than the 15 or so dic*heads shouting for utd who were sat behind us. At the end of the match, he turned to me and said "two points dropped there". I replied "yep, you needed to win realy". "Not us" He replied, " You missed the points". Sums it up.............................

seanworth · Post by **seanworth** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:29 am

I think we have had a very promising start to the season. Lee had a slowish start which was expected with the WC. Petrov the big new signing has taken time to fit in but yesterday started to show what he has to offer. So there are no radical additions to the side explaining the improvement yet we are playing much better football. Mark Davies seems to be maturing, Elmander has finally settled in, Muamba keeps getting better, and Robinson is playing well, and Holden is fitting in great. We are starting to control the ball better, and definitely seem to be passing the ball better. In recent years our long balls up the pitch seemed all or nothing mostly the latter. This season when we do it, the ball is tapped on to a team mate which leads to a possible attack. The side looks much more fluid. I can't help but think we can only get better and players get used to this change in tactics, and the new/newer signing get more experience with the side. I am very optimistic. Sure there are areas to work on, but they seem to be getting the attention they need.

Horza · Post by **Horza** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 9:45 am

Yeah, noticed a lot of flick-ons and intercepts in this game past. Definately getting better without the ball and sharper on the counter.

malcd1 · Post by **malcd1** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:03 am

BWFC_Insane wrote:I also think its somewhat important to look beyond results and at the ultimate picture. We are competing in virtually every game, even Arsenal away we were in the game till the sending off.

We're playing much nicer football, and giving games a "real go" something everyone asked for under our previous manager.

We're also looking pretty difficult to beat. The style change is seeping through gradually and seems to be quickening in pace.

Given all of that we've had a decent start and if we can stay in the league this year, hopefully above the bottom 5 or 6 Owen can offload some natural wasteage and hopefully improve things again.

I really do think Owen is completely changing round the mentality at the club that has been ingrained for the past 10 years and that takes time. Similar to how Wenger changed Arsenals philosophy.

I would also add some belief. To go 2-0 down against Birmingham with only 10 men and still come out with a point may be the best result of the season. Yes we may have been a little lucky with the freekick decision and we are all probably a little disappointed not to have won all three points but we showed in that game something that we haven't see since the Allardyce days. Character.

Armchair Wanderer · Post by **Armchair Wanderer** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:52 am

malcd1 wrote:
BWFC_Insane wrote:I also think its somewhat important to look beyond results and at the ultimate picture. We are competing in virtually every game, even Arsenal away we were in the game till the sending off.

We're playing much nicer football, and giving games a "real go" something everyone asked for under our previous manager.

We're also looking pretty difficult to beat. The style change is seeping through gradually and seems to be quickening in pace.

Given all of that we've had a decent start and if we can stay in the league this year, hopefully above the bottom 5 or 6 Owen can offload some natural wasteage and hopefully improve things again.

I really do think Owen is completely changing round the mentality at the club that has been ingrained for the past 10 years and that takes time. Similar to how Wenger changed Arsenals philosophy.
I would also add some belief. To go 2-0 down against Birmingham with only 10 men and still come out with a point may be the best result of the season. Yes we may have been a little lucky with the freekick decision and we are all probably a little disappointed not to have won all three points but we showed in that game something that we haven't see since the Allardyce days. Character.

The Birmingham game was a rollercoaster, totally agree. No one I was near in the crowd lost hope after the sending off, which tells it's own story.

Finding myself agreeing with all BWFC_Insane's optimism and positivity!

TKIZ! · Post by **TKIZ!** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:49 am

Optimism is the by-product of OC being in charge and I'm all for it.

bobo the clown · Post by **bobo the clown** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:50 am

TKIZ! wrote:Optimism is the by-product of OC being in charge and I'm all for it.

Agreed. It has to be balanced by actual end product (results AND style) but just listening to his interviews he gives off such enthusiasm & rapport.

TANGODANCER · Post by **TANGODANCER** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 12:56 pm

bobo the clown wrote:
TKIZ! wrote:Optimism is the by-product of OC being in charge and I'm all for it.
Agreed. It has to be balanced by actual end product (results AND style) but just listening to his interviews he gives off such enthusiasm & rapport.

His reaction to Petrov's goal says it all. It was just like he was playing out there. This is the sort of attitude that's been missing from us for too long. As far as points are concerned, we've got to stop even considering relegation and start looking how high, not how low, we'll finish. Onwards and upwards.

Athers · Post by **Athers** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 2:30 pm

It's a good start I think, Fulham and Birmingham have only one loss between them at this stage and the Birmingham game was played in exceptional circumstances.

We've also had two of our best 5 players (Jussi and Cahill) missing for half of it.

The next 3 look pretty reasonable fixtures but there's not many easy points for us to pick off, they'll be thinking the same about us.

Not worrying too much about points and league position at this stage (although I'd rather not be Everton!), looking for signs of how the long winter ahead might go.

TKIZ! · Post by **TKIZ!** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 7:18 pm

TANGODANCER wrote:
bobo the clown wrote:
TKIZ! wrote:Optimism is the by-product of OC being in charge and I'm all for it.
Agreed. It has to be balanced by actual end product (results AND style) but just listening to his interviews he gives off such enthusiasm & rapport.
His reaction to Petrov's goal says it all. It was just like he was playing out there. This is the sort of attitude that's been missing from us for too long. As far as points are concerned, we've got to stop even considering relegation and start looking how high, not how low, we'll finish. Onwards and upwards.

Yeah, he came running out like he was going to blast the ball his self! I thought Petrov's reaction also summed it up brilliantly after he had scored. Just a great feeling and I know we should have won but it just feels good going to the Reebok at the moment and generally supporting the Wanderers

Whilst we've only got 7 points at the moment we've lost 1 game. I can't even remember how many games we'd lost by this point last season, or the season before.

Hopefully onwards and upwards

thebish · Post by **thebish** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 7:25 pm

last season - at this exact same point - we had played 6 and lost 14 (that's what it felt like anyway...)

TKIZ! · Post by **TKIZ!** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:20 pm

thebish wrote:last season - at this exact same point - we had played 6 and lost 14 (that's what it felt like anyway...)

The special Megson effect, eh Bish?

Tombwfc · Post by **Tombwfc** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:08 pm

malcd1 wrote:
BWFC_Insane wrote:I also think its somewhat important to look beyond results and at the ultimate picture. We are competing in virtually every game, even Arsenal away we were in the game till the sending off.

We're playing much nicer football, and giving games a "real go" something everyone asked for under our previous manager.

We're also looking pretty difficult to beat. The style change is seeping through gradually and seems to be quickening in pace.

Given all of that we've had a decent start and if we can stay in the league this year, hopefully above the bottom 5 or 6 Owen can offload some natural wasteage and hopefully improve things again.

I really do think Owen is completely changing round the mentality at the club that has been ingrained for the past 10 years and that takes time. Similar to how Wenger changed Arsenals philosophy.
I would also add some belief. To go 2-0 down against Birmingham with only 10 men and still come out with a point may be the best result of the season. Yes we may have been a little lucky with the freekick decision and we are all probably a little disappointed not to have won all three points but we showed in that game something that we haven't see since the Allardyce days. Character.

Playing devils advocate abit here, but going 2-0 down to a side who've won one away league game this calendar year (against Portsmouth), is quite worrying in itself.

Anyway, it's been a pretty average first six, with one excellent performance at the end. More of that please.

Lord Kangana · Post by **Lord Kangana** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 10:52 pm

TKIZ! wrote:
thebish wrote:last season - at this exact same point - we had played 6 and lost 14 (that's what it felt like anyway...)
The special Megson effect, eh Bish?

Don't mention the bore.

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it...

officer_dibble · Post by **officer_dibble** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:02 pm

malcd1 wrote: I would also add some belief. To go 2-0 down against Birmingham with only 10 men and still come out with a point may be the best result of the season. Yes we may have been a little lucky with the freekick decision and we are all probably a little disappointed not to have won all three points but we showed in that game something that we haven't see since the Allardyce days. Character.

Well aye, What was it under Megson we only came back to get something out of a game from being behind once or twice?

We look better to be honest, its way more positive than this time last year. We're competing at our level. I look at the squad and think that it shouldn't struggle in the bottom 3. Couldn't say that this time last year.

Buuuuut the league does look stronger, all 3 promoted teams look OK (WBA in particular). West Ham whilst shite probably won't struggler to hit 20 points like say Derby. Similarly Wigan (both beaten Tottenham ironically. Can't see Everton being a bottom 3 team.

If I had to bet where we would finish off our start it probably would be 12/13/14. Places 8-11 would be immense, anything better amazing. 14-17 and you wonder if we've improved.

The booking//suspensions things an interesting one, given we've kept our noses clean for a few seasons. Can't argue with the red cards, but the refs have been shite all round for all teams really.

Squads looking good as well - who'd of thought a year ago we could legitimately bench one of our best goalscorers and have a genuine goalscoring centre forward kicking his heels in the reserves? Cover at centre half, and at full back (OK iffy) and two ball winning midfielders (and yes I mean Muamba AND Holden) doing a decent job in a 442.

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