I'm getting the feeling that there's the stirrings of something happening with our football club.
We are poised just outside the play-offs without playing particularly well all season (apart from Hull) also with a game in hand.
Last season our soft underbelly would have been exposed and both Forest and Wednesday would have come away with something from the last two outings.
But not this season. Since Ledley and Huddlestone have hooked up we have looked far more secure and our attacking players are taking their chances.
I know Huddlestone has been taking stick from the faithful regarding a perceived lack of urgency but he is almost always involved at the start of a move. What's more his vision and passing are second to none. How many people noticed it was his delicate pass that put Keogh through 1 on 1. It was a first time pure instinct little pass that sent the skipper on his way.
Lawrence, Vydra, Russell and Nugent must be a nightmare for defences because they can all run with the ball and cause all kinds of trouble.
Lawrence and Russell are terrifying defences at the minute and it can only be a matter of time before they start banging them in.
Lawrence's corners are never wasted and his crossing invariably tests defenders mettle.
Anyone who still thinks we are a worse side that last season needs their bumps felt.
Just imagine what will happen when we hit form.
One thing is certain though there wont be a post Christmas collapse this time around.
The Sleeper Has Awakened.
posted on 24/10/17
Fans always like to exaggerate how bad players and managers are. It is part of being a fan. Now if they come in and are a total train wreck like Pearson there is some justification but really none of our recent managers other than Pearson have been that bad. Even Paul Jewell had a few wins to his name and he did bow out honourably.
Similarly with players. I would have preferred we had not signed Ince and Bent. Even though they scored quite freely during their loan period we didn't seem a balanced side. Both players have scored important goals since signing and I thought Ince was our best outfield player last season. He did try to help the team out by back tracking and scored some excellent goals. I do think that Lawrence, though not yet as good technically as Ince, in the long run will prove a better signing.
posted on 24/10/17
Actually I would prefer my wingers to be 2 footed, but that's being picky!
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Always amazes me that any pro. footballer can earn megabucks when they can only kick it with one foot. Ryan Giggs and Tom Ince being prime examples.
posted on 24/10/17
Stanley Matthews was one footed, well he had two of course but he only used his right foot to kick the ball. Why use two when one seems enough.
posted on 24/10/17
Too many times in previous seasons we've been the one to come out on the wrong side of a close encounter but the last 4 games have given me hope that that state of affairs is starting to turn in our favour.
Play-offs minimum.
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Hope is fair Rameses... I'd just like a bit more evidence before converting hope to expectation. I'm happy to acknowledge that since Ledley arrived we've been harder to beat. However it's not possible to draw our way into the play-offs, and from what I've seen of us with Huddz and Ledley paired in midfield I don't think we've got enough attacking threat to win many games against top-8 sides.
That's why I'm curious to see how we do over the next four matches.
Are Huddlestone and Ledley canny operators who are doing just enough to win games, and keeping something in the tank - or is what I've seen so far all they have?
If they have an extra gear and we van beat the likes of Norwich & Leeds - then game on!
posted on 24/10/17
For the record, I was going to get into an argument with Spart over the effectiveness of being "two footed", but life really is too short.
posted on 24/10/17
When Bobby Charlton was a boy he kicked a tennis ball against a wall with his wrong foot till he was 2 footed. In fact he was left footed and later hit penalties with his right foot. What was Paul Ince doing when young Tom was a lad? He would have been better doing that for his son than go around upsetting whichever club he's playing for. I bet Wagner doesn't take any nonsense from him.
Alan Hinton was quite good with both feet.
posted on 24/10/17
VC, the statistical fact that it increases the chance of getting an effective shot away by 100% doesn't register with Spart.
posted on 24/10/17
He's too concerned with Shakespeare to bother with football.
posted on 24/10/17
comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 4 minutes ago
He's too concerned with Shakespeare to bother with football.
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"Friends, Romans, countrymen and Spart, lend me your ears: I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him."
posted on 24/10/17
You will be disappointed then Scouse. Lack of a body to bury might frustrate your ambitions.