There has been a clear pattern in the games we have lost. Our conversion rate has been commented on in detail but our Achilles heel is teams who press in the middle of the field, and who have pacy front men. I think Adkins played on our weaknesses, and defended resolutely, knowing that we don't score as much as we should when we are on goal.
There is a lot of panic among posters that we are in dire straits and we are now heading for a massive losing streak. This seems unlikely to me for two reasons. Firstly, there are a quite a few teams in this division who we are guaranteed to beat. Secondly, there is always a fall-off in March - April among teams who have nothing left to play for.
That said, if we were to make one quality signing, where would it be? Would a new keeper win us more points than BPF? Would a winger give us the pace to frighten opponents into mistakes, and give us more openings in opposition penalty areas? Would an attacking midfielder working alongside Pablo, even replacing him from time to time, give us the penetration we seem to lack?
I look at the squad and see great focus and togetherness, It's been a long time since we have had such a strong winning mentality. We also have a coach who gets the best out of his players more often than we have seen before. Some of his tactical switches have been pure genius. We are also looking forward to the return of Coops and Bamford in the next couple of weeks. Coops in particular has been a big loss, especially because it has taken KP out of the midfield.
If Kinnear is true to his word, then we should expect any incoming players to be at least as good as, or better, than what we have. Personally, I think a quality player in the midfield could be the difference between the automatic spots, and the rest. Bowen showed us on Saturday what that kind of player could do for us. Imagine him playing alongside Pablo and Klich. We would see a lot more ball going through the middle, with the freedom for Pablo to play more up front. If you could bring in one player, who would it be?
Happy New Year to you all, and let's do it all again in the Premier League in 2019.
Who is the one?
posted on 31/12/18
We are top of the league and ever closer to people being back from injury.
What is not to love.
posted on 31/12/18
Dacks fatter than me, would be a good signing at the end of the season and with a Bielsa pre season behind him could be a right player,
posted on 31/12/18
There are no teams you’re guaranteed to beat, it’s a ridiculous statement.
posted on 31/12/18
We need cover for injuries. We're clearly stretched and Bielsa's teams are known for burning out late on in campaigns. Klich and Forshaw need resting at some point but we don't have the players. If we lose Pablo we'll be in a lot of trouble as we've not got Saiz now. Losing Roofe would be huge given Bamford is always injured and we've only got 1 actual centre half available atm and if Jansson got sent off we'd be in trouble. We need cover. Sheff Utd signed Norwood who would have been perfect for a squad role. He's been instrumental for them. We needed a keeper whether that be first choice or back up 6 weeks ago, one should be signing today if we had any managerial/business clout. 3 of our rivals have already signed players, including Villa who's new keeper will start tomorrow because there current number 1 picked up a bad injury last time. Villa are savy, are we the same?
posted on 31/12/18
No panic, but naturally following the last 10-15 years there will always be pessamism.
I would be sad if we didn't sign anyone NOW that we have lost Saiz.
In my view, the keeper has started to make quite a few mistakes. I don't trust him as much as I did, thought still think he is a decent option. I would say prioritizing a quality keeper is the priority.
Closely followed by a Saiz replacement. Dack has been mentioned and would be very good.
I wouldn't mind defensive cover but thats easier said than done.
posted on 31/12/18
Any signing needs to be match fit and better than we have and available, not sure there’s many of those players about, don’t follow too much football apart from Leeds so any recommendations gratefully received,
posted on 31/12/18
No panic
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Exactly, don't know why these stupid comments get made, no one is panicking except people clamouring for a change of goalkeeper.
posted on 31/12/18
Who’s the one? According to Morpheus, it’s this guy;
http://www.ja606.co.uk/users/viewUser/9135
posted on 31/12/18
Jonty
I presume it’s a combination of the fact this is our unknown. We haven’t seen anything like this for 15 odd years bar the Watford final.
Mix in with that a defeat and the loss of the loan keeper and Saiz and a range of injuries meaning against Blackburn our bench was the youth team and I can see why for some the panic sets in.
My view is slightly different. We are top of the leagu. We have had injuries galore and players seem to be coming back from injuries.
A keeper of some description is a must as the other lad is academy. But I aren’t fully discounting BPF who has been Ok
posted on 31/12/18
I see it pretty much the same, we’ve done great so far, survived the injuries should get some players back etc.
I’m not sure we’re going to get them back in time to make a lot of difference (bamford and brown in particular) but we should at least get cooper back soon.
I’m not expecting much coming in due to lack of money, I would say some sort of cover for Pablo is top priority.