Altamullan

Oh dear... which board member's child is doing A-level art?

Who would you want?

As Dave pointed out before, good news = played proportionately more games against better teams, so have more games against lesser teams to come, to balance out and let our true mediocrity shine...but we tend to play better/get more from better teams! If we kept same form (please, great footy gods in the sky take note) then we have: 4 games against top third at 1.11 ppg 4 games against second third at 0.29 ppg ( :gm's patter: ) 7 games against bottom third at 0.67 ppg So 4.44 + 1.16 + 4.69 = 10.29, or 10 points. This ignores changes in form (yes please, and thank you very much) or whether home and away. If we just gathered an Average points total against the three tiers we'd get: 4+4.56+ 12.53 = 21.09 So basically, at this stage we don't need to set any Leicester like records, just recoup the average points return and be safe. Saying it and doing it seem 'tremendously' different.

Makes sobering reading! Using their categories, we have two top third teams at home, two middle third, and four bottom third. Having yet to play 4 of the 7 bottom third teams at home maybe sheds light on why we've got a 0.67 points per game average against our 'shitsville neighbours' and a more respectable 1.11 ppg ave against the top third. Away we have two top third, three middle third, and three bottom third opponents.

I had the same thought. Though, thought of "Lion " goal celebration, with ever attentive (at such times) Mitro riding on his back is making me chuckle...

maybe. Or, "take his heed for a shit," as my Grandad was fond of saying, and stop over complicating things.

The away fixtures don't seem so bad to me, on paper. On current position only one of the teams is in the top five ("1st tier"), two in the 2nd tier, two in the 3rd, and two in the 4th (4th tier being bottom 5). For me it has just been that we have been so woeful away from home, 7 points in 11 games, 6 goals scored, GD= -17; man that looks s***, doesn't really matter that we have played decent football at times; at this stage it is all about the points. Edit: applied to the seven home fixtures, we play two in 1st tier (top five), none in 2nd tier, two in 3rd tier, and three in 4th tier (WBA, Makems, Swansea).

I am sure SMc has forgotten more about tactics/formations that I can ever hope to know. That said, I can't help think his changes to try and nullify the threat from Watford were self-defeating (hindsight wonderful I know) but also indicative of a more consistent problem. I've been concerned for a while that he seems too cautious, slow to change, and that this maybe means he lacks effective leadership qualities. In sport, war, or business, you need to get the best out of your team. Make them feel invincible, ten feet tall. Whilst Keegan may not have had SMc's tactical nous, he did this and was an effective leader; helped people play beyond themselves. I think Robson seemed strong on both. Tinkering with a formation which was seemed to be bedding-in nicely (Gini at 10, Perez and Sissoko wide) rather than boosting the lads up to go out and have a right good go at them... well I think it lacks belief and lacks courage; as does not adding a striker until 3mins to go. Not sure SMc has the cajones for a good fight, relegation or other. Wouldn't matter so much, but what if this undermines the players' self-belief and transmits the same 'risk aversion' to some of their styles of play?

He'll certainly remember his first goal. The scarring form the seven stitches in his mouth will help.

Watford cancelled him out/ contained the threat his range of passing poses. Didn't they change formation and have three central midfielders?

Watford changed their formation, apparently, and had three central midfielders. Think they read SMc's three at the back formation, plus saw and successfully cancelled out threat from Shelvey.

What are everyone's predictions? AWAY: 8 points Everton L Chelsea L Stoke D Leicester L Norwich W Southampton D Liverpool L Villa W HOME: 13 points West Brom W Man City D Bournemouth W Makems W Swansea W Palace L Spurs L 21 points

What are everyone's predictions? AWAY: Everton Chelsea Stoke Leicester Norwich Southampton Liverpool Villa HOME: West Brom Man City Bournemouth Makems Swansea Palace Spurs

I'm trying to go sobber for cry January. "cry January" me thinks Dr Freud would have had a field day with this slip...

Oh ffs. What the f*** is he thinking. The old English managers, keep it tight and we might nick an equaliser. Extra man in mfd? Is Aarons coming off?

Big swing in the possession and chances now 57% them, and 6-3 on shots.

If Aarons isn't on it, is this the game for Thauvin to earn his Spurs and at the same time keep Townsend at Spurs?

Saivet most touches apparently...maybe need more through Shelvey?

Makems and AFCB stats similar to ours, except 0-1

We're 60% possession, 2-1 on shots.

no. Lee flipping Ryder

Is Mbemba left back?

Have you folks got eyes on this?

Unfortunately, I have to report that nobody has scored 5 points for the Norwich Liverpool game ...

kin hell!! :lol: :lol: Ah, well I'll settle for being second on MOTD tonight!