LCFCJohn

Playing devils advocate, does point 2 not cause point 1? But yeah, I’m not saying don’t turn up, just saying based on what I see is most valuable about the cup, I’m not too fussed if we don’t go far this year. Normally I’m really up for the cup and do want a good run. As I say in a subsequent post, I’d be more interested to see how we would get on if we played some middle premier league sides to see how we compare. Or lower league sides for the experience. Millwall is meh.

Also worth saying, if we have a storming December and build up a massive gaps on those below, the cup run will become of interest again. I suppose in a way, some middling premier league sides would be interesting to see where we are at if we are looking good still to be back up there next season.

Absolutely, I am the same when in the top flight. I was not aware of the stat you have given there about 1980 though! I know some lower league sides have made it quite far in recent ish memory (Cardiff and Barnsley come to mind and Sheffield United when they have been in the championship/League 1). Don’t get me wrong, take a Preston or Bristol City who haven’t been in the top flight for a long time, or even Ipswich, there will be a novelty of playing the bigs sides. But we’ve had years worth of draws hoping to avoid that to give ourselves an easier path through to the latter rounds.

Good research, thank you 👍 I could see a few of these under threat this season based on us, Ipswich, Leeds and Southampton. With possibly a big gap down to 5th.

That was not intended as disrespect to the competition. My view on the FA cup is when in the Premier League, it’s a real chance to win the competition and get into Europe as a result. As a lower league side, it’s chance to go up against big sides you would not normally face and of course, the revenue from a cup run. I see us as in the middle and not really benefitting from these. It’s unlikely as a Championship side we go all the way, let’s be honest. Although the revenue is helpful, it’s going to pale into insignificance compared to going up. And I’m really not fussed for playing a ‘big side’. Quite nice to have a break from them this season to be honest. So yeah, more than I just think meh about getting through a round or two. Just this year.

Crap nothing draw for us really. Bigger fish to fry this season though. Stand out games Sunderland v Newcastle and Wigan v Man Utd. Next tier of interesting ones with a lower league side at home of interest such as Posh v Leeds, Ramsgate/Wimbledon v Ipswich and Middlesbrough v Villa. Nothing else of interest apart from that really.

Agreed. I think over the season we have been fairly predictable and consistent in terms of result and also performances (to the point we could do with being a bit less so).

Do you know the records for 2nd, 3rd and 4th? Obviously 1st we know is 106.

To be fair, this is looking ahead to the next 5 fixtures. Our precious 5, W2, D1, L2 so bit unpredictable of late. These 5 fixtures are a lot more favourable (on paper) than the previous 5 though so hopefully we will regain some of the predictable results which helped form the overall record you have highlighted!

Haha oh yeah, I had forgotten their consolation goal last week!

Which ones? Guessing 2 of Archer, Hamer and McAtee? I wouldn’t hold it against them to be fair. They are the new Norwich who come up set to go back down again. Given a year of experience, albeit a tough one, I wouldn’t say no to retuning to these names if we swap places.

Sheffield United are sooo bad. Two of their relegation rivals in a row and 0-8 across both games! They are certs to be bottom. I thought after their win and draw with Wolves and Brighton, they may pick up.

Nothing gained on the pack, nothing lost either. One more game ticked off and on paper a tougher one for us than our 3 nearest challengers about sums it up. Could be some very high points totals in the top 2/3/4 this season.

The angle from behind him showed how perfect a ball it was. As you say, so under rated.

You’re probably right, and it’s a fair point. Honestly, I don’t feel that we see enough of this when the chance presents (ok maybe it doesn’t always present as obviously as that today). Maybe you think differently and that’s fair enough. We may not fully agree on your last bit being the case but we will agree it should be. There’s definitely a place for it so I think we are roughly on the same page. FYI, I am not against the system or possession per se. I just think we need to be a bit less predictable. For what’s it’s worth, I thought KDH’s goal was an absolutely perfect example of the system and how both number 8’s should be used.

It’s really not hard what I’m saying Literally, I am saying, so often, we check back and let the opposition reset, when if we played with a bit more instinct to get forwards, we could have them on the back foot. What is refreshing is that when Kelechi got the ball, KDH and Winks went forward and the ball from Kelechi was a peach. When he got it, instinctively I thought he was going to check back and play it to a Faes/Vestergard etc. That is what I am saying is refreshing.

You are correct. But as I said in another post, when winning, there will be times when sides are throwing everything at us. You can’t prevent that. When that happens, it’s good we can use that other side of the game to circumvent it and break forward to get the winner. On Wednesday we just let the pressure on to us and threw away 2 points. The first goal is a much better example of moving the ball quickly in the final third. That was an excellent goal as well. I think it’s just positive to see two such different goals but perfectly executed in the circumstances in that moment.

Not another… Yes the chance was presented to us but it’s taking the opportunity when presented. It was refreshing to see rather than us just keeping the ball and allowing West Brom to regroup.

As I say, reluctant to but sometimes when banging your head explaining the obvious over again it’s hard to not! You are not answering direct questions but repeating the same thing about pace. Literally, that was the difference between turning 1 point into 3 compared to 3 into 1 on Wednesday. That’s all you need to know but you’re embarrassed by it somehow?

On your last paragraph, even as a side playing with possession, when losing, the opposition will come forward and put pressure on us at the end of a game and that will mean we end up under pressure. By mixing in counter attacking at the end, as you say, it was literally the difference between us turning 1 point into 3 today compared to turning 3 into 1 on Wednesday. It’s that simple!

What would you have rather happened? Kelechi to check back, play it back to Hermansen so we could build from the back and try and beat the whole West Brom side back in their positions and score from 30+ passes instead? If you don’t ’get’ what playing with pace is after it’s been spelt out to you, sorry you’re either being deliberately awkward to prove your point or, and I hesitate to say it as I don’t like insults, but a bit of an idiot. I hope the former. What don’t you get?

You are bang on in your posts but are wasting your time with some posters on here. It is clear some on here are almost embarrassed by us scoring a goal like that….weird!

Tempo, for me it means playing with pace. That doesn’t mean long ball. But direct doesn’t mean the same as long ball. That goal was made purely from pace and playing quickly and directly to counter. Not every goal has to be 30+ passes and scored with 10 men behind the ball from the opposition!

Literally the definition of a breakaway/counter attack goal. Bet you hated it What it means is that when some of us say we should go forward quickly and not always look to play backwards, theres some truth in that no?

Loved it! Best of both worlds, winning the game but with the type of goal the know it alls on here sneer and turn their noses up at