Go Fourth - and multiply

[Thracian]

It may be only one game but it's nice to see us tucked in fourth in the table.

There'll be people at the club feeling dizzy.

In fact I wonder how long it is since we've been this high up any division.

A few words for the defence are probably in order. Pearson has craved a clean sheet and considering we've virtually rebuilt the entire backline he must have been encouraged. I was.

While MK were limited to very few clear chances, we used the ball far better once we gained possession than we did last season with Tunchev in particular always willing to play simple, early passes to work our way forward instead of just hoofing the ball hopefully.

They're surely likely to get sterner tests of their defending than MK presented but I'm sure we'll reap the benefit in goals, if the boss doesn't habitually shut up shop every time we go ahead.

1. Hartlepool 1 1 0 0 2 3

2. Northampton 1 1 0 0 2 3

3. Swindon 1 1 0 0 2 3

4. Leicester City 1 1 0 0 2 3

5. Oldham 1 1 0 0 1 3

6. Carlisle 1 1 0 0 1 3

7. Brighton 1 1 0 0 1 3

[Asha]

It may be only one game but it's nice to see us tucked in fourth in the table.

There'll be people at the club feeling dizzy.

In fact I wonder how long it is since we've been this high up any division.

A few words for the defence are probably in order. Pearson has craved a clean sheet and considering we've virtually rebuilt the entire backline he must have been encouraged. I was.

While MK were limited to very few clear chances, we used the ball far better once we gained possession than we did last season with Tunchev in particular always willing to play simple, early passes to work our way forward instead of just hoofing the ball hopefully.

They're surely likely to get sterner tests of their defending than MK presented but I'm sure we'll reap the benefit in goals, if the boss doesn't habitually shut up shop every time we go ahead.

1. Hartlepool 1 1 0 0 2 3

2. Northampton 1 1 0 0 2 3

3. Swindon 1 1 0 0 2 3

4. Leicester City 1 1 0 0 2 3

5. Oldham 1 1 0 0 1 3

6. Carlisle 1 1 0 0 1 3

7. Brighton 1 1 0 0 1 3

It's all great, but a defeat in the next game and we'd be around mid-table again. You can't really look at the table after the first game because it's only one game. For example, Hartlepool won't be top come the end of the season and MK Dons won't be bottom.

[Corky]

It does look nice I agree. Hopefully it will be our lowest position all season

[Master Fox]

Must be pushing on 6-7 years since we were so high up in any division? Maybe someone could correct me?

[thecannon]

It does look nice I agree. Hopefully it will be our lowest position all season

I don't because we'll f**k up the playoffs! . Its between Leicester and Leeds for the top 2 places, i can't honestly see any other team competing with those teams!!! Well, hopefully anyway!

[Thracian]

It's all great, but a defeat in the next game and we'd be around mid-table again. You can't really look at the table after the first game because it's only one game. For example, Hartlepool won't be top come the end of the season and MK Dons won't be bottom.

I'm going to look at it. I've had long enough looking at tables with us near the bottom.

[Asha]

I'm going to look at it. I've had long enough looking at tables with us near the bottom.

Fair enough

[DBEightyFive]

I'm going to look at it. I've had long enough looking at tables with us near the bottom.

Amen to that!! Been a long time

[Ozwin]

All the best teams got promoted last year. I honestly think, touch wood, that we've got lucky with the year we got relegated.

[simtacular]

Must be pushing on 6-7 years since we were so high up in any division? Maybe someone could correct me?

think you are right, the only time I can think we were last this high up in the league was in the 02-03 season where we were promoted behind Pompey. I was 13, now 19

[Jordan]

It's all great, but a defeat in the next game and we'd be around mid-table again. You can't really look at the table after the first game because it's only one game. For example, Hartlepool won't be top come the end of the season and MK Dons won't be bottom.

If Norwich at home were the first game instead of the 33rd or so game, Leicester would have been top of the table then, too.

I suppose this is a much better way to start the season than last year's 1-0 home loss to Blackpool. Psychologically, we all thought the team could perhaps challenge for a high finish following the 4-1 win against Watford just two games later (and perhaps even forgot about the Blackpool game), but how big would just one point against Blackpool have been in the end? Whether you're challenging for promotion or battling to avoid relegation, every point counts.

A good result is just a good result; now, it's time to worry about Stockport.

[Jackirius]

sunshine lollypops and teardrops on a footpot duh duh duh duh duh

[The Reverend]

It may be only one game but it's nice to see us tucked in fourth in the table.

There'll be people at the club feeling dizzy.

In fact I wonder how long it is since we've been this high up any division.

A few words for the defence are probably in order. Pearson has craved a clean sheet and considering we've virtually rebuilt the entire backline he must have been encouraged. I was.

While MK were limited to very few clear chances, we used the ball far better once we gained possession than we did last season with Tunchev in particular always willing to play simple, early passes to work our way forward instead of just hoofing the ball hopefully.

They're surely likely to get sterner tests of their defending than MK presented but I'm sure we'll reap the benefit in goals, if the boss doesn't habitually shut up shop every time we go ahead.

1. Hartlepool 1 1 0 0 2 3

2. Northampton 1 1 0 0 2 3

3. Swindon 1 1 0 0 2 3

4. Leicester City 1 1 0 0 2 3

5. Oldham 1 1 0 0 1 3

6. Carlisle 1 1 0 0 1 3

7. Brighton 1 1 0 0 1 3

:clap:

[Father Ted]

It may be only one game but it's nice to see us tucked in fourth in the table.

There'll be people at the club feeling dizzy.

In fact I wonder how long it is since we've been this high up any division.

A few words for the defence are probably in order. Pearson has craved a clean sheet and considering we've virtually rebuilt the entire backline he must have been encouraged. I was.

While MK were limited to very few clear chances, we used the ball far better once we gained possession than we did last season with Tunchev in particular always willing to play simple, early passes to work our way forward instead of just hoofing the ball hopefully.

They're surely likely to get sterner tests of their defending than MK presented but I'm sure we'll reap the benefit in goals, if the boss doesn't habitually shut up shop every time we go ahead.

1. Hartlepool 1 1 0 0 2 3

2. Northampton 1 1 0 0 2 3

3. Swindon 1 1 0 0 2 3

4. Leicester City 1 1 0 0 2 3

5. Oldham 1 1 0 0 1 3

6. Carlisle 1 1 0 0 1 3

7. Brighton 1 1 0 0 1 3

The fact that when we got the ball, we actually did something with it was one of the most encouraging positives out of Saturday.

Tunchev, as you said played short, simple passes with King and Oakley coming short and looking for it.

Gilbert also worked very well with Gradel but the one I was most impressed with was Morrison. The lad has great vision, he played 2 or 3 outstanding passes that not even a John Terry or Rio Ferdinand could do, one being a 60 yard crossfield pass to Dyer.

Last season, we had McAuley and Kisnorbo at centre-back. McAuley just headed the ball in any direction and when he got the ball at feet it always ended up going in a totally opposite direction than intended. As for Kisnorbo, it seemed that every time he did get the ball, all he wanted to do was give a great big whack up field and that's without even looking where to kick it.

I think that last season defenders read our game too easily and it was so obvious that whenever Kisnorbo got the ball it would be hoofed upfield for Howard to get on to. I'm not making an excuse now for Howard but I think he just got fed up of having to head the ball on every 30 seconds!

On the topic of Kisnorbo, I really am not sure whether he will get back into the team now. If a bid was to come in, in January then we shouldn't think twice about it! It would be very harsh on either Tunchev or Morrison. Especially with the amount of potential that is in that Morrison-Tunchev partnership.

Another point is that we have the potential to have a VERY good team in a couple of years time. They say that the centre/core of your team is always most important. We have Morrison-Tunchev - looking very promising. King-Oakley, work very well together, there is often always one in the action and Fryatt-Howard - they worked so well on Saturday together, Howard winning most headers and flicking on to Fryatt and Fryatt just picking up the pieces and making the best of them.

We definitely have the potential and promise but it's whether we can really stabilise properly and work on it.

[Narborough Bod]

It may be only one game but it's nice to see us tucked in fourth in the table.

There'll be people at the club feeling dizzy.

In fact I wonder how long it is since we've been this high up any division.

A few words for the defence are probably in order. Pearson has craved a clean sheet and considering we've virtually rebuilt the entire backline he must have been encouraged. I was.

While MK were limited to very few clear chances, we used the ball far better once we gained possession than we did last season with Tunchev in particular always willing to play simple, early passes to work our way forward instead of just hoofing the ball hopefully.

They're surely likely to get sterner tests of their defending than MK presented but I'm sure we'll reap the benefit in goals, if the boss doesn't habitually shut up shop every time we go ahead.

1. Hartlepool 1 1 0 0 2 3

2. Northampton 1 1 0 0 2 3

3. Swindon 1 1 0 0 2 3

4. Leicester City 1 1 0 0 2 3

5. Oldham 1 1 0 0 1 3

6. Carlisle 1 1 0 0 1 3

7. Brighton 1 1 0 0 1 3

Thracian, on Saturday night you seemed positively pissed off by the game. Now, I have only just turned on my PC so may have missed something but, why the about turn. I thought you were incredibly harsh after the game but seem to be very positive now. Were you on acid when you gave your player ratings?

[Thracian]

Thracian, on Saturday night you seemed positively pissed off by the game. Now, I have only just turned on my PC so may have missed something but, why the about turn. I thought you were incredibly harsh after the game but seem to be very positive now. Were you on acid when you gave your player ratings?

I am so positive and have been so positive since I knew people like Gradel, Adams and Dyer were joining Porter, DJ and an in-form Fryatt in our team that I see absolutely no reason why we should take a team apart for half an hour and suddenly scuttle back on the defensive and play like apologists.

In other words, Pearson has been doing a great job and there's no sense in him spoiling it through fear or a lack of conviction.

People love to make more of things than I actually say.

Those same people would probably think I don't rate Tunchev because I criticised him and others for failing to mark or to track Phillips against Birmingham.

Yet it's just not true. From what I've seen I'd have Tunchev over McAuley any day. But that doesn't mean I'm blind to his faults or the fact that all our good work will quite possibly be wasted if people give strikers free shots within 25 yards of goal.

Was it not me who was so positive I said I didn't think we'd fail to score in more than four or five League matches this season and I quite fancied us for around 75 goals overall?

And as a past critic didn't I say I had every confidence that Fryatt would score plenty of goals in Division One with the much improved service he'll get from the wingers?

I said how much we needed a near-post attacker and we've gone out and got one. I said that with our defence we needed an aerial defender to help with set pieces and we've started to use one.

I even believe our new defence will be a bonus because they'll retain possession far better than last season's back line, despite how few goals we conceded.

This feeling of positivity doesn't stop at 95%. I don't know what the odds are but if they're anything tempting I might even have a fun flutter on us not getting beaten at all in the League - how's that for optimism?

Cos I certainty see no reason for us to fear anyone and no reason why we should compromise our game instead of letting the opposition worry about us.

The only fear I have concerns whether Pearson has as much belief in his own team as I do.

[lookwhaticando]

UP TOP WITH THE MIGHTY COBBLERS!

That's what football's all about... cobblers.

[The Reverend]

I am so positive and have been so positive since I knew people like Gradel, Adams and Dyer were joining Porter, DJ and an in-form Fryatt in our team that I see absolutely no reason why we should take a team apart for half an hour and suddenly scuttle back on the defensive and play like apologists.

In other words, Pearson has been doing a great job and there's no sense in him spoiling it through fear or a lack of conviction.

People love to make more of things than I actually say.

Those same people would probably think I don't rate Tunchev because I criticised him and others for failing to mark or to track Phillips against Birmingham.

Yet it's just not true. From what I've seen I'd have Tunchev over McAuley any day. But that doesn't mean I'm blind to his faults or the fact that all our good work will quite possible be wasted if people give strikers free shots within 25 yards of goal.

Was it not me who was so positive I said I didn't think we'd fail to score in more than four or five League matches this season and I quite fancied us for around 75 goals overall?

And as a past critic didn't I say I had every confidence that Fryatt would score plenty of goals in Division One with the much improved service he'll get from the wingers?

I said how much we needed a near-post attacker and we've gone out and got one. I said that with our defence we needed an aerial defender to help with set pieces and we've started to use one.

I even believe our new defence will be a bonus because they'll retain possession far better than last season's back line, despite how few goals we conceded.

This feeling of positivity doesn't stop at 95%. I don't know what the odds are but if they're anything tempting I might even have a fun flutter on us not getting beaten at all in the League - how's that for optimism?

Cos I certainty see no reason for us to fear anyone and no reason why we should compromise our game instead of letting the opposition worry about us.

The only fear I have concerns whether Pearson has as much belief in his own team as I do.

YES THRAC!!!!

Feel the optimism!!!

Well said!

[NewquayFox]

And the good Lord said "Come Forth and you will receive eternal life! I came 5th and ended up with a feckin toaster. ;0)

[Asha]

And the good Lord said "Come Forth and you will receive eternal life! I came 5th and ended up with a feckin toaster. ;0)

Hahaha SHAME.

[Thracian]

The fact that when we got the ball, we actually did something with it was one of the most encouraging positives out of Saturday.

Tunchev, as you said played short, simple passes with King and Oakley coming short and looking for it.

Gilbert also worked very well with Gradel but the one I was most impressed with was Morrison. The lad has great vision, he played 2 or 3 outstanding passes that not even a John Terry or Rio Ferdinand could do, one being a 60 yard crossfield pass to Dyer.

Last season, we had McAuley and Kisnorbo at centre-back. McAuley just headed the ball in any direction and when he got the ball at feet it always ended up going in a totally opposite direction than intended. As for Kisnorbo, it seemed that every time he did get the ball, all he wanted to do was give a great big whack up field and that's without even looking where to kick it.

I think that last season defenders read our game too easily and it was so obvious that whenever Kisnorbo got the ball it would be hoofed upfield for Howard to get on to. I'm not making an excuse now for Howard but I think he just got fed up of having to head the ball on every 30 seconds!

On the topic of Kisnorbo, I really am not sure whether he will get back into the team now. If a bid was to come in, in January then we shouldn't think twice about it! It would be very harsh on either Tunchev or Morrison. Especially with the amount of potential that is in that Morrison-Tunchev partnership.

Another point is that we have the potential to have a VERY good team in a couple of years time. They say that the centre/core of your team is always most important. We have Morrison-Tunchev - looking very promising. King-Oakley, work very well together, there is often always one in the action and Fryatt-Howard - they worked so well on Saturday together, Howard winning most headers and flicking on to Fryatt and Fryatt just picking up the pieces and making the best of them.

We definitely have the potential and promise but it's whether we can really stabilise properly and work on it.

Some good observations there. And like you I can see it being very interesting to see what happens when Kisnorbo gets fit again. Especially if the fluidity of the side develops and as they start to attack and defend as a close-knit cohesive unit. Because we haven't done that for years and it must have been hell for the attackers.

[lookwhaticando]

I just hope we do multiply.

By 0.25.

Actually, looking at the table, we need to multiply by 0.33 now. :D