If one or two of the chances go in we would be talking about a performance where we controlled the game from start to finish and that it was a complete away performance. However it didn't happen and it is just one of those things but it shows how a result can alter the mind of fans. The WBA game (I know against a better team) was much more even with them having some good chances to score, but we score a goal and the performance becomes a good one. We still missed plenty of big chances and if we had last years attack we would have probably won both games 3-0.

These games show us that the way the team are being coached is the right way but we just don't currently have the players yet to execute it on a consistent basis. This will come with time in training and also time recruiting the right players, clubs like Brentford didn't change their model and become a success in one season, it took them a few years of sticking to the process and now they are reaping the rewards.

We seem to have quite a few of " one of those games". We will have more if we don't have at least two fit decent strikers.

Us being 3 points off the playoffs is less a reflection of our performances and more a reflection on how stupid this league can be

Sounds like nobody new is going to be fit for Friday night, so that could be the last we see of Dieng until February.

13 minutes ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

Us being 3 points off the playoffs is less a reflection of our performances and more a reflection on how stupid this league can be

Exactly that. It means that all the crap we moan about regarding consistency and having 'one of those games' applies to most the bloody teams at this level. You won't get automatics at the level we play at by any stretch but we're keeping ourselves in the picture.

The only problem in our actual position in the table is that it means you've probably got more teams above you playing each other, so you won't jump from 14th to 6th with one good result. But a sustained run of wins will definitely stand you in good stead.

33 minutes ago, MBG42 said:

If one or two of the chances go in we would be talking about a performance where we controlled the game from start to finish and that it was a complete away performance.

That's exactly the thing. 8 times out of 10 we win that match, 1 time out of 10 we draw and 1 time out 10 we lose. I have a memory of us playing Arsenal and winning something like 3-2 despite not having a shot on target.

I think our XG was something like 1.2 which means you would expect us to score 1 or maybe two goals. That's pretty much what you expect from watching the game. In fact, if we score from an early chance you wouldn't bet against us scoring 3 or 4. As it is, Jones, Silvera and Greenwood all took a knock in confidence from poor finishing against WBA and you can see them continue to lose confidence, start to try too hard and then second-guess themselves. Each time they miss, their confidence goes down some more. Both Jones and Silvera are poor finishers at the best of times. Greenwood is usually a half-decent finisher but has lost his composure over the last 2 games; it is only two matches since he opened the scoring against Swansea with a clinical finish after an excellent first touch. After the Swansea match, he had started 11 games out of 12 since his first start, scored 5 times and assisted twice. Greenwood's problem for someone playing as either a #10 or a wide-forward is his lack of assists more than his finishing. 

Clearly we would be challenging for the playoffs much more effectively if we had a clinical striker up front but that is a given for most of the Championship. Latte Lath has scored 5 times from 10 starts (including 3 from his last 6 starts after coming back into the team), which is a decent return for a player's first season in the Championship. As it is, right now we're a team that is probably going to end the season 6th-10th without changes. We have a cohort of new players (Rogers, Silvera, Greenwood, Bangura, Engel) where we don't know how quickly they will develop and who will make the grade. We also have a stupid amount of injuries and will be missing key players (Dieng and McGree) at just the wrong time. 

Frustrating as hell to lose that match but it's football. It happens. It doesn't mean that our squad is useless and needs to be ripped up and 6 new players bought in. It means we have a lot of young players who are new to this league with a young manager and a massive injury list. For all that you can ask questions and demand improvements, you also have to keep the faith. 

 

 

9 minutes ago, wilsoncgp said:

Exactly that. It means that all the crap we moan about regarding consistency and having 'one of those games' applies to most the bloody teams at this level. You won't get automatics at the level we play at by any stretch but we're keeping ourselves in the picture.

The only problem in our actual position in the table is that it means you've probably got more teams above you playing each other, so you won't jump from 14th to 6th with one good result. But a sustained run of wins will definitely stand you in good stead.

Which is where I believe Boro will fall short.

We are just as (if not more) inconsistent as most teams and while the play-offs are tantalisingly within reach, I just don't see us going on another unbeaten run...beyond 2-3 games anyway. We might move up a few places by the end of the season, but I think there are enough clubs above us who will do just enough to keep us out of the top 6. 

Even if Carrick is able to name a full strength team on anything like a regular basis.

But I don't think there is anything wrong with that. We're only in our second year under Carrick, with still a fair bit of rebuilding to do. 

Edited December 27, 20232 yr by AnglianRed

1 hour ago, TeaCider24 said:

Sounds like nobody new is going to be fit for Friday night, so that could be the last we see of Dieng until February.

Could potentially see Riley or Coburn from the start which would make a difference.

We played pretty well truth be told. The only thing missing was a finish on the end of the numerous chances we created. Over 70% possession, a stone wall penalty denied, over 15 shots at goal, one shot against, all the territory. There’s not much more you can ask for away from home….except someone to put the ball in the back of the net. 
 

If it wasn’t already abundantly clear, it further emphasised the desperate need for a clinical centre forward.

14 hours ago, Humpty said:

We played pretty well truth be told. The only thing missing was a finish on the end of the numerous chances we created. Over 70% possession, a stone wall penalty denied, over 15 shots at goal, one shot against, all the territory. There’s not much more you can ask for away from home….except someone to put the ball in the back of the net. 
 

If it wasn’t already abundantly clear, it further emphasised the desperate need for a clinical centre forward.

Curious, not saying I disagree, but what do you do with ELL and corburn then? Try ELL in a different role? Loan coburn out? Cause there's no way you can keep 3 fit strikers happy with a 1 striker formation 

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Edited December 29, 20232 yr by SouthernSmoggie