29 minutes ago, AnglianRed said:

If anyone was looking for some encouragement, then I'm happy to provide it.

I'm happy to provide a bit of balance...

If we lose tonight, we'll be on the same number of points as we were at the same point last season.

20 minutes ago, Humpty said:

I'm happy to provide a bit of balance...

If we lose tonight, we'll be on the same number of points as we were at the same point last season.

As said before I don't get or buy into last seasons start and comparison. We had one of our worst starts in living memory - so why compare when the bar set was exceptionally low?

Really find this comparison - and it is trotted out time and again- majorly irritating.

I assume the comparison is that we were still in the mix to get into the play offs until the end of the season so we are not as far a drift as some of the reactions are. agree its not the best benchmark tho, but that's what I think he is saying

13 minutes ago, Robin Johnson said:

As said before I don't get or buy into last seasons start and comparison. We had one of our worst starts in living memory - so why compare when the bar set was exceptionally low?

Really find this comparison - and it is trotted out time and again- majorly irritating.

I think that's his point.

This will have been a bad start to the season if we're level with one of our worst starts ever.

Wouldn't be against Doak starting on the left to give us a bit of width on that side. 

Dieng

Ayling Van der berg Clarke Neto 

 Hackney Morris 

Jones Mcgree Doak 

 Conway 

40 minutes ago, Robin Johnson said:

As said before I don't get or buy into last seasons start and comparison. We had one of our worst starts in living memory - so why compare when the bar set was exceptionally low?

Really find this comparison - and it is trotted out time and again- majorly irritating.

…because it emphasises how poor this season has been by comparison. Last season was a transition season. We’re supposed to be tilting at automatic promotion this season.

49 minutes ago, Humpty said:

…because it emphasises how poor this season has been by comparison. Last season was a transition season. We’re supposed to be tilting at automatic promotion this season.

Has anyone actually said we are aiming for automatic promotion, or is that just an assumption amongst fans?

The players that we’ve bought are young and unproven, it feels as much a transition season this term as it did last. I think we are still building this team. 

I don't think anyone would declare it per se but given the squad we have it would demonstrate a serious lack of ambition if the goal was the top 6.

2 hours ago, Rob said:

I assume the comparison is that we were still in the mix to get into the play offs until the end of the season so we are not as far a drift as some of the reactions are. agree its not the best benchmark tho, but that's what I think he is saying

Could be both.

A damning indictment that despite being in a better position, squad-wise, we're no better off points-wise, even though we've avoided a run of straight defeats.

 

The fact we're still in the mix for the play-offs is an indication that, as usual, the Championship is a dogfight. A couple of stand-out teams, but after that, anyone down to around 15th could have a shot at promotion.

 

Overall, no reason to panic yet, but all things being equal (stronger squad, more training etc.) we probably ought to be playing better than we are and getting the results to go with it. 

I'd also argue that the overall standard of teams in the Championship this season is lower than it was last year, making our current self-inflicted shortcomings all the more frustrating. With a successful transfer window and another year for Carrick to hone his craft, this season felt like it was there for the taking.

Precisely that.

What with the kit fiasco, does anyone else think it would be good craic if the players came out in all their own gear so it looked like they didn't have any kit either or do we think that Gibson and Bausor would frown at such shenanigans?  

2 hours ago, RiseAgainst said:

I'd also argue that the overall standard of teams in the Championship this season is lower than it was last year, making our current self-inflicted shortcomings all the more frustrating. With a successful transfer window and another year for Carrick to hone his craft, this season felt like it was there for the taking.

And if we are honest it still is... Yes the start has been frustrating, dropped points everywhere, but a streak of wins would see us fly high. But needs to start soon. Mackems (who I don't see as top 2) could be 11 points ahead. By end of play. That's starting to be a big gap.

Done it before and strung a very strong 10 games, and tbh who we play doesn't factor in it to me, typical Boro we always produce the goods against the better teams, can we again?

I'm fancying a strong performance and 2-1 win tonight (please God, please)...

 

3 minutes ago, Changing Times said:

What with the kit fiasco, does anyone else think it would be good craic if the players came out in all their own gear so it looked like they didn't have any kit either or do we think that Gibson and Bausor would frown at such shenanigans?  

I'm going to the game in my own gear, does that count?

20 minutes ago, MarkT73 said:

I'm going to the game in my own gear, does that count?

Top hat and tails?