mkowl

Cheers I will take a proper listen later

If we were 11 points clear with 3 games to play I would still think the EFL would find summat to deduct us points. The rather large difference is you have at least won a few games and possibly played well to get top of the table. In our scenario it is hard to see where we go. It's taken a huge leap just to be competitive in games. Probably a similar leap required to regularly win games Saying that would be very Wednesday to be on 48 points with 4 games to go, then lose the fucking lot and go down anyway

We need to share the misery but one day someone will get the glory

Doesn't seem to stop the Albanians

Best not tell him about our recent home record v Rotherham Tbf there are a few in Rotherham that like to groom virgins

Bazza kick it into box toward penalty spot - near our big blokes See who needs an expensive coach

I guess there is general fitness which is the players obligation to achieve, thereafter it is the philosophy instilled by the coaching staff to suit the game plan. The late finish to the previous season and the madness of the summer clearly did not help the players at all. But equally they are getting older, some have come back from injuries or carrying them. And the Championship is a higher level, that many of these failed with us not so long ago. What ever the cause this lack of fitness is a pivotal factor in our 90 minute performance levels. So being positive about a decent opening 30 minutes is false hope because of this linitation

I admire people's optimism, I even get dismayed at my own pessimism at times. Yes it was better organised, we did create chances that better strikers could have taken. But as I said to my lad, even if we had scored first, then when the opposition eventually came at us this lot would have capitulated. Particularly as KM notes that our fitness levels across the team are not adequate. You never say never but we are already at the stage we have to win 16 out off 33 games to survive. Even what I call mid table form W D L combo every 3 games averaging out at 1.33 per game would not be enough to hit 50 points. All I am seeing is a squad that, if firing, could hit 20th position over a season at best. I will be genuinely amazed if we hit 25 points

Good question, but I suspect in the play off places. I have watched very little League 1 stuff this year, might as well have a year off. In the Championship we are 5 - 10% below the required standard. We would still have 5 - 10% greater standard than the rest. I am judging on a clean slate not current form per se

Shite, next question

What would be the rationale. The expectation that players are professional and will look after this themselves ?Clearly there is an obligation but if you are not being assessed, monitored etc how do you know. Is their base level below other Championship teams. Is it part of the review undertaken as to the quantum of injuries we have had and long lasting ones at that to under prepare.

In part there is a degree of loyalty to the squad that got you promoted and provided 2 years of winning, if not particular an exciting brand of football. The misnomer was that this was a "Championship squad". It wasn't it was just way better than the average League 1 squad. The errors did not get punished, the piss poor crosses, shots miles wide, the one on ones flunked get forgotten because the sheer volume of chances created and goals scored. The difference in this league is plain to see. I get the players are escaping criticism, but frankly in reality they are playing to their capabilities.

Fair points KM Do you think this is simply age meaning the fitness levels are naturally on the decline. Did the shorter pre season but clearly disturbed with Moore's departure and the delay in Xisco being appointed meaning the usual fitness work was compromised Was it deliberate policy - some managers want to avoid later season fatigue

The one thing you cannot accuse this lot of is lack of effort. Confidence drains quickly for sure. Maybe just maybe if we score first it could be different. But frankly their technical abilities and physical conditioning are below the level required. Plymouth have won at a canter in the end, without being brilliant, they were simply clinical at one end and did not really get troubled by our attackers at the other.

Seriously there will be zero point - we will be at match game 27 already when the window opens. Ok mathematically it's not over but I can see us not being in double figures points wise and cut adrift by 20 plus points Who would want to join us for starters. There is a comment above about having a mass clear out in January, you simply cannot do that with players under contract. This is going to be a long grim season and our attention and resources are better directed to re-build in League 1 not wasting funds trying to retrieve this

Not a chance - don't get me wrong there is a game plan but frankly the players are not good enough at the basics to execute it

Another very basic mistake in midfield

I mean what chance do we have when players are lacking basic qualities required in the Championship

It's better organised shite that's for sure, but its nail on head in that our players are just lacking quality

But you have to take the chances when they come because the opposition will. Its almost like watching us sometimes last season with the boot on the other foot.

Tbh Tee it is better, but we have zero quality in the forward areas. At the same time there is a mistake always waiting in that defence and a quick move bypasses our midfield I mean we are competitive but the inherent weakness in those key areas makes this task virtually impossible to retrieve. And the psychological impact of constant losses can not be underestimated

Awful defending

Just as likely 4 3 3

Crikey only 2 changes, this Rohl fella not got the memo. Like Byers in And no Patterson can only be a positive attacking wise

Well it must be my turn to fail miserably to stop the rot.