Bluedylan1 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 16, 2024 9:22 am
All Forest's progress is derived directly from blood money, so there's nothing to be envious of there.
It’s also a standard story of a solid team experiencing some major positive variance and pushing themselves into European contention. They will come back to earth sometime soon, whether this season or next.
The goal for us is to push ourselves into that solid midtable bracket so we can have a fun season like they’re having if the stars align. Baby steps.
Well the general consensus was that after this run of fixtures we'd be in the bottom 3, yet with one game left of the run we've picked up 5 points from 3 games and sit 4 above the relegation zone.
That's a decent return and more than I think any of us expected, so credit where it's due.
Credit where it's due, though the 2 bonus points against Arsenal and Chelsea don't make up for the Brentford and Fulham points/performances. Big match for him against Forest.
Shogun wrote: ↑Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:54 pm
Credit where it's due, though the 2 bonus points against Arsenal and Chelsea don't make up for the Brentford and Fulham points/performances. Big match for him against Forest.
It is credit as they're both decent teams, but it's not really that enjoyable to watch, but it's tolerable based on the opposition, just. He's always capable of setting teams up to defend, but it really is like attack Vs defence training session, but needs must I suppose. Let him grind out the rest of the season, then move on
Last edited by Raptor on Sun Dec 22, 2024 6:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Good point that. Dyche eats games like this for breakfast.
I'm undecided on what I'd do if I was the new owner, re sticking or twisting. Depends on the availability of whoever they have their eyes on as a potential I suppose.
Maybe the smart thing to do is to stick, and recruit some attacking talent with resale value that Thelwell has identified as part of a longer term plan.
That is, if Thelwell is staying. If he's part of TFGs long term plans. There's a lot of unknowns so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
Shogun wrote: ↑Sun Dec 22, 2024 5:54 pm
Credit where it's due, though the 2 bonus points against Arsenal and Chelsea don't make up for the Brentford and Fulham points/performances. Big match for him against Forest.
Bloody hell ease off on the praise. You're on the verge of becoming the 3rd dyche lover waxing lyrical like that
It's good we're looking like more of a team again. The way we play a solid defence is the bedrock so I'm glad we've found a balance there. I don't actually put it all down to Branthwaite, although he's clearly played an important part he's also had a few wobbles along the way. I think it's more of a mix with Branthwaite coming back and finding a balance with Mangala/Doucoure/Gueye too helping add solidity. Also we've cut out some of the silly errors and fouls (looking at Young there) and generally raised their games a bit (looking at Young there too).
Points wise, there is still more work to do evening out the scales from the dropped points moments we've had this season but at least we're at least chipping away at it.
I don't mind it, as ugly as it is. It's much more solid after our early dalliance with more open footy earlier in the season and getting pasted. Suits our December opposition and it's probably something that our relegation co-candidates can't match.
Hope that it improves with some decent full back and forward area quality/options in January against 'teams we should beat'.
Good to have Branthwaite back but looked again to be caught out at least once pushing up into the middle, which could have been costly, got to remember he's still human, but we must keep hold of him. Concern is moneybags clubs arent still spending like crazy if a move is forced, but we're in a better position now to afford a larger wedge to keep him.
Lindstrøm's quick feet and pace looked handy late on, if he could get his all round game and more involvement he'd be very good for us after a shaky start.
Safety this season is essential, anything better than that is good but still nowhere near as important.
