Good things; we got a point against a team who are never less than very awkward to play against, we coped with set pieces much better than of late, and we retained possession for a lot of the game, which we also did against Arsenal but not earlier in the season.
Bad things; the game was dire, and it was the sort of result which could secure us in mid table but not top 8 which is where we should be going.
Maybe against a different sort of team we could retain the good things and also play better football. But will we?
I've got a simple method of determining how we're doing. Suppose all the teams beneath us win the next game but we lose; how far do we sink? Likewise, suppose all the teams above us lose the next game but we win; how far do we rise? Currently (if Swansea win today), we could drop to 15th, just one point above 16th and 17th, definitely relegation territory if not in the relegation zone. We could also rise to 9th (if Norwich don't win today), just in the top half of the table. I reckon 15th-9th is a reasonable description of where we're at; it would take continued improvement and the results to match to get above that, while a slump for whatever reason would leave us in real danger.
I feel that the days when we could turn our noses up at a point at stoke are gone for now. we don't go there with a better team anymore. so much as i am not happy with this situation i will take a point for now. But be warned Mr McLeish this is not the case going forward, you need to be aware of this.
Point at Stoke - Celebrate or not?
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posted on 27/12/11
Stoke have beaten Liverpool and Spurs at the Britannia this season, as well as drawing with ManU.
I'd say its a good point.
posted on 27/12/11
i think it's a good point too and was impressed the way we stopped stoke from playin for most of the game, that in it's self is no mean feat!
posted on 27/12/11
Good things; we got a point against a team who are never less than very awkward to play against, we coped with set pieces much better than of late, and we retained possession for a lot of the game, which we also did against Arsenal but not earlier in the season.
Bad things; the game was dire, and it was the sort of result which could secure us in mid table but not top 8 which is where we should be going.
Maybe against a different sort of team we could retain the good things and also play better football. But will we?
I've got a simple method of determining how we're doing. Suppose all the teams beneath us win the next game but we lose; how far do we sink? Likewise, suppose all the teams above us lose the next game but we win; how far do we rise? Currently (if Swansea win today), we could drop to 15th, just one point above 16th and 17th, definitely relegation territory if not in the relegation zone. We could also rise to 9th (if Norwich don't win today), just in the top half of the table. I reckon 15th-9th is a reasonable description of where we're at; it would take continued improvement and the results to match to get above that, while a slump for whatever reason would leave us in real danger.
posted on 27/12/11
I feel that the days when we could turn our noses up at a point at stoke are gone for now. we don't go there with a better team anymore. so much as i am not happy with this situation i will take a point for now. But be warned Mr McLeish this is not the case going forward, you need to be aware of this.
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