Better or Worse

My opinion is that Freeman would have had a field day against our current defence and with Bidwells superior defending then McClarens team would get the win.

I think we are better this season and the fact that none of us could believe that we would have the same record after yesterday's defeat proves that.

The football is more enjoyable to watch for sure. I think we are developing some good younger players.

I dont think this squad is any better yet

McClaren's Had more experience and could defend better but there were too many poor performances where we should have done better;

This is a young less experienced squad and sometimes get out played by better teams but is far better to watch and play with a more attacking style.

If and it is a big if we keep the squad more or less together and add one or 2 players where needed I think that this squad will only get better and would eventually beat McClaren's squad


 

I agree with most of what you said and the fact about Warburton achieveing the same points but making around £10m in addition is very valid.

Like many I was surprised when you said if we lost to Leeds we would be on the same points as last season. I suppose that was because we had scored so many goals and sat in 8th whilst last year it all seemed a struggle.

Another thing that surprised me but shouldn't have seeing as we are on the same points is that our number of wins (7),  draws (2), losses (6) and our goal difference is also the same (-4). 

Where there is a difference is in goals scored and conceded. This year we have scored 24 but let in 28 whereas last year we had scored 19 and let in 23. 

I wasn't a McClaren fan but in his defence he did have to start last season with inexperienced players like Kakay and Ingram plus Eze and BOS were still settling into the team.  

This is it. I thought we'd be sunk this season but instead we have made a good start. We may be level with last season at this point but hopefully we won't have the grim 2nd half of the season that we had last time.

There is no risk of relegation this season, there are at least 5-6 clubs far worse than the others, but it would be a shame to see us slide away and have another grim second half of the season.

I don't see that happening overall, I think we will continue to beat the teams below us, struggle against those above us (as has generally been the pattern so far) and end up in the middle.

It is just frustrating we aren't that little bit better or tighter defensively because on our day there aren't many teams better than us and I don't think the league will be as terrible as it is this season again. It is a missed opportunity in some respects if we do slip away. Having said that we could be top 6 if we win on Saturday so our chances of a great season aren't over yet. I just feel that with the fixtures coming up after that plus our little bit of confidence gone we will be around 14th/15th by mid December.