2024-25 Championship Match Day Thread

[Kenneth E End]

Sheffield United away for us as we now start quite tricky looking run of fixtures including the Watford game on the 19th.

Thankfully the international break in between those because feels like everyone needs a reset.

Weirdly, I think Luton will do better against the more fancied clubs.

Shannon Baptiste is available again… he may well come in alongside Nakamba in that double pivot role which may allow for some more midfield solidity.

Morris and Chong not back until after the international break. I think it’s really time to give Adebayo a seat on that bench.

 

[SF_]

Looks like 4-4-1-1 for us, would obviously take a shit 0-0 here.

 

[SF_]

The decision to rule out Riis' goal was fucking disgraceful. We've been the better team by a mile and should be winning by 3 or 4.

Obviously going to lose 1-0 now.

 

[SF_]

Second half was a bit on a non-event, constant handbags and delays. We probably should have won it but happy enough with the 0-0.

Good performance, seeing some green shoots under Heckingbottom.

 

[Robie]

Weirdly, I think Luton will do better against the more fancied clubs.

Shannon Baptiste is available again… he may well come in alongside Nakamba in that double pivot role which may allow for some more midfield solidity.

Morris and Chong not back until after the international break. I think it’s really time to give Adebayo a seat on that bench.

Shandon

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Goodness me we are poor.

The recruitment team have totally messed up with the McGuinness signing, doesn’t look up to the standard.

We’ve gone 442 from the sound of it, reaching the point where we are just lurching from one system to another without any clear direction now. Won’t be long before he’s gone imo

 

[Super_horns]

Excellent win and comeback.

Boro generally dominated tbh but they seemed to pass for the sake of it at times .

We took our chances after improving once we brought Baah on particularly.

An unlikely and maybe fortunate 3 points but we will take it !

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

Serious wake up call delivered to Pompey last night at Stoke. Absolutely pathetic performance.

Immense pressure to beat Oxford (a team we finished 20 points ahead of last season) on Saturday. Fail, and I already believe we'll be this season's Rotherham and that's a depressing thought.

Keep the Faith mate we still got 37 games to go

 

[Tea Towel]

I fancied Coventry to have a real go at winning the league this year

They were shite today and we fully deserved to win it

Shame the international break has come at a time we’ve hit some good form!

 

[Don Tonberry]

We're in serious trouble.

To miss a penalty and not score when we had plenty of spells of pressure is a major concern. Oxford were the poorest side we've played so far yet for some woeful finishing they might well have won it.

Our current squad doesn't look any better than the one that won League One last season and we seriously miss Bishop and Yengi.

We simply have to win the next two games at QPR and Cardiff now or else we risk getting cut adrift before November has even started. Depressing to think we won the title last season yet the other two promoted sides look considerably better than us so far.

 

[Kenneth E End]

We're in serious trouble.

To not even lay a glove onto a team that finished below you last season is simply unacceptable. The performances aren't improving, they're getting worse. Sheffield United declared at 2-0 yesterday... they almost felt some pity on us.

The 3-5-2 survived the week, but this time you had Doughty at RWB and Walters at LWB... both having to utilise their weaker foot. Walters especially struggled up against Jeserun Rak-Sakyi... it was never the right plan. He was a player that Luton were hoping to sign themselves but gazumped by the Yorkshiremen. JRS yesterday putting in probably one of the best individual performances I've seen so far this season, probably up there with Wilson Odobert and Luca Koleosho. I was surprised they took him off, but they probably thought at the time the 3 points were locked in. Same with Gus Hamer - rested with Leeds coming up, who they clearly see as a bigger threat.

There is no control, no aggression, no plan defensively. The first goal conceded was an embarressment - it felt like there were three opportunities to clear the ball. Not good enough.

Some players are going through the motions - they've downed tools. Edwards admitted that confidence was low, but who's fault is that? The players do need to suck it up and get on with it... those who don't want to be here have 3 months before the next window opens, so I suggest that if they want that move, they pull their socks up and play for their badge. Edwards himself looks drained and mentally shot.

We head into an international break now for 2 weeks - a good opportunity for a reset. We need a change - with regret Rob, it's time to go. To be in a position where we get into a League 1 conversation is simply unthinkable.

The fans I think have been fairly patient. I think I saw that we've lost about 70% of games since January (in fact, 29 out of 47 league matches, a 62% loss rate). You may have seen some negative videos on social media... I've seen far worse in less terrible positions.

 

[Robie]

We're in serious trouble.

To miss a penalty and not score when we had plenty of spells of pressure is a major concern. Oxford were the poorest side we've played so far yet for some woeful finishing they might well have won it.

Our current squad doesn't look any better than the one that won League One last season and we seriously miss Bishop and Yengi.

We simply have to win the next two games at QPR and Cardiff now or else we risk getting cut adrift before November has even started. Depressing to think we won the title last season yet the other two promoted sides look considerably better than us so far.

When you finally finish this run of really tough games you will catch a break I'm sure.

Yesterday we were not at our best. With Elliott Moore missing we struggled to cope with the long balls and build from the back as we usually do. After a heavy pitch at Luton it was clear the players are fatigued so the international break has come at a good time. 3 Points from Burnley (H), Luton (A) and Pompey isn't too bad.

 

[Tea Towel]

When you finally finish this run of really tough games you will catch a break I'm sure.
.

I’d say they’ve finished it with having Stoke and Oxford in their last two

 

[BarrieOwl]

Goodness me we are poor.

The recruitment team have totally messed up with the McGuinness signing, doesn’t look up to the standard.

We’ve gone 442 from the sound of it, reaching the point where we are just lurching from one system to another without any clear direction now. Won’t be long before he’s gone imo

Should have spent the 10m on the referees....

 

[SF_]

The McGuiness fee seemed nonsense at the time, just a mid-table Championship defender. I could maybe understand if he was a teenager but he's soon 24 and probably won't develop much further.

 

[SF_]

Also, what a player Kaine Kesler-Hayden is, id be very surprised if we keep him for the full season.

 

[91SPP]

Comfortable win vs QPR on Saturday. We’ve won four of our five home games to nil which is fairly impressive and three of the wins have been very comfortable: Bristol, Cardiff and QPR.

In terms of percentage of being in a leading possession in games through the first nine, we have been seventh best in the league, behind: Sunderland, Sheff Utd, Burnley, Leeds, Norwich and West Brom.

I’ve been really impressed in the progression in the side and really think we have enough to keep ourselves of any real relegation concerns. We just need to start picking points up on the road and with Millwall and Oxford coming up that could be a good start to do that.

 

[Super_horns]

Not saying anything about Luton till after the 19th!

It’s an away game for us too.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We're in serious trouble.

To not even lay a glove onto a team that finished below you last season is simply unacceptable. The performances aren't improving, they're getting worse. Sheffield United declared at 2-0 yesterday... they almost felt some pity on us.

The 3-5-2 survived the week, but this time you had Doughty at RWB and Walters at LWB... both having to utilise their weaker foot. Walters especially struggled up against Jeserun Rak-Sakyi... it was never the right plan. He was a player that Luton were hoping to sign themselves but gazumped by the Yorkshiremen. JRS yesterday putting in probably one of the best individual performances I've seen so far this season, probably up there with Wilson Odobert and Luca Koleosho. I was surprised they took him off, but they probably thought at the time the 3 points were locked in. Same with Gus Hamer - rested with Leeds coming up, who they clearly see as a bigger threat.

There is no control, no aggression, no plan defensively. The first goal conceded was an embarressment - it felt like there were three opportunities to clear the ball. Not good enough.

Some players are going through the motions - they've downed tools. Edwards admitted that confidence was low, but who's fault is that? The players do need to suck it up and get on with it... those who don't want to be here have 3 months before the next window opens, so I suggest that if they want that move, they pull their socks up and play for their badge. Edwards himself looks drained and mentally shot.

We head into an international break now for 2 weeks - a good opportunity for a reset. We need a change - with regret Rob, it's time to go. To be in a position where we get into a League 1 conversation is simply unthinkable.

The fans I think have been fairly patient. I think I saw that we've lost about 70% of games since January (in fact, 29 out of 47 league matches, a 62% loss rate). You may have seen some negative videos on social media... I've seen far worse in less terrible positions.

It didn’t look like a 352 to me, although the names put out could have played it. Was a pretty standard 442, he had Clark up front (or at least closest too) Adebayo, Walters LB, Burke at RB (lol) and Moses and Doughty as the wide players.

Honestly it was totally bonkers, the whole bloody issue for the entire season has been a lightweight midfield 2 and the time he finally changes it….he KEEPS a midfield 2. Utterly bizarre how a professional coach cannot see such an obvious issue.

After the game Burke made reference about “going back to basics” and being nasty to play against. I could very well be reading too much into that but to me they came across as a bit of a nod towards Edwards. It certainly wasn’t about “doing the basics” yesterday, he lit certain players, Burke among them but also Walters, out to fail

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Not saying anything about Luton till after the 19th!

It’s an away game for us too.

if we lose, which I think we will, it will be very difficult. I think at that point the balance of those wanting to see Edwards go will tip in favour of it finally but the club would absolutely not want to sack him having lost to Watford. Very awkward, a little concerned the situation could get ugly

 

[Robie]

Comfortable win vs QPR on Saturday. We’ve won four of our five home games to nil which is fairly impressive and three of the wins have been very comfortable: Bristol, Cardiff and QPR.

In terms of percentage of being in a leading possession in games through the first nine, we have been seventh best in the league, behind: Sunderland, Sheff Utd, Burnley, Leeds, Norwich and West Brom.

I’ve been really impressed in the progression in the side and really think we have enough to keep ourselves of any real relegation concerns. We just need to start picking points up on the road and with Millwall and Oxford coming up that could be a good start to do that.

Yeah our home form has taken a bit of a hit… dropping points vs Burnley.

 

[SF_]

Coventry at home on Saturday. They've never won at Deepdale in the league, ever, and have only won twice in the cup, but I guess all records need to be broken. Sheff Utd had a similar record here until recent seasons.

No Whiteman, Keane, or Osmajic for this.

Woodman
Storey - Lindsay - Hughes
Kesler-Hayden - McCann - Thordarson - Brady
Greenwood - Frokjaer
Riis

Cornell, Whatmough, Best, Ledson, Potts, Holmes, Bowler, Okkels, Stewart​

Harsh to drop Potts, but we need more creativity in the side. Ledson and McCann just doesn't work for me unless we're playing a low block and expect to be absolutely dominated in terms of possession.

 

[Kenneth E End]

So it’s Watford tomorrow lunchtime. I don’t understand why Sky have never placed any importance on this match. It’s never been the main match / televised since we got promoted back to this level in 2019. And again, doesn’t have a Premier League referee.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I know it’s a big derby, but it feels like people are placing way too much focus on this match. It’s 1 match out of 46. And peoples feeling around the team and management would change completely if Luton lose. Why? Surely you don’t make a decision based on one game? Football fans are weird.

 

[FarehamPompey]

Pompey away at QPR. As good chance as any to get our first win. I’ll be there, can’t wait.

 

[Super_horns]

So it’s Watford tomorrow lunchtime. I don’t understand why Sky have never placed any importance on this match. It’s never been the main match / televised since we got promoted back to this level in 2019. And again, doesn’t have a Premier League referee.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I know it’s a big derby, but it feels like people are placing way too much focus on this match. It’s 1 match out of 46. And peoples feeling around the team and management would change completely if Luton lose. Why? Surely you don’t make a decision based on one game? Football fans are weird.

I am sure there will be the knee jerk reaction from our lot if we lose given our away form is pretty poor tbh.

Know it's not been great for you but this is the sort of game at home where a win can kick start a season.

Agree on Sky - when was the last time they covered the game live?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

So it’s Watford tomorrow lunchtime. I don’t understand why Sky have never placed any importance on this match. It’s never been the main match / televised since we got promoted back to this level in 2019. And again, doesn’t have a Premier League referee.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I know it’s a big derby, but it feels like people are placing way too much focus on this match. It’s 1 match out of 46. And peoples feeling around the team and management would change completely if Luton lose. Why? Surely you don’t make a decision based on one game? Football fans are weird.

It’s not really based on one game though is it? We’ve been totally rubbish this season and despite expectations to the contrary stoked by the manager himself, and losing to Watford would be the final straw for a lot of people

 

[SF_]

Would Nathan Jones be considered for another crack?

Could see Luton taking a look at Skubala at Lincoln if they pot Edwards.

 

[Super_horns]

It’s not really based on one game though is it? We’ve been totally rubbish this season and despite expectations to the contrary stoked by the manager himself, and losing to Watford would be the final straw for a lot of people

True - I mean we are doing well but people won’t take losing kindly unless it’s by bad luck .

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We have further injury issues. Mengi is out, Walters has somehow broken his foot and is now out for 2 months.

This alongside Bell and Andersen being absent too. McGuinness is also a doubt but given the situation with others I imagine we might try and push him out there. Leaves us light in defence…nothing new there then.

A few are coming g back like Hashioka, Chong and Morris. Really hope we have worked on some identity over the break, the complete lack of one at Sheffield United was a massive concern

 

[Kenneth E End]

It’s not really based on one game though is it? We’ve been totally rubbish this season and despite expectations to the contrary stoked by the manager himself, and losing to Watford would be the final straw for a lot of people

Don’t get me wrong… I said before the international break he had to go. I’m just aiming that at people who said the opposite before but would change their mind by this time tomorrow