so long,farewell,auf Wiedersehen,good night...in other words...the relegation thread

[oakroader]

its christmas and we're shit and unless there's a christmas miracle...we're doomed....

 

[NIGHTMARE]

Think we’ll kick on in the new year and finish well clear of trouble.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Stoke look doomed.
Couldn't win an argument

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I’m amazed we aren’t in the bottom 3 yet given how poor we have been. Don’t want to sound to doom and gloom but I’ll be absolutely stunned, if there are 3 teams worse than us come May.

Can’t fault the effort of us on the pitch and bar the Brentford game we’ve always given our best, but we look so short of the quality required and look nothing like last years team. We don’t seem able to get much on the road so it’s making home games all become must wins which is too much pressure for us to overcome. We’ve essentially become caught between 2 stools of late as we aren’t good enough defensively to sit in and become one of those nasty “tough to play against” sides, and we aren’t good enough to play how I think we actually want too which is to dominate the ball and play through teams.

With Barnsley picking up some form of late, Stoke (who we made look absolutely brilliant when we played them!) surely having enough about them to get enough points to see them safe I just don’t see us having enough.

Barring signing 2 new fullbacks, a new striker and probably a centre half at minimum, in the window (which let’s face it we don’t have the money for) I can’t see us eking out enough points to keep us in our current position.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Im an optimist. I think there may be three we can squeak a finish above. Theres always one big club in freefall that cant beat the slump and weight of expectation. Maybe one, or even two, of Stoke Middlesboro and Huddersfield have that in them.

Then we just gotta find more points than one or two of Wigan, Barnsley Charlton and whoever else hits a freefall from the middle. Its still tightish all the way up to Reading is 'only' six points.

That said we're really up against it. We're doomed if we cant stay in touch until mid Feb - and we have a very tough run of fixtutes until then. IF we can it might hold our confidence together enough for a decentish run in where we play all our current peers.

Tough ask and think our Management and playing staffs lack of experience and quality at this level will ultimately count against us.

So my optimism is hope and blind faith we can pull our finger out our arse.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Shit that was long. Got carried away

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Im an optimist. I think there may be three we can squeak a finish above. Theres always one big club in freefall that cant beat the slump and weight of expectation. Maybe one, or even two, of Stoke Middlesboro and Huddersfield have that in them.

Then we just gotta find more points than one or two of Wigan, Barnsley Charlton and whoever else hits a freefall from the middle. Its still tightish all the way up to Reading is 'only' six points.

That said we're really up against it. We're doomed if we cant stay in touch until mid Feb - and we have a very tough run of fixtutes until then. IF we can it might hold our confidence together enough for a decentish run in where we play all our current peers.

Tough ask and think our Management and playing staffs lack of experience and quality at this level will ultimately count against us.

So my optimism is hope and blind faith we can pull our finger out our arse.

You’re right about just needing to hang on in there. Can’t afford to be cut adrift and if we manage it then Easter could decide it. The run of games is Reading, Barnsley at home and then Huddersfield away.

 

[oakroader]

Our upcoming fixtures ...
Fulham,Bristol City,Millwall,Birmingham,Forest,Derby,West Brom....don’t look great to be honest in raising hope of keeping our heads above water...

 

[NIGHTMARE]

I think this transfer window is massive for a few clubs this season, we could do with shipping 4 out and bringing 6 in.

 

[Vanni]

Going on the Championship matches I've watched this season (though admittedly not as many as I would've liked), I wouldn't give up just yet if I were a Luton fan. Not when the likes of Wigan, Barnsley and Stoke are in the same division. Huddersfield as well but I think they'll stay up. Then there are a few other mid/lower mid table sides that are no great shakes either so they're deffo beatable like Boro, Derby and Charlton.

 

[AnkleBiter]

We aren't in this. No way will we even remotely appear to be in any danger for the rest of this season under the Cowley's. They've completely turned around our freefall mentality and got wins even when we've had an injury crisis and a bench full of teenagers.

 

[oakroader]

If we win and you lose then you’re only 2 points better off than fourth from bottom....
Not worried??

 

[AnkleBiter]

Na

 

[Millwall_Matt]

Barnsley were unbelievably bad against us for 40 minutes the other day, then scored a really good goal and defended pretty well until we score late to equalise. They they dug deep and managed to nick a winner in injury time as well. All that I think bodes fairly well for them, not many sides will out-shithouse us at home and I reckon their guts and spirit will see them safe.

We've got Luton Sunday, will be interesting to see how they compare to the side that should have beaten us under Harris.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Barnsley were unbelievably bad against us for 40 minutes the other day, then scored a really good goal and defended pretty well until we score late to equalise. They they dug deep and managed to nick a winner in injury time as well. All that I think bodes fairly well for them, not many sides will out-shithouse us at home and I reckon their guts and spirit will see them safe.

We've got Luton Sunday, will be interesting to see how they compare to the side that should have beaten us under Harris.

We are at Bristol City on Sunday so should be an easy 3 points for you!

Said at the time we’d live to regret not beating you that evening. One of the few games (I think Charlton I can think of being the only other home game) where we actually had the control of the game rather than reacting what the other team was doing. Can’t let those few opportunities slip through this season if we are to scrape up.

Think we had you on an off day and clearly with Rowett things are improving for you, so we really needed to make that count. Will be a different game on New Year’s Day.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Our upcoming fixtures ...
Fulham,Bristol City,Millwall,Birmingham,Forest,Derby,West Brom....don’t look great to be honest in raising hope of keeping our heads above water...

If we can get 7 points from these 7 games, that would be acceptable I'd say.

 

[oakroader]

Fuck it...as results stand now...we’re bottom!!

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

We will stay there if we don’t learn to stop crosses and just in general not defend like a bunch of clowns!

 

[oakroader]

Jones can fuck right off...
Hartford back till the end of the season...
Before it’s too late... if I ain’t already

 

[BelizeHatter]

Jones can fuck right off...
Hartford back till the end of the season...
Before it’s too late... if I ain’t already

Sadly +1

 

[Ciderup]

No offence Hatters but you were dreadful today. I know we desperately needed a win and our confidence was very low but, if that was typical of your performances of late, you're going to do very well to stay up.
As I said, no offence meant and the best of luck for the rest of the season.
I read your Chairman has asked for a salary cap to ensure a level paying field. Isn't that the whole point of promotion in that it gets much harder as you move up the divisions?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

No offence Hatters but you were dreadful today. I know we desperately needed a win and our confidence was very low but, if that was typical of your performances of late, you're going to do very well to stay up.
As I said, no offence meant and the best of luck for the rest of the season.
I read your Chairman has asked for a salary cap to ensure a level paying field. Isn't that the whole point of promotion in that it gets much harder as you move up the divisions?

No offence taken, I think we all realise we are pretty out of our depth at the moment to be honest with you.

Not sure your point necessarily follows. He hasnt suggested that it shouldn’t get harder as you move up the divisions on the pitch, just that there needs to be some financial regulation off of it. Got teams basically gambling on promotion due to the riches on offer in the level above. Think most people can see its not really sustainable for most clubs.

Also not sure he necessarily meant to come across as in favour of a salary cap per se. Think he was just throwing the idea out there as something that could be considered/discussed to address the issue- but the wider point on club sustainability needs to be looked at in general is the main thrust of what he was saying.

 

[NIGHTMARE]

On the plus side we’re 5 unbeaten. Picking 9 points

 

[Ciderup]

No offence taken, I think we all realise we are pretty out of our depth at the moment to be honest with you.

Not sure your point necessarily follows. He hasnt suggested that it shouldn’t get harder as you move up the divisions on the pitch, just that there needs to be some financial regulation off of it. Got teams basically gambling on promotion due to the riches on offer in the level above. Think most people can see its not really sustainable for most clubs.

Also not sure he necessarily meant to come across as in favour of a salary cap per se. Think he was just throwing the idea out there as something that could be considered/discussed to address the issue- but the wider point on club sustainability needs to be looked at in general is the main thrust of what he was saying.

Good post TFCH,
With all possible respect to him, and FWIW I actually think he has a point, those that come down have a gargantuan financial advantage in getting back up. That really isn't fair and makes the Prem pretty much a closed shop without a fairly large financial risk.
More of a point is the difference between this league and L1. When we came up, we struggled but managed to survive, relatively comfortably in the end, as did PNE who came up with us.
Since then, very few, Sheff U apart, have even lasted much more than one season. That suggests the jump from L1 to the Championship is now a really big one, probably growing.
I would appreciate your thoughts along with fellow Hatters as well as other sides that came up with you as both your good selves and Barnsley are struggling. Once again, those that come up could well go back down and that can't be healthy. Is the Championship becoming as closed a shop as the Prem? I would hope it isn't.

 

[NIGHTMARE]

Good post TFCH,
With all possible respect to him, and FWIW I actually think he has a point, those that come down have a gargantuan financial advantage in getting back up. That really isn't fair and makes the Prem pretty much a closed shop without a fairly large financial risk.
More of a point is the difference between this league and L1. When we came up, we struggled but managed to survive, relatively comfortably in the end, as did PNE who came up with us.
Since then, very few, Sheff U apart, have even lasted much more than one season. That suggests the jump from L1 to the Championship is now a really big one, probably growing.
I would appreciate your thoughts along with fellow Hatters as well as other sides that came up with you as both your good selves and Barnsley are struggling. Once again, those that come up could well go back down and that can't be healthy. Is the Championship becoming as closed a shop as the Prem? I would hope it isn't.

Our gaffer as been in charge of us for 9 games

Blackburn away (L) 3-2
Middlesbrough away (L) 1-0
Hull home (W) 3-1
Cardiff away (L) 3-2 best I’ve seen us play all season.
Reading home (D) 1-1
QPR home (W) 5-3
Millwall away (W) 2-1 (1 of only 2 teams to have beat them at home this season)
West Brom home (D) 1-1 should have beat them much the better side and they was top of the league
Swansea away (D) 0-0

12 points from 9 games, unbeaten in our last 5 matches, id say he’s starting to get the best out of what he’s got. We’re in with a fighting chance.

 

[Ciderup]

Our gaffer as been in charge of us for 9 games

Blackburn away (L) 3-2
Middlesbrough away (L) 1-0
Hull home (W) 3-1
Cardiff away (L) 3-2 best I’ve seen us play all season.
Reading home (D) 1-1
QPR home (W) 5-3
Millwall away (W) 2-1 (1 of only 2 teams to have beat them at home this season)
West Brom home (D) 1-1 should have beat them much the better side and they was top of the league
Swansea away (D) 0-0

12 points from 9 games, unbeaten in our last 5 matches, id say he’s starting to get the best out of what he’s got. We’re in with a fighting chance.

Out of the 2 clubs, I would say you've the best chance Nightmare. At least you've already had a look a couple of years ago so knew what to expect.
I actually feel sorry for teams that come up now that haven't had a taste of it. We came up at just the right time I think as it wasn't anywhere near as tough as it seems to be now.
Is the Championship stronger or L1 weaker?

 

[NIGHTMARE]

Championship is strong from 15th upwards, the bottom 9 are much of a muchness and if run properly could improve and make the league even stronger going forward in my opinion,

Top 8 in league one are decent, the rest are absolute dog shit.

 

[Ciderup]

Championship is strong from 15th upwards, the bottom 9 are much of a muchness and if run properly could improve and make the league even stronger going forward in my opinion,

Top 8 in league one are decent, the rest are absolute dog shit.

Change that to top 8 minus the gas and I'll agree with you fella.
Interesting insight, thanks.

 

[SMH]

We’re being dragged back down kicking and screaming by our twat of a manager. We hate him, he hates us, but we can’t afford to sack him and he won’t resign thus giving up his fat payoff with two and a half years left on his deal.

We’ll be back here again in August 2021 as the usual dung at this level walk us back to promotion in the pub standard division that in League One. Rinse and fucking repeat.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Good post TFCH,
With all possible respect to him, and FWIW I actually think he has a point, those that come down have a gargantuan financial advantage in getting back up. That really isn't fair and makes the Prem pretty much a closed shop without a fairly large financial risk.
More of a point is the difference between this league and L1. When we came up, we struggled but managed to survive, relatively comfortably in the end, as did PNE who came up with us.
Since then, very few, Sheff U apart, have even lasted much more than one season. That suggests the jump from L1 to the Championship is now a really big one, probably growing.
I would appreciate your thoughts along with fellow Hatters as well as other sides that came up with you as both your good selves and Barnsley are struggling. Once again, those that come up could well go back down and that can't be healthy. Is the Championship becoming as closed a shop as the Prem? I would hope it isn't.

The difference in standard between this level to league 1 as far as I have seen is absolutely vast. You get punished for everything seemingly and the quality and technical ability on the ball is far better. Teams also seem way more tactically astute and that’s all married with a physical aspect that I personally didn’t see last season. it’s interesting I think that I thought Barnsley stuck out like a sore thumb last season as a quality side, when we played them. Played us off the park at oakwell and really should have beaten us at the Kenny so I sort of had an idea of what we were in for but it’s a level above even that.

Just to put that in some real terms - and it seems a bit of a silly observation but it was a bit of an odd thing that really stuck out to me early in the season - was just how much better teams where at shooting. Give someone any time on the edge of the box and it seems to always result in a shot on target whereas last season that was certainly not the case!

Playing a team like Leeds where we can’t even seem to get the ball off them really highlights the difference.

Even when tactically teams are a bit off it you have to deal with individual quality, players who can basically give them a get out of jail free card by pulling something out of nothing - for instance what on Earth is Mitrovic doing at Fulham. You’ve got teams with 20 million pound players often multiple of these, and the most anyone is spending in league 1 on a single player is what, maybe a million at maximum and that’s a team like Peterborough with a sugar daddy. It’s ridiculous really.

This obviously a bit mitigated from our point of view in that I think we have stepped up a level whilst I think having significantly worse team than last season and probably a worse as well as rookie manager to boot.