FAO The Optimists

[Hampshire Royal]

Now we're out of the Play-offs what is the official line of response to those who dare complain.
Obviously "stop complaining, we're in the play-offs" is out the window.

'Work in progress'?
'Attractive football'?

It's November you oxf*rd retard. That is all.

A good excuse, but displays a bit too much short term thinking imo.
You'd be able to milk, "It's pre-Christmas you oxf*rd retard. That is all.", for a whole month, for instance.

So the bloke who slates another poster for saying it's too early to make any sort of judgement on this season complains that he is displaying short term thinking!

[leon]

Piss off and support Chelsea.

LUX, as much as I love your posts my dear boy, I have to violently disagree, we really are mediocre. The Adkins football revolution is not delivering. We are pretty shit.

[P!ssed Off]

Maybe. The problem here is that Nigel has never been accepted by many on here, the manager is here to get us where we want to be, we all have the same aim but it takes time and some aren't prepared to give him time, no matter what he does.

I wasn't a lover of Adkins, as he came from the team I dislike most, but I'm also no hater of him, he was my second choice. I can see certain things he is implementing into the squad, it isn't balanced at this moment in time...but as you know, I know and every other fan who has been in this league, there is always one team who surges into the playoffs/auto place every nearly every season.

I truly believe Adkins can succeed here, with support from fans, the club and the team....in time. Nothing wrong with supporting it, is there?

Come Xmas, would you be pleased or disappointed in us being there or there about?

Almost 8 months in to Adkins's reign I expected to see us getting better, imo we're getting worse.

Recent Results:
We're on a horrendous run of form. Last 6 games, we've only won 6 points! From the last 8 games, i.e. 2nd half of the season so far, we are 13th in the league.
Conclusion: Results are getting worse.

Style of Play:
'Short passing, attractive football, I like the sound of that', I remember thinking to myself.
First of all the new style of play caused many problems, but now it appears in recent games that we've all but abandoned it. Whether Adkins has decided to change tactics, or the players have simply decided to abandon ship, I think we can all agree that it's been a failure one way or the other.

Don't just take my word for it, let's look at the statistics.
16 games in to the season we compare to the league as follows:

Shots per game = 19th
Shots ot per game = 11th
Shots conceded per game = 22nd (1st = least, 24th = most)
Possession = 13th
Pass Success % = 15th
Goals from Open Play = 18th
No. of Long balls per game = 4th
No. of Short passes per game = 12th

The stats cannot really be described as that of "attractive, short passing football".

Our 'position' in the league imo was merely an illusion. Can anyone really say we deserved to be in the top 6 for the first 15 or so games? We were uninspiring throughout (as the stats back-up).

Honestly, if the rest of the teams in the division hadn't started so slowly we would never have stayed in the top 6 for as long as we did.

I would be delighted if we are top 6 by Christmas. I would be content if we are 7th or 8th.
If we are any lower than that (a real possibility, check next weekend fixtures, for instance, we could very easily end the weekend 11th) then I think Adkins may need to phuck off.

I'm sorry, I find that reply quite shallow. Is there any need for statistics? The table doesn't lie minus your.....crap. We are in a good position, considering your VERY negative attitude and statistics. Also, the only time I think it's right to say 'thanks Nige, your time to go' is IF we are in the same position this time next year. You cannot EXPECT a manager with a different outlook to totally change things and BANG! promotion in this short space of time.

Honestly, the way some of you nippers react, you're trapping off as if we're in a relegation fight.

Get a grip

The stats are necessary I believe.
They highlight the style of football we have seen so far and how effective it has been.
The manager has been working with mostly the same group of players for 8 months now.
If he was making significant changes to the style of play then I would give him more time than I have previously stated. But anyone who has been to recent games would tell you that the style revolution has stalled if not been reversed.

If he's not changing the style of play then why would we give him extra time?

Also, I may well remind you that "The table doesn't lie" come the end of next weekend.

[P!ssed Off]

I'll leave you with this brainteaser:
Q: This season, according to http://www.whoscored.com/, how many teams in the Championship have scored less goals from open play, away from home, than Reading?


Answer: 0

[SydenhamRoyal]

Piss off and support Chelsea.

LUX, as much as I love your posts my dear boy, I have to violently disagree, we really are mediocre. The Adkins football revolution is not delivering. We are pretty shit.

You went and ruined it with the word pretty. We're not even that.

[floyd__streete]

Three words to describe the first third of this season:

Dull. And. Uninspiring.

[mambo3]

We will win the league. pog will score 15 goals this season and move to Spain for 15million. NA will be championship Manager of the Year and write a best seller called build, evolve, succeed. NH will be head hunted by Top Premiership side.

[winchester_royal]

Three words to describe the first third of this season:

Dull. And. Uninspiring.

Yep.

[floyd__streete]

Three words to describe the first third of this season:

Dull. And. Uninspiring.

Yep.

Pffff.....well that's typical of you WinchesteROFL ROFLoyaLOL, you're so delude.....oh, you're agreeing with me .

If Hob Nob was a science fiction novel I'd probably blow up into smithereens now.

[Optimist]

To the OP; this time two years ago we had just lost our 6th League game of the season, and ended up atop the table. We've lost only half that many so far this term.

Yes, we've struggled for consistency, but have shown what we're capable of (e.g. vs Doncaster), and hey, it's November, let's chill out a little.

[P!ssed Off]

To the OP; this time two years ago we had just lost our 6th League game of the season, and ended up atop the table. We've lost only half that many so far this term.

Yes, we've struggled for consistency, but have shown what we're capable of (e.g. vs Doncaster), and hey, it's November, let's chill out a little.

Who asked for your opinion?

[Reading4eva]

this is probably the easiest championship in years & despite that, we're right off the pace.

I wouldnt say that. Dare I say it, this is one of the toughest. Look at the teams in there. QPR - Full of ex-Premier League Players; Wigan - A mix of Premier League players and a striker who got Norwich up a couple of years ago almost single handedly; Nottingham Forest; Leicester; Watford... even Bolton; Brighton. Burnley are suprises as are Blackpool.

The only thing is I cant see past those bottom 3 to get relegated. Yeovil - League One lets be honest, I wanted them to do well but they arent up to it full stop; Sheffield Wednesday - If it wasnt for us and that we are shite they still wouldnt have won a game; Barnsley - About bloody time!

Where are we? On paper we should be in that top lot, probably besides the two teams that come down with us. But I'd say we really are lingering in the middle of quality with Blackburn, Leeds and 10/11ths of Derby

[JamieY26]

this is probably the easiest championship in years & despite that, we're right off the pace.

I wouldnt say that. Dare I say it, this is one of the toughest. Look at the teams in there. QPR - Full of ex-Premier League Players; Wigan - A mix of Premier League players and a striker who got Norwich up a couple of years ago almost single handedly; Nottingham Forest; Leicester; Watford... even Bolton; Brighton. Burnley are suprises as are Blackpool.

The only thing is I cant see past those bottom 3 to get relegated. Yeovil - League One lets be honest, I wanted them to do well but they arent up to it full stop; Sheffield Wednesday - If it wasnt for us and that we are shite they still wouldnt have won a game; Barnsley - About bloody time!

Where are we? On paper we should be in that top lot, probably besides the two teams that come down with us. But I'd say we really are lingering in the middle of quality with Blackburn, Leeds and 10/11ths of Derby

Which is exactly where we should be! Injuries to pretty much all of the players that would make us a top 2 side, a striker who is only just starting to find some form and another that in an impact sub!

Look at where we have been pre christmas in other seasons! im more than happy with this season and it is nice to see the manager putting his neck on the line and trying to change the way we play rather than hoofing the ball forward (far more successful that Rogers anyway!).

ALSO! why would we want promotion this season with the current ownership situation?! We didnt even come close to competing last season and certainly wouldnt if we went up this season. I really don't know where this false image of ourselves has some from.... we are stating to sound like leeds!!

[Wimb]

Yes, we've struggled for consistency, but have shown what we're capable of (e.g. vs Doncaster)

If we're clinging on to the fact we scored four at home vs a team down the bottom of the league and down to 10 for half an hour then really it tells you all you need to know

In truth injuries, late/no transfers, some stupid individual moments and a general lack of any consistency have undermined this campaign and while I fully agree it's not been exciting it's also unfair to really judge this side on the last couple of months.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

this is probably the easiest championship in years & despite that, we're right off the pace.

I wouldnt say that. Dare I say it, this is one of the toughest. Look at the teams in there. QPR - Full of ex-Premier League Players; Wigan - A mix of Premier League players and a striker who got Norwich up a couple of years ago almost single handedly; Nottingham Forest; Leicester; Watford... even Bolton; Brighton. Burnley are suprises as are Blackpool.

The only thing is I cant see past those bottom 3 to get relegated. Yeovil - League One lets be honest, I wanted them to do well but they arent up to it full stop; Sheffield Wednesday - If it wasnt for us and that we are shite they still wouldnt have won a game; Barnsley - About bloody time!

Where are we? On paper we should be in that top lot, probably besides the two teams that come down with us. But I'd say we really are lingering in the middle of quality with Blackburn, Leeds and 10/11ths of Derby

No way!! This is the most mediocre championship in years. Look who's left - Saints, West Ham, Cardiff (who are always in the mix), Swansea. Most of what's left is dross.

It is distinctly average & despite that we are still freefalling down the table. Tell me what 'stars' are in this league now then? It's full of average championship players with a few exceptions at QPR & dare I say it - us.

[Cureton's Volley]

We play shit. No passion or penetration from open play. It's boring.

The captain (this week), the manager, and the owner are all cunts.

With xmas round the corner I am going to enjoy spending my money on cocktails, mistletoe, and motel rooms - rather than freezing my arse off to watch this shit unfold in a library.

[facaldaqui]

this is probably the easiest championship in years & despite that, we're right off the pace.

I wouldnt say that. Dare I say it, this is one of the toughest. Look at the teams in there. QPR - Full of ex-Premier League Players; Wigan - A mix of Premier League players and a striker who got Norwich up a couple of years ago almost single handedly; Nottingham Forest; Leicester; Watford... even Bolton; Brighton. Burnley are suprises as are Blackpool.

The only thing is I cant see past those bottom 3 to get relegated. Yeovil - League One lets be honest, I wanted them to do well but they arent up to it full stop; Sheffield Wednesday - If it wasnt for us and that we are shite they still wouldnt have won a game; Barnsley - About bloody time!

Where are we? On paper we should be in that top lot, probably besides the two teams that come down with us. But I'd say we really are lingering in the middle of quality with Blackburn, Leeds and 10/11ths of Derby

No way!! This is the most mediocre championship in years. Look who's left - Saints, West Ham, Cardiff (who are always in the mix), Swansea. Most of what's left is dross.

It is distinctly average & despite that we are still freefalling down the table. Tell me what 'stars' are in this league now then? It's full of average championship players with a few exceptions at QPR & dare I say it - us.

Every year people say this is a bad league. I can't remember anyone ever saying "This is a good league this year". Obviously the standard is much below the premier, but opposing teams often have significant stars, more than we do--although Bridge must count as our bit of class. Players like Rhodes, Nugent, Ngog, Holt ... And I don't know half the Watford squad, but they have drafted in players from the Spanish and Italian top leagues.

Then look at the managers plying their trade down here ... Zola, McClaren, Davies, McCarthy, Jones, McDermott, Redknapp ... it is hardly likely they will all be producing average teams, since they have a record of promotions and playoffs in the division.

I reckon the league is about the same as ever.

[facaldaqui]

We play shit. No passion or penetration from open play. It's boring.

The captain (this week), the manager, and the owner are all cunts.

With xmas round the corner I am going to enjoy spending my money on cocktails, mistletoe, and motel rooms - rather than freezing my arse off to watch this shit unfold in a library.

You should count yourself lucky you found a library with Sky.

[melonhead]

Three words to describe the first third of this season:

Dull. And. Uninspiring.

agreed

[Avon Royal]

Piss off and support Chelsea.

LUX, as much as I love your posts my dear boy, I have to violently disagree, we really are mediocre. The Adkins football revolution is not delivering. We are pretty shit.

Yeah, why hasn't Adkins completely revolutionised the style of play yet? He's had over 6 months, surely we should be Barcelona by now?