If Pearson was in charge and blindly continuing to play our 'stars' who flopped so badly I would worry about this season. He's not, Ivic has shown he is determined to do things his way and I believe is building something that will turn out to be quite special. It's going to take time for things to gel and click (or click and gel) but Boro (17th last season and the lowest goals for in the league) are not the side to give us a lesson in EFL reality. Home win.
At least it will be tricky for the opposition to work out who we'll play and in what setup. I have no idea.
Turns out us putting in all that effort against Tottenham was just a ploy, we're actually gonna feebly allow them to dominate the game
We should be aiming to win every single game this season. Any game we don't win will be a disappointment. It's that simple.
Don't forget the players told us before every game post lockdown that they wanted to win, wanted to do it for the fans. Wanted to give 100%.
Can you name a pro footballer who thinks that he\she\their team will not win any game that they will play ?.
Aside from the caveats above, it's more than that; sometimes after a draw at what may be considered one of the more difficult teams in the division people might be fairly content. But we should be winning every single game this season. Every match we don't win will be a failure.
Of course . But don't you think that is putting too much pressure on those who are trying to win every game ?
It isn't what players, or the coach say. It is what they think. But for the majority of last season we were set up like we were going to lose, we played like we were going to lose, and guess what? We lost.
Not necessarily, it could and should just focus them. They shouldn't just be "trying", they should be believing that they can and then actually doing it. They need a winner's mindset with absolutely zero excuses.
Totally agree. Unless the dog was to eat their homework, as that can really play havoc with even the best laid plans.
No one can do more than "trying" to win . What more can anyone do than try and win ?. There is a saying : Winning isn't important, trying to win is important.
Nonsense. If you just want to "win" then take up an individual sport where it is you vs the world Every week only about 35% of football teams win . And out of those 35% most win more than others .
There can be varying degrees of "trying" to win though. There's another saying: It's not the taking part but the winning that counts. The club can't afford to stay stuck in this rotten division much longer. There's no reason why they shouldn't be winning every game.
Like I said . Only 35% of football teams will win in any given round of matches Expecting a team to win 100% of the time is unrealistic and unfair.
Perfect example . No one can win all the time . Everyone can try and win all the time. I can never beat Usain Bolt at 100 metres . I can try and win tho. I can beat a 3 year old at 100 metres all the time tho. If I lose to Usain but beat the 3 year old does that make me a winner ?.
But could you have beaten Usain Bolt when he was three? That should send you into a lifetime paradox.
Have dusted down the clappers from last season , given them a new layer of varnish and a heavy polish with dubbin wax . Need them to be well prepared for a season of happy clapping . Knickers have been put out to dry on the washing line , not expecting to get them out until next season .
The answer is yes . And if I considered myself a "winner" if I did beat a 3 yr old Usain would you respect me as a "winner" ?.
I remember when Keegan first managed Newcastle in the second tier, he said there was no reason why they shouldn’t win every game and that should be their aim. Of course they didn’t manage it but they won the league comfortably.
Probably every game is winnable at this level but our record against our promotion rivals was pretty poor last time round, only one away win IIRC against our fellow top 8 teams, at Brentford. There was a home game we lost 3-0 against Norwich but I don't remember anything about it, not sure I even watched it - can someone jog my memory, were we as bad as the scoreline suggested?
That was the game with the scandalous dive by Hoolahan. It was a nothing game until that point midway through second half then they got that pen and scored two more quick goals.
Didn't we play it in at least a couple of games under Silva, Chelsea away and Arsenal at home? Unless Pereyra was playing in central midfield instead of up front...
Warnock has a special place in most football fan's hearts. He and Woy are going for duffer of the season in age no doubt. Good football brain and can organize a side. Will be tough, and we will need to be up for it for 90 mins. I do expect a fee changes from Spuds but the core of that side more than earned a place. Starting with a win will boost early confidence even more, and we haven't lost our opening Championship fixture since Preston Away. Will be tight, but I think we can just edge it. 1-0.
It's absurd the FA is forcing us to spend a year in this pub league. Nonetheless we may as well enjoy the inevitable unbeaten season. As Champions Elect it's only a question of in what month we make it official. My money is on February but I would not rule out January or earlier. As for the game, like just about every team in this 'league' I have never heard of the opponent. I can imagine they will be in awe of us and may be a bit starstruck. Should be a very very easy game. Prediction Champions Elect 9-0 Middleborough (sp?) Pedro (23, 48), Estupinan (35), Gray (42, 88), Suarez (53, 55), Dawson (62), Cleverley (78), Deeney (missed pen 90+10)
Ivic has asked for a big squad, and we currently have a big squad. Maybe not quite so many will be leaving after all? Doucoure gone of course. Pereyra almost certainly, and Geri too, however that could be in the next window. Keeping Sarr and Capoue would be excellent, but it's all up in the air right now. It's so hard to know who will be available. I think Ivic will play a similar team to the one he fielded against Spurs, with maybe Capoue coming in for Chalobah and Foster for Bachmann. The bench should be a lot stronger though, with Suarez, Masina, Sema & Sarr replacing Crichlow, Agyakwa, Navarro & Stevenson.
Midds will set up not to concede a la Palace I would imagine. We will need to be showing some creative juices on Friday night.
