Still optimistic about our chances of staying up. But we do have problems.
There has been a lot of talk about missing chances, particularly about Biamou, but that is not our biggest problem. We are about average in this division on the goal scoring front. All teams and all players miss chances ..... it isnt one player missing them that is costing us.
I see three major problems to sort out. Firstly conceding the goals. We have by far the worst record on that so far. That's not just the back three, we play as a team we defend as a team. We simply are not good enough for long enough in most games. We leave too many gaps and invite too much pressure. We are naive, vulnerable at the set piece and invite pressure on. Distribution from the back often seems a bit unsure. There have been times like against Reading we have done well but not often enough.
That leads in to the other two problems. We lack real pace. It isnt going to be a positive outcome if your defensive set up lacks pace if the players they are up against have it. We are not difficult enough to beat. We play some nice football but could do with turning defenders more going forward so they are not so comfortable, real pace does that
But it is not just physical speed it is mental speed too, too many minds switch off especially at the business end of matches. The shape goes, people are out of position, players make tired sloppy stupid passes. That runs through the whole team not just certain players. As yet the players are not mentally strong enough for the full matches at this level, unfortunately that will only come over time and by playing games
It has been a bigger step up than some realised, especially the fans. There is still time but we have to stop conceding so many goals, become more difficult to beat. That is what is damaging our hopes of survival. There is still time though.
PUSBs
