Great_Expectations
Well-Known Member
I think it will still be a tough season next year. If we want to be serious top 6 challengers we need to either get better at stringing results together for longer periods like the really successful sides do or improve on Dowie's bouncebackability by responding well to defeats:
Unbeaten streaks:
Luton: 28 games unbeaten
Barnsley: 20 games unbeaten
Portsmouth: 11 games, and 2x 8 game streaks.
Sunderland: 19 games, 12 games
Charlton: 11 games and 6 games.
Our best in the last 2 seasons is 6 games.
Bouncebackability:
This season we've lost 16 games and the following match has resulted in W4 D8 L4 (W25% D50% L25%)
If we compare that to Charlton who have accumulated a lot of points despite never been higher than 4th this season, following 10 defeats their next result was W6, D2, L2 (W60%, D20%, L20%).
Sunderland have won all their matches following a defeat (the issue for them has been too many 1-1 draws/not enough clean sheets)
Getting that kind of mentality/self belief instilled in a youthful squad will be key.
Bouncebackability - thanks Alan.