Rival Watch

[YorkshireRoyal99]

I think the biggest thing for me is, we don't carry that much of a threat and we probably do need to be a bit more expansive and have a bit more creativity about us to do that. We are 17th overall with expected goals this season, the only sides below us are Bristol City, Hull, Birmingham, Wigan, Huddersfield, Blackburn and Rotherham.

The average number of shots per game is 10.13 as well, which is 20th.

It will take time to do, but I do want us to find this happy medium where we can be a bit more expansive, but without losing too much of our solid foundation that we have now. Obviously coming out of restrictions and the ability to buy players will help mould that, but it should allow us to become a bit more consistent and sustainable.

[Snowflake Royal]

And doing so with 24% possession will work for a while but is ultimately not particularly sustainable

Not sure Swansea’s 76% looks any more sustainable does it ?

Being as 50% of that 76 is pointlessly playing it around their back 3 it probably is

Much like Stamball.

Extremes of possession are probably indicative of a play style or quality problem... unless of course you're Man City or something.

>59% regularly and you probably have that much because teams are standing off you while you pass for the sake of it slowly in your backline with no idea how to break anyone down and score goals.

<41% regularly and you probably come under excessive pressure leading to conceding too many goals and struggle to create enough chances to score over the long term.

[Royals and Racers]

WBA fans being asked to join the protest during tonight`s home match against Preston- the fans are not happy the way the club is being run.
Further protest on Monday against us- 90 min sit in.

[From Despair To Where?]

They really don't like Gourlay but it seems that the owner bypassed him with regard to this £20m loan so they're asking the question of what Gourlay actually does, seeing as he hasn't actually achieved any of the stuff he claims he was brought into the club to do. Stuff like appointing a business manager and a DoF.

I also read that at a fans forum, when asked why he fcuked up at Reading, he claimed that everyone at the club was resistant to change, wouldn't buy into his vision and actively sabotaged him.

[Royals and Racers]

QPR being shown up for what they are by Luton - they are really a poor side.

[Hound]

QPR being shown up for what they are by Luton - they are really a poor side.

Luton up to 5th

Division is so weird (but good). Thought they were the worst side except Huddersfield we’ve played this season

[Nameless]

QPR being shown up for what they are by Luton - they are really a poor side.

Luton had 32% possession. Unsustainable surely ?

[SouthDownsRoyal]

QPR being shown up for what they are by Luton - they are really a poor side.

Luton up to 5th

Division is so weird (but good).

Quite agree, it’s a cliché when people say it pretty much anyone can beat anyone, still a long way to go but the top two look relatively well placed but the unpredictability is great and really makes the division what it is

[Hound]

Reckon the bottom 3 will end Rotherham, Wigan and Blackpool. Results tonight stating to move it in that direction

[tidus_mi2]

It's a good shout, those 3 are in poor form while others seem to be picking up results, even Huddersfield now.

[Hound]

Don’t think we’ll beat Norwich but if we did it’s a 13 point gap to the bottom 3, 11 to Rotherham.

Obvs without being silly I think realistically can’t see those teams making up that gap, and we can start playing with a bit more freedom

[Crowbar6753]

The next seven games will define our season....if we can take 7 points, which is a point a game i really think we should have nothing to fear moving forward with a relatively easier run in ahead.
If we can target the QPR & Watford home games as priority with our good home form and something out of the Stoke away game and then anything else is a bonus.
Now, obviously this ain't going to happen lol...and we'll probably win at WBA, Norwich and Sunderland

[Zip]

50 points will see us safe this season. We won't need 55.
The table has really taken shape and the likes of Wigan, Blackpool and Rotherham are all facing a struggle to stay up.

Throughout the season I have been looking at how the teams below us have been faring and wanting them to lose. If we win tomorrow night I'm looking up and wanting the teams fighting for promotion to start losing.

[From Despair To Where?]

Including tonight, Huddersfield have 5 of the bottom 8 in their next 7 games.

[Sutekh]

QPR being shown up for what they are by Luton - they are really a poor side.

Luton up to 5th

Division is so weird (but good). Thought they were the worst side except Huddersfield we’ve played this season

I note now that those early relegation strugglers Middlesbrough and WBA are 6th and 9th respectively, some semblance of expected normality is sadly being restored.

[Snowflake Royal]

QPR being shown up for what they are by Luton - they are really a poor side.

Luton up to 5th

Division is so weird (but good). Thought they were the worst side except Huddersfield we’ve played this season

I note now that those early relegation strugglers Middlesbrough and WBA are 6th and 9th respectively, some semblance of expected normality is sadly being restored.

Whikst Rotherham plummeted and we have stalled. Yep, table much closer to expectations.

[Franchise FC]

And Narch are falling like a stone … until tonight obviously

[Stranded]

Including tonight, Huddersfield have 5 of the bottom 8 in their next 7 games.

Massive run for them if they are going to give themselves a chance, as from the end of Feb (starting v Burnley on 25th Feb), you see them struggling to pick up many points again.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Huddersfield have definitely given themselves a fighting chance now where they looked doomed during the World Cup break, definitely need to keep picking up wins if they are to get out of it and, even then, their fixture list from mid-Feb onwards isn't looking favourable.

Rotherham are on their way down pretty quickly now as well and with one or two of their better players being linked with moves elsewhere in January, it could get even tougher for them.

How big a win tonight would be for us though, take us 13 points clear of the bottom 3 and would also give us a bit of breathing space to Preston, who could drop to 16th tonight. Just that bit of breathing space to mid table would look a lot better for us.

[Hound]

Is it bilic at Watford nowadays

He must be starting to pack his bags