Is our team better this season than it was last season?

[Chesney Christ]

I think the team is far superior.
I'm not entirely convinced Gus' managerial skills have improved by a similar percentage.


I'm still on The Bus but some of his decisions this season have caused me to remove my rosy specs.

I agree with every word.

 

[Chesney Christ]

Essentially, Gus has to start trusting the players A LOT more. This is demonstrated in his persistence with Ashley Barnes as a left-winger to provide "defensive cover" for an England international left-back. We are still painfully cautious a lot of the time.

 

[Surf's Up]

I said "No" because although the individual players are better, the team, IMO, isn't, not yet. I think it will become better towards the end of the season when Ulloa and Upson are fitter and if Gus is prepared to let them off the leash a bit.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

To complete the Nsc bingo, we are suffering second season syndrome. Has that helped anyone fill their line?

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Essentially, Gus has to start trusting the players A LOT more. This is demonstrated in his persistence with Ashley Barnes as a left-winger to provide "defensive cover" for an England international left-back. We are still painfully cautious a lot of the time.

I agree, but results suggest we are a much better team with Barnes in it. Despite half a dozen players being better than him in theory, he makes something happen for us. Baffling.

The progression in our team is superb but there is work to be done, everyone can see that.

 

[Perkino]

We are a better team than last season but we are not as good a team as we should be considering our squad of players.

We are stronger in most areas so much so that last seasons strength of CB is now our biggest weakness

 

[Mellotron]

Essentially, Gus has to start trusting the players A LOT more. This is demonstrated in his persistence with Ashley Barnes as a left-winger to provide "defensive cover" for an England international left-back. We are still painfully cautious a lot of the time.

Barnes was dropped when Bridge came back, for quite a few games. He earnt his place back via good performances, including goals.

 

[T soprano]

6 wins out of our last 24 games , not very good is it I suppose you could argue that we've only lost 6 but when you look at that opening stat it does look a bit depressing

 

[mooey]

A question I was asked yesterday, and it got me thinking.

Obviously, the individuals are better. Kuszczak for Ankergren, Bruno for Calderon, Bridge for Painter, Hammond for Navarro, Orlandi for Noone... But is the TEAM better for these changes? Or were we a better team last season?

Thoughts, opinions, rebukes?

def o stronger this season maybe were lacking a bit of confidence this season i think being in a new stadium and the buzz round the amex + promotion made a massive impact on the team last season

 

[SeagullSongs]

On paper yes, but we've made loads almost 10 new signings since the end of last season:

Kuszczak
Bruno
Hammond
Crofts
Bridge
Lopez
Ulloa
Upson
Orlandi

And the constant changes in line-up aren't helping them gel. I can be patient. When we click, we're f***ing amazing. If we can really click every week, there's no reason we can't be a mid-table Premier League side. But that's precisely why we're a Championship team, we just need some consistency.

 

[Tony Meolas Loan Spell]

Yes. We should be talking now about who will JOIN us in PO not will we get there.

 

[RowleyBirkinQ.C(deceased)]

Personnel wise, we are much better. Compared to last season after 29 games we are worse.
2011-12
position 10th, won 13, drawn 6, lost 10, for 32 against 30.
Stating the bleedin obvious? we're drawing too many.

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Individually yes
From a purely teamwork or style point of view similar but think Ulloa will help improve that. Just feel we need the right CM next to Bridcutt too in this sense to improve.

Over-all then clearly yes. Next season there's some shopping to do though for a LB, CM and CB. Think you always need to improve though. When we've bought those we'll clearly have a couple of other positions that suddenly become the weak links. Even Barca COULD improve in the odd area however un-realistic. For example their keeper couldn't be classed as the very best in the world.