I'd say it really is considering our fixtures after that are City, Everton, Arsenal, Villa, Wolves & Leeds, I honestly can't see many points out of that little lot on out present form, so we need to try and stay in touch with those around us, the worry for me is that Roy seems to have the tactical edge over Sean in these encounters, and Palace are looking a useful outfit this term.

No

No

Dyche to palace.

A point wouldn't be the end of the world, particularly if we show a bit more attacking intent and create some chances.

Another 31 0-0s could keep us up.

Game number 8 must win - what next?

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:22 pm

Game number 8 must win - what next?

Relegation confirmed by game number 9 if we don't win 8 and 9.

I just hope we try and play with a midfield against them, because at the moment we don't seem to understand the meaning of the word midfield.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:22 pm

Game number 8 must win - what next?

I know mathematical there's plenty of points on offer, but if we don't start putting wins on the board soon, we're in danger of leaving ourselves an awful lot to do in the 2nd half of the season, yes we've had purple patches before in this league, but the way we're playing it's asking a lot to expect us to reel off 3/4 straight wins, we may turn the corner yet, but the signs aren't promising, we've been ok at the back for the most part, and Ben Mee's return is massive, I'll be more confident of us keeping more cleans sheets now he's back, but we have to start scoring goals, and our creativity is at an all time low this season, and our usual outlet in Dwight isn't performing to his normal level, and without his influence we look guileless in unlocking defences, and that's a conundrum we'll have to solve to clamber out of trouble, I'm normally a glass high full type of guy, but I can only call it as I see it, and right now we're 2nd bottom on merit.

Vino blanco wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:27 pm

I just hope we try and play with a midfield against them, because at the moment we don't seem to understand the meaning of the word midfield.

Are we missing Cork more than people realise?

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:22 pm

Game number 8 must win - what next?

Somebody posting an opinion and you not giving a facetious reply

No.

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:35 pm

Are we missing Cork more than people realise?

Yes.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:25 pm

I'd say it really is considering our fixtures after that are City, Everton, Arsenal, Villa, Wolves & Leeds, I honestly can't see many points out of that little lot on out present form, so we need to try and stay in touch with those around us, the worry for me is that Roy seems to have the tactical edge over Sean in these encounters, and Palace are looking a useful outfit this term.

No, but... you look at the points gained / games played, and don’t want to start falling too far behind, I’m not usually a negative guy but I don’t see us going on e run at the minute which you kind of need to pull yourself away a bit.

Win against Palace and we look ok again so I’m not overly worried yet

And who remembers the season we didn't win a game till November? I'm sure we got relegated

Must win? Well we need to start sooner than later. We are in trouble that’s for sure.

Burnley1989 wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:49 pm

No, but... you look at the points gained / games played, and don’t want to start falling too far behind, I’m not usually a negative guy but I don’t see us going on e run at the minute which you kind of need to pull yourself away a bit.

Win against Palace and we look ok again so I’m not overly worried yet

I'm not usually downbeat either, and I try and look for the positives, but I'm struggling to find many this season, I agree 3 points against Palace and we'll be back in the pack again, albeit with a tough looking run of games looming.

It's more the mood of the team we appear to have lost that spring in our step, Dwight in particular is struggling to impact on games, and when he doesn't fire we struggle to win games, that's what's worrying, we don't have a plan b to change our fortunes, hopefully it'll just take the 1 win and we'll get a lift and kick on, but it's getting that 1st win that's proving elusive, and the longer we remain winless the more the pressure will continue to grow, there's some more promising signs in the West Brom, Tottenham and Brighton games, but we lack a killer instinct in front of goal when we do create openings, and what openings we do create are slim pickings now.

Every game is a must win (or at least a not lose) when we're playing a usually bottom half team, whether it's the 8th game, 18th or 28th.

I'm not worried yet. Whilst we are poor at the moment a goal or two for us, when they come, will make all the difference. Ok, we don't look like scoring but defence aint that bad and we'll hopefully find goals soon.


I think that the club is suffering a hangover from the takeover speculation. It has effected the players and more so Dyche and they need to pull themselves together and get on with the job in hand without dwelling on it.

I’ve a good bit of faith yet. Our transfer window(s) is undoubtedly biting us in the backside at the moment but I think we can have enough to scrape through. Good investment in January could turn out to be a key factor - which in itself is a worrying statement.

Hate to break it but every game of every season is a must win.

I think we're bang in trouble either way, but it wouldn't hurt to maybe win a game every now and again.

That would require us to score at least one goal, meaning we'll have to muster at least one shot on target. We're even struggling to do that at the minute.

I think we need at least 1 win before we hit 10 games played otherwise we will have to go on top 6 form for at least a third of the season to avoid the drop. We don’t have many options to choose from player wise and tactically our manager insists on playing the same way regardless of who we are playing.

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:35 pm

Are we missing Cork more than people realise?

Yes.......

Its certainly a must not lose, we cannot afford to give any side potentially in the bottom a further 3 points head start on us.

For me our season started yesterday, and we should be hopefully fit apart from.Cork after the international break.

Yes the run is tough, but we will have no excuses once everyone is back and had top ups, bounce games, and up to speed.

Sadly it just looks like a season where this must win game question gets asked every other week, the fact is we are weaker than last season and due to the team being neglected we will have a long a suffering season.

The team has 100% be neglected however who's to blame for that neglect is all down opinion.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:22 pm

Game number 8 must win - what next?

True but if we get to game 18 for example, I’ve not checked it out, needing to beat a Chelsea, then 28 needing to beat a Man City etc then by game 38 we’ll be leaving the Premier league

So what I’m saying is it’s not game 8 but we need to be beating the Palaces Brighton’s West Brom’s etc or we’ll be needing wins against the Chelsea’s and City etc

I dont think Palace is a must win but my money is on Fulham sending us down

I think it's always worth looking at how well we were doing two seasons ago when we actually survived with a bit to spare in the end, getting 40 pts (28 from 19).

After getting 7 points from the first 7 matches we then only got 5 points from the next 12 games.

Digging down further within that run, we got 2 points from 8 matches.

Can’t win any game unless you score GOALS !!!

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:35 pm

Are we missing Cork more than people realise?

Yes

Any news on Cork, when can we expect him back?

For some it’s every “next game” is when we start this mythical run of good form.

Never mind Vydra, Cork has turned into a Pirlo-esque midfield dynamo whilst he’s been out.

It’s a must try and win, which we haven’t attempted yet this season.

To stay up we'll need to win 10 games or so and a few draws too.
That's 1 in 3 or thereabouts of our remaining fixtures.
On current form that looks more than difficult and the longer we go without a win
then the greater the number of wins we'll need.
Not impossible as we've done it before so I'd say yes we need to beat Palace.

Must win is probably pushing it.

Definitely a biggie though. Lose next week, Man City the week after. All of a sudden, you're looking at two points from nine games. That's already a tall hill to climb.

Be a tough game. Palace had a good win today and have won pretty easily the last two years at the Turf

Brighton game was a must win. We are going down I am afraid. The result of the next game against palace is academical.

Must not lose.

No but. If we don't get close to 19 points (min 16) before January then I will prepare myself for relegation.

COBBLE wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:48 pm

No but. If we don't get close to 19 points (min 16) before January then I will prepare myself for relegation.

How does one prepare oneself for relegation?

No....and it is what it is....would love to stay up, but we've had a cracking time.

I think it is, and I also think anyone denying it also probably thinks it is as well.

We’re in big, big, trouble and can’t afford to be cut adrift. History tells you that teams in the bottom three at Christmas tend to go down.

All games are must wins.

COBBLE wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:48 pm

No but. If we don't get close to 19 points (min 16) before January then I will prepare myself for relegation.

Repeating myself once again, we had 12 points after 19 matches two seasons ago, yet survived comfortably.

Judge the situation if we are in a worse position.

Spijed wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 10:17 pm

Repeating myself once again, we had 12 points after 19 matches two seasons ago, yet survived comfortably.

Judge the situation if we are in a worse position.

We were also a better, younger side with a bigger squad then.

Spijed wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 10:17 pm

Repeating myself once again, we had 12 points after 19 matches two seasons ago, yet survived comfortably.

Judge the situation if we are in a worse position.

in 14/15 we had 16 pts in 19 games and went down, we also had double the points we have today. I dont think we are anyway near down just yet but quoting statistics that make the point you wish to make is bullsh*t cos as ive just shown you can use the the stats to equally make the opposite point

Youve got to judge it on todays situation and it looks like the financial constraints are finally gonna catch up with Dyche and stop even him pulling a miracle out the bag to keep us up

That said there are 3 or 4 other garbage teams in this league and a long long way to go so I wouldnt be gambling my hard earn cash on us not turning things round just yet

Spijed wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 07, 2020 10:17 pm

Repeating myself once again, we had 12 points after 19 matches two seasons ago, yet survived comfortably.

Judge the situation if we are in a worse position.

But if I remember rightly between the end of December and March we pretty much had to show top 4 form to get us out of trouble. Its unrealistic to depend on that again.

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:35 pm

Are we missing Cork more than people realise?

No we are missing the upgrade that should have been brought in during the summer .

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:35 pm

Are we missing Cork more than people realise?

It’s not about the personnel in midfield
Our game plan means they can’t get up to the forwards whilst tracking runners and thus supporting the defence.
We are kicking away possession, which eventually leads to conceding territory.
our midfield in the first half have to try and operate in a stretched out area between a deep sitting defence and a standing still on the centre halves immobile front two pairing that don’t come deep for the ball, but can’t hold up the ball to allow the midfield to get up and support them, can’t make it to balls over the top or into the channels don’t link even for each other’s flick ons, which they seldom win anyway.
In the 2nd half when the other team realise that we can’t or don’t use the ball on the floor they push into the space between our stretched midfield and defence, causing our midfielders to look like they’ve lost their men.
Our defence retreat to the edge of the box our midfield go back to sit in front of our defence
Our back 8 are attacked by 8 of their players
Their 2 centre halves stand on half way with our 2 forwards who are even less effective on the half way than on the 40 yard line m. We have no out ball.
Every midfielder of our level Dwight Brady Westy Brownhill Stephens Brady Cork and even JBG look ineffective in the first half and after the hour mark are just extra defenders playing in our defensive third with no outlet ball.
We bring Jay on with 20 to go our midfield sense an outlet try to find Jay who back just into our half and it’s all a bit forced but we try on comes Vids 7 minutes plus added to go ball goes over the top, off he goes.
Their defence get a shock, they sit deeper Jay moves into their half space appears our midfield Dwight and Brownhill especially sense an opportunity to get up as the balls starting to stick with Jay they can hit it over the top if caught in possession knowing that Vydra will make it and they can push in behind
Whistle goes.

We start the same and play the same next game

Don’t blame our midfield we are playing a system and a personnel that completely bypasses midfield and leaves them to operate in too bigger a space in the first half and sit in front of our defence after the hour Mark

Last 10 mins they have a chance to play, and do try.

A returning from injury not fully match fit and sharp Jack Cork can’t solve this

Garlick set the club on course for relegation when he refused to provide the required finance needed to freshen up and strengthen the squad.

I think it is already evident that Dyche is struggling to get a decent tune out of the same old fiddle.

Let's hope Garlick has a financial plan for the Championship.