What's encouraging about the last few performances

[Spijed]

Is that we are forcing teams out of their comfort zone.

In all our recent games, Man city aside, we are causing teams far more problems than they might expect when playing someone else.

Everton are now doing well but we could have easily won.
Arsenal drew with Southampton and comfortably beat Chelsea.
We made Wolves look very poor.
And for all their chances Pope didn't have any difficult saves to make against Villa.

And even today, Pope was largely untroubled and it was the Leeds keeper who had the far busier game.

[ksrclaret]

We’re improving slowly, and the second half performance was more like it, but not sure I agree that the Leeds ‘keeper had far more to do.

He just flapped at crosses he should have dealt with comfortably that made him appear busier than he should have been. For all our good play in midfield in the second half, we were actually really quite poor in the final third.

[ElectroClaret]

We didn't put enough pressure on their keeper, but in general, our approach play, particularly in the 2nd half I thought was excellent.
Agree though that we need to be better in the final third.
And we simply have to start putting the good chances (such as Wood and Jrod had) away.

But I've every confidence that if we can play the way we finished today against the Blades, we can beat em.

UTC

[tiger76]

Even with the defeat today our last games comprises 3 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats (at City and today) and given a fair wind we'd have taken at least a point on another day, our biggest problem is still creativity, and taking our chances when they come, we did that against Wolves, and this allowed us to relax and play some decent stuff in the 2nd half of that game, and we look pretty solid defensively, so if we can just start taking our chances then we'll be fine, we've certainly shown enough since the Brighton game to suggest we can get out of trouble, and our battle hardened experience could be crucial come the business end of the campaign.

[Steve1956]

Nothing wrong with out performance today its difficult when the officials are against you,i expect a rousing displsy against the Blades on Tuesday...onwards & upwards

[Top Claret]

Our squad is small and lacks quality and it really showed today.
We missed McNeil who would have taken the Leeds defence apart, along with Brady who looks to be getting back into his stride

[Inchy]

Westwood’s Rabona cross was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen all year

[Steve1956]

Our squad is small and lacks quality and it really showed today.
We missed McNeil who would have taken the Leeds defence apart, along with Brady who looks to be getting back into his stride

Back in his stride?!...hes injured..again!

[Steve1956]

Dyche said Brady & McNeil were out with groin & hamstring injuries anyone know which player has which injury?

[tiger76]

Our squad is small and lacks quality and it really showed today.
We missed McNeil who would have taken the Leeds defence apart, along with Brady who looks to be getting back into his stride

This is true, and it's no coincidence that when we've been down to the bare bones we've struggled for results, when we've been at full-strength, or very close to full strength, we've pulled some rabbits out of hats, this clearly shows we need to add bodies in January, we can't keep expecting the same 13/14 players to produce week after week, injuries, suspensions and loss of form is bound to kick in over the course of a long season.

Dwight is a prime example, before today he'd played in 71 consecutive PL games, and most of them were starts, it's inevitable that he'll have lean spells over such a high number of games without a break, and both Brady and JBG have been injury prone for a couple of seasons now, so it's not even a surprise anymore when they are ruled out.

[Colburn_Claret]

Weve improved loads since those first 6 matches, disappointed and surprised we haven't started taking more chances, that second half performance without McNeil or Brady shows we can play a lot better when we mix it.
Rather like Charlie Austin, we played netter football when we didn't rely on him. I'm not suggesting getting rid of Dwight, but taking some of the responsibility off his shoulders, could make him a lot better player.

[FactualFrank]

Dyche said Brady & McNeil were out with groin & hamstring injuries anyone know which player has which injury?

McNeil has a groin injury.

[tiger76]

Dyche said Brady & McNeil were out with groin & hamstring injuries anyone know which player has which injury?

Dwight (groin) Brady (hammy)

[Steve1956]

Cheers chaps

[Top Claret]

that second half performance without McNeil or Brady shows we can play a lot better when we mix it.

We were poor though we created little 2nd half even with all the possession we had, we really are nothing without the wide players who give us the creativity.

Until we can find a good strong centre midfielder we will always have to rely on Dwight to give us any creativity

[Nonayforever]

I haven't seen anything encouraging in our last few performances that suggest we are going to be okay this season. With the current style of play and players it is going to be a long hard season.

We played hoofball first half today and our forwards offered very little, our defence and midfield played good football second half and yet our forwards still offered very little.
Even with Brady, McNeil and JGB back our forwards will still offer very little, just more crosses to fight over.

Dyche says we are ok with the 4 forwards we have, but i think that is currently our weakest department.

[ClaretTony]

Today’s performance would get us points more often than not. Even today it would have done but for the officials. Disappointed with the result but another performance that suggests a bright future.

[agreenwood]

What it’s told us is that we’ll be absolutely fine with modest investment.

It’s a shame that we’re heading into January again wondering if that investment will arrive.

[Top Claret]

What it’s told us is that we’ll be absolutely fine with modest investment.

It’s a shame that we’re heading into January again wondering if that investment will arrive.

It will be very disheartening for the fans and manager if we have a transfer window like the last.

I am sceptical and have reservations about the credibility of this takeover, I am beginning to think its pie in the sky

[ClaretTony]

I am beginning to think its pie in the sky

You won’t be disappointed then either way

[Top Claret]

You won’t be disappointed then either way

I hope you are right Tony

[rob63]

Back in his stride?!...hes injured..again!

Not so much of a stride then Steve........more of a hobble!