21 undefeated

[Milltown1882]

Another notch on the undefeated list, can we go the rest of the season unbeaten?

Good result against a team scrapping for their lives while we had an experimental lineup. UTC.

[bfcmik]

Not a good day for us, Tella and Benson off injured, Foster and Churlinov failed to impress again, and a distinct lack of incisiveness sees 2 points dropped after failing to score for the 2nd time in 15 days.

[TravisBickle]

Don’t see why not. The rested players will be fresh and ready to go now. Blackburn will be a big test.

[Billy Balfour]

Aye, 21 undefeated, and yet you'd think we had been relegated if you look at some of the posts on the matchday thread.

[Casper2]

Another notch on the undefeated list, can we go the rest of the season unbeaten?

Good result against a team scrapping for their lives while we had an experimental lineup. UTC.

It wasn’t a good result

[Pickles]

Aye, 21 undefeated, and yet you'd think we had been relegated if you look at some of the posts on the matchday thread.

I could be called more happy-clapper than some on here but there's no pretending that wasn't a poor performance.

[Sheedyclaret]

Aye, 21 undefeated, and yet you'd think we had been relegated if you look at some of the posts on the matchday thread.

This exactly it’s embarrassing you’d think we’d just been booted in the national league

[Spiral]

Feels like we traded away the points record for a look in at other players and tactics. Sentimentally, the points record matters. Pragmatically, the results and performances in this and the upcoming games will serve us for next season because we'll learn a lot from it. Churlinov and Twine not up to the level by the looks of things; Foster has the physical attributes but needs to be a bit more offensive; all the defenders are capable, but with the positions Taylor took today up it's like we're playing a stiff trio of CBs rather than a back two CBs and more bodies in front of them. Probably not a surprise that the build up and press-invite was not as effective without Muric, and Maatsen's clever work in wide defensive areas. Feels like losing because the record is gone. On the bright side we can still match it. Still the same thing needed as if we had won today: win them all.

[tiger76]

Disappointing not to win today, but even nowhere near our best and lacking key players we still collected a point well controlling most of the play.

One criticism I would make we lacked an end product today and should have worked their keeper more.

But in the overall scheme it's not anything to unduly worry about these games can happen sometimes.

On to Rotherham where we'll almost certainly win the title, winning titles in Yorkshire is becoming a habit for Burnley sides.

[Rileybobs]

Poor result and performance but who really cares. Kompany doing the decent thing by his fringe players but unfortunately a few failed to impress.

[boatshed bill]

we created 17 shooting opportunities. Shame only one was on target, but we've struggled up front (apart from Tella) for some time now.

[TheFamilyCat]

we created 17 shooting opportunities. Shame only one was on target, but we've struggled up front (apart from Tella) for some time now.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the official stats don't count blocked shots as being on target which would make the one shot on target misleading.

[boatshed bill]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the official stats don't count blocked shots as being on target which would make the one shot on target misleading.

Well my guess would be that if the ball doesn't reach the target it is classed as off target.

[Rileybobs]

Well my guess would be that if the ball doesn't reach the target it is classed as off target.

On that basis shots saved by the goalkeeper don't reach the target though.

[boatshed bill]

On that basis shots saved by the goalkeeper don't reach the target though.

Good point, but I still think my reason could be how they work out the stats

[Rileybobs]

Good point, but I still think my reason could be how they work out the stats

Oh yes, you're definitely correct. Blocked shots aren't classed as on target. I presume one of the reasons is that it would be a bit of a headache analysing whether every blocked shot was 'on target', whereas generally the number of shots on target will be equal to the number of goals + saves by opposition goalkeeper.

And our 1 shot on target from 16 attempts is poor, but only 8 of them were off target.

[Spiral]

Blocked shots aren't classed as on target.

I've watched footy all my life and I genuinely had no idea about that.

[boatshed bill]

Oh yes, you're definitely correct. Blocked shots aren't classed as on target. I presume one of the reasons is that it would be a bit of a headache analysing whether every blocked shot was 'on target', whereas generally the number of shots on target will be equal to the number of goals + saves by opposition goalkeeper.

And our 1 shot on target from 16 attempts is poor, but only 8 of them were off target.

Yes, that's probably a fairer percentage. And i can imagine the technology to determine the accuracy of blocked shots.

[CnBtruntru]

See if we can make 24

[Spiral]

MY LIFE IS A LIE!!! MY VERY EXISTENCE IS BROUGHT INTO DOUBT!!!

[Rileybobs]

MY LIFE IS A LIE!!! MY VERY EXISTENCE IS BROUGHT INTO DOUBT!!!

Think how many hundreds of games you've misunderstood. You might not even like football when you actually watch it correctly.

[boatshed bill]

What about on-line blocks/ clearances?

[Rileybobs]

What about on-line blocks/ clearances?

To throw a curveball in I think last man blocks are classed as on target. I hope Spiral doesn't read this.

[Royboyclaret]

That 30 unbeaten games some 102 years ago remains something very special.....

.....Can we possibly come close ?......How important is that to VK ?

[Dark Cloud]

The performance overall wasn't our best and the numerous changes, enforced or otherwise, disrupted us far too much. Having said that, even way below our best we were still miles, miles better than the opposition and really should have won at a canter. Blackpool held us a few weeks back and imo looked a lot better than Reading. Some of the changes didn't work, but losing Tella early definitely hindered us big style and Benson being injured for the final 15 when he's actually at his most dangerous was also unfortunate. I thought Twine did well and Foster showered promise, even though I'm yet to be convinced about either. Ultimately we took a point and remained unbeaten and have still lost just 2 in 41 which is bloody brilliant and I was happy enough because you can't win em all (as they say!!)

[boatshed bill]

That 30 unbeaten games some 102 years ago remains something very special.....

.....Can we possibly come close ?......How important is that to VK ?

I think he's shifted his main focus on to next season.

[Spiral]

Think how many hundreds of games you've misunderstood. You might not even like football when you actually watch it correctly.

Honestly, being semi-serious for a second, there are moments in your life when your own ignorance on any given thing, however big or small, is revealed to you unexpectedly, and the background hum of your day scratches and stops like a record, and you begin to question the stability of other so-called 'truths', and you have a brief moment of existential despair which you attempt to wrestle and control from spiralling thoughts; you assert yourself, eventually, but you're humbled and you're immersed that little deeper in a lake of doubt, and a feeling washes over you that 'one day, I'll know nothing', and it feels weird and scary as fk, and this is one of those moments, because I've probably put more hours into watching football than any other single thing I can think of, and I was mistaken in something as basic as this. As THIS!!!

[Royboyclaret]

I think he's shifted his main focus on to next season.

I think he has too, boatshed......Which somewhat disappoints me.

[Bordeauxclaret]

That 30 unbeaten games some 102 years ago remains something very special.....

.....Can we possibly come close ?......How important is that to VK ?

I think it’ll be more important to him than anything else.

[Royboyclaret]

I think it’ll be more important to him than anything else.

It will....but not to me.

[Lancasterclaret]

I think that missing the points record wouldn't change the fact that we are one of the best sides this division has ever seen

[boatshed bill]

I think he has too, boatshed......Which somewhat disappoints me.

Understandable though. Our success this season has meant we need another squad overhaul, giving fringe players a chance to prove themselves is the decent and professional approach.

[Longsider]

I think he has too, boatshed......Which somewhat disappoints me.

Doesn't disappoint me, as if he is focusing on next year it means he is staying and not going to spurs.

[Royboyclaret]

Understandable though. Our success this season has meant we need another squad overhaul, giving fringe players a chance to prove themselves is the decent and professional approach.

Did he seriously not already know what these fringe players were capable of ?

To me, there was so much more at stake about today's game than that.

How many of us anticipated six changes today ?

[TravisBickle]

I think he has too, boatshed......Which somewhat disappoints me.

It’s important we do. How will we have the chance to know what twine, darko and co are capable of if we don’t play them in an important competitive game

[Lancasterclaret]

Did he seriously not already know what these fringe players were capable of ?

To me, there was so much more at stake about today's game than that.

How many of us anticipated six changes today ?

Whats at stake Royboy?

I mean, promotion is guaranteed, the title is almost guaranteed

Giving lads who are coming back from injury or chomping at the bit isn't a bad idea when its all settled

[Spiral]

I think that missing the points record wouldn't change the fact that we are one of the best sides this division has ever seen

Said on another points record thread a few weeks back (after a few draws) that this is how it feels to be a City fan. You ascend so high that every little drop feels like a crash, and if records are not smashed, titles become consolation prizes. It's not right, but I understand them a bit better now. I really just need to enjoy the fact that we're 'merely' the greatest Championship side of all time in spirit, as an idea, metaphysically speaking — even if not on record. Records are for dorks anyway. Who needs them. (But let's match 106 anyway, just because, like.)

[TravisBickle]

Said on another points record thread a few weeks back (after a few draws) that this is how it feels to be a City fan. You ascend so high that every little drop feels like a crash, and if records are not smashed, titles become consolation prizes. It's not right, but I understand them a bit better now. I really just need to enjoy the fact that we're 'merely' the greatest Championship side of all time in spirit, as an idea, metaphysically speaking — even if not on record. Records are for dorks anyway. Who needs them. (But let's match 106 anyway, just because, like.)

Spot on. Now it’s become routine. But I’m enjoying every last minute of it. Because it won’t happen again

[Royboyclaret]

Whats at stake Royboy?

I mean, promotion is guaranteed, the title is almost guaranteed

Giving lads who are coming back from injury or chomping at the bit isn't a bad idea when its all settled

So many Club records that are on the verge of being beaten.

I'll ask the question again....how many of us anticipated six changes today

[boatshed bill]

Did he seriously not already know what these fringe players were capable of ?

To me, there was so much more at stake about today's game than that.

How many of us anticipated six changes today ?

I've heard his comments on this, I think there is a little more to it than just "giving the lads a chance".
if you've not heard or read his comments it might be worth having a listen, it's well explained.

[Lancasterclaret]

Spot on. Now it’s become routine. But I’m enjoying every last minute of it. Because it won’t happen again

Muchacho is 100% right with this

Just enjoy this everyone

[Lancasterclaret]

So many Club records that are on the verge of being beaten.

I'll ask the question again....how many of us anticipated six changes today

Does that change the fact we are one of the best teams this league has ever seen? - No

Does it change that we are promoted? - No

Does it change that we are almost champions? - No

Does it change that we've potentially got a side that could re-establish us way beyond our ceiling in the prem? - No

Sometimes you just have to take a look at what we've got and just enjoy it, because we have five games left and then this just becomes a memory, a brilliant memory, but a memory

[Royboyclaret]

Does that change the fact we are one of the best teams this league has ever seen? - No

Does it change that we are promoted? - No

Does it change that we are almost champions? - No

Does it change that we've potentially got a side that could re-establish us way beyond our ceiling in the prem? - No

Sometimes you just have to take a look at what we've got and just enjoy it, because we have five games left and then this just becomes a memory, a brilliant memory, but a memory

Fair play.

[Milltown1882]

So many Club records that are on the verge of being beaten.

I'll ask the question again....how many of us anticipated six changes today

Probably 99% of fans considering he said on Monday it’s a good time to use the fringe players. We’re up stop crying.

[boatshed bill]

I wonder how people would react if we played the perceived best 11 and picked up injuries before the Blackburn game?

[Woodleyclaret]

When will Scott Twine get another goal ?
His legendary shooting was in very short supply today

[Royboyclaret]

I'll admit that this is a tough one for me......Just before Dad passed away all he wanted to talk about was the 30 game unbeaten run in 1920/21, with Halley, Boyle & Watson and the rest.....It seems they lost the first three games of that season before embarking on that epic 30 game unbeaten run.....He convinced me that record would stand for all time and, here we are, some 102 years later and that record remains intact.

Today we are within 9 or 10 games of equalling that record and I'm hoping VK will give that record the utmost respect......then I hear about the six changes to the side......and I wonder if it means as much to him as it does to some of our longtime supporters ?

[Bordeauxclaret]

Craig Bellamy literally bankrupted himself to beat that record.

[beeholeclaret]

The unbeaten run is important for club morale and supporters enjoy being top of the league table with various stats indicating how good we are. I think our season is remarkable when you consider the wholesale changes to the playing staff and management team following our relegation. We took a while establishing mastery of our new playing style and let slip a number of early games which could well have yielded maximum points. The prospect of still being able to equal Reading’s record of 106 points is remarkable. I do not know of Reading’s situation at the time but did they virtually start from scratch or were the bulk of their players and management team already established?

Whilst paying all due respect to the chance of beating records I feel squad rotation is important and that we have been unlucky with injuries recently and with so many games in a short period after the international break it was an opportunity for some of the fringe to stake their claim for a regular starting place. VK is hopefully looking to next season already rather than us being ‘caught short’ in the close season as happened on occasions in the past.

[Whitgord]

Do you mean ‘caught out’, not ‘caught short’