Comparisons to this time last season-Attempt to be objective

[sonson]

This time last season

We had drawn with Birmingham at home
Lost to WBA away
Beat Man City 1-0 at home due to a flukey penalty and Tevez missing an open goal
Drawn to Wigan away

If we win next Sunday we will be one point behind where we were last season. And there's no point talking about performances etc because we looked ponderous and short of creativity and ideas this time last season too. Everyone was saying we should be going for 4-4-2 rather than 4-5-1 and we didn't outright earn any of our points so much as be lucky and hold onto them. People were bashing Welbeck and Gyan, just in the same way they're bashing Gardner and Laarson and various other new players, there weren't many who optimistic about the next game against Arsenal.

It's clearly because we lost to the mags so many on here are suicidal.

It’s pointless to suggest the writing is on the wall or things are notably worse not 5 games into the season. Because it’s IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL.

Last season we were sixth up to Christmas, then slumped. Everton on the other hand had a poor first half, and then a strong second half. Ditto Stoke. Newcastle were more like us, strong start, poor finish.

If our position can change so massively after 15-20 games in, it’s absolutely pointless suggesting that there is a good chance of predicting how we’ll do for the rest of the season after 5.

Just to emphasise here-I’m not saying that I’m delighted with the way things are going, I'm not, I'm dissapointed because I want my team to do well. Nor am I suggesting that I think Bruce is a good manager and that we shouldn’t get rid if he can’t turn things around soon.

The point I’m making is that it’s too early to predict doom and gloom on the one hand, or great things on the other, and doing either with any sense of conviction is pretty stupid.

Likewise, alot on here saying we should have beaten at least one of the sides we've played-Two top four/six sides, the Mags and a promoted side, is nonsense.
We would like for that to happen, but our past form shows that it rarely does, despite what we think. Basing your assumptions on something that flatly contradicts what's happened in the past and therefore what it is reasonable for one to expect is delusional mag territory and will probably leave you dissapointed.

The whole point of a league season rather than a cup is that things tend to even out over the course. It's a long term format. So it's stupid to look at the short term.