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.

[Dexter]

If this wasn't a continuation of the last season's form then I would agree.

However, despite Bruce's plethora of signings nothing seems to have changed. The best thing you can say about our midfield is that it's workmanlike, our strikeforce is powderpuff (although that may change with the inclusion of Bendtner) and neither of our 'keepers inspire confidence.

At least with last season there was genuine quality in the team. Gyan had started well, Bent was still here, Zenden was proving his worth as an experienced head in a young squad and Henderson was starting to flourish.

This season I have no idea where the goals are going to come from. None of Cattermole, Sessegnon, Colback or Larsson look like they've got a great deal of goals in them and neither are they particularly creative either (Sess excluded) and if Bendtner doesn't find the form we're all hoping he will we're going to be in deep trouble.

[Duke of Hendonshire]

A like-for-like comparison, we have dropped a point at home to the mags and lost 2 to Swansea (the equivalent last season being Blackpool). We have drawn away to Liverpool and lost home to Chelsea as we did last season.

[sanny]

Originally Posted by 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.

Good, sensible post

[supernaut1968]

But we can't keep hoping that we'll scrape together enough wins to offset the inevitable collapse.

If we're really no better at this stage than last season and fat boy has bought a new team, I can see only one option and that's dismissal.

The happy clappers continually say Bruce will turn it around, but when are we going to see even the smallest glimmer of hope that he can do it?

[John the Bastard]

This all has the feel of the 19 point season about it. Did OK at beginning of the previous season, but the bad run continued into the next, all down to Peter Reid falling out with players, failing to address Niall Quinn's back problem and subsequent loss of strike force. I cannot understand what circumstances would make it necessary to get rid of your only proven striker with over three months to go before a replacement is possible.

Bent was never replaced, Gyan will not be replaced soon, and if we lose the next three games (which is possible if we are not scoring goals) we will get all the Mags telling the set of darts joke again.

Bruce has to go to change the losing mentality we are rapidly aquiring.

[FunkyIguana]

Our points total five games into the season isn't the problem.

The fact our form over the past eight months looks like an Enron share price chart is.

[jonnie_makem]

Originally Posted by John the Bastard

This all has the feel of the 19 point season about it. Did OK at beginning of the previous season, but the bad run continued into the next, all down to Peter Reid falling out with players, failing to address Niall Quinn's back problem and subsequent loss of strike force. I cannot understand what circumstances would make it necessary to get rid of your only proven striker with over three months to go before a replacement is possible.

Bent was never replaced, Gyan will not be replaced soon, and if we lose the next three games (which is possible if we are not scoring goals) we will get all the Mags telling the set of darts joke again.

Bruce has to go to change the losing mentality we are rapidly aquiring.

Jesus wept I need to avoid this place when we're in poor form.

[bahtat]

Last season, at this time, we were not shit, this year we are

[King for a Day...]

Originally Posted by supernaut1968

But we can't keep hoping that we'll scrape together enough wins to offset the inevitable collapse.

If we're really no better at this stage than last season and fat boy has bought a new team, I can see only one option and that's dismissal.

The happy clappers continually say Bruce will turn it around, but when are we going to see even the smallest glimmer of hope that he can do it?

a collapse is not inevitable.

I will gladly agree with you if things look like this in October.

well, never if he is sacked now. It would be silly to do so.