Fleckys Flip-Flop

Come on guys, don''t argue over the phrase. We all know what is meant by a ''must win game''. Every game is a ''must try and win'' if you like?   As for Palace, it''s a must-not-lose I think. But I''m sure we will still be fine regardless. There''s still 6 teams worse off than we are, plus we have been pretty hard hit by injuries. We have a striker on form now and another coming back to match fitness, which is something we haven''t had for the bulk of this season. Absolutely no reason to panic at all just yet. Maybe come back and talk about ''must-win'' games if we are actually in the relegation zone?

For me, it''s all about consistency. Whittaker can be amazing, but all too often he is found lacking. Especially when up against someone with real pace. If we got Whittaker v Everton all the time then he would be a world beater. Sadly we dont. I really like them both, but Martin has to start in my opinion.

Lescott and Heitinga would be excellent signings I think. A holding midfielder is a must.

Personally I think it was Bradley Johnson who made the mistake that never gave us a chance. You just never know I guess. Fair play to you though Jimmy. You stated your requirements and when the team delivered you have stuck by it. More than a lot of people on here would have done. Out of interest what do you make of our next 3 games? Is 4 points enough? I''d say 3 is a minimum requirement.

Have we all forgotten that Redmond''s goal against Southampton came from cutting in from the left? Have we all forgotten what an excellent season Snoddy had last year playing on the right? It''s just not right to say that playing inverted wingers is a bad tactic. It''s actually a good way to increase your goal threat when you play a lone striker, when crosses in to the box are ineffective due to your target being outnumbered. The key is mixing it up. If your full back has to spend 10 minutes concerned about a player switching inside, then all of a sudden he is up against a guy looking to get to the by-line it is increasingly more difficult to settle. We are starting to see the wingers switching. It''s a slow and steady tactical development, but we shouldn''t say it isn''t working. So far we have won 1/3 of our games this season. If we continue on that form then we will stay up!

The Rugby Union bonus point system would be a great introduction. 4 points for a win and 2 for a.draw. You also get a point for losing by less than a converted try or scoring 4 or more trys. A bonus point for losing by just one goal would encourage teams to push for the win when drawing and the 4 goal bonus point would encourage teams to keep pushing when 2 up at half time. Would only encourage further attacking football.

Ask me in 4 games time. For now... in.

I agree. I personally won''t be worried unless we are in the same position in around 5 games time. The last 4 performances have been encouraging. What mystifies me is how the Hughton-outters. Have been screaming for more attacking football, yet when they get it they still complain. Was the point not ''we would rather go for it and lose games than set up to draw''? I''ve seen us ''go for it'' 4 games in a row and take 4 points from those, still keeping 2 clean sheets and losing to 2 of the leagues best sides. Maybe it''s all about how you represent the facts, but I''m sure that once the players grow more accustomed to this more expansive, attacking style, the goals will come. I predict we will be in the top half by Christmas.

Can somebody please explain to me how having 31 shots on target doesn''t constitute attacking football?!?!? The issue for me is that we are not putting the chances away. We had enough against Arsenal too. But do we really think that playing 2 strikers will solve that? Surely Howson, Pilks, Snoddy, Fer, Redmond, Hoops, Elmander, RVW etc all have the ability to score goals when they get the chance regardless of who else is on the pitch. They are professional footballers after all right? What do we think is actually going wrong. Why can''t our players turn these chances in to goals?

My current favourite is Wayne Rooney. Supremely talented, determined and passionate. All time (well, from about 1990 onwards) would be Zola, Gazza, Bergkamp or Niall Quinn (An odd one perhaps, but I stick by it!).

Snodgrass looked excellent against Croatia. Strachan does utilise him in the ''10'' role and I''d like to see that against Cardiff. He looks very happy there. I''d also go with Redmond on the right and Pilks on the left. One thing Pilks does very well is to support the striker and get in the box (see his goals against Chelsea, Man Utd, Bolton etc). I think that will be essential at the weekend.

I wouldn''t say we are that far behind target, having played Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal already. Let''s see where we are in 5 games time. We have a nice run, barring a trip to the Etihad, and if we are still in the bottom 3 then we would really have to consider a change. But with Home games against Cardiff, West Ham and Palace I''d be surprised if we are.

[quote user="Jim Smith"]“In two games now us, the players, everything the boss is saying to us is to go for it. Not wait, sit back and take it all the time." As well as the formation comments that quote is interesting. I may be reading too much into it but suggests a change of approach. i wonder what has prompted this change in approach? Fan pressure, results pressure or a quiet word in Mr Chris''s ear from above.[/quote] Or perhaps Hughton wants to play that way and feels he has the players to play that way this season, where perhaps last season he didn''t? Just a possibility you seem to have left out there. I think we should rule out the ''quiet word'' possibility. If McNally wanted to set the tactics then he would manage the team himself. To save an extra wage if for no other reason!!

Snoddy had an excellent game last night. He was absolutely superb. Russ also started at CB. Fer also started for Holland, Olsson for Sweden and Hoolahan got a few minutes for Ireland.

I agree. Was really pleased with him today. Great run and shot early on, worked so hard all game and played the simple, one touch pass needed for Howson''s goal. How often this season have we seen players try something overcomplicated in that position this season. It speaks volumes that we didn''t miss Redmond, who has been outstanding so far.

Anybody else just see that stat. Only 1 team has had more possession in the final 3rd than us. Interesting stat for such a ''defensive'' set up...

Maybe, i''m not sure. Growing up I was always a left winger/striker. As I got older I was more of an ''old-fashioned number 9'' (as all of the ''larger'' forwards get dubbed). I guess, I don''t find more defensive tactics attractive, and maybe that''s got something to do with it as you suggest. That said, any tactic which keeps us in the Premier League is going to be fine with me!  

Ok, so Walker got exposed a bit by someone quicker than him. Much like Whittaker seems to be exposed by anyone with any pace. It doesn''t mean that he isn''t a quality player and one we need to be very wary of. Against Everton we managed to combat their left sided threat very well, but not the right. In my opinion Redmond shouldn''t start this one, simply because he isn''t the best player for this particular task. Spurs are very good down the right and Pilks or Olsson will provide better defensive cover. It''s ''horses for courses'' and all that. I''d much rather see Redmond coming on with 20 to go to terrorise that Spurs defence. Then back in the side to run riot over Villa and/or Stoke.                        Ruddy Martin Turner Bassong Garrido               Johnson   Fer   Snoddy Elmander Pilkington                     RVW

I agree with Jimmy on the whole. Also, Gareth Barry could have been a decent acquisition or even Sessegnon. Generally very pleased with our transfer dealings though.  

I''d like to see him pick the same team as he did against Southampton, but I wouldn''t be surprised to see Pilks start ahead of Redmond to counter Spurs right hand side attack. I wouldn''t really mind that, with Redmond to come on for the last 20 to take advantage of a tiring defence. I just really hope he sticks with Elmander behind RVW.

I think Hodgson has said he was ''on the radar'' previously. I''d be surprised if he didn''t make a squad this year, provided he proves himself in the Premier League.

Same website lists our Dave Watson as having played for England in the Rous Cup (v Scotland) in April 86. It also lists an appearance in the Ciudad de Mexico cup in Jun 85. The website lists these as competitive, but I guess that depends on your own definition of ''competitive''. Under normal circumstances I would want to suggest that these are ''friendly'' tournaments, but with a Canary in the side... ;-)   http://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=602   http://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=611

After a quick google search...   Dave Watson got 6 caps whilst with us, so I''d go for him. Not a clue who against though.   Apparently, we have only actually had 7 players capped for the England senior side whilst with us. Boyer, Reeves, Barham, Woods, Watson, Green and Ruddy.   I''m not sure on the reliability of that stat, but I certainly can''t think of too many others.

Leroy Fer 94% pass accuracy! 33 out of 35. Wow!

Did you really think there was no creativity? We had more chances than Southampton did. I''d also say that Fer''s impressive swith of play to Redmond gave him a bit of space to run at the defence.   Howson came on for Elmander to tighten up the midfield and protect the lead. It was a pretty even game and it would have been silly to push on further after the goal and forget our defensive responsibilities.