False economy?

[fulwoodshrimp]

Defensively we are leaking goals galore and while we are scoring plenty we are conceding even more. We sold Sam Lavelle to Charlton and at the time I wondered if we would regret it. The money we got for him is a fraction of what we would lose if we return to League 2. Yes, his contract was up at the end of this season but selling him could end up costing us far more than we received for him. Defensively we look at sixes and sevens and need someone to organise us during games. I also wonder if some of the defenders we have signed have come for one last pay day before they finish playing league football. Certainly as I think the manager intimated we need to sign a defender or two in the January window.

[sandgrown]

spot on post unfortunately

[Gone_Shrimping]

He seemed as though he wanted to leave so not a case of false economy.

Makes sense to take a decent fee for a player who has set his mind on moving.

[Keith]

He seemed as though he wanted to leave so not a case of false economy.

Makes sense to take a decent fee for a player who has set his mind on moving.

Agreed. When a player wants to go, forcing them to remain can have a negative impact, not only on the player but the dressing room generally. Not questioning Sam's professionalism, just talking generally. Hopefully there is now money to spend in January that will strengthen us.

[redrobo]

If as seems likely we sign at least 2 new defensive players in the January window I'm just worried that we may exceed our squad numbers as stipulated by the EFL.

Of course if we manage to off load some on loan then no problem but who would we off load of the current bunch....

My opinion of our captain hasn't changed despite some good performances. He is not a born leader on the pitch for me and doesn't stamp any authority of the field during a game....but others will disagree.

[Redalert1970]

We are only 12 games in to the season and people looking at players going

Think we should re assess things maybe at the end of November after we have played Sunderland, Portsmouth, Wigan and Bolton


We aren’t doing that bad as a newly promoted team … level points with Ipswich, 1 point behind Portsmouth and also 5 points above Charlton

It’s not all doom and gloom for gods sake

Also look at Man United yesterday defensive mistakes happen at even the highest level

[fulwoodshrimp]

I agree that it is early days but a trend seems to be developing where we score plenty but concede more. Our bright start seems to be slipping and there must be some anxiety that if we continue to slip we will inevitably drop further down the league. The manager talks well and seems to grasp the problem but his challenge is to convert the words into actions that will tighten up the leaky defence. It may be the current squad is good enough to do this but the manager himself and others seem to suggest we need to strengthen.

[Keith]

We've won two & drawn one of our last five. Four of those five were against teams in the top half of the table (well, almost, Lincoln are 13th). Maintain that form and we'll finish the season on 61 points, around about 14th. I think most fans would be happy with that.

[Redalert1970]

I will be delighted if we reach 61 points Keith but also very very surprised

We currently average just over a point per game which would give us about 48 points

[fulwoodshrimp]

I don't think we'll finish on 61 points but I'll be delighted if we manage to stay in League 1. I do think there are worrying signs with us scoring plenty of goals away from home but not getting points for these goals. Defensively I don't think we are good enough and I think we are at the point now when the other teams in the league know our strengths and weaknesses and play us accordingly. Our surprise element early season has now gone.

[Redalert1970]

The worrying thing for me would be if we stopped scoring and started losing 3 and 4 nil

Fine margins football but let’s enjoy the ride

If we were to go down we would still be in the football league which would not be a disaster

[BerlinWaller]

The balance in the midfield isn't right and that is exposing the defence. We press high and almost go man for man at times, very similar to Bielsa at Leeds. When it works it is fantastic but good teams suss it out and cut through too easily.

January will be interesting, Robbo has to be backed with the Sam and CMG money and allowed to strengthen the squad with L1 standard footballers. Might be worth giving Luton town a ring as well.