dn1982

I think we will make the playoffs even with another dip but if we want to challenge for top 2 we need to be on fire all season. Losing against Sheff Wed is exactly the sort of result we did last year but then it turned into a run of bad results that’s why QPR was such a big win. We have to win our home games so we can settle for a draw some times away and being able to bounce back after a bad result is mass8ve.

7 points is a massive gap to close when everyone keeps doing well. We found that out last year. We closed the gap to 6 from the playoffs at one point but fell away as teams kept on winning. That’s what happens. We’ve not been involved in the top end of a division for ages so people forget how hard it’s can be to close gaps when teams do well. We will always have a bad game in us and losing to Sheffield Wed was a big loss especially with the games in December. If we are still within 7 come January we will be doing well. Let’s get 2 Home wins to set us up for a big month.

You asked for an explanation I gave you a straight forward one.

Not rocket science 433 attacking 451 defending We've been playing 4411 or basic 442.

If anybody thinks we went into this season with 5 avaiable they are grasping at straws. You may aswell include the kids in counting squad numbers. We went into this season with 2 CB's 1 LB and 3 RB's none of whom Bruce trusts so he posts Elmo there. I say 2 CB's because Elphick and Richards are non existent and not wanted anywhere near the team by Bruce and our back up is Samba who you wouldn't want to play unless you have to. A squad is supposed to be full of players who can come in and out them team. Terry being injured means Chester moves left where he isnt as good regardless who he plays with. We've one left footed defender. Hopefully we go 433 until Terry gets fit as we need extra cover in midfield to help the defence now. I'll be surprised if we are in the playoffs by the time he gets back.

We weren't switched on. Terry was underpressure so wouldn't clear the header far they never reacted and that was the same all half. Even for the 2nd Elmo sat off and the bloke had a free header to start the move. Our energy levels seem awful at times.

Our lack of movement means we should always play with an extra midfielder. Wednesday played 442 but played it with people moving around. We do it with a flat 4 playing wide and it gets exposed every time. We played with 2 up top and 2 wingers yet neither winger goes outside and crosses so the strikers never get a chance to attack a ball. Why not swap the wings about if it's not working? We did it loads under ONeill. Is it because Snodgrass doesn't want to play left side? Elmo isn't a RB yet he persists with him a short he knows him but to me he's a weak character with no fight. Hutton isn't a left back he does ok but you need balance and not having a left foot on the left hampers us. We've not got a pattern of play to fall back on when it's not clicking and like after Xmas last year we could easily go on a winless run because of it.

Most players have played a better standard and style before Bruce so why are they not performing now? Just from today did Hourihane decide to push on in the 2nd half on his own or was he playing under orders in both halfs? Bruce only plays people who does the job he wants. He picks the team. He picks the tactics.

100% shouldn't have happened but he was showing a bit of fight that most of the others were lacking. We are such a flat team energy wise we can get found out if a team passes the ball well. Both goals should've been stopped and would've been if our players were up for it. That is a bigger issue than missing Terry for the next 8 weeks or so.

We don't have any pattern of play so when players have off days or it doesn't fall for us we get days like today. Sheff Wed play 442 every game so to match them and hope to be better than them was stupid. I don't blame Bruce for the result I blame him for the football we get to see. Good results make crap football worhwhile but crap results just highlight how bad we are with the ball. Terry looks like being out for a few weeks and that'll be a big problem. We are lucky our bad day hasn't affected the playoff positions.

I hope hogan gets one off his arse early on so he can relax. If he doesn't do it today Kodija will be back in next game so loads of pressure. Good team and an attacking bench.

I know every one loves a form table and it's been a long time since we've been able to look at ones consistently but we should be at the top of these tables every week. Ultimately it's only the league table that matters.

We need to win all the games this month. December is going to be a very tough month and if we don't close the gap now I think automatic will be out the window by Xmas. 4 very tough away games in December and we won't want to have to win them to stay in touch. It's nice to see Terry come out and say as much. Game over focus on the next. Roll on Saturday.

Snodgrass and Onomah both go to knocks so can see him or OHare at least getting the bench. If both don't make it play them instead.

Yeah that's the reason he said it! Why didn't Bruce build his team around him the year betore? Or play that formation through the summer? If I was told the injury means you've missed your chance id be more down hearted than anything else. It was a strange comment as up until he said it there was no inclination of it no matter how you wish to read it.

OHare and/or Grealish Lose a defender and Thor if you're not going to use him

It seems Bruce has! We need to have better attacking options off the bench. Thor is just wasting a place and there's no need for 3 defenders. Last year we seemed to play every team in form this yeaR we've gone to a weakened Preston who are in a bad run. Who needs a good manager if you can get a lucky one.

He's a solid RB but I still think RDL is better. Not having to worry about the position though just shows how's much Hutton affected us. He's a Bruce player 6 or 7/10 every game hardly ever brilliant but hardly ever awful too.

We are a very rigid team and that's why we end up playing it long. Whelan has enabled us to play with 2 in CM and that's helped massively but I'd love us to get an energetic DM I think that's what we need to progress. I'd like Bruce to try Lyden but there's no chance of that. I can't see us doing much in Jan as he likes he's old pros that he doesn't have to coach.

On paper our hardest game of the month but injuries have hurt them a bit. You can only beat what's in front so it's job done. We need to capitalise and win the next few to close the gap to the top 2.

I actually feel sorry for him. He only ever gets brought onfor last 10 when we are going long. Actually gets on Sunday with Davis and plays LM. Wouldn't surprised to see him sold as which I thinks a shame.

We've not got a consistent style so we get inconsistent football. A lot better tonight let's hope we can crack on 2nd half.

Hopefully they play as a 3 and both bomb on. Onomah in the hole doesn't work.

No one will be disappointed if we win but that doesn't mean you can't criticise Bruces team. Especially after what we saw Sunday and the fact we've got a bunch of u23 players chomping at the bit to play. It seems plan A is to keep it tight and plan B is to keep it tighter that's not good enough. I think the thought of being 9th is scaring the crap out of Bruce.

Teams been out half hour!