18/19 Race for Promotion

[terrytini]

7 hours ago, romavillan said:

They got really found out at the back, more pace and quality up there than down here. Wolves better organised to deal with that it seems.

Agree. Their Manager didn’t look great at the defensive sid3 when they were down here, now he looks reckless and naive.

I don’t think the failure of the recently promoted Clubs is structural, I think they each have different causes...as long as we learn from them there’s no reason we shouldn’t stay up once up.

[sidcow]

The thing with Fulham is everything just clicked, they went on a mad run and the momentum just kept them going, confidence was flowing so they felt unbeatable, got bits of luck here and there, I think we gave a good account of ourselves at Craven Cottage, a bit of our luck instead might have brought their run crashing down against us a rival and things may have been different. 

Basically they were probably greater than the sum of their parts. 

A bit like Leicester when they won the league, it just became like a juggernaut, but once the season finished they were never going to start the next one just the same. 

Added to which they have obviously bought badly. 

But yes you only need to look to Brighton, Burnley, Bournemouth and any number of other teams to see how it can be done, Fulham are more like the exception than the norm actually. 

[A'Villan]

I guess the challenge for any promoted team is adapting to a greater level of competition. To what degree can promoted teams emulate the methods that earned them a place in a higher division? Do they need to reevaluate and make changes in order to be effective? What concessions need to be made in order for the team to be given the best chance of success?

In the Premier League, Fulham have equaled their chances on goal, possession share and pass accuracy averages from their efforts in the championship last season. In fact they are a top half side in those departments. They are also a top half side for goals scored from open play. So you could argue there are some real good signs for Fulham. Areas they have been less effective are shot accuracy, chances conceded (17 per game) and obviously goals conceded. They were conceding less than a goal per game and scoring 1.7 in the championship, in the Premier League they are conceding 1.5 and scoring less than a goal per game.

Wolves have a better standing on the ladder, however have only scored one more goal than Fulham and have less possession retention, pass accuracy and goals from open play than Fulham. So who knows, if Fulham can manage to become more resolute without the ball, they are actually one of the better sides on the ball, and who knows could start earning some points.

Both Wolves and Fulham spent as much as each other. Wolves made some very astute signings who have bedded in nicely to be fair to them. Wolves have also made compromises that are tactically sensible. In contrast it would seem like Fulham have not found a way to cope with the improved standards as a team yet and as a result aren't picking up points. I would reiterate though that on the ball, they are a top half side and it's still early days. Although now they have changed manager no doubt their will be changes for better or worse.

I remember an interview with a Fulham player who said the slow start and strong finish was due to the demanding and complicated methodology of Jokanovic. I guess once things were implemented the results spoke for themselves.

The margin for error is so fine and everyone is looking for that competitive edge. In order to go up and stay up, Villa must continue to identify the demands of the competition, then set targets and make plans accordingly. Being vigilant in our preparation, taking educated risks and operating with cohesion as a united team are essential.

Southampton went down to League One and have managed to return to the top flight. Swansea spent the last 7 years in the Premier League after making their debut. Leicester have spent the last 4 years back in the Premier League, winning it along the way. Just some examples of teams establishing or reestablishing residency in the Premier League to accompany the teams already mentioned by others.

 

[Vive_La_Villa]

Good to see Lambert back on the sidelines. Always seemed like a genuinely good guy. One of our nicer managers in recent times. 

They losing though. 

[Vive_La_Villa]

I’m getting angry watching this game knowing we drew with them when they had 10 men for half the game. 

They’re awful.

[Nigel]

18 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I’m getting angry watching this game knowing we drew with them when they had 10 men for half the game. 

They’re awful.

If we hadnt drew then Bruce may well have been in charge for 1 more game!

[Vive_La_Villa]

3 minutes ago, Nigel said:

If we hadnt drew then Bruce may well have been in charge for 1 more game!

That was Preston who are also crap.

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

Good result for us the Sheffield United draw against Rotheram.

Could do with a few of the lower teams holding back our top 6/ Top 2 rivals today!

EDIT: Preston also beating Blackburn who are right above us, stars aligning?

Edited November 24, 2018 by JAMAICAN-VILLAN

[Vive_La_Villa]

37 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

Good result for us the Sheffield United draw against Rotheram.

Could do with a few of the lower teams holding back our top 6/ Top 2 rivals today!

EDIT: Preston always beating Blackburn who are right above us, stars aligning?

Out of all the teams above us I expect Norwich, Sheff United, Blackburn and QPR to start dropping points. The rest will be our competition.

edit: maybe Norwich are this seasons Cardiff 

Edited November 24, 2018 by Vive_La_Villa

[Demitri_C]

Norwich doing really well this season. That result was a sickener as we should never have lost that one.

[Mark Albrighton]

Imagine if the top two places were Villa and Norwich, final game of the season is against them at Villa Park. Maybe we could have a big promotion party and laugh about how there was once ill feeling over Paul Lambert. 

I’d settle for that now 

[Vive_La_Villa]

8 minutes ago, Shropshire Lad said:

Imagine if the top two places were Villa and Norwich, final game of the season is against them at Villa Park. Maybe we could have a big promotion party and laugh about how there was once ill feeling over Paul Lambert. 

I’d settle for that now 

They’ve hit the elusive 2 points a game. Fair play to them.

[Vive_La_Villa]

Right if things stay as is and Brentford can somehow beat Boro. We win tomorrow and we are 4 points behind 5 teams on 31 points!!

[Mark Albrighton]

25 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

Right if things stay as is and Brentford can somehow beat Boro. We win tomorrow and we are 4 points behind 5 teams on 31 points!!

Leeds having other ideas mate.

But it’s certainly congested up in those top six or seven positions. Difficult to say who will last the pace and who will fall away.

Guess we just have to concentrate on what we’re doing.

Edited November 24, 2018 by Shropshire Lad

[VillaChris]

Norwich are smoking. Still couldn't name half their team though.

[VillaChris]

42 minutes ago, Shropshire Lad said:

Leeds having other ideas mate.

But it’s certainly congested up in those top six or seven positions. Difficult to say who will last the pace and who will fall away.

Guess we just have to concentrate on what we’re doing.

Would be happy just keeping in touch with top 6 up to New year.

We then have a good run of games in January and February so with a new signing or two that's when I expect us to motor towards the top 6.

[Mark Albrighton]

16 minutes ago, VillaChris said:

Would be happy just keeping in touch with top 6 up to New year.

We then have a good run of games in January and February so with a new signing or two that's when I expect us to motor towards the top 6.

Yeah I think so, if the top 6 or 7 remains as tight as it is by January, being a few points off would be alright.

I know Smith says the aim is to win every game, but I think he’d be quite happy with reaching 40-42 points between now and 1st January. Eight games to achieve a further 16-18 points. 

If we picked up a win or two against the likes of Boro, Baggies or Leeds I’d really start to think we could do it.

[villalad21]

I sadly think it's too late. We are too far behind.

Do you really see us going on a 10 game winning streak? With the defence we have? I don't.

We will sign defender in January but i still feel it will be a bit too late. Next season i am more hopeful.

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

1 hour ago, VillaChris said:

Norwich are smoking. Still couldn't name half their team though.

Yup, well they got their manager in last season and started to build their system from then.

They are now clicking and fluid.

We are playing catch up and attempting a mammoth task.

I feel it will be playoffs at best for us but that will still be an achievement.

If we had been using this blueprint from a couple of years ago we would be having a different convo.

Our time will come!

[VillaChris]

19 minutes ago, villalad21 said:

I sadly think it's too late. We are too far behind.

Do you really see us going on a 10 game winning streak? With the defence we have? I don't.

We will sign defender in January but i still feel it will be a bit too late. Next season i am more hopeful.

Yes for top 2. Realistically all the teams above won't all go on terrible runs. Fulham had their amazing run from January last year and still didn't finish above Cardiff.

Play offs shouldn't be written off though, we've been playing much better and Derby was a statement of intent victory. Hopefully the two week break hasn't stopped that momentum.