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Post by rowettowett on Sept 16, 2012 13:14:32 GMT
OK then, to try and stop Reg and his chums from constantly attacking me, I thought I'd talk about what I liked as well as disliked about the season so far. Pros- Burton are 10th in the league.
- Burton aren't Barnet.
- The Pirelli is looking a bit of a fortress, with a +7 goal difference after three games there.
- Billy Kee is great.
- Two games won in a row.
- Robinson is an astute Chairman financially and the club won't do a Portsmouth under his watch.
- The team seem to have a good belief in the cups.
- Performances are a step up from the end of last season.
- Rowett isn't Steve Evans.
Cons- For a team whose supporters hope will do well, nine points from six games is not a great start.
- Away form is diabolical, undoing the home goal difference and could become key at the end of the season. (Rochdale excepted)
- Defensive work could be better
- Based on current form, we now have two losses coming.
- Robinson needs to get his cheque book out (still within reason) if we are to truly progress.
- The cup run could be a distraction.
- Performances still aren't top drawer, even results like yesterday could be improved on. The scoreline and invidividual goals don't tell the whole story, like off the ball play and having the right game plan.
There are more pros than cons, certainly. But at this stage neither side can say how the rest of the year will turn out with any authority. If you care for a team you know there are good times and bad, and to get through them you can't have blinkers on - either way.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2012 13:33:22 GMT
Your 5th and 6th cons are not consistent with your 6th pro and your 4th con is complete nonsense.
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Post by rowettowett on Sept 16, 2012 13:37:54 GMT
Eh? Cheque book out (within reason) does not make him financially un-astute. You can still spend on improvements and stay within your means. Other clubs have done it.
I fail to see what the cheque book has to do with the cup run - sure, they win money for wins but unless it's spent then what will it achieve other than being a distraction?
As to the fourth con, maybe a little tongue in cheek but the last four games are "Loss Loss Win Win" so that's as realistic a prediction as anyone can honestly do!
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Post by dave78 on Sept 16, 2012 13:55:52 GMT
Out of interest RO, where do you think we should be after six games considering we're currently four points off 2nd in the table and where do you think we should be aiming to finish in the league?
I did actually think the cup run was a distraction to begin with but I think it's given everyone a big lift with us beating Leicester so convincingly. Let's just say I'm a convert but the only money we'll have made from the cup run so far is gate receipts. Ironically the Bradford game could be worth more to us financially seeing as they're charging more than Blades and Leicester did. There's no prize money in the league cup until you get to the semis.
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Post by rowettowett on Sept 16, 2012 14:03:04 GMT
I think that after last year's disappointments, the club should be looking at the playoffs as a minimum, and being top 6 for the whole season. Four points may seem neither here nor there at the moment, but come the end of the season it could mean missing out on a position by just one point - so points "dropped" now are just as valuable as later on. Staying thereabouts the whole season is far more preferable than mid-table obscurity with an outside chance of the playoffs or the dreaded relegation battle.
Burton fans should know full well how a bad run can derail a season, that should be prevented from the very outset. We may not be used to Burton winning more often than not these days, but why can't they be the force they used to be? The nucleus is there, a couple of top class (for this league) additions and it could be a special season. There is no point just accepting the status quo, push to be the best. They can be. They should be.
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Post by mikeyboy on Sept 16, 2012 14:13:55 GMT
My expectations for the season after Gary Rowett's appointment was to avoid the bottom 6. I did initially think it was wrong (as did many others on here) and I also felt that Ben was taking the easy and cheap option.
So far we are easily avoiding the bottom 6, we have played some good football, made some decent signings and therefore I feel we should go with the flow. But it is a marathon not a sprint (as Pesch found out last season to his cost), so let's live and let live,
To date I'm pleasantly surprised.
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Post by rowettowett on Sept 16, 2012 14:20:03 GMT
I have never said that anyone should either agree or disagree with my views. Unlike those that argue with me. At this stage of the season, nobody is right and nobody is wrong.
It'll take more than a few good games to change my mind, I'm not fickle enough to just go "hey, you're right - he's great". I truly believe what I put. I have criticised his appointment publicly from day 1 and, unlike others who did the same, I've not yet changed my mind. That's not to say it won't happen.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2012 15:40:01 GMT
RO - Rolling Stones "I'm just sittin on a fence" springs to mind! you want to be the Admin ? seriously? or is is the tongue firmly planted?
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Post by claymillman on Sept 16, 2012 16:05:55 GMT
What you guys need to look at is what is called "Trending". This is more important than simply looking at points and games played. In our last 4 games we have lost/lost/won/won. This I suggest is much better than win/win/lose/lose. Just ask Oxford fans, if you doubt it. Also we have conceded 9 league goals (far too high), but non in the last two league games, and three games overall. Good Trending don't you think? Sure there is a long way to go, and it could all go sour, but from day1, GR has seemed to be doing all the right things, in retention list, signed players, training, team selection and tactics, whilst learning from our performances, and bedding the team in. What more can you ask?
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Post by Newark Colin on Sept 16, 2012 21:14:08 GMT
Fortunately I didn't go to Exeter, but i am pretty satisfied with what I've seen so far. I thought we played well at Rotherham, considering we gave them a 2 goal head start. We should have beaten Fleetwood (I thought Oxford looked better than them). GR seems to have attempted to address the main concerns, i.e the defence, the central midfield and now the goalkeeper.
Not bothered by the cup run, it's enjoyable and does less damage to the season than a run later on in the season. The main plus from it is that it increases the confidence in the players and maybe a bit more team spirit.
I think it's a bit soon to be hoping for a strong push for the play-offs, but in this division top half should be attainable with a bit of consistency.
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Post by mikeyboy on Sept 16, 2012 21:25:26 GMT
If we could have a season without the relegation worries I'd be happy.
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Post by Newark Colin on Sept 16, 2012 21:35:44 GMT
Me too Mikey, but I was suddenly gripped with optimism whilst writing that last post. I'm sure that will change with a disappointing performance against York.
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Post by sinfinbovril on Sept 18, 2012 20:32:20 GMT
This is Burton Albion, who have not exactly set the League alight in the last three seasons. Safe by the middle of April will do me (or even the start of it?)
If we were one of the big clubs (Rotherham, Chesterfield, Torquay etc) then, yeah' we should be asking for a top six finish. I've been told off my "happy to be in the league" opinion before but I'm all for mid-table obscurity again. We've unfortunately avoided that in the last two seasons, so mid-table (and no twitchy sphincters) would be a progression.
Our best football league position so far would be great, ta Gary.
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