3 out of 6 to go down?

[jon1959]

If it weren't for Derby & Reading's points deductions we'd be in the bottom 3, FIVE points adrift. For the 1st time in a few seasons we need to actually improve, not just tread water.

People talk about the Reading and Derby points deductions (in fact any club's points deductions) as if they were random 'acts of god' that hit the unlucky club and benefitted their rivals.

Rubbish.

These clubs have been doing wrong. They have been breaking the rules to benefit themselves, their squads, and their league position.

The points deductions are to correct and punish their wrong-doing.

It is a similar mindset to our fans who constantly claim the team were lucky because the opposition hit a post or our goalkeeper saved a shot. If it wasn't for X, Y or Z then something else would have happened! Usually it involves ignoring any and all of our close shaves or missed attempts and concentrating on where we might have shipped a goal if the other side were more accurate or lucky!

It is a weird form of masochism.

If we stay up this season because Derby and/or Reading finish below us because of a points deduction we will have deserved it. They are not unlucky. They got caught and punished.

[Baloo]

People talk about the Reading and Derby points deductions (in fact any club's points deductions) as if they were random 'acts of god' that hit the unlucky club and benefitted their rivals.

Rubbish.

These clubs have been doing wrong. They have been breaking the rules to benefit themselves, their squads, and their league position.

The points deductions are to correct and punish their wrong-doing.

It is a similar mindset to our fans who constantly claim the team were lucky because the opposition hit a post or our goalkeeper saved a shot. If it wasn't for X, Y or Z then something else would have happened! Usually it involves ignoring any and all of our close shaves or missed attempts and concentrating on where we might have shipped a goal if the other side were more accurate or lucky!

It is a weird form of masochism.

If we stay up this season because Derby and/or Reading finish below us because of a points deduction we will have deserved it. They are not unlucky. They got caught and punished.

I'm not sure the claim is so much that these teams are unlucky. But more just that based on results alone this season we would be lower still. Yes, it's ifs and buts territory but perhaps a warning that some teams behind us have actually been performing better than us so far overall and if things continue as they are we should probably expect them to catch and possibly overtake us.

[Lawnmower]

People talk about the Reading and Derby points deductions (in fact any club's points deductions) as if they were random 'acts of god' that hit the unlucky club and benefitted their rivals.

Rubbish.

These clubs have been doing wrong. They have been breaking the rules to benefit themselves, their squads, and their league position.

The points deductions are to correct and punish their wrong-doing.

It is a similar mindset to our fans who constantly claim the team were lucky because the opposition hit a post or our goalkeeper saved a shot. If it wasn't for X, Y or Z then something else would have happened! Usually it involves ignoring any and all of our close shaves or missed attempts and concentrating on where we might have shipped a goal if the other side were more accurate or lucky!

It is a weird form of masochism.

If we stay up this season because Derby and/or Reading finish below us because of a points deduction we will have deserved it. They are not unlucky. They got caught and punished.

Spot on, and I look at their squads and still think they’ve got more experienced players than us even now- even though they are supposed to be on their knees.

There’s a huge chunk going off our wage bill in the summer, plus an awful court case to deal with , both of which will have major impacts on our budget. All this with extra restrictions being put upon us by our local government.

Add to this key players getting injuries and not per morning or not being 100% (Morrison and Moore for example were amongst the best at this level last season, but are just shadows this season)and an unbalanced side with big deficiencies and holes not dealt with in the summer ( lack of pace, back and front creativity middle and up front, no senior wide players, no senior left back)senior and well paid players like Murphy, Tomlin (we will have paid a big chunk of his contract off) and Vassell contributing nothing and it’s no surprise we are struggling- can add to that a suicidal ex manager..

But all of this can be addressed and I’m confident it will be in the summer.

Key though is to stay up - 2-3 wins in the next few weeks and I’ll sleep easier.

Hopefully starting on Saturday 🤞

[NYCBlue]

People talk about the Reading and Derby points deductions (in fact any club's points deductions) as if they were random 'acts of god' that hit the unlucky club and benefitted their rivals.

Rubbish.

These clubs have been doing wrong. They have been breaking the rules to benefit themselves, their squads, and their league position.

The points deductions are to correct and punish their wrong-doing.

It is a similar mindset to our fans who constantly claim the team were lucky because the opposition hit a post or our goalkeeper saved a shot. If it wasn't for X, Y or Z then something else would have happened! Usually it involves ignoring any and all of our close shaves or missed attempts and concentrating on where we might have shipped a goal if the other side were more accurate or lucky!

It is a weird form of masochism.

If we stay up this season because Derby and/or Reading finish below us because of a points deduction we will have deserved it. They are not unlucky. They got caught and punished.