| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? 08:08 - Aug 24 with 2411 views | Blue_Heath |
Yes, it's only one result and things may look very different in a few months time but having witnessed Saturday live and watching town in 5 there's just so much to love about this team.
Enciso just wow instantly became my new favourite after Burns departure. Fatawu loved that he goes to the byline and crosses. Maeda just doesn't stop and got some great blocks in. Lukic just looks effortless, Emmerson did much better than I anticipated, Scherpen bar one dodgy moment with his feet made a great save and the older boys Nunez was great and Leif and Greaves were immense and of course JC being JC.
No disrespect to last years team but they were a tough watch at times but will always be forever grateful to them for the double over that lot and getting it over the line. |  |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 08:14 - Aug 24 with 2046 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
I don't really see the need to compare their "lovability factor"
Games this season will probably be easier on the eye for a couple reasons. We have spent lots of money on some very good players that aren't attainable in the Championship. We aren't playing against 10 men behind the ball every week. |  |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 08:16 - Aug 24 with 2030 views | Blue_Heath |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 08:14 - Aug 24 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
I don't really see the need to compare their "lovability factor"
Games this season will probably be easier on the eye for a couple reasons. We have spent lots of money on some very good players that aren't attainable in the Championship. We aren't playing against 10 men behind the ball every week. |
True re the ten men but equally we are playing much, much better teams. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:02 - Aug 24 with 1856 views | WubbleU |
Last years team were quite hard to love. We spent most of the season waiting for them to 'gel'; we had to wait until April to see something that felt right. Not sure McKenna or the players were having fun, just working hard mostly.
No one has mentioned gel this week, that's very good. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:34 - Aug 24 with 1761 views | patrickswell |
Doubled Norwich, took 12 points from the two teams we were promoted with, Philogene scoring goal of the season contenders most weeks, McKenna trying to learn lessons from 2024/25 by introducing some pragmatism, Nunez moving from Norwich and turning himself into one of the great ITFC cheerleaders. O’Shea leading from the front, Clarke turning into Matthew Le Tissier from the penalty spot, fate giving Christian Walton a chance to enjoy the Championship season he should have had in 2023/24.
Plenty to love there, I’d say. |  | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:39 - Aug 24 with 1727 views | SomethingBlue |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:02 - Aug 24 by WubbleU |
Last years team were quite hard to love. We spent most of the season waiting for them to 'gel'; we had to wait until April to see something that felt right. Not sure McKenna or the players were having fun, just working hard mostly.
No one has mentioned gel this week, that's very good. |
I think a fair number of people just set their stall out not to like last season's team very much, let's be honest. They ultimately did the job well and provided some memorable moments along the way that will be right up there in the modern history of this club. Some elected not to enjoy it and that was up to them. You are correct though that it was business rather than the wild ride of two seasons before. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:46 - Aug 24 with 1691 views | Dubtractor |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:34 - Aug 24 by patrickswell |
Doubled Norwich, took 12 points from the two teams we were promoted with, Philogene scoring goal of the season contenders most weeks, McKenna trying to learn lessons from 2024/25 by introducing some pragmatism, Nunez moving from Norwich and turning himself into one of the great ITFC cheerleaders. O’Shea leading from the front, Clarke turning into Matthew Le Tissier from the penalty spot, fate giving Christian Walton a chance to enjoy the Championship season he should have had in 2023/24.
Plenty to love there, I’d say. |
I'd upvote this more if I could.
The big problem last season was that teams set out to stifle us, so some games weren't the greatest spectacle, but that wasn't the fault of the players on the pitch for us. [Post edited 24 Aug 9:48]
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:48 - Aug 24 with 1671 views | jaseitfc2015 |
I really liked last years team , that said this new team has got off to a great start | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:27 - Aug 24 with 1451 views | Churchman |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:34 - Aug 24 by patrickswell |
Doubled Norwich, took 12 points from the two teams we were promoted with, Philogene scoring goal of the season contenders most weeks, McKenna trying to learn lessons from 2024/25 by introducing some pragmatism, Nunez moving from Norwich and turning himself into one of the great ITFC cheerleaders. O’Shea leading from the front, Clarke turning into Matthew Le Tissier from the penalty spot, fate giving Christian Walton a chance to enjoy the Championship season he should have had in 2023/24.
Plenty to love there, I’d say. |
Big thumbs up to last year’s team. After our last go at the Premier League, it’d have been easy to get into a mess as Leicester and in their own way Southampton did early season before they got the binoculars and camo out. But we didn’t. I hope one day they get the credit they deserve for that.
After a poor first few games, the players and staff really dug in. Not as spectacular as the previous promotion side, but they were more solid and overcame the 10-0-0 formations of most visiting teams. By the end of the season they were stronger than the team two years before and I believe every other team in that division.
They lost the odd game but never went on a losing run. Didn’t win game after game either, but gradually ground our way up. ‘Middlesbrough threw it away’. No they didn’t. They finished where they deserved and just weren’t good enough for long enough. They went soft, we didn’t.
I watched a one man goal of the season competition with JP, Clarke not far behind and at times unplayable. I enjoyed Matusiwa’s season (incl that thunderbstard goal v Hull) and plenty from the other players. McAteer growing, Mehmeti’s start, Nunez taking the rise out of them lot as we slapped them around twice and even George H getting his form back at the end of the season.
As you say, plenty to love there.
Interestingly, aside from the 2024/25 Premier League season, in the other three seasons since 2022 we’ve only lost 3 times at home. |  | | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:39 - Aug 24 with 1392 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:46 - Aug 24 by Dubtractor |
I'd upvote this more if I could.
The big problem last season was that teams set out to stifle us, so some games weren't the greatest spectacle, but that wasn't the fault of the players on the pitch for us. [Post edited 24 Aug 9:48]
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So many away games last season we just didn't have the fight or the bottle for it. That is what frustrated fans, just didn't seem like a few of them cared for a long time. |  | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:41 - Aug 24 with 1377 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:39 - Aug 24 by BlueStreak |
So many away games last season we just didn't have the fight or the bottle for it. That is what frustrated fans, just didn't seem like a few of them cared for a long time. |
Those fans are very silly then if they think the players didn't care. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 14:58 - Aug 24 with 1214 views | Churchman |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:41 - Aug 24 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
Those fans are very silly then if they think the players didn't care. |
Absolutely. The record away from Jan 1 on was 5 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses. There were a few poor performances, points thrown and scramble draws, but there were also some good away wins and real dig-out performances.
If the players didn’t care, there’s no way we’d have got back in the game at Stoke after a pegs on noses first half. No win at Derby or Watford, them lot. No draw at West Brom or battering of Southampton late on.
To accuse the players of not caring is fundamentally wrong and just about the worst thing to label a team with. Performing badly, losing grip, other team getting the better of it is unwanted, but that’s sport. It happens even to a team that finished second and got promoted to the Premier League. I’ve seen not caring on one or two occasions following this club and know what that looks like. It wasn’t what I saw last season.
I guess people see what they want to see which is of course their right. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:06 - Aug 24 with 1188 views | SomethingBlue |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:39 - Aug 24 by BlueStreak |
So many away games last season we just didn't have the fight or the bottle for it. That is what frustrated fans, just didn't seem like a few of them cared for a long time. |
If they didn't care or have any "fight or bottle" we'd have finished where Leicester did. The world would be much better if people would accept when their sh7t opinions are proved very obviously wrong. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:18 - Aug 24 with 1154 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:06 - Aug 24 by SomethingBlue |
If they didn't care or have any "fight or bottle" we'd have finished where Leicester did. The world would be much better if people would accept when their sh7t opinions are proved very obviously wrong. |
Lot of short memories around here. We put in 10/12 pathetic away performances last season.
We got over the line and were significantly better following the second Wrexham away and there is a lot to be said for that, but first half of the season away from home was very poor. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:24 - Aug 24 with 1137 views | SomethingBlue |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:18 - Aug 24 by BlueStreak |
Lot of short memories around here. We put in 10/12 pathetic away performances last season.
We got over the line and were significantly better following the second Wrexham away and there is a lot to be said for that, but first half of the season away from home was very poor. |
Would you list the 10-12 pathetic away performances for us? Sounds like we endured a thoroughly wretched time. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:31 - Aug 24 with 1110 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:24 - Aug 24 by SomethingBlue |
Would you list the 10-12 pathetic away performances for us? Sounds like we endured a thoroughly wretched time. |
Preston
Bristol City
Blackburn (twice)
Leicester
Oxford
Sheff United
Wrexham
Stoke
Portsmouth
Birmingham - wasn't great but won't include as against promoted side on first day
Boro - 5/10 performance
Wrexham in the cup - changed team so haven't included
Bromley in the cup - as above [Post edited 24 Aug 15:32]
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:40 - Aug 24 with 1075 views | SomethingBlue |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:31 - Aug 24 by BlueStreak |
Preston
Bristol City
Blackburn (twice)
Leicester
Oxford
Sheff United
Wrexham
Stoke
Portsmouth
Birmingham - wasn't great but won't include as against promoted side on first day
Boro - 5/10 performance
Wrexham in the cup - changed team so haven't included
Bromley in the cup - as above [Post edited 24 Aug 15:32]
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Oxford, Wrexham, Pompey and Blackburn I'd go along with as being bad (although not because of lacking bottle or anything so tiresome) – the others were just "meh" Championship games that can go one way, can go another. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:48 - Aug 24 with 1057 views | Churchman |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:31 - Aug 24 by BlueStreak |
Preston
Bristol City
Blackburn (twice)
Leicester
Oxford
Sheff United
Wrexham
Stoke
Portsmouth
Birmingham - wasn't great but won't include as against promoted side on first day
Boro - 5/10 performance
Wrexham in the cup - changed team so haven't included
Bromley in the cup - as above [Post edited 24 Aug 15:32]
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You said ‘we just didn't have the fight or the bottle for it. That is what frustrated fans, just didn't seem like a few of them cared for a long time.’
In other words they didn’t care or try. That isn’t true. Poor performances and opposition playing well is not the same as what you are saying.
I had no idea the first Blackburn game counted. However ourselves and Blackburn were allowed to count that? Or are you just inflating your figures? Oxford: we played them off the pitch for the most part and had one of those games. 9 times from 10 we win that easily. Stoke was a poor first half, but we should have won the game.
Yes, we had some poor performances. But even at Blackburn they fought to grab a point, however undeserved. At no stage did they not try.
And this is completely ignoring the good performances. The team started from scratch 25/26. It took time. Longer than I hoped, but human beings don’t respond like machines. You could see from the start what they were trying to do. The players kept at it and got there. And in the process battered a few teams.
There was plenty to like, but then I don’t do entitlement and don’t expect too much when it comes to sport. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:49 - Aug 24 with 1046 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:40 - Aug 24 by SomethingBlue |
Oxford, Wrexham, Pompey and Blackburn I'd go along with as being bad (although not because of lacking bottle or anything so tiresome) – the others were just "meh" Championship games that can go one way, can go another. |
Removing Leicester and Sheffield United off my list, right!
Like I said it doesn't matter now of course, but the summer has obviously had an impact on peoples memories. We had a squad filled with incredible talent at that level in a very mediocre league, yet we just scraped into second and a big reason for that was us not turning up in almost half the away games. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:52 - Aug 24 with 1030 views | Gary_Knows |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 09:34 - Aug 24 by patrickswell |
Doubled Norwich, took 12 points from the two teams we were promoted with, Philogene scoring goal of the season contenders most weeks, McKenna trying to learn lessons from 2024/25 by introducing some pragmatism, Nunez moving from Norwich and turning himself into one of the great ITFC cheerleaders. O’Shea leading from the front, Clarke turning into Matthew Le Tissier from the penalty spot, fate giving Christian Walton a chance to enjoy the Championship season he should have had in 2023/24.
Plenty to love there, I’d say. |
Some of the slander O’Shea faced at the beginning of last season was nothing short of extraordinary. There was a number of weeks the only posts on here were people calling him b0ll0ckless.
That 3-0 defeat at home to Charlton was something else as well, people fully lost their heads. |  |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:54 - Aug 24 with 1021 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:48 - Aug 24 by Churchman |
You said ‘we just didn't have the fight or the bottle for it. That is what frustrated fans, just didn't seem like a few of them cared for a long time.’
In other words they didn’t care or try. That isn’t true. Poor performances and opposition playing well is not the same as what you are saying.
I had no idea the first Blackburn game counted. However ourselves and Blackburn were allowed to count that? Or are you just inflating your figures? Oxford: we played them off the pitch for the most part and had one of those games. 9 times from 10 we win that easily. Stoke was a poor first half, but we should have won the game.
Yes, we had some poor performances. But even at Blackburn they fought to grab a point, however undeserved. At no stage did they not try.
And this is completely ignoring the good performances. The team started from scratch 25/26. It took time. Longer than I hoped, but human beings don’t respond like machines. You could see from the start what they were trying to do. The players kept at it and got there. And in the process battered a few teams.
There was plenty to like, but then I don’t do entitlement and don’t expect too much when it comes to sport. |
We were bullied in too many games away from home. Look at our record against the bottom 8 in the division. We just turned up expecting to win and when it got into a scrap we were ultimately the wrong side of a lot of those games. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:55 - Aug 24 with 1013 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:52 - Aug 24 by Gary_Knows |
Some of the slander O’Shea faced at the beginning of last season was nothing short of extraordinary. There was a number of weeks the only posts on here were people calling him b0ll0ckless.
That 3-0 defeat at home to Charlton was something else as well, people fully lost their heads. |
Dara was excellent post Wrexham (second game where he had a stinker), before that he'd had a fairly average season. | | | |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 16:05 - Aug 24 with 977 views | Dubtractor |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 15:40 - Aug 24 by SomethingBlue |
Oxford, Wrexham, Pompey and Blackburn I'd go along with as being bad (although not because of lacking bottle or anything so tiresome) – the others were just "meh" Championship games that can go one way, can go another. |
Also, in a 46 game championship season, all teams will throw in a few stinkers.
As I wanged on about all season, it was a marathon not a sprint, and the right teams end up top two after those 46 games.
It was also the case that we almost always followed up those poor performances with a big improvement, and never went on a poor run, unlike Middlesbrough for example. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 16:15 - Aug 24 with 951 views | SomethingBlue |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 16:05 - Aug 24 by Dubtractor |
Also, in a 46 game championship season, all teams will throw in a few stinkers.
As I wanged on about all season, it was a marathon not a sprint, and the right teams end up top two after those 46 games.
It was also the case that we almost always followed up those poor performances with a big improvement, and never went on a poor run, unlike Middlesbrough for example. |
Yep. I think some people just lost their heads and forgot how football, and particularly the Championship, has always worked. | |
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 16:30 - Aug 24 with 883 views | ReusersTown |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 13:39 - Aug 24 by BlueStreak |
So many away games last season we just didn't have the fight or the bottle for it. That is what frustrated fans, just didn't seem like a few of them cared for a long time. |
What absolute rubbish. It always clear that people don't have much of insight to say when they rely on "fight" or "bottle" as criticisms. [Post edited 24 Aug 16:31]
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| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 18:14 - Aug 24 with 718 views | BlueStreak |
| Is it too early to say this team is more loveable than last years? on 16:30 - Aug 24 by ReusersTown |
What absolute rubbish. It always clear that people don't have much of insight to say when they rely on "fight" or "bottle" as criticisms. [Post edited 24 Aug 16:31]
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Good one. | | | |
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