| People have been talking about our start to the season today 20:07 - Sep 14 with 2477 views | Guthrum |
One thing I think is notable when comparing with 2024-25: Early League position.
That season, the highest place we achieved was 15th (for 5 days), otherwise, it was 17th or 18th, then from the end of November, 18th or 19th. The entire time, we were scrabbling to claw our way up over the relegation cliff edge, ultimately unsuccessfully.
This time, we are so far hovering around lower mid table. Certainly, if things get difficult, we may drop, but for now we are some distance back from the margin. Not every slip is liable to be fatal. There is already some margin between ourselves and the bottom three.
I am by no means advocating resting on our laurels. However, it is nice to be standing up in the Prem, not on hands and knees, gripping onto the grass for dear life. |  |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:48 - Sep 14 with 2199 views | Backtoblue78A |
Highlights how ill-equipped Mckenna was really. |  | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:51 - Sep 14 with 2180 views | unstableblue |
I think there are number of comparisons to the last Premier League campaign and the start of this one.
We are in danger of getting a little over excited after only4 games, because to be honest one difference this season is we’ve had a little bit of good fortune, Palace’s big miss Saturday isn’t the first time we’ve had a let off, rub of the green. Having said that we did have the Nunez slip and Maguire basketball go against us.
I hope your observation on the points and place cushion further improves - another win from the next two and it becomes perhaps 3 wins for 2 or 3 teams to get back to level with us. That’s as you say is massive.
But for me there are two other differences:
Our squad quality has increased 3 fold, £50m of players not even making the matchday squad. Leaving Florentino on the bench, with Flemming, Jaden and Ouatrra.
We seem to be preparing for each game differently and playing a modification of our system to suit. It’s always a touch different. And I like it. |  |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 21:00 - Sep 14 with 2124 views | BlueBadger |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:48 - Sep 14 by Backtoblue78A |
Highlights how ill-equipped Mckenna was really. |
Piss off, Budgie |  |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 21:26 - Sep 14 with 2016 views | Stenvict |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:51 - Sep 14 by unstableblue |
I think there are number of comparisons to the last Premier League campaign and the start of this one.
We are in danger of getting a little over excited after only4 games, because to be honest one difference this season is we’ve had a little bit of good fortune, Palace’s big miss Saturday isn’t the first time we’ve had a let off, rub of the green. Having said that we did have the Nunez slip and Maguire basketball go against us.
I hope your observation on the points and place cushion further improves - another win from the next two and it becomes perhaps 3 wins for 2 or 3 teams to get back to level with us. That’s as you say is massive.
But for me there are two other differences:
Our squad quality has increased 3 fold, £50m of players not even making the matchday squad. Leaving Florentino on the bench, with Flemming, Jaden and Ouatrra.
We seem to be preparing for each game differently and playing a modification of our system to suit. It’s always a touch different. And I like it. |
Main difference is we're not solely relying on Delap to score the goals this time. We've currently scored 7 goals. Last time, we scored our 7th goal at the end of October. | |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 21:28 - Sep 14 with 2004 views | J2BLUE |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:48 - Sep 14 by Backtoblue78A |
Highlights how ill-equipped Mckenna was really. |
Clarke. Davis. O'Shea. Greaves.
McKenna layed the foundations for everything happening now. |  | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 01:03 - Sep 15 with 1610 views | Churchman |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:51 - Sep 14 by unstableblue |
I think there are number of comparisons to the last Premier League campaign and the start of this one.
We are in danger of getting a little over excited after only4 games, because to be honest one difference this season is we’ve had a little bit of good fortune, Palace’s big miss Saturday isn’t the first time we’ve had a let off, rub of the green. Having said that we did have the Nunez slip and Maguire basketball go against us.
I hope your observation on the points and place cushion further improves - another win from the next two and it becomes perhaps 3 wins for 2 or 3 teams to get back to level with us. That’s as you say is massive.
But for me there are two other differences:
Our squad quality has increased 3 fold, £50m of players not even making the matchday squad. Leaving Florentino on the bench, with Flemming, Jaden and Ouatrra.
We seem to be preparing for each game differently and playing a modification of our system to suit. It’s always a touch different. And I like it. |
I have not seen Saturday’s full game back yet but I’ve seen Town in 5 and other chunks and of course the other three.
Yes there’s a danger of getting over excited because there’s a lot of work to be done with that team. Luck? I don’t really buy into that. When it came down to it we out stayed Sunderland and Palace and were good enough to win. The other two? A terrific half against Utd showed potential, but the rest? They were too good. Key differences from two years ago for me are:
More better players. Far better in some instances. On the odd occasion in 24/25 we hung in games and now and again scratched a victory. Not often though, because most of the time it was men against boys. Boys with no midfield worth the name.
The attitude of the players (because many are a better standard of player) looks different. In Town in 5’ they sort of looked ready for business. No histrionics. Just professional and ready. They celebrated at the end of course but not small team beating a big one in the FA Cup style.
The club itself feels more at the level. Grown up. Less ambushed by the circus that the premier League is.
The players and the squad in general looks better balanced and laced with quality. That means potential - something that was lacking two seasons ago.
It’s going to take time, but there’s a lot of room to grow with those players. I hope people are not as toy throwing impatient as last season. Sunderland’s achievement was the exception, not the rule and isn’t the measure.
Will we survive? It’s going to be a struggle, especially if we fail to improve defensively. But we have a real chance. By and large, I like what I’m seeing. |  | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 06:09 - Sep 15 with 1425 views | LA_Tractor_Boy |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 01:03 - Sep 15 by Churchman |
I have not seen Saturday’s full game back yet but I’ve seen Town in 5 and other chunks and of course the other three.
Yes there’s a danger of getting over excited because there’s a lot of work to be done with that team. Luck? I don’t really buy into that. When it came down to it we out stayed Sunderland and Palace and were good enough to win. The other two? A terrific half against Utd showed potential, but the rest? They were too good. Key differences from two years ago for me are:
More better players. Far better in some instances. On the odd occasion in 24/25 we hung in games and now and again scratched a victory. Not often though, because most of the time it was men against boys. Boys with no midfield worth the name.
The attitude of the players (because many are a better standard of player) looks different. In Town in 5’ they sort of looked ready for business. No histrionics. Just professional and ready. They celebrated at the end of course but not small team beating a big one in the FA Cup style.
The club itself feels more at the level. Grown up. Less ambushed by the circus that the premier League is.
The players and the squad in general looks better balanced and laced with quality. That means potential - something that was lacking two seasons ago.
It’s going to take time, but there’s a lot of room to grow with those players. I hope people are not as toy throwing impatient as last season. Sunderland’s achievement was the exception, not the rule and isn’t the measure.
Will we survive? It’s going to be a struggle, especially if we fail to improve defensively. But we have a real chance. By and large, I like what I’m seeing. |
While I tend to agree that you make your own luck, we have to acknowledge that we got the rub of the green against Palace.
Even if we ignore their sending off and the chance they missed to make it 3-2, Leif's header could have gone anywhere but fortunately it fell to Zian.
The old adage that luck evens itself out over the season is probably true, but as it stands we could easily be sitting on 3 or 4 points instead of 6. | | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 06:30 - Sep 15 with 1368 views | Blue_Heath |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 06:09 - Sep 15 by LA_Tractor_Boy |
While I tend to agree that you make your own luck, we have to acknowledge that we got the rub of the green against Palace.
Even if we ignore their sending off and the chance they missed to make it 3-2, Leif's header could have gone anywhere but fortunately it fell to Zian.
The old adage that luck evens itself out over the season is probably true, but as it stands we could easily be sitting on 3 or 4 points instead of 6. |
Regarding luck, to a degree you make your own.
Sunderland and Palace games were two that two years ago we would not have won after 88 mins and would likely have lost one of them.
This team seems stronger, hungrier and fitter, equally if Nunez hadn't slipped and Maguire's shot not deflected we could have got something against Man U.
For me it's realistically as good a start as we could have expected to start let's enjoy it as I'm sure there will be a big run of defeats at some point. [Post edited 15 Sep 6:31]
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:18 - Sep 15 with 1075 views | Vaughan8 |
The 2 games we won, we have late on. That is a massive difference to 2 years ago.
If we rewind back to 24-25, I could almost guarantee that would be the other way round, and if not, it would have finished a draw. | | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:24 - Sep 15 with 1046 views | Leaky |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:48 - Sep 14 by Backtoblue78A |
Highlights how ill-equipped Mckenna was really. |
Are you referring to McKenna, or the squad he had. |  | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:34 - Sep 15 with 1018 views | JammyDodgerrr |
Winning some games really does make a difference, and I do think it is fair to say that is a huge positive. We shouldn't rest on it, as you say but it gives us a massive advantage.
In 24/25, the three relegated teams won 2,4 and 6 games each. Last season was 3,4 and 10. Little bit of an uptick in the third relegated team, but the fact that we have already got 2 on the board after four games is huge.
If we follow the same metric, and assume Coventry and finishing last, they already need to win 3-4 games to just overtake us, something most promoted teams don't manage in 38. |  |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:42 - Sep 15 with 969 views | tractorboy1978 |
We are just quite clearly a far better team than we were in 24/25. And encouragingly, we have the points to show for it, which isn't always the case in the PL. There is still a long way to go but we've certainly significantly closed the gap between ourselves and several other clubs. | | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:54 - Sep 15 with 910 views | Wright1 |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 06:09 - Sep 15 by LA_Tractor_Boy |
While I tend to agree that you make your own luck, we have to acknowledge that we got the rub of the green against Palace.
Even if we ignore their sending off and the chance they missed to make it 3-2, Leif's header could have gone anywhere but fortunately it fell to Zian.
The old adage that luck evens itself out over the season is probably true, but as it stands we could easily be sitting on 3 or 4 points instead of 6. |
I'm sorry, I don't buy "Leif's header could have gone anywhere" as a bit of luck. You could equally suggest we were quite unlucky it didn't drop in to the net. Zian read it and reacted well - that's all we can do. | | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 11:39 - Sep 15 with 809 views | sohamblue74 |
This is a great thread with some balanced thoughts and reflections.
4 games is too early to draw any meaningful conclusions, but I will anyway!!!
Aligned to other posters, I do see 3 main differences vs 2 years ago.
1. We have goals in us, and from all over the park. Not so reliant on Delap to do it all.
2. The midfield is SO much stronger. Last time Morsy was our standout CM player, but in this squad he would be 5th or 6th choice (just before or just after Taylor).
3. We have genuine quality coming off the bench. Players we paid good money for, who have international experience and/or PL experience. It makes such a difference.
6 points from 12 is a great start and it feels justified based on performances, despite some shaky defending and goalkeeping.
We likely need 30-34 more points from the remaining 34 games. ~10 draws and 7-9 more wins should do it. Thus we can afford to lose another 15-17 games from here.
Still a big ask, but probably achievable if we have some good fortune with injuries and suspensions. | | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 18:24 - Sep 15 with 507 views | armchaircritic59 |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 01:03 - Sep 15 by Churchman |
I have not seen Saturday’s full game back yet but I’ve seen Town in 5 and other chunks and of course the other three.
Yes there’s a danger of getting over excited because there’s a lot of work to be done with that team. Luck? I don’t really buy into that. When it came down to it we out stayed Sunderland and Palace and were good enough to win. The other two? A terrific half against Utd showed potential, but the rest? They were too good. Key differences from two years ago for me are:
More better players. Far better in some instances. On the odd occasion in 24/25 we hung in games and now and again scratched a victory. Not often though, because most of the time it was men against boys. Boys with no midfield worth the name.
The attitude of the players (because many are a better standard of player) looks different. In Town in 5’ they sort of looked ready for business. No histrionics. Just professional and ready. They celebrated at the end of course but not small team beating a big one in the FA Cup style.
The club itself feels more at the level. Grown up. Less ambushed by the circus that the premier League is.
The players and the squad in general looks better balanced and laced with quality. That means potential - something that was lacking two seasons ago.
It’s going to take time, but there’s a lot of room to grow with those players. I hope people are not as toy throwing impatient as last season. Sunderland’s achievement was the exception, not the rule and isn’t the measure.
Will we survive? It’s going to be a struggle, especially if we fail to improve defensively. But we have a real chance. By and large, I like what I’m seeing. |
As a well known and very true saying goes " Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity " . |  | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 19:25 - Sep 15 with 410 views | Backtoblue78A |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:24 - Sep 15 by Leaky |
Are you referring to McKenna, or the squad he had. |
He was too loyal post promotion. We went up with a handful of players who had no right to pull on the shirt at the highest level after so many years away. Massive missed opportunity. | | | |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 19:34 - Sep 15 with 376 views | Swansea_Blue |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 10:18 - Sep 15 by Vaughan8 |
The 2 games we won, we have late on. That is a massive difference to 2 years ago.
If we rewind back to 24-25, I could almost guarantee that would be the other way round, and if not, it would have finished a draw. |
And that can be a double-edged sword in this league. The margins are stupidly fine and we have to fight for everything even when we’re up against 10 men. It’s great when the margins go in our favour and with a bit of luck a few good results propels you up the table. Be on the wrong side of those margins and it’s easy to drop quickly. If nothing else it adds an extra edge to every game I suppose. It’s bloody nervy to watch though! |  |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 19:48 - Sep 15 with 335 views | NthQldITFC |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 21:00 - Sep 14 by BlueBadger |
Piss off, Budgie |
I'm just going to go to my 'other' browser for match time, so I'll log out and see what the budgie tweeted.
I definitely won't be commenting on it though, as it's not worth the list switching.
Flock off. |  |
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| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 19:58 - Sep 15 with 290 views | mellowblue |
| People have been talking about our start to the season today on 20:48 - Sep 14 by Backtoblue78A |
Highlights how ill-equipped Mckenna was really. |
Strikes me as a vague sentence, can I ask if you mean ill-equipped as in :-
the team personnel were not up to the job or
McKenna did not have the ability. | | | |
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