I was more than happy with yesterday's performance, nearly ecstatic, and everyone put a shift in even if a couple didn't play particularly well (Youga and maybe Soares). We played well and didn't look like a team bottom of the league, or even close to it. Ward and Hudson were particularly outstanding, Bailey and Racon not far behind.
As good a result as it was we really need to find an away win or two from somewhere even if we win ALL our home games and that isn't going to happen, we will fail to win at least two in my opinion. Yesterday was as good a chance as we are going to get. Not because we missed a hatful of chances and were on top because we didn't and we were not. BUT it was a very open end to end game and it was there to be won. I was disappointed that with ten minutes to go we didn't go two up front and really go for it. A point was great but we need to start picking up all three. Forest went to reading and won, Plymouth went to Wolves and won, we need to pull a couple of these results out of the bag. We are really only going to do so by going for it. I'm warming to Parky and you can see what he is trying to do but we are deep in the doo-doo and desperate times call for desperate, in this case brave, measures.
Over the last month or so performances and results have improved significantly but go back a month and we are actually further adrift than we were then.
Finally, did anyone there think Burton looked very heavy legged when he came on and, to be blunt, fat. If we can get one more player in on loan it must be another striker. I am all for giving Dicko a run, he's waited long enough, but I'm not convinced he can do it and he needs help.
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I agree with that. It's fine for now, good for confidence, but we have to build on it and turn these draws into wins. With 12 games to go we need about 8 wins to be safe. That's a lot to ask but it's not impossible.
In these tight games we'll have to go for it at times, and use players like Shelvey, Todorov and Sam (if they're on the bench) as they are our biggest hope for creating something. Parkinson hasn't done that for the last few games (fair enough Sam was unwell and left out, and Shelvey started the game), but he'll have to as there just aren't enough matches left now to be happy with a draw every away game.
I see where you are coming from but the green shoots of confidence are fragile at the moment and another "Burnley" just before two crucial home games could have been counter productive.
I think if the home games go according to plan and we gain more confidence then he might do what you suggest in future away games.
Confidence and belief is the key.
It's slowly coming back, 3 matches unbeaten with only 1 goal conceded, and momentum starting to build.
Now that that we have a little platform we must go for wins - but without being reckless.
2 home games in 4 days. The team now have to deliver.
It's an important week.
We were not time wasting and consistently had Ward and Hudson up for aerial threat (and something we should build on).
Please correct me if I am wrong but I dont think either Dickson or Scotland had an opportunity for a goal in the entire game. Thats not a criticism just a reflection in a game that was quite attractive and yet the 2 'strikers' didnt get a clear chance.
so, four minutes to go, ball goes off for our goalkick and Hudson kicks it away to the corner, delays goal kick. Dickson about to be subbed and he walks away to far side of the pitch, delays substitution. Ok we were not timewasting.
The ref clearly thought we were - hence five mins' injury time. What a prat he was!
1) 5 substitutions.
2) Hudson injured and off
3) Bailey injured and off
4) Murty injured and off
5) Williams injured and off
To be honest, I expected more than 5 minutes.
Swansea are an immaculate passing team. Key to playing against them is to occupy them in midfield, where they are brilliant, they lack a little pace and directness. I know Dyer and Scotland has now started offering them that, but if you can press their midfield they do like to complicate things.
Swansea have lost once at home, but drawn about the same as they've won. That has to tell you something about what happens to you if you open up against them rather than closing the match down. A draw at Swansea is a great result, other matches should be targeted for a win.
oh dear !!!