Preseason the talk was of our great strike force, and our weak defence. The defence seems to be excelling themselves but where are the goals? No team in the division has scored as few. Early days, but.. Still pleased with the lads' start, though.
why aren't we scoring?
Funny isn't it really.
The likes of Nobber are praising the wonderful attacking football we're playing now that we're free from the shackles of Grayson yet we've scored the fewest number of goals in the league (2, one of which was a pen).
The number of goals we scored when we went up had not been exceeded since the 1950s yet Grayson got zero credit.
On the flip side, we've got the best defensive record in the league and an air of positivity that belies any stats.
We haven't won away since January but if we continue our good home form over the next month then who knows where it may take us.
We've got the best defence outside the Prem, 1 goal conceded in 5 games and that was a penalty so a lack of goals isn't too concerning yet and we do seem to be playing with a more positive intent.
One reason for the lack of goals though might be that 4 of the 5 teams we've played against have conceded on average less than a goal a game so far this season - so it could be that once we play the likes of Villa, Sunderland and Norwich then the goals will start to fly in.
Conversely, a good test of how sound our defence really is will be against Cardiff in two games time.
One reason for the lack of goals though might be that 4 of the 5 teams we've played against have conceded on average less than a goal a game so far this season - so it could be that once we play the likes of Villa, Sunderland and Norwich then the goals will start to fly in.
Conversely, a good test of how sound our defence really is will be against Cardiff in two games time.
I'm well happy with our start.
If we don't concede many, we won't lose many and the goals will come.
If we don't concede many, we won't lose many and the goals will come.
The style of play is an improvement but the decision making in the final third is where the lack of goals come from. But perhaps that is to be expected given it's such a big change in attacking methods, the more they gel and get used to the way Neil wants them to play then the goals will come
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There isn't one specific reason why the goals are coming yet, it's a combination of lacking a bit of composure in front of goal, wrong choice of final ball and some good defending/goal keeping by the opposition. I'd be worried if we weren't creating chances, but we are, so it's only a matter of time before the goals come.
As I said in the matchday thread for me it is down to luck and decision making. Yesterday the post, a great save and a goal line block stopped us and there were many other chances aside. We just seem to piss about with it a bit too much instead of shooting on sight.
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Funny old game. We've only scored two in five games but are seventh in the table.
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I expect you are right.
Giving a team a good tonking sticks in my teeth a little. I love the buzz like everyone but once the dust settles I can't help but remember the times when just a single goal per game would have us up in the upper promotion zone.
The boys at the back are taking all the pressure just now. Let's hope any slip up by them is not jumped on for costing us the game.
A Middlesbrough fan said that if Preston could cross the ball we would have lost by 3 or 4
I thought our crossing was much improved yesterday.
We seem to flood midfield more now with energetic players, except at Derby where we played wingbacks. We haven't McGeady and Robinson out in wide positions to get behind the fullbacks and cross. Overall, we are playing at a higher tempo and DJ in particular has upped his game and looks a different player. I'm sure the goals will come as we're showing great team spirit and working for each other.
I wasn't there JC so I can't really comment. This is what someone said on their forum.
Clearly missing McGeady's star quality in the final third. We have not been able to call on Gallagher's delivery this season yet either due to injury and concussion.
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Put it this way Dazzler, it wasn't because of poor crossing that we didn't score yesterday.
We wasted some good crossing positions in the first half