Caesium137
Well-known member
But we were like this for big spells last season and we didn't address it, we go on runs where it works and runs were it doesn't.All the table is showing is that we are consistently making more chances than the opposition.
That is true.
I have rarely seen a boro team control and create like the current one. But we don't take our chances.
The question is... is it because all our attacking players are terrible... or... because we have been a bit unlucky and our attacking players have hit a bad patch at the same time.
I'm of the feeling - if we continue to control and create like we are - the goals will come and we will go on a dominant run like we have seen several times in Carrick's reign.
If we want a tilt at the autos, (already looking a stretch) or upper play-offs with a solid chance of progressing through them, we simply can not be this 'streaky' where we play our best stuff and only get a win ratio of 3 games from 9 from it. We must be better, we must be more ruthless when we are on top.
Our points against the bottom six last season was pretty poor, our opening to this season was spectacularly benevolent from the fixture computer. We have been the better team for the majority of most games this season, for little return in goals and points.
This isn't a one off period of games where we have been unbelievably unlucky, or the opposition defence and keeper are having worldies to keep us out. A lot of games we are simply not working the keeper enough, we try an extra pass rather than shooting, we shoot poorly, weak shots near the keeper or under hit / scuffed efforts.
This isn’t bad luck, a few games you could say so, but we have been performing like this against a lot of teams for 18 months, maybe even getting on for two years now.
Without Forss and Akpom carrying a sustained goal threat from the three behind we are powder puff and have not really addressed it.
Archer, Giles, Forss, Akpom and Ramsey are all much better players than we have available now, who scored when we were on top and playing well. With McGree and Jones and others chipping in too.
Lath and Azaz have been beyond poor as goal scorers, I accept they are playing their part in the team, but the 9 & 10 are there to score.
They are not, and it is a huge concern that is currently derailing our season. Unfortunately we have nobody to replace either of them as far I can see, until Conway / Gilbert are back fit, on one of those is an unproven punt.
We need to change something to get some more ‘real’ threat on goal, the bizzare signing of Burgzorg doesn't look like it will address any of our short comings, I feel pretty confident saying Coburn would be more of an asset to bring on if we are chasing games.
Great xg doesn't seem a huge positive to me, it says one of the most important parts of your team is performing very poorly, over a sustained period now.
How long do the people who think it is great and only matter of time give before wanting something to change?
If we are tenth / eleventh after 18 games and top of the xg table, is everything still rosy and it's just a matter of time before we start battering teams?
Oh and our injuries are still an absolute joke too! Which can't be helping things at all either.
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