I think it's a little unfair. Factual, but weighted the negative facts are emphasised

Obviously things aren't great but I do feel a bit sorry for Hughton. The comment about injuries being used as an excuse rather than a contributory factor is unfair. With a squad like ours they are obviously going to have a big impact. Tettey, Pilks, a never-quite-fit Bassong and (potentially as he's got a weight of expectation) Wolf have been massive losses. I'm not a huge fan of Eliot Bennett so don't include him in this category but having your wingers out and Snodgrass being poor all season has cost us massively. We've had to use Redmond constantly and he rarely produces anything of note (in terms of goals, assists, or even meaningful chances (not his fault though, he's young and a good prospect). IMO Gutierrez would be a good signing and would help the team a lot but I'd rather see Pilks play instead.

Losing at Everton was surely not a surprise... they're pretty formidable at home! And as for the manner; we've played an attacking 4-4-2 which he has been slated for not doing. Of course with that you're going to get a more entertaining game and allow the opposition more chances. The difference between the first game of the season and this one was that we took both of our chances in the first game. Hooper and Wolf should have both scored this time and we'd be talking about an exciting draw which would surely be progress. We weren't any better or worse than in the first game of the season, nor are we as a whole. I think it's been blown out of proportion a bit and if 'a cycle of desperation' means losing or drawing more than we win... yet still staying up it's hardly as doom and gloom as it is portrayed.

I'm not a happy clapper, but still believe we will stay up.

Posted By: Howson The Prairie, Jan 13, 12:53:46