We only won that game because the opposition were very poor and because of an excellent free kick. The results against Brighton and Watford today were tight and could have gone either way (or been draws). Fortune has been smiling upon us but our performances have been scrappy and scoring goals is proving difficult. Our back line is immense but our Premier League status is unsustainable if we don't start to develop a more attacking style which properly builds with pace from our midfield.

Right, apart from we were in Newcastle’s faces from the off. Maybe they weren’t prepared for that but Roy’s strategy on the day was a big factor in us beating Newcastle at home.

We only won that game because the opposition were very poor and because of an excellent free kick. The results against Brighton and Watford today were tight and could have gone either way (or been draws). Fortune has been smiling upon us but our performances have been scrappy and scoring goals is proving difficult. Our back line is immense but our Premier League status is unsustainable if we don't start to develop a more attacking style which properly builds with pace from our midfield.

We’ve played that way the whole season until Newcastle at home. I grant you Hodgson has had Parish and shareholders pile shyte on his plate but Hodgson has played the same stand off football since we lost RLC. We haven’t always needed to but we have.

Then we got into Newcastle’s faces, deserved that, edged the Brighton away game and edged this one v Watford imo seeing as they could’ve scored first. Either of those could’ve sen draws. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with the last 3 matches and strong performances even though we were slow to turn interceptions into attack today, but it isn’t just down to injuries as you think. He’ll leave attacking players on the bench when they’re needed or have us sitting back or holding back in possession whatever the score at times. It is Hodgson’s preferred football unless he has another RLC who carries the ball in addition to one or two wingers because there’s very little pattern of attacking play usually. In the RLC days there were a lot of triangles into the box but I haven’t seen much effective team play attacking wise this season for the most part. It’s far too slow and we don’t exploit the opposition caught running back or in front of the ball. We find ourselves letting them get behind the ball and we go back to CB or keeper. (Notice Macarthur and Zaha not understanding each other with balls either to run on to or come towards and Zaha expecting the other or more accurately not moving)

Sadly unless we get lucky in the loan market and Hodgson gets the finished article or top top quality like RLC I expect that to continue because we won’t do it without.

Maybe the academy players not being blocked by new signings might help lol. Nice one Steve. We’re all 13.

Edited by Rudi Hedman (07 Mar 2020 9.25pm)

Top post Rudi. With the emergence of Billy Gilmore at Chelsea I would be surprised if they would block an offer for RLC. If he was added to our emerging quality squad we could probably work around his physical issues by not playing him too much. A big buy.