Why are we so negative?

[Guest]

Not so sure Spurs are, they have 9 wins in their last 13 or something so I think they are coming out of that.

Its a strange thread though this is it about our home form or our inability to beat Hull? If we win the league but only win half our home games, then I for one would not give a flying ****. Because one thing for sure is, our away form to date is ****ing awesome.

Or take the example of West Ham drawing with Chelsea. United left it very late with a win against Sunderland a couple of weeks ago. It's not a straightforward scenario to beat lesser teams anymore.

But sure, I agree on the whole we should be improving soon rather than later and we can't afford to drop too many points at home any more.

[The_weatherman]

Because Hull posed a greater threat maybe? Hull is 6th or 7th in the table and are one of the best away sides in the league. That maybe explains it.
At the end of the day we're still top and there's a long way to go. We're usually very strong in the latter stages in the league and I can safely say that we'll be very hard to dislodge as from now on. Statistics prove that we're very strong as from January onwards.

Last year we were out of it by then so it's a nice change to see us top. We can't be too critical aren't we?

Only Chelsea have score more goals away than Hull, they are playing with no pressure and are probably having the time of their lives. Liverpool, on the top of the table, are probably under the most intense pressure than any other team in the top flight.

[Craig_H]

And Spurs are relegation fodder but managed to draw with United. The way you analyse things tend to be a bit overkill sometimes mate. Football is never linear and following 'patterns'. It's based on form, confidence and whatever variables which can't be accounted for easily.

Still, we're top and a sure sign of our progress this season.

Spurs arent really relegation fodder, are they? They're a good side who were performing well below their level.

Hull are a poor side, who were playing Plymouth last season, and are performing wildly beyond their level.

[Craig_H]

Or take the example of West Ham drawing with Chelsea. United left it very late with a win against Sunderland a couple of weeks ago. It's not a straightforward scenario to beat lesser teams anymore.

But sure, I agree on the whole we should be improving soon rather than later and we can't afford to drop too many points at home any more.

Eureka! That's basically what myself, rage, sarb etc are saying. You agree!

Close the forums!!!

[Craig_H]

Only Chelsea have score more goals away than Hull, they are playing with no pressure and are probably having the time of their lives. Liverpool, on the top of the table, are probably under the most intense pressure than any other team in the top flight.

It's the same pressure that goes with being a top team mate, it goes with the territory. Unless we dont want to be a top team, we have to cope with it.

[Guest]

Spurs arent really relegation fodder, are they? They're a good side who were performing well below their level.

Hull are a poor side, who were playing Plymouth last season, and are performing wildly beyond their level.

They certainly aren't **** on their league form this season. From what I have seen they are a really good outfit, well organized and excellent tactically with some good forward players, for example Geovanni.

I don't think Spurs are a better team this season. The league table never lies mate.

[Craig_H]

They certainly aren't **** on their league form this season. From what I have seen they are a really good outfit, well organized and excellent tactically with some good forward players, for example Geovanni.

I don't think Spurs are a better team this season. The league table never lies mate.

Of course Spurs are a better team this season, some of their form since Harry went in has been title winning form. They'll finish in the top half comfortably, maybe even get into europe still.

Do you think Hull's position is their genuine level?

[Guest]

Of course Spurs are a better team this season, some of their form since Harry went in has been title winning form. They'll finish in the top half comfortably, maybe even get into europe still.

Do you think Hull's position is their genuine level?

Up to that point I think they deserve it, yes. They probably don't have the depth in their squad to last the season (and probably Spurs are more equipped to sustain their current form). But still, Hull's start to the season have been really impressive and if you dissect some part of it, you could also say that it was a 'title winning run' at some stage.

That's why I never look at statistics too closely and surely not taking sections in a season and deducing things out of it. Everton are a team punching above their weight season in season out since Moyes' been here but they are hardly a 'fantastic' team. But still, they deserve a lot of credit for what they are doing and in a sense it's a true reflection of their 'status' based on their consistency on a whole season.

[Craig_H]

I think Everton and Hull are different. Everton actually ARE something like the 7th or 8th best team in the country. Hull arent the 6th best side, they're not even 10th best. They're just in a purple patch.

[Guest]

I think Everton and Hull are different. Everton actually ARE something like the 7th or 8th best team in the country. Hull arent the 6th best side, they're not even 10th best. They're just in a purple patch.

But still, they're sitting pretty at half way point. Quality wise (based on their first team) they must be doing something good. It's their lack of depth over the whole of a season that will show in the end, nothing to do with their 'purple patch' equating to most of their players being fit and in form.

So, by that argument, I think they deserve to be where they are mate and at this point in time they are a really good team and one of the best away teams in the league.

[Craig_H]

They deserve it, no doubt. They're not the 6th best side in the league though. So in their case, the table is lying.

[Guest]

They deserve it, no doubt. They're not the 6th best side in the league though. So in their case, the table is lying.

They are at this moment in time mate. They are for sure. But who's to say they won't punch above their weight this season. I'm sure their form will start to dwindle but you get my point.

[Craig_H]

They are at this moment in time mate. They are for sure. But who's to say they won't punch above their weight this season. I'm sure their form will start to dwindle but you get my point.

'At this moment in time' means nothing in the big scheme of things. Teams like Bolton or Wigan have been top of the league in the early weeks, but they've never been the best side in the PL.

[rudedog]

They deserve it, no doubt. They're not the 6th best side in the league though. So in their case, the table is lying.

What a strange thing to say. The sole function of the league table is to indicate who the best teams are in relation to each other (within the league itself). This season and up to this point, Hull have been the 6th best team in the league.

So the table isn't lying Craig

[barnes10]

Of course Spurs are a better team this season, some of their form since Harry went in has been title winning form. They'll finish in the top half comfortably, maybe even get into europe still.

Do you think Hull's position is their genuine level?

i think hulls current position is reflective of their genuine genuine level. look at who they've played so far this season. to be 6th or 7th is an achievement for any side. they deserve to be where they are. i think they've genuinely taken a great leap forward and, as long as they remain tactically astute and a solid team, they are a mid table premiership team.

the fact is we are playing them in the midst of this current genuine level. and thats the whole point. you don't plan for a game in december based on the oppositions form the previous season do you. its all about the previous month or so which means hull at a tricky tie and they can score goals. which means more caution than if we were playing blackburn.

looking at the form guide; hull and fulham have both drawn 4 of their last 6 whilst west ham have drawn 3. they are practically draw specialists. that could have something to do with it as well possibly?