Better defensive setup, better fitness/stamina

We are third in the after-eighty-minutes table, top of the first-half-at-home table by a considerable margin, but 11th in the second-half-at-home table. We're 8th in the table after going one up but only 18th after going one down, 22nd in the table of games when level at half time, top by a considerable margin in the table vs bottom-half at home (but 15th in the table vs bottom-half away).

Stats aren't the be all and end all but much as this player or that gets pelters this week or that, we've had the same failings all season at the back no matter who is playing, which points to organisation and coaching more than individual players; and we run out of puff 10-15 minutes before the end quite a lot. Recent leavers have spoken of the harder fitness regimes at their new clubs.

Look, it's not *impossible* that we'll scrape sixth. But I'd back against it at this stage. We'll finish seventh or eighth. We should have made a change, didn't, and will reap the consequences.

Still think we'll do the filth on Sunday, mind.

Posted By: Old Man, Feb 23, 19:24:06