Gameplan should change during the game

[Yousef]

Despite being mind table, we are only 6 points above the relegation zone. I have just looked at the PL table last season after 13 matches and guess what? Blackpool were 15th with 15 points, same as us at the moment(http://sportingattitude.com/2010/11/...n-november-14/). We need to look after our defence to improve it. We have let in 10 goals in our last four games as well as 10 more goals in our two nightmare games (Bolton and Fulham). If we continue letting in more goals we will struggle and find ourselve in the relegation zone. Yes we are currently playing good football with open play but at some stages during the games we should get back to some level of defensive football specially in away games like against Norwich after the equaliser as we do not have enough exprience or quality defenders like the top sides in the PL. So It was a wrong decision to take off Derry and Hill to bring Buzsaky and Bothroyd or at least Bothroyd for either Helguson or Mackie as Traore is a better winger than full back.We are fortunate that Sunderland, Wigan, Blackburn, Wolves Bolton are stuggling, but how long will this continue? We should never rely on that.

Now WBA is a MUST win game and should be treated as a 6-pointer.

[Rich]

Goal difference is always a good way of seeing who the good and bad teams are. We are lucky the gulf between top and bottom has widened which has meant despite losing more than winning we are still 6 points clear of 3rd bottom. Anyone who doesn't think we are in a relegation battle needs their head tested.

West Brom will be a very tough game. Long, Brunt & Mulumbu will cause us problems based on what I saw in their highlights vs Spurs. They will be approaching the game knowing a win for them takes them above us, they will view it as a winnable game. We can't look past it.

[Sotonsuperhoop]

Yes we will be flirting with the relegation zone for most of the season, but 20 points by Jan 1st should be our aim. 5 points from our next five games is very possible, a draw with both WBA and Swansea and with 3 points from Sunderland we are there.

Both NW and TF have said we will strengthen in the January window so no panic needed yet

[Yousef]

Both NW and TF have said we will strengthen in the January window so no panic needed yet

Other clubs will strengthen their squad too.

[Rich]

Not like we will though Yousef.

[Sotonsuperhoop]

Other clubs will strengthen their squad too.

Yes they will but it is a fair assumption that we will have a bigger budget than Wigan, Sunderland, Bolton, Blackburn and WBA and our location and results so far make us a lot more attractive to a player than these other clubs

Any chance of a bit more doom and gloom?

[Rich]

We're doomed I tell ya, doomed..................;-)

[Yousef]

Yes hopefully we will attract good players

[QPRDave]

[stainrodisalegend]

Agree with Rich. Some on here seem to treat a game against WBA as equivalent to a home fixture against Preston or Doncaster last season - that is, a fairly straightforward opportunity for three points. Shane Long has really impressed me this season and from what I've seen of our defence I thnk it will have its work cut out.