smiller14

xG is so misunderstood - I don't swear by it, but to suggest it's nonsense is just daft. How many times have we said 'we had 20 shots today and didn't score' or 'their keeper made 10 saves'. This is just an extension of that. It's obviously flawed but so are any other statistics in football. I appreciate it doesn't factor in the 'well if we didn't score then we would have been attacking more and creating more chances' but you can apply that to corners, shots, possession too. One thing that rang true last year is xG was highly predictive of performance and a lot of teams who were performing well/creating chances earlier in the season but perhaps underperforming on points often ended up doing alright. Celtic were 5 or 6 behind but my xG loving (too much in his case) mate swore they'd end up as champions because their performances were statistically much better than Rangers. Obviously it doesn't factor in individual players. Neither does shots, or shots on target. Clearly Diaz is more likely to score a similar chance than Chris Brown. But better players tend to outperform their xG. We saw Kaminski make saves that Walton wouldn't have made - otherwise we'd have lost or drawn on the weekend. If anything, how much a player outperforms their xG is a great sign of how talented they are or how clinical they are. I'm by no means an xG fanboy, and choose instead to see it as a small bit of context alongside all the other statistics and events that occur in a game. But I must disagree that it's pointless - it's usually pretty accurate (if you have a big enough sample size of data, game by game it will fluctuate). Seen a lot of posts decrying statistics recently as pointless - 'only one thing matters' - clearly the score is the most important, but I really really hope and expect JDT and our staff are much more receptive to statistics than some supporters. And I agree there's no substitute for watching the game with your own eyes and drawing conclusions, but anyone watching on the weekend would have said Birmingham were unlucky - a conclusion supported by statistics. Back on point, we are good. We have a great keeper, solid defence, a midfield who are developing and the best striker in the league. Are we top 2 worthy? Who knows, but I'm going to really enjoy finding out.

Don't really know any Leeds fans, but I think a lot mourn the sacking of Bielsa. It was done for the typical 'stay in the Prem at all costs' reasons, but remember a lot saying that his style of football and demeanour (as well as his success) should have afforded him more time. It's a results-based business, but the lack of sentimentality and ruthless way they potted Bielsa really hammered that message home. I even saw some on Twitter say they'd rather have risked going down.

Mowbray barely averaged a point a game at Sunderland. Can't see him lasting long there at all, and seems like he's dishing out the patronising interviews already. They've been unlucky with injuries to strikers I believe but throwing a 2-0 lead had all the hallmarks of TM.

Agreed. Until last week we were constantly overrun in midfield, and every pass into our 2 centre mids was easily telegraphed. An extra body in there really helps us in being less predictable, more compact and prevents the two in there being hung out to dry. And then one of them (Szmodics midweek) has a bit more license to support the strikers. Also, previously when it got into the final third we had no real focal point - we do now.

Football Insider isn't the most reputable source, and imagine this story has been concocted using Twitter comments. Largely seems to be driven by his partner's Tweets. I don't doubt things are tense and Dack isn't happy though, but don't think this is a 'new' development. I personally would love to see him back to his best here, but if that isn't possible then I hope he goes somewhere else and enjoys his football. He gave us some great times here and deserves to finish his career doing what he does best. Will always get a cheer from me. I think he can offer something, but probably more often than not off the bench. And we can't really knock JDT not playing him when we win - his justification over the last week can simply be 6 points out of 6.

Can't argue with how it's gone. Was really concerned post-Wigan but we bounced back superbly. I'd have snatched your hands off for our league position currently. We seem to be playing well whilst rotating the squad, which bodes well.

I hope not - need a vocal away end behind the players for this one. I must admit at away games I can't remember the last time I sat in my seat, although usually there's ample room and never been asked to leave. Seems to be an almost unspoken truth that those who wish to sit occupy the lower part of the stand, whereas the standers gravitate more towards the back. I'd always move if someone asked, but usually take my seat at 2:55 and find a free one somewhere that me standing won't inconvenience anyone. Feels like the countdown is on for this one now. Hard to know how both teams will be shaping up given the amount of games between now and then, but it is bubbling nicely.

Usually the same - I might just try and squeeze in with my brother - will only be me so not too many in the 'wrong' seat. Not too fussed as long as I'm there!

That 2015/2016 season was a weird one - we actually played well in both derby games, despite the season itself being largely miserable. Tom Lawrence hasn't yet been forgiven for nearly clearing the Darwen End with that sitter.

Dingledome tickets secured! Hope people aren't too precious about sitting in the allocated seat, as will be meeting mates buying in phase 2/3.

If anyone wants to test their memory..... Blackburn Rovers Premier League Players (jetpunk.com) How many Rovers PL players can you name?

Comparing to the Kean issue was me over exaggerating the point, but 'he's not playing so he isn't better' just shuts down any debate. JDT clearly doesn't see him as better (rightly or wrongly). Ultimately, I have no arguments - we won, played well and Szmodics worked his socks off. I'd personally like to keep Dack as he offers something different, but he also deserves to be playing regularly and happy. I don't agree with those decrying Dack's lack of selection as ultimately in the last 2 games we've scored 4 goals and got 6 points - JDT lives and dies by such decisions and our league position would indicate he's getting them right more often than not.

I have no qualms with him not playing last night as we won, but the quoted part is just a nonsense way to close any sort of debate. By that logic you cannot critique any team selection for any team as the manager always picks the best 11. Imagine having that sort of attitude when Kean was playing Bradley Orr whilst Nelsen and other stalwarts rotted and were forced out - 'well they're clearly not better otherwise they'd be playing'. As I said, I'm not disagreeing with the selection, but it's just a nonsensical way of arguing it. Thought Szmodics played well last night - worked his socks off and justified his selection. Well played!

By all accounts, West Brom have statistically (yawn I know!) played quite well and been on top in lots of games. Seems they've been hampered by a combination of poor finishing and a keeper who can't keep them out at the other end. Although apparently performances dipped considerably towards the end of Bruce's reign as well. It's a funny league, but I'd be surprised if you're not in the top 6 by the break. That break will have a lot of newish managers trying to implement their styles after the latest spate in sackings, so a lot of teams could be playing more in their manager's desired way come late December (which might be to their benefit or detriment). Given Burnley's decent form and huge style shift, it's hard not to put them down as a beneficiary of such a break (and we should be the same!). Will be a horrible break for whoever gets beat 🙃

Very pessimistic..... also a good chance you are entrenched within the top 6 and in the top 2 (although I prefer your scenario 🤭)

I can see the gap benefitting them as much as anyone. They're also a team who are adapting to a new style of play, and who might benefit from more time on the training pitch. Then again, it might weirdly derail their momentum at this rate! 11 games unbeaten - the last thing they need is a break (although still a good amount of games between now and then for that to change).

Reading v Rovers, 2015. Dead rubber, 0-0 draw. Half the away end watching the Grand National 2nd half. Awful game.

Buckley has been getting pelters lately, and he has been poor. But he hasn't been helped by playing in a midfield 2. Every pass into the midfield was easily telegraphed as we only ever had 2 options, and the system meant there were a lack of decent options if the CM's managed to beat their press to pick a pass. That midfield 2 (with our 4 strikers feeling miles away) just hung them out to dry and left them overrun.

The Oxford game attendance showed people can be brought back into the fold, albeit that was a one-off game. However, they won't pay north of £400 for a season ticket, especially given we haven't ever made the play offs - those waverers just won't bother.

Burnley look very strong this season; even when they're off their game they seem to get a point or 3. It's a bit frustrating really, with the question marks over their finances this appointment and summer transfer window was absolutely crucial for them, and thus far appears they got it right. A poor appointment could have been a disaster for them. Would fully expect them to be top 2. Just hope that come derby day we turn up; we have to be bang at it and can't repeat some of the other away day disappearances.

Delighted with the win. In the first half we finally did what so many called for - get another body in midfield (much easier to keep possession when there are more than 2 options in there, previously we had 2 options who were both marked and it was all very easily telegraphed). We also finally played with a proper striker, and the results were fantastic. Hopefully puts to bed the Gallagher on the wing/false 9 nonsense, at least for a while. 2nd half was all hands on deck but probably just inexperience. We created more in the first half than we did in the last 3 aways combined.

This. There's never enough options when the team have it at the back, as the 4 'strikers' are miles away and any passes into our 2 man midfield are easily crowded out and telegraphed.

I obviously want to win, but what I really want to see is some attacking intent. I could take a loss if we show some sort of signs moving forwards that we could be an effective team on the road, rather than the dull, passive, unimposing team we've seen for most of the season. I know it's a results based business, but I think it's imperative we start seeing positive signs for the season. Us limping to a 0-0 draw with 0 shots on target will just tell me that our problems remain.

I don't think anyone wants him sacked. Any criticisms have been valid and have been very much playing the ball, not the man. Not seen any Coyle comparisons but appears you have? As for who will be brilliant, probably nobody. I do think we'd get more out of some players though if we played with a bit more attacking intent. Gallagher and Hirst on the wings, a false 9 lost up top and Hedges at RWB are all questionable in their own way. I especially felt sorry for Hedges, playing out of position in front of his national team coach before being hauled off at half time. That's probably that for his Wales World Cup hopes. As for the WLWLWL run, yes it would likely have us 8th-10th. For me it's unsustainable as we look much more likely to drop a win to a loss/draw than turn the losses into positive results. Off the top of my head the Wigan, Luton, Reading, Sheffield United and Cardiff performances all rank amongst some of the worst we've produced in recent years on the road, with barely a chance created over the 450 minutes of football. All 5 we've been rank rotten, which is a worrying sign really. I don't think it's a lost cause. It might click eventually and some of the misery on the road might give way to some sort of functional team. It doesn't look likely at the moment. People decry xG and whilst it's inevitably very flawed, ours being shockingly low over the last few away games is probably a fair reflection of how toothless the performances have been. Across all 5 away games above, I can think of a couple of chances - the missed penalty at Cardiff, Diaz's chance at Luton.... and I'm genuinely out of ideas! 2 decent chances in those 5 away games is criminal. Thankfully we were better against Blackpool and Swansea, with Swansea playing in a style weirdly akin to how we're playing now! I've tried to avoid my own confirmation bias where possible, but speaking to total neutrals who watched the Cardiff/Wigan games on Sky and they've all commented on how crap we looked. Hard to argue really. I know it's just another game, but we really need to step it up in time for the Burnley game. A similarly timid and lethargic display will not be tolerated there, and the last thing I want is the players to face the ire of the fans. But something has to give soon - people pay a hell of a lot of money to travel up and down the country, and whilst we can't win everywhere, we should at least expect a team showing some aspect of 'arte et labore' - our total lack of urgency is the most frustrating thing imaginable when you've spent north of £100 and are miles away from home. Roll on Boro, which hopefully is a chance to start righting some wrongs.

I'm not even sure on this. Our system was promised as a high press, high intensity system, which Dack perhaps wouldn't suit. But we've completely departed from that in favour of a more pedestrian style of pressing. He maybe doesn't suit the fluid front 3/4 we go for, but it doesn't look like any of the others do either. I'd argue he suits it more than some of the others simply because he's a better footballer. Ultimately, it's all a bit of a moot point given we barely play in the opposition half. No doubt Dack will have been criticised previously by JDT for coming deep for the ball, but I can't blame him as we show no urgency to get the ball forward - and I'm not advocating long ball, but a few forward passes (rather than side to side) wouldn't go amiss.