22 Oct 2013 06:26:33
Some info to put things into perspective on the striker front. Burnley who top the table with what seems to be two prolific strikers in their team have only scored 2 more goals than the Reds. In fact there are only 4 teams in the Championship with 20+ goals and the Reds are one of them. QPR have scored 6 fewer than us despite having a so called prolific striker who we wanted although they are winning more because their, and Burnley's defensive record is pretty awesome.

Makes you wonder, is it the scoring that is our problem, or elsewhere in the team? Watching our defense and midfield players, it's really difficult to criticize anyone because they all play very well, but we are leaking more than the top 2 whilst we are easily matching them when it comes to scoring. Go figure.

Not being critical, just an observation. Maybe we are just making silly mistakes in defense whereas the top 2 are not. I'd argue our defenders individually are easily as good, if not better than what the top 2 has. A few of our draws we really ought to have won, so maybe it's just a luck issue which if luck went the other way with a couple of games, we'd already be sitting top.

Feel the top 6 is going to be much tighter this year with no clear run-away leaders. QPR and Burnley have shown they will drop points, as we have so far, and getting back to the original point, we'll be right up there even without a prolific striker as the numbers show so far. In fact, I'd argue we could be in a better position because we have more depth in the squad, whilst they have none for their current striker pairing.

Can't wait for us to play these teams, then we'll see what we are made of. We played Burnley already in the cup, they had their first team out, we had our 2nd team out pretty much so it doesn't really count so much. That game we had controlled possession, matched shots during the game and we scored, although they scored only one more than us to finish 2-1. Our first choice 11 against theirs, we'd bag it I'm certain. That's them dropping 3 points. They'll be at the CG in a months time and hopefully whatever gap it is would have already disappeared or at least cut down to only 3 points from the current 6 even if we maintain our current form.

All looking good from what I can see.

1.) 22 Oct 2013
Good point well made some people don't realise how close this league is. We are right in the mix which is a success as far as I'm concerned.

2.) 22 Oct 2013
Totally agree, glass half full and all that, this league u can run away with it but it's not been done since Newcastle, I think, or you can come in late like reading!i think if we are within 10 points of the leaders by Xmas we will do it automatically!

3.) 22 Oct 2013
Hit the nail on the head pal, we r just firing up, onwards and upwards!

4.) 22 Oct 2013
Excellent post. We just need a nice little run of clean sheets, maybe with Wilson back that could happen.

Maybe that defensive midfielder Billy wants is vital?

Can't understand all this negativity about scoring goals. Hendo missed a sitter Saturday. so? He smashed in a corker against Brighton last time out!

5.) 22 Oct 2013
Stats don't lie & your suggestion we don't have a scoring issue looks to hold water. My question is, with arguably the best midfield in the league, are we creating more chances and not converting them likewise are Burnley creating less chances & converting more? if we had Ings & Vokes up top would we be top of the league? We are not blessed with natural finishers, why be within 10 points at Christmas when you could be 10 points clear.
Whopper

6.) 22 Oct 2013
OP well said, be nice if this put the invisible "20+ goals a season striker" to bed and concentrate on what we have and where we can strengthen, any striker can have a 20+ goals season. Style of play can come into this, its how the team play an not any one player to make the difference

7.) 22 Oct 2013
Totaly agree with op and replies let's get behind the sqaud if we do get additions all well and good

8.) 22 Oct 2013
Goals are coming from defence and midfield as well as the strikers chipping in, a 20 goal a season striker may not make the difference, clean sheets makes the difference because you then are capable of sneaking something, turning draws into wins, that is forest problem so far, not scoring but keeping clean sheets!

9.) 22 Oct 2013
OP here, thanks for the replies. I was sat at the office this morning looking at the table and the stats, and seriously, there really is nothing in it at the moment. Burnley has one loss. So do we. Their strikers are hitting if off. Lose one of them, I reckon they've shot it. No one else is scoring for them. Similarly with one of qpr's defenders. This year, more than any, we have the best chance we've had for a long time. We really have a great squad of players, one or two additions only there is no one in this league to fear and that we cannot beat. Those additions may not need to be strikers though is what I was trying to say which everyone seems to get. We may not even need any additions. Just cutting out small mistakes, tracking back and so on. That's really all it may need to be champions with the squad as it is. Finally, I know Hendo missed a sitter or two, but that guy I really rate and he must be a starter every time. He'll be our highest scorer this season maybe with a midfielder like Lansbury 2nd and Reid 3rd.