Do we have any clearer perspective on our chances now?

[Ramondo]

I don't take too much stock from opening day performances. Fitness, new players settling, slightly different psychology, blah, blah.

I thought we looked largely ineffective yesterday, some good touches but overall rather predictable.

Having said that, newly promoted teams on the first day of the season are always going to give you a hard game. And for some reason, we usually seem to get them.

I was quite impressed by Rotherham, I don't think we deserved the 3 points necessarily, and I don't think they did either. Can't say anyone could have too much to argue about with a point each.

One thing that is niggling though, even though it was the first game of the season. I said in the summer that we were struggling against sides at home who defend deeply and hit us on the break. A lot more teams are going to do what Rotherham did yesterday this season, and I'm not convinced we are strong enough yet to get the points return from those games that we need.

I hope I'm wrong of course. Like

[AdiSalisbury]

I agree Ray - however we have a couple more options this season than we did last...

Firstly - we are getting decent crosses in from the right wing. Teams can sit as deep as they want, however a decent cross can cut through 11 men, and I can see us getting more goals through this channel.

We have signed a Mr Leon Best - ok he's looking for form, but last year our other option was Sammon. Mac indicated in a recent interview that he would use Best alongside Martin at somepoint, again this is another option.

We saw that Hendrick is confident shooting from outside the box, again, this is an area where teams can sit as much as they want, you only need a yard of space to get a decent shot away.

Lets not forget that Rotherham were high scorers last season, and would have fancied their chances against us on the break - we kept a clean sheet.

Teams sitting back is nothing new, you only have to stick MoTD on next week to see teams doing it against the top 4 sides and 0-0 draws / upsets happe

[southernram22]

3 points was enough

[AngryRam]

[quote="Ramondo"]I don't take too much stock from opening day performances. Fitness, new players settling, slightly different psychology, blah, blah.

I thought we looked largely ineffective yesterday, some good touches but overall rather predictable.

Having said that, newly promoted teams on the first day of the season are always going to give you a hard game. And for some reason, we usually seem to get them.

I was quite impressed by Rotherham, I don't think we deserved the 3 points necessarily, and I don't think they did either. Can't say anyone could have too much to argue about with a point each.

One thing that is niggling though, even though it was the first game of the season. I said in the summer that we were struggling against sides at home who defend deeply and hit us on the break. A lot more teams are going to do what Rotherham did yesterday this season, and I'm not convinced we are strong enough yet to get the points return from those games th

[swaledale]

Well last season we did Ok being top scorers in the division and only 2pts les then cardiff got when winning the league the year before! So I don't thin there is a worry about scoring, there are always games (Arsenal used have those all the time)where the opposition digs in and stops/restricts you scoring but clearly over a league season it does not have that impact.

However the ability of the defence to keep a clean sheet may be the problem - Hughes certainly isnt the man to protect the back four and no matter how much McClaren gushed over his performance yesterday its clear that aint his best position for the club.

Of course the answer would seem to be recruit a better CB but even if we had the money and could spend it, I'm not sure it would necessarily be the answer.

[ramspride]

Well last season we did Ok being top scorers in the division and only 2pts les then cardiff got when winning the league the year before! So I don't thin there is a worry about scoring, there are always games (Arsenal used have those all the time)where the opposition digs in and stops/restricts you scoring but clearly over a league season it does not have that impact.


However the ability of the defence to keep a clean sheet may be the problem - Hughes certainly isnt the man to protect the back four and no matter how much McClaren gushed over his performance yesterday its clear that aint his best position for the club.

Of course the answer would seem to be recruit a better CB but even if we had the money and could spend it, I'm not sure it would necessarily be the answer.

A better CB definitely by CB I assume you mean Keogh. One who can head the ball this would also help greatly when we have corners and free kicks. Again yesterda

[swaledale]

Well last season we did Ok being top scorers in the division and only 2pts les then cardiff got when winning the league the year before! So I don't thin there is a worry about scoring, there are always games (Arsenal used have those all the time)where the opposition digs in and stops/restricts you scoring but clearly over a league season it does not have that impact.


However the ability of the defence to keep a clean sheet may be the problem - Hughes certainly isnt the man to protect the back four and no matter how much McClaren gushed over his performance yesterday its clear that aint his best position for the club.

Of course the answer would seem to be recruit a better CB but even if we had the money and could spend it, I'm not sure it would necessarily be the answer.

A better CB definitely by CB I assume you mean Keogh. One who can head the ball this would also help greatly when

[Ramondo]

Well last season we did Ok being top scorers in the division and only 2pts les then cardiff got when winning the league the year before! So I don't thin there is a worry about scoring, there are always games (Arsenal used have those all the time)where the opposition digs in and stops/restricts you scoring but clearly over a league season it does not have that impact.

However the ability of the defence to keep a clean sheet may be the problem - Hughes certainly isnt the man to protect the back four and no matter how much McClaren gushed over his performance yesterday its clear that aint his best position for the club.

Of course the answer would seem to be recruit a better CB but even if we had the money and could spend it, I'm not sure it would necessarily be the answer.

Obviously our record last season was excellent Swales.

My point is that teams may well adjust slightly this year, those that have done their homework are going

[Trickytreesreds]

Well last season we did Ok being top scorers in the division and only 2pts les then cardiff got when winning the league the year before! So I don't thin there is a worry about scoring, there are always games (Arsenal used have those all the time)where the opposition digs in and stops/restricts you scoring but clearly over a league season it does not have that impact.

However the ability of the defence to keep a clean sheet may be the problem - Hughes certainly isnt the man to protect the back four and no matter how much McClaren gushed over his performance yesterday its clear that aint his best position for the club.

Of course the answer would seem to be recruit a better CB but even if we had the money and could spend it, I'm not sure it would necessarily be the answer.

Obviously our record last season was excellent Swales.

My point is that teams may well adjust slightly this year, t