Three!

Well we have chalked up three wins since my last post and three very different games which I suppose shows our versatility. 

Bristol City at home was always going to be a game that we expected to win, without meaning to appear disrespectful to our visitors. Much is the case that Paul Clement chose that game to try out the 4-3-2-1 formation. 

We win with ease without Chris Martin demonstrates the ease of the victory. Although he only has nine goals so far this season, which is more than most strikers.

It also saw the re-emergence of Tom Ince with a superb hat trick. Tom has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism recently on social media, but I am of the opinion that you cannot afford to leave him out. He can be quite the in a game and suddenly pop up with that moment of magic that is so decisive. 

Ipswich away is always a hard one and to snatch an away win was fantastic. Not pretty but effective and overall I thought we were good value for all of our battling alone. 

Fulham at home was a classic case of a top side playing below par and still winning.  Pre game I was a guest on the Fulham podcast 'Cottage Talk' to preview the game.

Our visitors had a reputatatin for leaking goals, however they defence showed up this time and our lads had to dig deep for the victory. Incidentally as a very poor predictor of results I must point out that I called a 2-0 win for us pre match. 

Tomorrow we head to Leeds or 'Dirty Leeds' as us who were around in the Don Revie era cal, them. 

I watched their game at Nottingham Forest and I am of the opinion that if they play the same game against us that three points are there for the taking. They currently employ attacking tactics and leave themselves exposed at the back. Our defence is more than capable of dealing with their attack. 

That said, we will still need to be at our best! No lapses of concentration can be afforded. 

Hers to three points and a return to the top of the table! Please!!!!

Seagulls Still Undefeated

Saturday saw table topping Brighton as the latest visitors to the iPro and they left with their unbeaten record still intact. 

Derby took the game to the Seagulls, but found their defence very difficult to breach. Lewis Dunk was the pick of the visitors defenders, putting some real quality challenges in to deny our front men.

It was good to see Bradley Johnson on the scoresheet after one of his not so impressive games.

Another moment to savour was the tackle by Jason Shackell to deny Bobby Zamora in the later stages of the game.

I don't know if it's just me, but I feel that what is currently keeping us out of the top two is the inability to switch to a 4-4-2 formation when needed. Our current 4-3-3 leaves us very limited when opposition are playing a defensive formation. 

To adapt to an alternative formation it is likely that we would need to bring in player(s). Whether Paul Clement is intending to be involved in the January transfer window will no doubt be disclosed once the time comes. 

What has been noticeable is that our midfield hasn't been so dominant in recent matches too 

We welcome Bristol City tonight in a match that we should win on paper. Having said that, as we all know, matches are won on the field of play and we can't afford any slip ups should we wish to pursue our interest in a top two position. 

Wednesday on a Sunday

So we left Hillsborough with a point a clean sheet and still having lost only two games so far this season..

It was a scrappy game with very few chances created throughout. Our hosts are a side that I tipped to be in the top six this season and I stand by that prediction.

An awkward side to play against, I for one am not too disappointed with the draw. 

We now look forward to the visit of Brighton on Saturday who still have their unbeaten tag intact. It must go sometime and what better time than this coming Saturday. 

What we do know about The Seagulls is that they are a side that doesn't know when they are beaten. Last weekend they came from two goals behind to defeat Charlton. 

Like all fans I am delighted with the Position that we currently sit in. I am a little concerned though that we don't currently have the places to adjust to a 4-4-2 formation for when the usual 4-3-3 isn't working. 

I'm sure that Paul Clement will have that in mind when the January transfer window happens. Michail Antonio and Charlie Austin have been mentioned as potential targets. I'm sure that the left back position will be kept under review too. Stephen Warnock has done great so far in deputising for the injured Forsth, but he is approaching the twilight of his career and maybe fitness will come into play as the season moves in to the New Year.

Tom Ince hasn't had the best of games lately and it wouldn't surprise me to see him rested on Saturday although I am not a fan of Johnny Russell playing on the Right. 

So Brighton at home on Saturday it is with the result being important for both teams. The biggest game of the day and how good it is to see us return to Saturday st three. 

Jacobs Crackers

Well it's a week since our excellent three points were earned at Hull City in what for me was the result of the season so far.

An excellent showing, professional, clinical and effective. Two well taken goals by Jacob Butterfield in the first half giving us great leverage for the second half. 

Our hosts did as expected attempt to come back at us, but a great defensive display and some fine saves by Scott Carson kept them at bay. 

Every single player in the starting eleven could have been nominated for man of the match, however yet again for me it was Stephen Warnock who edged it.

He has been in outstanding form since replacing the injured Craig Forsyth and perhaps his experience of being an international who has played at the highest level could prove to be very valuable to us. 

We are now learning why Leeds fans were furious that they let him go!

On to Sheffield Wednesday which will be a tricky match! They are underperforming in my opinion and a stern test awaits us at Hillsborough. 

Bradley Johnson returns having served his one match ban and although Hendrick and Bryson will be chomping at the bit, I expect Johnson will go straight back into the starting line up!

A final note, our win at Hull was the first time a Steve Bruce side has failed to beat us since he headed into management.