General First Quarter Season Review

[SteMerritt]

We are now a quarter of the way through the new season, so time to take a look at what we have been doing right and wrong so far. Currently we sit 19th, with a point-a-game record of 12pts from 12 games, GD -2. 3 Wins, 3 Draws, 6 defeats. We are 3 points outside of the bottom 3.

Some thoughts from me...

Positives

• Attacking unit is looking more effective than last season. We carry a lot more threat, and aren't so reliant on set pieces.
• Team is much stronger than last season. Some good transfer business has lifted the level of the squad. Prelic, Lankshear, Spencer, and BDK have all had positive impacts.
• Not lost a game by more than the odd goal all season so far. The team works hard and sticks together.
• Away record much improved. Currently we are sat 13th in the league for away games (W2 D1 L4), a marked improvement on last season.

Negatives

• Second Half performances have been generally very poor, with the exception of Coventry at home and Bristol City away. Only 2 goals scored in the second part of games (CamBran v Coventry, Leigh v Bristol City). This needs to be rectified urgently.
• Squad is still dangerously thin in certain positions. Central Midfield and Forwards need bolstering urgently. The current options should one of CamBran, BDK, or Vaulks be ruled out are theadbare to say the least. If we start with Prelic and Lankshear up top, the options to freshen things up later in the game don't scream 'goalscoring threat'.
• Tyler Goodrham. A nightmare 2025 for TG, going back to the dismissal against Exeter in the FA Cup. Something is not working out at the moment clearly.
• We may be hanging in games where we are not playing well, but we are also not putting teams to bed in the phases where we are on top. Couple this to the habit of only playing for 45mins a game which has started to become a thing, it could easily come back to haunt us if luck shifts slightly against us.

 

[holdsteady]

Fair review, only thing I an add is we/Rowett are maybe not the best users of the 5 subs available, which in the modern era is increasingly important, ties in with your second half point.
Given us a 6 out of ten which I think is fair, an average start which has us out of relegation places.

 

[Emilio]

Nice summary, and agree with most of that. Definitely an improvement, despite how well we kicked off the first few games of last season, and how we have already spent more time in the relegation zone this season than we did for the whole of the last.

I think this step up in attacking threat is essentially, as the general consensus is the strength of the league this term is an improvement on the last. Similarly, to have not lost by "more than the odd goal" with Ciaron Brown out of the squad is also a point worth noting. If we have been able to keep things this tight without him, just wait til he's back to 100%.

Signings:

Spencer - huge improvement on both Kioso and Ter Avest (though admittedly HTA is a very different type of player).

De Keersmaeker - what a player!

Lankshear - big step up from last season's Spurs loanee striker.

Krastev - not seen enough of him yet, but seems like he could be a nifty player.

Prelec - looks a decent acquisition, now he's started to settle into the role. Looks a big improvement on Bradshaw.

Jury still out on Luke Harris and Davies.

Curry (new-ish) - not quite as defensively solid as Bennett, but I'd say he looks a tidy player, and more of a threat going forward. A similar trait as Leigh, which concerns me slightly with a lack of diversity in style in that position, unless we move Brown to LB.

 

[LittlemoreYellow]

I think we are probably exactly where we should be at this stage of the season, given our budget, squad depth and quality.

The lack of depth in central midfield is a genuine concern, a long term injury to Cam or BDK would give us a real problem. That position must be priority in January.

I think the signings this season are ten fold on the ones from last season, Currie (feels like a new signing), Spencer, Davies, BDK, Prelec, Lankshear are all improvements on what we had last year. I am hopeful (not fully confident) that if we can keep the core of this team injury free, we will be just fine come the end of the season.

 

[Basham Wonderland]

I've given us an 8.

It isn't a pretty watch, the tactics are sometimes poor (but sometimes very good), but ultimately our budget squad are punching above their weight and you simply cannot argue with our current league position and points total.

My only genuine criticism is that it is hard to motivate yourself to watch us sometimes - our football can be dire

 

[harrymark1]

2 points worse off than this same stage last season but we only mustered 4 points from the next 9 games which obviously led to Rowett in, I think we are in a really positive space and was bemused on leaving the stadium the negative reaction to an away Championship win??? We are playing much better football than last season and look much better defensively. Our overseas signings seem to be settling into the system and we have a much stronger bench than last season

 

[Ewes]

Very good summary. Only thing I’d add is our woeful pre-season preparation: not something I’d blame GR or the players for but the trip overseas did more harm than good and impacted on how prepared we were and key injuries suffered. I’d want us to avoid a similar trip in 2026.

Some good signings but inconsistency in results. Given a 5/10 which reflects the few wins even against struggling teams, and the fact that we can’t often seem to play well for 90mins, but also acknowledges we’re doing better than I thought we would in our second season.

 

[dickwalton1964]

Nice summary, and agree with most of that. Definitely an improvement, despite how well we kicked off the first few games of last season, and how we have already spent more time in the relegation zone this season than we did for the whole of the last.

I think this step up in attacking threat is essentially, as the general consensus is the strength of the league this term is an improvement on the last. Similarly, to have not lost by "more than the odd goal" with Ciaron Brown out of the squad is also a point worth noting. If we have been able to keep things this tight without him, just wait til he's back to 100%.

Signings:

Spencer - huge improvement on both Kioso and Ter Avest (though admittedly HTA is a very different type of player).

De Keersmaeker - what a player!

Lankshear - big step up from last season's Spurs loanee striker.

Krastev - not seen enough of him yet, but seems like he could be a nifty player.

Prelec - looks a decent acquisition, now he's started to settle into the role. Looks a big improvement on Bradshaw.

Jury still out on Luke Harris and Davies.

Curry (new-ish) - not quite as defensively solid as Bennett, but I'd say he looks a tidy player, and more of a threat going forward. A similar trait as Leigh, which concerns me slightly with a lack of diversity in style in that position, unless we move Brown to LB.

I’m not sure about Currie offensively. Yes, better than Bennett in that respect but I don’t think a steady Eddie like Bennett should be the benchmark. I actually think Currie is better defensively than going forwards - he doesn’t seem to be able to go past players that easily. I’m still trying to work out if he’s quick or not.

 

[WokinghamYellow]

squad depth is a significant issue and we can see that manifesting in our second-half performances as the subs just weaken the side instead of making an impact. Defence is strong though

 

[DenbighYellow]

I’m not sure about Currie offensively. Yes, better than Bennett in that respect but I don’t think a steady Eddie like Bennett should be the benchmark. I actually think Currie is better defensively than going forwards - he doesn’t seem to be able to go past players that easily. I’m still trying to work out if he’s quick or not.

Agree. I think Currie has been very solid and would give him a 7/10 for his first quarter in the Championship. He is definitely better as a LB rather than a LWB as his performance at Wrexham showed

 

[Stranger]

I think the forward/CAM options will be boosted when forgotten man Ole Romeny returns to the squad - given he played for Indonesia in the international break he can't be that far away.

Also think we're missing HTA - as good as Spencer and Long are, Hidde is probably the best technical player at the club and he offers us a great outlet on the right, either with his own forward movement or his accurate passing to players ahead of him. Again, given he was supposed to be fit for Derby, unless he's suffered a setback he should also be back soon

 

[Emilio]

Agree. I think Currie has been very solid and would give him a 7/10 for his first quarter in the Championship. He is definitely better as a LB rather than a LWB as his performance at Wrexham showed

In fairness, I don't think anyone came out of the Wrexham match with any credit. But I get your point.

 

[Marked Ox]

I think the forward/CAM options will be boosted when forgotten man Ole Romeny returns to the squad - given he played for Indonesia in the international break he can't be that far away.

Also think we're missing HTA - as good as Spencer and Long are, Hidde is probably the best technical player at the club and he offers us a great outlet on the right, either with his own forward movement or his accurate passing to players ahead of him. Again, given he was supposed to be fit for Derby, unless he's suffered a setback he should also be back soon

HTA had suffered a setback iirc according to Jerome on WATG on Saturday. But could be back soon.

Ole Romeny was rushed back for Indonesia as they were desperate. The Club are filling in the gaps in his rehab since he has been back in an update from GR as mentioned by Jerome.

 

[Foley]

We have got stronger after an awful start ( 3 losses tten 2 draws)
So 2 points in the first 5 games then 10 in the next 7 games.
I think that we should get better. Krastev, Prelec should improve.
Wasn't at the game was interesting. I think it was Eddie Anaclet who suggested that the players have to put so much effort in just to compete ( playing against better players) which makes consistency far more difficult.
I expect to see 3 to 4 players in the next transfer window ( some players will look to leave even if on a loan).
Overall considering the start, ot has been a reasonable first quarter of the season and in my view, we shouid get better

 

[Gordon]

5/10 for me.
Main positives being the 2nd half of the Coventry game, the Bristol win, the Derby win. BDK, Lankshear, Currie all look like good additions to the squad.

Couple of negatives: I don't think we know our best formation yet. No consistency from one game to another. We need a bit more cover in midfield.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

6/10.

Positives:
Not in the bottom 3.
Not been battered by anyone.
All new signings look an upgrade on last season and have strengthened the squad.
Already equaled away wins for the whole of last season.

Negatives:
Should have got points from Pompey, Hull & Birmingham.
Should have beaten Cov and Leicester.
Lacking squad depth in midfield.
Need better wingers.

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

I’m a 6.5, but I rounded up to 7.
Players 7, Rowett 6.

I think that we have had some excellent (albeit inconsistent) performances from all of our new signings, bar Luke Harris (who, to be fair, hasn’t been given a huge chance and still looked impressive when he came on at QPR). Our “existing” players have, in the main, shown that they can hold their own at the level - but there are still massively frustrating dips in confidence that make the team incapable of controlling a game effectively.

Despite Saturday, I am still far from convinced that Rowett can be capable of actively pushing us on, and I worry about the “staying up at all costs” mentality, ahead of optimally utilising the undeniable ability of our squad

 

[ZeroTheHero]

While I can see where the OP is coming from and can agree with some of it, I am not quite so sanguine.

The main problem is a complete lack of consistency. Not only from game to game (where you can - at least in part - put down to the quality of the opposition), but within games. It must make the manager tear his hair out. I'd be fascinated to hear his half time team talk at Sheffield Wednesday. I am willing to bet that he did not say 'fall right back, stop closing them down, and make sure you don't pass properly or move off the ball. Oh, and if you can take 20% off the speed you run at, that would be good as well'! Surely he would have just said 'more of the same, please'. Because although Sheffield Wednesday *did* step it up in the second half, it wasn't enough to prompt the display we saw from our lot.

I am not convinced that the striking unit *as a whole* has become a lot more dangerous. Lankshear is obviously a threat. But Placheta and Mark Harris are still more likely to miss than hit. Krastev was terrible on Saturday if we are looking at him as a striker, Prelec has got something about him but isn't the finished article. I don't think the crossing has improved much. But it is consistency again - we can veer from having 10+ shots on target to having none. We still depend to a large extent on great individual efforts (Placheta, CamBran and his free kicks), rather than regularly creating 'team' goals.

Are the players fit enough? Do we fade because they aren't or because they put in so much effort in the early part of the match that they are exhausted by half time (even after a two week break for many of them)?

Our away record has improved, but currently our home record (which I'd argue is more important) is not exactly brilliant.

I am still not convinced that Rowett sets us up in the best way to get the most out of the available players - but accept that inconsistency (which seems to be there as much at individual level as at team level) makes that a very hard job. I do think his substitutions are quite often too late - there have been matches where everyone in the stadium knows changes in either personnel or formation are urgently needed, and they happen 10 minutes later. Sometimes after the inevitable has happened!

I think we are going to have to battle on until January and see where we are and then see how ambitious the owners are for us to stay in the division. I think we'd all agree that we need reinforcements - and they are going to have to be ones that make either a positive difference to the starting XI or ones that can shore us up when we make substitutions, since currently the depth is simply not there.

I think I'd probably go for a 5/10 as a score for the first part of the season. Position probably not unexpected, on field progress stuttering.

 

[Osleroad]

I think the forward/CAM options will be boosted when forgotten man Ole Romeny returns to the squad - given he played for Indonesia in the international break he can't be that far away.

Also think we're missing HTA - as good as Spencer and Long are, Hidde is probably the best technical player at the club and he offers us a great outlet on the right, either with his own forward movement or his accurate passing to players ahead of him. Again, given he was supposed to be fit for Derby, unless he's suffered a setback he should also be back soon

According to GR he was rushed back so has to catch up on rehab and yes Hidde has had a setback.

 

[Osleroad]

I’m a 6.5, but I rounded up to 7.
Players 7, Rowett 6.

I think that we have had some excellent (albeit inconsistent) performances from all of our new signings, bar Luke Harris (who, to be fair, hasn’t been given a huge chance and still looked impressive when he came on at QPR). Our “existing” players have, in the main, shown that they can hold their own at the level - but there are still massively frustrating dips in confidence that make the team incapable of controlling a game effectively.

Despite Saturday, I am still far from convinced that Rowett can be capable of actively pushing us on, and I worry about the “staying up at all costs” mentality, ahead of optimally utilising the undeniable ability of our squad

But that is where we are at until we can effectively upgrade certain positions in the squad.

 

[WE Yellow]

4/10

Positives

• The new signings are genuine improvements on last season - we have learned to sign quality over quantity.
• Brown's return from injury
• The stadium news
• BDK is proving value for money
• Bristol City (A)
• The away support has once again been immense.
• Jamie Cumming

Negatives

• Haven't played well for a full 90 yet
• Bafflingly negative tactics against poor opposition
• Could and should be on at least 18 points, not 12
• An injury for either Cam or BDK to having to play Vaulks for a substantial amount of time
• Attacking/flair wingers being next to useless in our system
• Goodrham going from a huge sellable asset to not even making the squad
• Lankshear could be recalled
• No philosophy, consistency or tactical flexibility in game.
• Blackburn and Sheff Wed aside, we are below all of the teams we'd have expected to be above/fighting with at the start of the season.
• Charlton, Hull + Preston showing what can be done when you have attacking intent
• Long throws being nullified

 

[Londox]

I've given us an 8.

It isn't a pretty watch, the tactics are sometimes poor (but sometimes very good), but ultimately our budget squad are punching above their weight and you simply cannot argue with our current league position and points total.

My only genuine criticism is that it is hard to motivate yourself to watch us sometimes - our football can be dire

I believed the same as you but @Colin B rightly corrected me, think our wage budget is about 16th in the league. I did think we were 'punching above our weight' more than we actually are to an extent.

I think it's been quite an average season so far, but there are some reasons to be cheerful that lots of people have mentioned. BDK is one of the best footballers I've ever seen play for us.

 

[Bretch Hill]

My first season following the yellows. Been better than I could have imagined
An inconsistent watch frustrating infuriating and more. I give a generous seven as we aren’t in the bottom three had some good results so far. The negatives of loosing to teams we should have beaten and some of the manic way the last two games have been allowed to get I can overlook at the moment.
I have some concerns about Rowett but not ready to come off the fence.sorry for the brief synopsis but I’m meant to be working

 

[LittlemoreYellow]

4/10

Positives

• The new signings are genuine improvements on last season - we have learned to sign quality over quantity.
• Brown's return from injury
• The stadium news
• BDK is proving value for money
• Bristol City (A)
• The away support has once again been immense.
• Jamie Cumming

Negatives

• Haven't played well for a full 90 yet
• Bafflingly negative tactics against poor opposition
• Could and should be on at least 18 points, not 12
• An injury for either Cam or BDK to having to play Vaulks for a substantial amount of time
• Attacking/flair wingers being next to useless in our system
• Goodrham going from a huge sellable asset to not even making the squad
• Lankshear could be recalled
• No philosophy, consistency or tactical flexibility in game.
• Blackburn and Sheff Wed aside, we are below all of the teams we'd have expected to be below at the start of the season.
• Charlton, Hull + Preston showing what can be done when you have attacking intent
• Long throws being nullified

Agree with pretty much all your points but do think the one highlighted is harsh. Despite Charlton having just come up from League One they still have a much bigger budget than us and considerably more pulling power. Hull (despite having a transfer embargo) have spent more on wages than we could ever dream of, they have some serious fire power in there front line, I'd also argue that while Hull are scoring for fun, they are conceeding alarming amounts too, the most of anyone outside the bottom three. I could well be wrong but I do not think that is sustainable over the course of the season and they will need to find a balance at some point. Preston I'm not sure where the comparison is, they are very sustainable championship side and have some very good players in there side that we would take in a heartbeat.

 

[ThatSlopesATwelfthMan]

I went with 7.

Pros:
New recruits almost all an upgrade
Chances from open play significantly higher
Opposition teams are having to work harder and smarter and adapt their own styles to sneak results against us (always a good sign)
Marginal increase in physiciality and muscle through the spine when things get ugly
No avoidable backoffice or financial screw-ups (yet, touch wood)
Stadium progress
Two decent specialist fullbacks for the first time in years (both young and both with high ceilings to boot).

Cons:
Dreadful pre-season #1 - missed at least two weeks of the basics
Gaps in like-for-like cover in midfield and out wide mean we can rarely freshen up without also changing shape or tactics
Dreadful pre-season #2 - flogging first team players in terrible conditions against brutal opponents
Inconsistency - Rowett was pretty explicit about this and we all see it. Hopefully something that will begin to reduce over the course of the season but most bottom half teams suffer this to some extent and may be something we learn to mitigate rather than demand the impossible.
Dreadful pre-season #3: Second-season syndrome is a cliche for a reason. More churn in the squad to bed in, less ability to surprise the opposition so more onus on developing new patterns and styles of play, much harder to run on excitement alone (fans and players), a general baseline of fatigue from the previous season to manage etc. Which is why a structured, well sequenced, carefully balanced pre season is imperative. 20 hour flights, food poisoning, intense humidity, getting lumps kicked out of you in a monsoon then cramming the rest into a 3 week window doesn't come without cost.

We looked absolutely out on our feet after 45 mins on Saturday and were clearly unsure how to adapt but still squeaked a win. Not sustainable but lots of reasons for optimism too. Thanks for this timely thread. It feels to me like the first quarter has been dominated by doing the transition and prep work that should have happened in the summer so to be above the relegation spots and with decent numbers on the data side tips me to a 7 instead of the 5/6 our results and inconsistency may otherwise have deserved.

 

[90syeIlow]

4/10

Positives

• The new signings are genuine improvements on last season - we have learned to sign quality over quantity.
• Brown's return from injury
• The stadium news
• BDK is proving value for money
• Bristol City (A)
• The away support has once again been immense.
• Jamie Cumming

Negatives

• Haven't played well for a full 90 yet
• Bafflingly negative tactics against poor opposition
• Could and should be on at least 18 points, not 12
• An injury for either Cam or BDK to having to play Vaulks for a substantial amount of time
• Attacking/flair wingers being next to useless in our system
• Goodrham going from a huge sellable asset to not even making the squad
• Lankshear could be recalled
• No philosophy, consistency or tactical flexibility in game.
• Blackburn and Sheff Wed aside, we are below all of the teams we'd have expected to be below at the start of the season.
• Charlton, Hull + Preston showing what can be done when you have attacking intent
• Long throws being nullified

This is 100% correct, well said.

 

[SirAndyOfCrosby]

Agree with pretty much all your points but do think the one highlighted is harsh. Despite Charlton having just come up from League One they still have a much bigger budget than us and considerably more pulling power. Hull (despite having a transfer embargo) have spent more on wages than we could ever dream of, they have some serious fire power in there front line, I'd also argue that while Hull are scoring for fun, they are conceeding alarming amounts too, the most of anyone outside the bottom three. I could well be wrong but I do not think that is sustainable over the course of the season and they will need to find a balance at some point. Preston I'm not sure where the comparison is, they are very sustainable championship side and have some very good players in there side that we would take in a heartbeat.

The problem with this is that, if you look hard enough, you can come up with reasons why every club should be doing better than us.

But there are plenty of arguments the other way - Hull stayed up on the final day and have financial question marks over their heads, Charlton had only a 'League One playoff standard squad' (something readily still used as an excuse for us a year further on). And that's before the questionable budget hierarchy.

The original poster's point stands - other sides of comparable budget/stature have shown, more often than us, intent to win games. Just last Friday Preston came back from two down to win at home to a poor Sheffield United. By contrast we looked utterly toothless as we failed to find just one goal to claim a paltry point in the equivalent fixture.

 

[Upthecowboys]

We are now a quarter of the way through the new season, so time to take a look at what we have been doing right and wrong so far. Currently we sit 19th, with a point-a-game record of 12pts from 12 games, GD -2. 3 Wins, 3 Draws, 6 defeats. We are 3 points outside of the bottom 3.

Some thoughts from me...

Positives

• Attacking unit is looking more effective than last season. We carry a lot more threat, and aren't so reliant on set pieces.
• Team is much stronger than last season. Some good transfer business has lifted the level of the squad. Prelic, Lankshear, Spencer, and BDK have all had positive impacts.
• Not lost a game by more than the odd goal all season so far. The team works hard and sticks together.
• Away record much improved. Currently we are sat 13th in the league for away games (W2 D1 L4), a marked improvement on last season.

Negatives

• Second Half performances have been generally very poor, with the exception of Coventry at home and Bristol City away. Only 2 goals scored in the second part of games (CamBran v Coventry, Leigh v Bristol City). This needs to be rectified urgently.
• Squad is still dangerously thin in certain positions. Central Midfield and Forwards need bolstering urgently. The current options should one of CamBran, BDK, or Vaulks be ruled out are theadbare to say the least. If we start with Prelic and Lankshear up top, the options to freshen things up later in the game don't scream 'goalscoring threat'.
• Tyler Goodrham. A nightmare 2025 for TG, going back to the dismissal against Exeter in the FA Cup. Something is not working out at the moment clearly.
• We may be hanging in games where we are not playing well, but we are also not putting teams to bed in the phases where we are on top. Couple this to the habit of only playing for 45mins a game which has started to become a thing, it could easily come back to haunt us if luck shifts slightly against us.

Decent review..

Only thing I’ll add is that preseason screwed us for the first 3ish games. I really hope GR gets the chance to decide his own preseason next year.

 

[Stranger]

4/10

Positives

• The new signings are genuine improvements on last season - we have learned to sign quality over quantity.
• Brown's return from injury
• The stadium news
• BDK is proving value for money
• Bristol City (A)
• The away support has once again been immense.
• Jamie Cumming

Negatives

• Haven't played well for a full 90 yet
• Bafflingly negative tactics against poor opposition
• Could and should be on at least 18 points, not 12
• An injury for either Cam or BDK to having to play Vaulks for a substantial amount of time
• Attacking/flair wingers being next to useless in our system
• Goodrham going from a huge sellable asset to not even making the squad
• Lankshear could be recalled
• No philosophy, consistency or tactical flexibility in game.
• Blackburn and Sheff Wed aside, we are below all of the teams we'd have expected to be above/fighting with at the start of the season.
• Charlton, Hull + Preston showing what can be done when you have attacking intent
• Long throws being nullified

Not sure you can use the possibility of Lankshear being recalled as a negative as it's purely speculative and might never happen.

I agree with many of your other points but I have a more optimistic view of things so for me some of the positives outweigh many of the negatives. I'd give it a 5.5 so far although I think the main time to judge is in the New Year when we'll have played every team once and the transfer window opens so we can, hopefully, address some of the concerns - get more players out to get more players in

 

[Mateo Corbo's Tackle]

While I can see where the OP is coming from and can agree with some of it, I am not quite so sanguine.

The main problem is a complete lack of consistency. Not only from game to game (where you can - at least in part - put down to the quality of the opposition), but within games. It must make the manager tear his hair out. I'd be fascinated to hear his half time team talk at Sheffield Wednesday. I am willing to bet that he did not say 'fall right back, stop closing them down, and make sure you don't pass properly or move off the ball. Oh, and if you can take 20% off the speed you run at, that would be good as well'! Surely he would have just said 'more of the same, please'. Because although Sheffield Wednesday *did* step it up in the second half, it wasn't enough to prompt the display we saw from our lot.

I am not convinced that the striking unit *as a whole* has become a lot more dangerous. Lankshear is obviously a threat. But Placheta and Mark Harris are still more likely to miss than hit. Krastev was terrible on Saturday if we are looking at him as a striker, Prelec has got something about him but isn't the finished article. I don't think the crossing has improved much. But it is consistency again - we can veer from having 10+ shots on target to having none. We still depend to a large extent on great individual efforts (Placheta, CamBran and his free kicks), rather than regularly creating 'team' goals.

Are the players fit enough? Do we fade because they aren't or because they put in so much effort in the early part of the match that they are exhausted by half time (even after a two week break for many of them)?

Our away record has improved, but currently our home record (which I'd argue is more important) is not exactly brilliant.

I am still not convinced that Rowett sets us up in the best way to get the most out of the available players - but accept that inconsistency (which seems to be there as much at individual level as at team level) makes that a very hard job. I do think his substitutions are quite often too late - there have been matches where everyone in the stadium knows changes in either personnel or formation are urgently needed, and they happen 10 minutes later. Sometimes after the inevitable has happened!

I think we are going to have to battle on until January and see where we are and then see how ambitious the owners are for us to stay in the division. I think we'd all agree that we need reinforcements - and they are going to have to be ones that make either a positive difference to the starting XI or ones that can shore us up when we make substitutions, since currently the depth is simply not there.

I think I'd probably go for a 5/10 as a score for the first part of the season. Position probably not unexpected, on field progress stuttering.

Good synopsis - generally agree.

I think Rowett needs to be less passive if he’s seeing an issue. If his half time words were being so roundly ignored as you suggest, and the players were fully responsible for retracting into their shell, he needs to pull them all together at the first opportunity and read them the riot act.
Staying in this division is too important an objective to risk 45mins of restrained frustration on the touch line.