16th Sept 2003

[BillyStubbsTears]

We had just lost 1-0 at home to Yeovil. f**king abject performance.

We had picked up 3 points from the previous 18 (3 draws, 3 defeats). We had scored 2 goals in those 6 games and failed to score 4 times.

We were 6th from bottom of Div4

We were just about to go on the best run of form in our history 15 wins, 1 draw and one defeat from the next 17 league games. We went to the top of the table and won the title.

I never saw that coming. I suspect no-one else in here did.

Just saying like.

[Dare to dream!]

I look forward to bumping this thread next saturday.

[mushRTID]

We then had a manager who had a style of play and some degree of success in his former job though.

I see what you are saying but Dickov doesn't have a run like that in him. Not a chance in my opinion.

[dickos1]

Penney hadn't had any success at another club

[Chris Black come back]

Yes. That could happen. It is possible.

Others may turn to analysing the available evidence, rather than hoping for some mystically replication of an arbitrary run of form in the past.

The facts are that there have been no purple patches over the past two and a bit seasons. No stupendous turnaround. No gradual improvement of form. Indeed last season it was several months before we actually delivered back to back league wins.

There has just been a series of wholly underwhelming performances interspersed with the odd half decent showing. There has been no upward improvement in form over two seasons. Nothing to point at to show that performances have improved or changed. Nothing.

[mushRTID]

Penney hadn't had any success at another club

My error hands up. Thought this was about SOD.

[Copps is Magic]

Billy, what is the reasoning here? I mean, really. It seems to me you're just saying an up turn in form is possible. But equally a down turn in form is also possible.

What relevance do your examples have to our current situation? We have much more information on which to judge Dickov.

[Dare to dream!]

Yes. That could happen. It is possible.

Others may turn to analysing the available evidence, rather than hoping for some mystically replication of an arbitrary run of form in the past.

The facts are that there have been no purple patches over the past two and a bit seasons. No stupendous turnaround. No gradual improvement of form. Indeed last season it was several months before we actually delivered back to back league wins.

There has just been a series of wholly underwhelming performances interspersed with the odd half decent showing. There has been no upward improvement in form over two seasons. Nothing to point at to show that performances have improved or changed. Nothing.

You are joking? Can you not remember the unbelievable three wins in a row against 2 relegated sides and the other who finished 20th last season?

[dickos1]

I'm sure we had a good spell in the championship otherwise we wouldn't have been in such a good positions with 7 games to go

[The Red Baron]

Also, our expectations were probably a bit lower back then and probably finishing mid-table in Division 4 would have been seen as ok. Now another season in mid-table a league higher isn't really good enough.

[Chris Black come back]

This is now the third season that Mr Dickov has been in charge.

In that time we have played almost 100 league matches (98 to be precise).
 
Over those 98 matches we have only won consecutive games on three separate occasions.

Look at the big picture. Not the last 5 games. Not the last 10 games. Not the last 50 games even. Look at the last 100 games.

[del boy]

This is now the third season that Mr Dickov has been in charge.

In that time we have played almost 100 league matches (98 to be precise).
 
Over those 98 matches we have only won consecutive games on three separate occasions.

Look at the big picture. Not the last 5 games. Not the last 10 games. Not the last 50 games even. Look at the last 100 games.

Can Dickos1 please read the stats above as for some reason he is convinced we were shit hot in the first 40 league games in the Championship under Dickov

[dickos1]

I am quite certain I've never ever suggested we were "shit hot" in the championship in those 40 games.
But to be where we were I'd quite happily say we did well

[del boy]

Can you tell me where you buy those rose tinted specs cos I would love a pair

[dickos1]

Qpr, Leicester, leeds, Wednesday twice,  Blackburn, Wigan twice, Watford,  Charlton.
There's 10 games I can think of that were very good performances or results.

Don't  need special specs to remember those do you???

[del boy]

Can you name 10 more?

[dickos1]

Scunny twice, Huddersfield home,  Yeovil away, preston away,  bradford away, Swindon away, Barnsley, crawley away, coventry away

[Canadian Rover]

I think the point BST is making here is that history has a chance of repeating itself. Sack Dickov and Rob Jones will lead the team to one defeat in 17 on our way to promotion!

[del boy]

With these high quality performances you claim we have been putting over the last few years why are we bottom end of league 1?

The majority of games we have been shit you know it, I Know it and everybody at the Keepmoat Knows it but for some reason defend Dickov no matter what.

[dickos1]

We're not bottom end of league 1, the league table means nothing at the minute..
Look at Chelsea.
Were a midtable side which when fully fit can push for the playoffs

[del boy]

We are 17th that is bottom end

[dickos1]

Like I said, league table means nothing after 6 games

[Bristol Red Rover]

We are 17th that is bottom end

If the ref decisions had gone the other way today (by all reports they were atrocious) we'd be 10th. But don't let that stop you (and the rest) auditioning for Eastenders.

[stuey]

Like I said, league table means nothing after 6 games

OK, so when does it mean something?  10 games? Christmas? February?

[dickos1]

About 10 games it takes shape.
Do you think Chelsea will finish 13th? Or palace 2nd?

[del boy]

We are 17th that is bottom end

If the ref decisions had gone the other way today (by all reports they were atrocious) we'd be 10th. But don't let that stop you (and the rest) auditioning for Eastenders.

But they weren't given the other way so we are 17th but don't let facts get in the way

[johniemuirslegs]

We're not bottom end of league 1, the league table means nothing at the minute..
Look at Chelsea.
Were a midtable side which when fully fit can push for the playoffs

dickos you are priceless.. black belt wind up merchant

[del boy]

We're not bottom end of league 1, the league table means nothing at the minute..
Look at Chelsea.
Were a midtable side which when fully fit can push for the playoffs

dickos you are priceless.. black belt wind up merchant

I have though for a while he is the biggest WUM on here

[stuey]

About 10 games it takes shape.
Do you think Chelsea will finish 13th? Or palace 2nd?

I think Chelsea will finish second, do you think we will? Honestly?

[dickos1]

About 10 games it takes shape.
Do you think Chelsea will finish 13th? Or palace 2nd?

I think Chelsea will finish second, do you think we will? Honestly?

No way,

I think we will finish higher than we are now though.