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The Dropouts
Derby
Report Card: To describe Derby's season as a 'disaster' after four games is a little harsh, but this probably isn't what Paul Jewell was expecting when his club came crashing back to the Championship in May. An opening day defeat at home to Doncaster was just the beginning of their inept performances and despite all the romanticising at Rovers first victory at this level for twenty-six years it was just the beginning of what has been a bad start. The most suprising thing might be that Paul Jewell has yet to be sacked. In the same vain as their form went last season, Derby have been successful in the League Cup firing themselves through to the third round, yet a league victory remains elusive for the remains. Despite their best efforts against City, Jewell's men sit bottom of the table with no points and very little optimism around the club.
Plus points?
The board have yet to have an itchy trigger moment and fire Paul Jewell. Despite many people's belief that a run of 30+ league games without a win is partly down to him, his player's need to buck up their ideas and if anyone knows how to create a successful team from Championship level, the former Wigan boss might just be the man.
What they need to improve on?
Well aside from the obvious of getting three points, bringing their performances from one off cup games into the league would prehaps inspire them to victory. The club are truely surrounded by the horrible season they endured in the Premiership and a win, however it is achieved, is essential.
Targets for the next term...
-WIN!
-Continue to back their manager.
-Progress in the League Cup.
Burnley
Report Card: Owen Coyle discussed at length before the season how his side had improved this term but unfortunately for fans of the club, his plans are yet to come to fruition. Burnley sit second bottom in the league with two wins in the Carling Cup and a solitary point from a home draw with Plymouth which they'll feel they should have won. It isn't time to get worried yet but if they don't get going soon they will be well short of the top eight target their manager set them at the start of the season.
The season started off on a tremendous low note and being 2-0 down to Sheffield Wednesday did little to inspire confidence. A toilsome performance against a 9-man Palace side in the next game was followed by a home draw with Plymouth in which their new signing Chris Eagles earned himself a one-game ban. Having not scored for his new club, probably not the best way to endeer yourself to supporters.
Plus points?
Their progress in the Carling Cup has provided a little respite though they would have expected to win against Bury and Oldham, a bigger test will face them when they take on Fulham in the next round. Owen Colye's continued optimism that his changed side have shown signs of improvement will be reassuring to the supporters but unless they see that on the pitch it probably won't mean much.
What they need to improve on?
Missing chances has been an incresingly important them in what has been a difficult start to their season and although Eagles was brought in to supply firepower his talent has yet to be proved on a permenant basis. One point gained from their two home games will not be encouraging as if this is going to be a season of struggles then they will rely on their home form to keep them out of trouble.
Targets
- More points at home.
- Defend better.
- Bring their Carling Cup form into the Championship.
Crystal Palace
Report Card: After storming their way into a play-off position last season, the side City beat on their way to Wembley are not perfoming quite as well as they did in 2007/8. Only in their last League match did Palace manager to score a League goal and even that was in a fruitless defeat against Reading. Neil Warnock's side have so far mustered up two goal-less draws at home and been beaten by a much improved Preston side as well as the Royals away from Selhurst Park. Equally humiliating as their points total of one was their collase against Leeds United which saw them eliminated from the League Cup by Leeds United.
Plus Points?
The feisty Sheffield born manager will be delighted with his side's resilliance at home and having played two of the better sides in the League in Reading and Watford they hopefully have a base to build on. Being eliminated from the Carling Cup means one less distraction.
Where they must improve?
Scoring two goals this season is not good enough for a side who has Premier League ambitions, and neither are two draws at their home crowd. Palace looked shakey in their defeat to Reading and their defending was static, almost non-existent. Improvement must come quickly as the Championship is most likely to be settled a lot earlier with a higher quality of teams competing for the top six spots, Palace cannot rely on another tremendous run to get them into the play-offs.
Targets
- More points at home
- Hit the net more often
- Defend better and make themselves harder to break down, paticularily away from home.
Check back later today for 'the underachievers'