Possessio is nine tenths of the.........

word !

Statistics ! Interesting aren't they ? Well no, of course not unless you're someone like John Motson......nuff said eh ? However, sometimes they're worth a look especially if it relates to " my favourite team ".

Recently our games were showing that the stats relating to possession were heavily in favour of the oppo but the more important ones, i.e. those relating to goals scored were marginally in our favour. In the last 2 games however, the goals stats have shown 50% to each side. On both occasions were ahead early on.

Seemingly a combination of teams being aware of approach to games allied to our taking the foot off the gas slightly when ahead have moved us towards draws rather than wins with an increased threat to our unbeaten league record. It would appear that Big Bob has acknowledged this and is demanding a more positive approach this weekend ( good news even if only driven by a desire not to be seen as a mark 2 version of the odious Lee Clarke ).

I got quite excited by the football we produced against Wigan and Derby and it'd be good to get back there especially at home. This Saturday our Smoggy friends come a calling. When both sides were in the Prem this was rather bizarrely a game oft selected for live television.

Boro have one of the best squads in the league and it's another tough home game for the Addicks. I don't expect Boro to be affected by their midweek exploits on Merseyside. Jose Riga managed to keep our boys firing on all cylinders playing twice a week for 7 weeks at the end of last season when under great pressure so I don't envisage a problem for them or any great advantage for us.

Striker Kiki ( looking decidedly more French than Spanish above ) is one to look out for. Adam Clayton ( ex-Huddersfield ), Albert Adomah ( ex-Bristol City ), Lee Tomlin ( ex-Peterborough ) and Patrick Bamford ( Chelsea loanee ) are others.

Last season under Chris Powell our starting eleven was extremely difficult to predict. This term, notably on Saturdays the team is pretty constant. Last week's eleven at Rotherham containing Moussa was probably the biggest surprise to date.

I'd like to see a start for Freddie Bulot. That would mean one of Jackson or Cousins dropping to the bench. I'd keep Skip in as he still an important cog in the set up whilst I appreciate the promise of young Jordan.

The squad of 20 players is smaller than Bob would like I'm sure but it is one that is over-achieving and in keeping with Roly's wishes isn't over stretched financially. There is every encouragement for younger players should they wish to take their chance when it comes along...Callum take note !

We are progressing as any comparison with this time last year clearly demonstrates. That is all we can ask for and in Big Bob we have a promising manager who appears to understands our club and shares a passion for both it and good football.

After a dearth of home games we now have two in a row either side of Norwich away. Sadly after next week's game versus Brum nothing until 1st November with the visit of The Owls.

It'd be great if we are still unbeaten by the time they arrive !

Come On You Reds !