Match Day Thread West Bromwich Albion v Saints, 3pm Saturday 8th April

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Arsenal is having a bad season but they're above us, does that mean we've had a horrendous season?

It's about what your expectations are. WBA have exceeded theirs, and we haven't met ours. So they had a good season, and we had a decent season.

Depends on the expectation - I know a lot of fans would have been happy with top 10 and a cup final. For me, we've met expectations. And for me, that was realistic last summer.
 
It shows how our status has risen....we now expect to be tenth as bare minimum. In the league, we have underperformed....with some valid reasons such as a new manager (though we have done well with new managers before), injuries and a crowded schedule.

I don't expect 10th as a bare minimum, espescially this season as per the reasons you've pointed out. I also wouldn't say we've underperformed in the league either. We've done about roughly as I'd expect with the squad we were left with after the Summer window.

I was solely referring to West Bromwich Albion Football Club and in relation to their previous seasons. End of statement.

I agree, they've had a very good season compared to their expectations so far.

I say that as it will be interesting to see if they push on now to try and reach a record points total or if they just coast through to the end of the season.

I'm hoping for the latter :)

Could never watch a Pulis team though <yikes>
 
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I agree, they've had a very good season compared to their expectations so far.

I say that as it will be interesting to see if they push on now to try and reach a record points total or if they just coast through to the end of the season.

I'm hoping for the latter :)

Could never watch a Pulis team though <yikes>

I'd say their season has already exceeded their expectations unless they really collapse in this run in - I don't think they will - but I totally agree I couldn't watch them due to the nature of them basically 'doing what works for them'.

If Saints were to do that it would be a huge quandry - maybe pushing top six but playing time-wasting spoilers - hmmm be interesting to see what peoplle think about that.

I'm not sure it is a wrong thing to think 10th is a bare minimum perhaps if you suddenly start saying 12th to 16th is okay for us is that a 'get out clause' for the club or okay with them to say the same? I'm talking out of my arse clearly but I think it's interesting question.
 
I'd say their season has already exceeded their expectations unless they really collapse in this run in - I don't think they will - but I totally agree I couldn't watch them due to the nature of them basically 'doing what works for them'.

If Saints were to do that it would be a huge quandry - maybe pushing top six but playing time-wasting spoilers - hmmm be interesting to see what peoplle think about that.

I'm not sure it is a wrong thing to think 10th is a bare minimum perhaps if you suddenly start saying 12th to 16th is okay for us is that a 'get out clause' for the club or okay with them to say the same? I'm talking out of my arse clearly but I think it's interesting question.

A Pulis team will never push the top 6. I simply could not watch a manager who has no interest in attacking away from home, would drive me absolutely crazy.

As for the 10th thing, I just think after 3 top 8 finishes on the bounce some fans just think we simply belong there now, whereas we don't have any right to be there in the same way that teams like United have no divine right to be top 4.

I just think expecting 10th as a minimum (key word) after the poor Summer we had is asking for too much imo, especially when you throw in losing Koeman, Mane, Vic etc. & Europe.
 
We're actually only four points behind where we were after 29 matches last year, though quite a bit back in goal differential. Shows how remarkably well that team closed the year that we would need to win our remaining nine to match or overhaul our standing of a year ago, though.
 
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We're actually only four points behind where we were after 29 matches last year, though quite a bit back in goal differential. Shows how remarkably well that team closed the year that we would need to win our remaining nine to match or overhaul our standing of a year ago, though.

Interestingly I think we've scored the same amount of goals as this time last year too, only more away than at home.
 
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Yeah, the last few games have made a big difference in that regard, heh. We were on a goal a game before finding 14 in the last 6.

Thanks Sunderland & Watford <laugh>

We were on less than that at one point I think. Not sure what our home goal to game is.
 
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Depends on the expectation - I know a lot of fans would have been happy with top 10 and a cup final. For me, we've met expectations. And for me, that was realistic last summer.

Maybe I haven't really put it the way I wanted. I only wanted to point out that what makes as a good season for WBA is not the same for us, as we've set the bar higher for ourselves than they have in the last couple of year.

To me this certainly is not a disappointing season and it's going better than I expected.
 
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