Huh? Why are we 4th at the moment then? Don’t get the pessimism. We’ve a really talented squad and a lot of depth with players due back from injury. Our strikers will get going soon. We’re going to get stronger if anything.
I don't think he's being pessimistic, just realistic, the leagle is stronger but to say how much stronger, i mean how would you measure it? All of our young lads are learning and improving, so I'd say we are a better outfit than last season. All of that said 6th place would be an incremental improvement, automatics probably a bit beyond us at this point but these lads are improving quick so who know where they are come April and May.
I don't see any reason for not thinking we are capable of automatics, at the start of the season most of our fans were saying that we could not finish above Leeds, Leicester, Southampton Etc. We are 4th at the minute and have played some decent stuff but I don't think we have really got going yet. We have some new players to bed in still and some existing players to come back from injury. We are one of the highest scoring teams in the league but none of our strikers have opened their account yet but I believe they will soon. Defensively we are generally solid (apart from when we play 10 against 12 like in our last game) and do not concede too many. I have said before that I think Ipswich will fall away but at this present time they have done better than I thought. Southampton are about where I thought they would be and Leeds are as inconsistent as I expected. Leicester look good but they have yet to have a wobble and I also think that on our day we will give them a very good game. I think our team this year looks to have a very good strength in depth look which we lacked last year and this may well lead to a second half charge for automatics. 3 years ago if you had even mentioned automatic promotion to Prem our fans would of just laughed you away yet here we are 3 seasons later debating whether it is possible. For me we need to be positive and believe in what we are trying to achieve as I have said before we the fans can be the difference, but we need to create the atmosphere where these young players can thrive and be confident and not worry about the odd mistake. I also know recent history makes us cautious but at home the stadium should be a cauldron of noise and should intimidate the opposing team but I think we struggle to get that atmosphere at times because as fans we are still waiting for the next disaster and not enjoying the moment. HWTL STID
There are a number of causes for concern despite the work done in the summer window. We are overly reliant on Ballard at the back, hopefully his non inclusion in the NI team last night was precautionary. CDM still needs to be addressed and we need to get our strikers firing. We are picking up too many injuries that drag on. Ekwah/Dack/Cirkin/Huggins etc which is compounded by poor use of the bench to rest lads when games allow. (Southampton/Sheff Wed/Watford). Home form is still not good enough. I think with a fair deal on injuries we will make the playoffs but it’s not a given.
The article is about his brother Jude but there's a little bit at the end regarding Jobe, we'd better enjoy watching him while we can https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...-Southgate-father-Mark-managed-potential.html PS - Keep your eye out for Bellingham’s brother Jobe. ‘Honestly, he could be as good as if not better than Jude. He is going to be a really good player,’ said an FA insider. ‘It’s uncanny how he is developing into the same physical shape as Jude. I think Jobe can be better,’ said a member of a Premier League club’s recruitment team. ‘He can go the whole way.’ Two Bellinghams are always better than one.
Another thoughtful post from you...you're on a roll! Imo,until we are able to establish some real home form by learning how to break down teams who come to defend,slow the game and quieten the fans,we will struggle to gain automatic promotion.The fans need to have the confidence in our ability to do it consistently,and the team need to lead the fans. Moving the away fans would also help,and a few little things...eg singing another verse of Wise Men Say....imo it's un-necessarily brief and we lose the momentum of it. Our form at home is key to our future success.
