Zero points from their last 6 for the Hammers and an extra time equaliser for the Saints yesterday meant they got just one from their last 6. I thought Derby and Brighton would fall away after their good start, and there's no reason why the current top two can't be replaced. I reckon the two teams to overhaul them are playing each other on Saturday at the CCS no matter what the result of the game. As far as we're concerned, apart from Soton who we've already beaten, we've got the other four in the current top 6 (Boro, West ham, Hull and Leeds) all to play at the CCS - it's in our own hands. The real threat from outside that top 6 could be Holloway's Blackpool. Premier League last season, and I fancy them to challenge in the second half of the season - they played some lovely stuff at Southampton yesterday. Going to go for it - Cardiff and Boro for auto, with Holloway doing it again through the playoffs - this time at the expense of Allardyce, Adkins and Barmby.
Maybe stress cracks appearing already Sparks, hope I'm right but I don't think our current squad with Malky is going to suffer similar to what happened in previous seasons
Previous seasons earmarks left with Dave Jones . Can only see Cardiff improving under Cardiff's best signing in years , " Malky The Motivator " . 10% of the English Premier League May well be foreign teams next season .
Saints were up to their usual diving theatrics again yesterday (throwing themselves through the air as if buffeted by elephants, in contrast to the trailing leg dives of the previous home game). They certainly have the full repertoire of cheating at their disposal - but it seems as if the tide has turned and refs have wised up. We could yet get above them on January 31st.- just hope that game is not decided by some unsporting behaviour.
A month ago the top 2 looked pretty set. 2 strong squads consistantly getting the results Saints and WH looked set for the auto's. But what a long time a month is in the championship! I still think WH will come good (I'd love it if they didn't) but Saints reliance on Lambert could be a major issue if he gets injured again or loses form. The board need to back MM this January, a few players in and we'll be right there in May.
I'd be very surprised if the top 2 are the same come April, I think that at least one of them will falter. I'm not sure if we can take one of those places, the squad is moving on but not big enough as yet. Ralls starting to prove his worth like Mason and Gested. Malky will bring him on slowly. If January brings cover for Conway and Cowie we won't be far off.
Sparky, I work over here with a Boro boy and he reckons they will start going down the pan after Christmas. He thinks they will sell their better players because the club is virtually broke, and thinks even if City lose to them on Saturday that we will kick on and be above them by mid Jan, and with money to spend. He says he would be pleasantly surpirsed if they make the play-offs. I think Soton may well crack but I'm not sure about the 'ammers. I just want us to do well over Christmas and convince TG and VT that it's worth a punt. with Malky picking players who will adopt the wrok ethic of the team so far, it's got to be, surely!!
with a small squad with pretty much the same players starting every week, eventually we'll hit a brick wall, the squad needs to be freshened up to prevent this happening, theres only so much MM can get out of these players, he's getting so much out of them so credit to him but he'll know new players are an absolute must if we are to finish in the top 6 again, let alone top 2
Snaggs - wouldn't dream of arguing with a Boro fan who's probably far more in touch with the club than me. I just think Steve Gibbo wont let go until he's got them back up there, and I'd like to see him do it. Swampy - we all know we need to strengthen and my stance is I think we will. The funding wouldn't be a problem for VT as long as he has the will to do it. Top 2 is where we're going.
Swampy - they're only my own thoughts for what they're worth, but whatever spin the DJ promoters try to put on it, particularly that a playoff place last year shouldn't be seen to be a failure, VT in particular will have seen it as just that. The funding he put up for Bellamy and Co was intended to see us into the Prem and it didn't work. They don't like to fail - hence DJ's departure. We understand they were persuaded and wisely chose to go for Malky rather than a "high profile name". Due to the hard work and turnaround that MM and his staff has brought to the club, they will see the opportunity is there and go for it. Anywhere in the top 6 at Christmas would have been enough for them - 3rd or 4th and only half a dozen points off top spot will cement it. Standby for a January influx - maybe not the sort of "marquee" signings to hit the headlines, but there will be plenty of support for Malky no question.
