Saints, West Ham and Reading then... 2 from those 3 for me. Cant see it going anywhere else and there's not much between the sides for me. Exciting stuff and unbearable at the same time. COYR.
If I was pressed, I'd actually place Reading as title favourites at the moment. Momentum means so much at this stage. But yes, can't see anyone else catching "us" three.
Reading will come unstuck at the end of this month and limp through April hanging onto a play off space.
And you all mocked me when I said Reading were our new rivals. What is that song they sing at St Mary's about laughing now?
i assume everyone's clocked that we play the royals at st marys in about a month. Thank f*** its at st marys!!
I'm hoping that Reading will have lost a few points before then...don't want to play them knowing they'd leapfrog us. Some one asked Joey B why did he think Reading would lose points...simple..because they have to!!!
to be honest i knew sod all about reading, they just were'nt on the radar a month or so ago but their certainly on the bloody thing now. Shockingly annoyingly good run they've put togther. Its not like saints arent on a good run too at the moment but when the team behind you wins week on week its rather difficult to keep them at arms length. I'm PRAYING they slip up, there's a nice gap between 3rd and 4th which I honestly cant see being closed too much.
The bad news is that Reading hold the record for the most consecutive wins at the start of a season (13, but was in old Division 3), and the most wins in a season (31 - 2005/06 Championship), so they have form here. I was trying to see what the general Championship records were, to see how unlikely it would be to string together many more wins. Found a few stats here, and it doesn't look like anyone has gone more than 8 in the last 12 years (bar Fulham): http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/Wins/0,,10794~634810,00.html Then again, doesn't mean much, as could draw one, then go on another 8 match winning streak. Let's focus on West ham hitting a poor patch. Come on Leeds!
All that needs to happen is we beat them and West Ham beat them! And generally, Reading win msot of their games by a one goal margin. Efficient football or slight profligacy in front of goal? They've had a few 3-0 wins, but generally when they score 3, it seems it's in a 3-2 victory. Again, a one goal margin. So if we can build an early buffer of goals, and then chuck some defensive players on, perhaps we can ride it out. Anyway, don't want to build them up out of all proportion - they're only a team of 11 human beings, just like Saints! Momentum + experience + a fairly settled side just puts the fear into me!
Reading had a gimmie the other night, and we have one Easter Saturday. Leicester will be tough Sat and they have to go to Birmingham, West Ham & Brighton & of course SMS. They also have Leeds & Blackpool which can be tough. I would rather have our games than theirs, our squad and a better goal difference, with a home game against them as well.
I think if Saints can reach 38 games still in the top 2 we will have a great chance! If you compare Readngs last 8 games to ours i just can't see them doing better! If they win all their final 8 games then they'd deserve promotion but just can't see them keeping this run going! much like Brum haven't kept theirs going! In fact i can see Reading dropping points Saturday and us winning which will make it look a whole lot rosier
I wouldn't be totally surprised if it is Reading and us. All is not Rosy in Big Sam camp. Lots of booing not a good sign, but not surprising. They have spent money, and they do not like the football they are playing, everyone knew this would be the case surely.
