Started wondering how this weeks (ish) standings had panned out in previous years - not too bad, but . . . . . . any thoughts [HR][/HR] the attachment was supposed to open !!
Yep. Too early. Need to push on and break the balls of Lesster, Borer, Palace and Whatford, till they raise the white flag.
Too early for comfort for me. At the moment I'm finding I like it when Cardiff win, so I'm clearly still more concerned about the teams below us than those above us. When it reverses and I see them winning as a bad thing I'll know that I'm comfortable about getting promoted. The playoffs are fair because everyone knows the rules at the start and they don't favour one team or another. Although saying that they do favour the higher placed teams because it's always 3rd vs 6th and 4th vs 5th, with the higher placed team getting the second leg (and therefore extra-time if needed) in the home game. They're not necessary, but equally it's not necessary to take them away, and if it helps to sell tickets and things for the midtable sides to be aiming at it for the last few months so be it. How dull would our first season down have been if after the takeover had gone through we had nothing to play for as rather than trying to nick 6th late on we'd have needed top 3.
The play offs breathed new life into a dull time in football. The best thing introduced for years, keeps all the leagues going right up until the end with as many as 10 teams some years. Of course the 3rd placed team used to go up automatically before them, but if they can't do it for a few more games then it's really unlucky.
I am not feeling comfortable with our current position, but will by the end of January. If by then we are still at the top I will be happy. Looking at the fixtures that others have, we have the chance to join Cardiff in breaking free.
20 games left and going with hunches, I've got us down for: 11 wins 5 draws 4 losses = 38pts 87pts enough for auto? can see the redbirds topping 90 though. COYH
Still wary of Lesster. They've had unexpectedly **** form recently but they'll come good again and we have to maintain our nerve, and focus on our own form.
the last few seasons in the Championship have yielded the following standings 6th 2nd 75 88 75 84 70 91 74 83 70 79 75 86 75 90 73 87 73 86 which gives nearest whole point averages of 6th 73 pts needed to get in the play-offs 2nd 86 pts for auto So, based on averages we need another 37 pts to secure 2nd (average 1.85 pts per game where our current ave is 1.88 pts) and a further 24 pts to get in the play offs (averaging 1.2 pts per game) In summary, we're on course for automatic promotion. We can only miss out on the play-offs if we have a disasterous last 20 games.
We need to just open the gap, 2pts can change within a game so it would be nice to increase that but were going to have to keep on winning because i cannot see all the others falling off easy, hopefully continue has we are and put the pressure on the others
Most the other teams will have written catching Cardiff off for the minute and will be aiming at us in 2nd to catch. Have we got the bottle???
SB will focus his team on catching Cardiff & do it one game at a time. We're closer to them (7 pts) than we are 6th placed Millwall (9pts) but he won't be thinking of play-offs.
How much did you bet? I win £400 if City and Man U win their respective leagues off a £1 or £2 bet at the start of the season. Also got Man U to win Prem, Man City to win FA Cup and Villa to win League Cup wins £350 off 50p.
Every club knows what the score is after 46 games. The Play Offs are Very Fair. But Hull City have done that route so its old hat. Top 2 and money and in my wallet. Happy Dayz indeed. At he moment Ive seen no other team to worry about even Cardiff City. What a game that could be come May 4th. David Meyler told Burnsy post game interview that we are going for top spot. No reason why not.!!!!
Out of the top 6, the clubs I think are most looking likely for a play-off spot are the two teams in it, Boro and ourselves. I think Palace's defence is horrendous and Zaha will go (despite the fact it'd be a shocking decision to sell him now). We're 5 points behind you now and I think we can catch you (based on current squads) but should you sign a quality striker then I think it'll be very, very close which coule end up with us both having tough last games. For the record, I don't think Campbell is right for you. Don't see him as an out and out, one chance one goal striker. Having said that, he's probably as good as what you could get (maybe Danny Graham would be better but I don't think Swansea will sell). I certainly hope you feel comfortable, because you're really not.
Nobody feels comfortable. There's far too long to go yet. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if we'd won against the other top sides in the division. Our record in that respect has let us down.
I think the league table at the end of February will tell us all much more than it does now. If Cardiff lose Bellamy to injury again that will cause the standard wobbles. Interesting that the Cardiff v. Leicester league game is due to be played on FAC 4th round day. Postponed more than likely and then for Sky to fix a suitable date. I see that Leicester v. Middlesboro is Live on Sky on friday 18th Jan. Now that should be worth a watch.
Well if last seasons game at the KP was anything to go by then it should be a cracker in comedy value. Not seen a worse referee in bloody years.
