After 16 games last season in the NPC (as was), the top of the table stood as follow: Crystal Palace GD 10 Pts 33 Middlesborough GD 8 Pts 32 Cardiff GD 10 Pts 31 Hull GD 3 Pts 28 Leicester GD 7 Pts 27 Huddersfield GD 1 Pts 27 Cardiff and Hull were 1 and 2 and Palace made it through the playoffs. In 2005-6, after 16 games, Reading had 35 points and went on to gain the highest tally in the Championship of 106 which still stands as the record. The Blades were in the lead with 38. Two points. Firstly, given our current position, it seems very likely that we will go up as first or second or have a chance at the play offs. Unfortunately, the same is equally true for Burnley and Leicester. Secondly, with three teams on 35 points, I would think that Reading's points record is at risk. Hopefully by us! Could not make it to the game yesterday but what a cracker from Austin. Looks like we have a 20 + goal per season striker in the squad at last. Roll on 3rd December. COYRss.
None of the top three will threaten Reading's record, they actually maintained their points/game ratio throughout that season, I don't think any of the top three are as dominant as they were that season. We couldn't have imagined doing this well at the start of the season so there's everything to play for, December will tell us what our chances really are...
Sooper, what are you daring to hope for? Reasonable to hope that we can beat Bournemouth (although such teams always raise their game against the likes of us - no disrespect intended)and perhaps Blackburn but Blackpool away and Leicester at home are tough fixtures. I think we need to beat Leicester if we are to be serious top spot contenders. Hopefully with injured players coming back, that will be possible.
Its looking like 2 from 3 but the one who usually just misses the auto spot usually fails in the playoffs, I hope thats not us.
Our December fixtures are: Bournemouth (H) Blackburn (H) Blackpool (A) Leicester (H) Forest (A) Watford (A) I'd happily take three home wins and three away draws right now, 12 points from those 6 games would put us in a very strong position with the transfer window an option to strengthen further. A win at Doncaster next week would set us nicely on our way...
Interesting comparison RTID.....what it shows is that 4th - 6th are roughly the same points this season, whereas top 3 this time are 2, 3 & 4 points better off than last season....both Burnley & Leicester have had their best starts ever and we are comfortably (?) keeping pace with them. What is encouraging is that after we lost to Burnley we were 5 points behind them but we have made up that deficit in the 4 subsequent games....as Sooper said 12 points from December games would set us up very nicely for the new year.
Agree Tramore. Making up ground on Burnley was important. At home v Leicester is a true six pointer. I also think Harry will be looking at the strike force in January.
Its gonna be 2 fro mm the top 3. The gap is getting bigger to 4th. Bot much more we can do at the moment except picking up regular points . Avg is over 2 which is impressive
Psychologically, 21.12.13 against Leicester might well be D-Day (Decider - Day). What do you think? Greater pressure on us since we have the home advantage.
Still too early to say that it's a 3 horse race; the fact that we have made up the 5 point difference on Burnley in 4 games should tell us that the 7 point gap to 4th is bridgeable. Still 30 games to go so all to play for.
I think we are growing and will win the league by 10 clear points from Reading I still believe Wigan will make the play offs QPR Reading Leeds Burnley Foxes Wigan
Foxes will slip IMO on good form but I fancy Reading and Wigan to beat them. I see Leeds as a team who will smash past both the Foxes and Burnley.. but of course it will be tight I am convinced because of our squad we will stretch out a 6 point lead by Feb and then I am convinced the others will beat themselves. Can anyone say on here that we can't give anyone in this division a good game ... saying that our worst game was away at Yeovil IMO We are tough to beat and that will only become stronger
Think Bolton and Leicester will need to be counted up at the end of the season, and think the Burnley fade has started, Leeds to miss out hehe
Bolton might well be in the mix as they are unbeaten in about six and making their way up the table. Edit - I just checked and it is 8 games unbeaten
This time last year I had been to god knows how many matches and had yet to see a win until 15th December. It got more and more demoralising as the season went on. This year, I have been to six matches and seen 6 wins. I am confident we will be top two minimum.
We are doing what we need to do....win at home, draw (at least) away.....both Burnley and Leicester have to do the same to keep with us... It is good that we clawed back the 5 point deficit on Burnely so quickly....8 points from last 4 game since the Burnley defeat, Burnley 3 points from 9 and Leicester 6 from 9.... 3 points at Donny on Saturday would be useful and then 12 points during December including a win over Leicester and we will be nicely placed......
Beth and I must have sat together about 15 times and we havent seen 1 win yet (it was her counting so she must see me as unlucky). We are going to the NYD game against Donny so thats guaranteed dropped points. I think its her as I havent seen us lose this season yet, in fact I think Ive only seen us concede once but only average seeing us score 1 per game.
