We are playing great football and have already come from behind to win, scored some terrific goals, bought a player who can score at this level and won away in the local derby. Keep Hooper and bring in one or two new faces and we have a very realistic chance of smashing this division.
Third on goal difference in the table, having played both second and fourth placed teams, as well as the tenth place. No surprise that oddschecker has us second-favourites to Derby to win the league, narrowly ahead of Forest, Cardiff and Watford. It's getting tempting and I'm pleased with my optimistic choice!
While trying desperately hard to not get carried away................. With the squad we have.............. If we are in the top 4 at the end of December, then I will say we will go up in an automatic place.
I still feel our defensive frailty could be our downfall - especially if R Bennett is going to be missing for any length of time. However, I believe Olsson should be able to play against Bournemouth.
Olsson will be available for Bournemouth, but will he be selected? It's very interesting to read this thread 4 weeks into the season. I still stick to what I said before: It'll depend on many things, like how well our new strikers do, how many injuries, whether any more players leave and so on. At the moment we have the same defense we had starting last season. Bassong looks like leaving, but until he does we can't replace him. Even without Snodgrass, we are stronger in midfield than we were last year with the return of Bennett and Surman and the likely addition of O'Neil, not to mention the ever improving Murphys. I don't see any reason why Grabban shouldn't produce another 20 goal season, and Hooper and Lafferty will provide their share as well. Redmond has another year of experience and a more attacking approach that suits him down to the ground. The key will be finding replacements if anyone else leaves, but so far so good, IMO. I thought Redmond was much better today, and that may well be down to the coaching. I think Johnson and Tettey are certainly so - a revelation. Fer has now gone, but there is already a possibility of Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe coming in from Bruge to replace him. And Rob, we're even on goal difference, just behind Watford on goals scored as Leeds had two players sent off today (maybe that will stop them moaning about Ekstrand being sent off!).
Olsson's had three extra weeks to improve his fitness and rest his shoulder. He's our best left back (and maybe player) he has to start. Hope Bennett is ok.
We have only conceded 2 in our last 4 games and the last one from Blackburn was a wonder strike that nobody could have saved, if we lost Ruddy to injury then i would start panicking but i think we have the best defense in this division, the best midfield and one of the most potent attacks.
I agree about Redmond - I couldn't understand why he is coming in for more stick. Is it just now this is the default position? Yes, sorry we are third on goals scored to Watford, but we are third on goal difference to Wolves. I don't know why Watford were moaning so much. If you raise your arm to another player and cause his nose to stream with blood, whatever the weather it is likely you will be sent off.
I thought he did pretty well too. He only did his cut in and blaze over routine once (I think?), and generally seemed to be looking to do something with the ball. He made some intelligent runs and created a few chances.
I have to say so far this season, defensively we haven't looked bad at all. Martin has been fairly solid, Turner is the best centre half in the division, away days when we have our backs to the wall and balls are being pinged in the box, he is certainly in his element. 2 clean sheets out of 4 is really good going thus far, especially when you think we have played 4 decent teams.
Now I know it's not an absolute guarantee or anything, and I guess you could even argue that it means nothing at all, but I just took the dog out for a walk and took three Opal Fruits with me, randomly one was yellow, one green and the other red. Bit later I fancied one, so fished around in my pocket and told myself if I pulled out the yellow we'd be champions, if I pulled out the green we'd be promoted and if it the red we'd miss out altogether. I only grabbed hold of the yellow one! Get in there, surely we can't be stopped after that!! Paddy Power have us 13/2 favourites now, in from 12/1 after the Wolves game and 10/1 to start.
its such a tough division and we've had a tough start, as illustrated by our opening four opponents. watford and blackburn join us in the current top four! i do believe we have the strongest squad out of all 24 clubs. i am still unsure about the manager - he has done a fine job so far this season and the football has been much more entertaining on the whole, but its still early days and it'll take more improvement - he'll need to maintain the progress he appears to be making. if you consider we haven't even had two of our best players, howson or hooper, available yet, not seen cuellar or jerome - plus it looks as though there will be at least one more addition - if we can build some momentum by winning most of our home games i'm sure we'll keep picking up a few results away. long way to go but i don't think we could have asked for a more positive start and promotion is a very realistic target
Totally agree with what people are saying about defensive reinforcements, I'll be interested to see how Cueller fits into Adams plans as I don't think Martin is strong enough to be a centre back and we need someone to form a partnership with Turner, I just hope Ryan Bennett isn't out for too long.
ryan bennett tweeted last night and didn't seem too downhearted - i think it looks like a twist rather than anything more serious so that would be good news. he was fantastic against blackburn, dominated gestede who had caused us big problems first half
Really good news if that is just a minor sprain. If he can stay fit this ought to be a great season for him, It was just sods law that he got injured 2 minutes in after everyone calling for him to have a place in the team.
It's early days to be sure, but the start to the season is critical - just look at Wigan and Fulham. There seems to be 3 main contenders for the top 2 places, with others like Derby, Cardiff and Blackburn also likely to be in the picture. IMO, Adams, Holt and Martin have done an excellent job getting the team ready and working hard on the passing. Grabban has hit the ground running, but my big worry is him picking up an injury. A lot also depends on how Hooper, Lafferty and Jerome chip in with goals.
