can't really disagree with any of that rick. the wolves game was a bit of a disaster and we didn't play well on saturday but i don't think we could have hoped for a better start points-wise considering the opponents we've faced - and the next two games are both tough too
The opening game we were poor. The formation didn't help neither did the red card but we should have played better and I think some if the old feeling about playing away was coming out. The derby was good for us I think not because we played well, which we didn't, but because we got a result. The style of play felt as though the players were trying everything a little too hard but hopefully at Cardiff they can relax a bit more and play our game. We also have two weeks before that game hopefully can see Howson and Hooper. For me that game will be the best test of how well this season is going to go.
I have to say Derby look strong, which actually is great credit to them after the play-off agony/injustice. With our squad/management & renewed mojo, I'm confident we'll be right up there, hopefully no worse than runners-up as the play-offs can be bad for the heart.
Amazing!! After first game we were going to be in freefall heading for financial ruin and chaos. 3 games later we are going to win the league - you couldn't make it up. Win the league - no chance. Sneak into the play offs - slight possibility. Finish mid table or just above - most likely./
Three very solid performances and 9 points after 4 games is something that I am sure we would have settled for pre-season. Some big games up and coming with Cardiff away looking potentially the most difficult. This weekend will also be an interesting test as Bournemouth are well capable of pulling out a result in unpredictable circumstances. I look at the woes of Palace and QPR and have to say that I am very happy with our lot and wouldn't want to change places, next season maybe.
I don't think we'll win the league, but we'll be solid play-offs, pushing for the autos. Derby, Forest, ourselves, Cardiff are my top 4, with Wolves around the top 6 too.
1950 - you obviously didn't read my statistics post about likely positions for teams in the top six after three matches. Why would that be? The fact is we are now very well placed to kick on. At this stage (even as it was at the beginning of the summer) mid-table would be a massive disappointment. I think we are most likely to be in a play-off place (I ticked winning the league for optimistic reasons...) but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that we are the best team, man-for-man, in the league. If we play to our full potential we would walk this league. Unfortuantely, that can't be guaranteed and there are too many variables, but I definitely think it is more than possible for us to win it with a little dose of luck.
Just my opinion mate. You seem to need a certain type of squad to get out of the Championship and I don't think we have it as yet. Man for man I wouldn't swap any player in our best team with their equivalent in the teams of the 3 sides who went up last year so it seems that individual talent is not the most important issue. I also think that we are short of defensive cover but won't be able to rectify that until we get Bassong, Becchio and Bunn off the wage bill - no sign of that happening - and I also fear a deadline day overpriced raid for Redmond, Hooper and Olssen which will cause great disruption. The point I was making was that my view remained constant from pre-season to now - just give Adams a chance and see what happens. As for the original question - ask me again in January.
I will keep dredging up this thread from 3rd August as we progress ,13 YES 33 NO after the transfer dealings I am even more confident we are equipped to win this League.
there's little doubt we are well equipped to win the league, but that doesn't always equate to actually winning the damn thing! i do think that our dealings over the window mean that automatic promotion is really the only goal now. anything else will feel like a failure with this squad, unless we get up through the play offs.
The fact people can't change their vote won't allow you to see much of a progression in opinion. Like Supers, I think with the quality and depth we've got that anything less than promotion should be considered a real failure, short of some serious mitigating factors. Top 2 should be a real possibility, or failing that we should be good enough over two legs in the play-offs to beat anyone in this league to make the final.
I would certainly be more inclined to bet on us winning it than betting on us ending up in a play off place, although still a hell of a gamble in mid-September. I will nail my colours to the mast at the end of December Last time in the Championship, I declared our promotion assured the day we drew away at Middlesbrough (early January), and think I will know again around the same time this season
