Really good statistic that. Just need to push on and translate it into full-time results on a consistent basis now. On the OP, I think it's most of our aims to achieve 20 points as soon as possible in our 19 game rotation and then just see how many more we can pick up in that half of the season. If we can pass the 20 point mark in the next two games (either a loss to City followed by a win against Palace, or a draw against both, or a win against City - in order of likeliness) then we'll have played 13 games and will have 6 games to pick up what I like to call 'bonus points'. 20 points is minimum to survive. Anything above that determines our final league position. When you actually look at the fixtures, we have a pretty nice run up to New Year. We should be taking points off Palace, QPR, Hull and Villa, and Spurs, Liverpool, City and West Ham are beatable too. Realistically, 4 wins from those 8 games will land us on 30 points at the turn of the season.
30 points is my prediction and its pretty realistic too. But lets not get ahead of ourselves, post Christmas things can get pretty tough for small squad clubs like us. A few key injuries together with Bony leaving for the African Nations cup and we could start to see results going against us. I still think we need to bolster our squad if we want a top ten finish this season.
The .beauty of the Arsenal game is all our strikers had a pretty good game and some time in, in preparation for Bony's probable departure for the African Cup. Was beginning to worry they would be thrown into the fray without any game time...and won the game to boot.
As a premier league club, our stock has risen this year. I think, for the first time, most people, fans, pundits, clubs now view us as an established, bona fide, premier league club. Our 'little league' within the league reflects this I think. We are in direct competition for position and points this year with the likes of Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham. Due to their great starts you can include Southampton and West Ham to our 'little league' complement. We play Man City next, but I suggest the result of our game against WHam at theirs on 7th Dec, is of far more importance to us. Our achievements against clubs in 'little league' will have direct consequences on our final standings in the prem whereas anything from Man city, regardless of our current form and confidence, will be a bonus. I think Libby said qualification for Europa league is very achievable this year and he's right. We have a long way to go but I'm have confidence in our squad and think we may be back in Europe next year So far so good
For the same reason I'm currently stuck at home, bored out of my skull, 'driving every ones nuts' in the house, neighbourhood and no doubt on here too I thought a list of alternatives had been drawn up and the selection process was under way Valley? Nothing is worth risking the spread of such a ravenous disease so you maybe right, it may well be cancelled.
Bit bored myself stumpy , -25 celsius in my neck of the woods , very ****ing cold and not good for a roofer.The African Cup will go ahead , could be held off the continent.
Stumpu heard a few nations mentioned as possibles, imcluding Egypt, Algeria, Angola and Nigeria. I am with you it sould be cancelled. The issue is the african federation don't want to cancel due to loss of revenue, They have been advised maybe to June time, because no tournaments on anywhere and may make more money due to television,would also give time to try and ease the issues with Ebola. They won't move till then as they won a battle with the big European clubs over getting players released for the tournament and dont want to go back on what they achieved. So they are digging their heels in really.
I think the only viable Nation from that list would be Nigeria TLF, there's just too much going on, politics and Nation Persuasion wise, in the altered or new regimes the others currently have. If it was a European event to be staged there then none, other than Nigeria, would be on any list of potential hosts; they're potentially too volatile to be considered as stable hosts of an international event, imo. Agree with your sentiments though, it should be cancelled as there are real consequences involved, which could spread world-wide on one simple mistake. That's all it could take for the outbreak to become a pandemic, its so risky. That mistake could even be as basic as someone not washing his/her hands then going to see someone off at the airport. Hollywood b-movie material I know, exaggerated definitely, but this s**t is seriously dangerous on par with, and more infectious than, Spanish Flew.
I think the problem is that once we are safe from relegation there might not be much to play for. I suppose it's hard to get motivated trying to finish 8th. If we're still in with a chance of 4th we might keep getting the points. Imagine if Southampton and Swans finished top 4.
Well I am more confident of getting near to the top end of my October prediction "I'd go for 51 but could easily range between 44 and about 55"
I'll stick with my original prediction of last year of 54 points, though I think we are likely to finish on 48 to 52................
Start of the season prediction 54 - 60 dropping to 44 - 48 in December & back up to around 54 now. TBH I gave up on my points prediction in December - our quality of play is so uninspiring as long as we're safe, the season has little to offer other than turning up, supporting the team and hoping for glimpses of something to raise the spirit.
We can win another 4 games at least, maybe more and with a few draws added on then we can achieve 55+ imo.
