What are your minimum expectations for the rest of the season? I think most will agree that we are in a healthier positioned than expected in August - and with that there are added/new expectations. Some will argue the fact we are much better off than this point last season is a success in itself - others seem determined to go for the promotion push now, with January being our biggest window in years. So it's simple - taking last season out of the equation, focusing only on this term, what are your expectations from the rest of the season - whether it be from RD or the playing staff?
RD seems to do everything in an understated manner. I expect that we will make one or two signings and will be in the play-offs come the end of the season. My optimisim is enhanced by the fact that this year seems more open then ever. Look at the early part of the season, I thought Norwich would run away with it yet presently they are below us. Wolves also had a bit of a spurt but again have fallen behind us. Brentford and Bournemouth surprisingly right up there but can they sustain it? I don't think so. Boro, Watford and Blackburn can all be inconsistant. Ipswich on a run which will end on Saturday. I can only see Derby maintaining the momentum which means we're all in with a shout.
i can see us finishing tenth. we still need to clear out some deadwood (church) and cant see us investing in new players unless we free up some wage.
Top 10. Don't particularly agree with the theory that RD has been brilliant to date, particularly in player recruitment. January will force him to put his cards on the table. If we are still in the Top 10, then it is as obvious as the boil on Ream's arse what is required - a new striker to play with Igor. A decent one. One that costs money.
I'll be happy to stay where we are, which is much better than I expected. I expect to see Gomez being given his opportunity at CB. Also Holmes-Dennis probably LM. And surely it's not asking too much of Roland to buy just one quality player? A player who is wanted by the manager, not by the same scouts who recommended zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
To make the play-offs we need at least 3 players decent players and I just cant see RD getting them in.. He doesn't seem the type to go in for that kind of risk taking. We will need to keep Coquelin and get a right winger and another forward minimum.. the pessimist in me says We'll get none of them and maybe just get Astrid back on load for the second half of the season... I think it'll be 8th for us.. at best
Defensively we're one of the best teams in the league. Offensively we're rather weak, even when Igor plays. Top 10 is where I think we'll end up. Unless we sign another decent striker, in which case the play-offs are definitely doable.
A colleague told me today that his team (Sheff Weds) are the lowest scorers in the bottom half, and we're the lowest scorers in the top half. Funny considering the best player we signed in the summer was Vetokele. Just who was scoring the goals last season? And without trying to open up another CP debate - can there be an argument made that we haven't improved from our first season back in the Championship (if you think we will finish 10th or mid table?) This is playing devil advocate btw, and not my thoughts.
I thought Vetokele was wanted by Peeters as was Gudmundsson. I would like to see Holmes- Dennis at left back. Gomez will just have to be patient as you can't break up the Ben Haim and Bikey combination.
well I predicted at the start of the season that we be play off material I still go by that ,but it looks like derby Bournemouth and in form team has to be Blackburn at it stands we have to build in jan and next summer I think next year could be our year but I hope we can get a striker in jan
I think we may well be that plucky side that makes the play offs - that's with investment. Without I think we will finish 8th or 9th, with play off dreams dying in the penultimate fixtures.
