They have a very thin squad (16 players I believe), being one reason. I guess the other is that I just a cannot believe they are where they have been all season, quite astonishing. People talk about Norwich punching above their weight in the PL, but that was nothing compared to what the Bees are doing this season.
Great post Supers and unfortunately I was only able to listen to the commentary on Radio Norfolk, but it sounded as though we bossed the game. Just looking at the stats on the BBC website - we had 13 shots on goal and 5 on target (fantastic ratio) as opposed to Wolves 4 shots on goal with 2 on target. I'm slightly more optimistic about making the autos (20-30%), but we need to keep pressurising teams in every game between now and the end of the season. As I see it, the play-offs will be between those teams currently in the top 8, especially if we beat Blackburn a week on Tuesday.
I feel much the same about Brentford and now Wolves are effectively six points outside the play offs with their negative GD. I would be surprised if the six at the top now are not the six there at the season end. I referred to this yesterday,and I still find it totally bizarre. The top six have a +159 GD the next six -9.
Tony, yes we can still win this, but anyone saying it is was unlikely last week was right, is right, and will remain right - even after we win it! Also note that if Derby and Middlesborough had played and won, then we would actually be mathematically less likely to achieve promotion now than this time last week, despite our fine form. That's the problem. We really are very reliant upon them screwing it up, but we're doing our part.
..............and unfortunately IF we don't make it back this year Supers the better players that we do have will undoubtedly move on and we could well spend several seasons in this bloody division. If there was ever an 'unnecessary' relegation it was ours and as I have just stated on the 'Grant Holt' thread, I hold McNally, Delia, MWJ et all wholly responsible due to two of the biggest **** ups in our history. IF, as I suspect, we don't go straight back up they should hang their heads in shame
That's a bit of a shame really, don't you think? I'd rather enjoy our recent run of fine form than dwell on the past.
There's normally one team each season that comes out of nowhere and makes the top 6. My money would be on Blackburn.
Often true, but it won't happen this season. If anyone gets in amongst the current top six it certainly won't be Blackburn - they are miles off the pace and would need title form to get in the top 6 now. If we harbour any real ambition to finish in the top two this season I think we need to win at Watford. It's a tough ask and a point, in general terms, would be an excellent result but to finish in the top two we need to win against all our promotion competitors and dropping any points will see others shoot further ahead again. I just don't see it being very likely. There are too many teams who will need to drop at least four more points (some maybe nine, not even taking into account goal difference or the fact we will drop points ourselves!) than us between now and the close of the season. If it were a two horse race then the odds would be in our favour but not with five others who have all shown more consistency than ourselves. Are we the best team in the league? I think so - I've always thought so. We now have the right manager in place to get them performing but effectively we hampered ourselves first half of the season and so we effectively embarked on a 23-game season with a 10-point deficit. We've done well to close the gap within 7 games to just 6 (albeit two teams may increase that to 9 this week) but we would pretty much need to win every game. I'd guess 11 wins 2 draws and 2 defeats from the final 15 is the minimum requirement. Very, very unlikely. Even in that, my best case scenario, I think the most we can hope for is to give ourselves an outside chance going into the final game of gatecrashing the top two. We'll still be relying on others and looking at the final day fixtures, I'd put good money on all the current top six winning their matches. But as I say, a win at Watford might make me change my mind a little! On paper, I think that's our toughest remaining fixture and three points would see confidence in our squad at its highest for years. It'd also make those ahead of us very wary. They all know we are the most dangerous team in this league on our day and if we get our act together, as it looks like we may have, the chase will be on.
I tend to agree, I'd extend it to the next two away games though. I see both as very difficult, win both and the confidence levels would be through the roof and I'd think an automatic spot was on. Four points from the next two games would be very good, but probably not good enough to get an automatic spot. I see the next two and the home game that follows at the three defining fixtures now we are this point in the season. Huge amounts of pressure, and my anxiety is rising.
I would certainly say that you have the potential to be the best team (or the team with the most potential) however you want to phrase it. For me, and I've said this for a while. Middlesborough will win the league. there 2-0 loss to us was an aberration in the context of their season.. something like 1 loss in 27 (maybe more) and they simply don't look like losing with the best defensive record in the league. Add to that the additions Derby have made to their squad and man for man they look as strong as anyone in this league (including your lot) I am (and have been for a while) resigned to chasing down the pace setters but expect there to be plenty more ups and downs for everyone, luckily we have a manager who can keep everyone level whether we win, lose or draw and will continue to keep chase.. March will be a massive month for someone to seize the initiative as the top 6 seem to all be playing at least 2 other top 6 teams
Middlesbrough have, without doubt, the toughest run in of all the current top six. They are the best side I've seen this season, albeit it was our worst game of the season, but they have to travel to 5 of the top 7. For what its worth, I think Derby will win the league and Bournemouth will finish second, but I can see the top six being within 5 or 6 points of each other come the end of the 46th match.
Ballmouth are going through a blip at the moment. I read somewhere that they have dropped 21 points from winning positions this season! They may well play lovely flowing football but that doesn't mean jack in this league. They are not Street Wsie enough and have no Plan B to fall back on. They struggle against teams that press them and stop them playing. I reckon they will bottle it and fook up in the play-offs. 1. Boro 2, Derby 3. Town 4. Ballmouth 5. Norwich 6. Watford
Bournemouth have a decent run in though. I think they'll finish above Middlesbrough. In fact, Ipswich are the only side from the top 7 'Boro play at home. If they win the league they'll have secured some huge scalps away from home.
Boro have got one of the best if not the best Away form in the league barring their 2-0 defeat at our place. I just think that the pressure will build on Bournemouth as we get to the business end. Huddersfield proved at the weekend that they aren't a cut above.
Well nobody is a cut above. If they were, it wouldn't be so close. That's what's so bloody frustrating, because Norwich probably should be a cut above everyone else, but we've given ourselves a mountain to climb. Should have been miles clear right now with this team.
