I think our man in Dorset is quite right. In the Championship any team can and often do take points off the clubs at the top. Tonight it was Rotherham's turn. It's so hard to predict this league. With so many changes in the top three in recent months, if Norwich are in touch going into the final six it's easily possible that momentum and the pressure on the top places will see some very odd results in May that could see us squeak into the auto positions. Certainly all to play for.
We certainly are, especially now that we have Dorrans in on loan. If we can average over 2 ppg between now and the end of the season, we'll certainly be knocking on the door of the autos.
I listened to the end of that game on Player and Derby were well on top. Even with Martin out, however, they had Darren Bent and Tom Ince scoring three goals away from home. Derby is probably the exception though, as both Boro and Bournemouth are more vulnerable to injuries affecting performance. My one concern would be if we have injuries to strikers now that we only have three senior strikers available.
I'm not too concerned re injuries to strikers, as we are getting goals from midfielders (unlike our nearest neighbours where one player has scored nearly 50% of their goals!!). Also, I'm sure Redmond could slot into more of a striker role if need be and I could see AN adopting different tactics.
Good post, though we do have a number of options to play 'in the hole' so not as bad as it could be. Edit. Sorry, just repeating what JR said
Not worried about injuries to strikers in the sense that we have players that can play advanced roles and support a single striker (wes, andreu, dorrans, howson, maybe ofoe). Can also play a more attacking 4-3-3 with redmond and murphy or dorrans perhaps. Although i think an injury to hooper changes our run in completely. I think he's the class above the championship defences that could be the difference in our run in.
I think that's a good point you all make about the options for playing in the hole, but players like Andreu, Howson, and Dorrans are more effective when the central defenders are occupied with strikers. Neil also made a point about not seeing Redmond playing in the centre. Let's just hope that our strikers stay fit so Neil has all the options he needs.
With Dorrans having joined on loan supers does his loan signing affect how you think City will fare compared to the predictions you've made before his loan signing? If so how do you think City will do now, now that we've got Dorrans on board?
Doesn't change anything as I guessed he'd be on board. But Derby dropping two points last night automatically drags them down to 29 from 16 in my predictions. Just shows that there will be some odd results and some results that nobody could possibly predict between now and the close of the season. The points amassed in my prediction are irrelevant though. Just a guide based on who has the easier run ins. I personally feel all six teams will be close to matching each other over the 15 games and therefore, little will change, though I do think we might close the others down. Whether we can close them down enough I'm not so certain.
Hmmmm - things could be getting interesting at the top and their 1st choice keeper could be suspended for 3 games!!!!
If Howson hadn't been given a ridiculous three game ban for a fantastic tackle we could already be top by now.
