I like Bournemouth, they score goals and play the way I like it, narrow and a passing game. Its the most sophisticated in the division and a fantastic template for long term success. Its us, Watford and them up for auto promotion. Middlesborough are just too inconsistent away and have to play us.
Oh, I agree that I like them as well, and would love them to finish second behind us, which they may very well end up doing. Just think it's a bit eager to assume they won't drop points and miss out from here on in, it's gonna be a hell of a ride these last few weeks.
Yes, no team has managed to hold on to top spot for very long, so we'll soon see if they do 'buckle'. After this weekend's results, I still think promotion 'will go down to the wire'!! A couple of odds - we're 9/2 to win the title and Jerome's 12/1 to be top goal scorer. HMMMM - I think I'll be off to the bookies in the morning!!
Are we really still as long a Are we really still as long as 9/2? Hmmmmm, and I told myself I wasn't going to put any more on us I got a tenner each way on Jerome at 33/1 as well, long shot for him to overtake Murphy but you never know....
I think Bournemouth have had their wobble, they have showed great resilience to come back from a little run of poor results. Was only a couple of weeks ago that many people were writing them off completely, saying they'd be lucky to make the play-offs! I know it's not as much fun, but I think we just have to accept that it's too close to call and there will be many surprise results to come.
A couple of weeks ago I thought two from three, Bournemouth, Watford and us. I still do. This trio have the most favourable fixtures. Bournemouth have come through their wobble, Watford will surely bounce back, Middlesbrough lack goals and Derby slumping badly and missing Chris Martin. Still a long way to go though.
I think it will really come down to who can hold their nerve over the remaining games. It seems being top is a bit of a curse, as I've lost count of how many different teams have held top spot. Just seen that Good Friday could be VERY interesting. After we hopefully get a result against Brighton in the afternoon, we have these games to look forward to in the evening - Ipswich V Bournemouth Fri 3 Apr 17:15 Derby V Watford Fri 3 Apr 19:45
Watford play Derby and Boro next, followed by trips to Millwall and Florist, three out of their next four are away so we could really do with them dropping points in those as they have Birmingham and the Wendys at home in the last three games which should be winnable for them. Along with us they probably have the easiest (on paper at least) final day fixture at home to the Wendys, so we need to be above them before the final kick-off if we want to finish above them. Bournemouth have a very tricky away game at Charlton on the last day, that could be absolutely pivotal and hopefully the Addicks can maintain this hot-streak they are currently on.
Bournemouth won't want to need points on the final day - not at Charlton. Not an easy place to get a result. The issue isn't just about who you play, but also when. At this stage of the season playing four games in ten days is gruelling - particularly for players who are carrying niggles. Look at the point Millwall picked up yesterday - nearly all three. Form and league position so often go out the window. There is no more competitive league in Europe. That's why one season would be just fine thanks very much.
trouble is look who we play on our last game. need i say more.............hope we are sorted by then!
One of my lasting impressions of Paul Lambert's days in charge was that history and 'bogey teams' counted for nothing. Somehow Alex Neil gives me the exact same security. It's a small but perfectly formed crumb of comfort, as I will be amazed if we don't want or need all three points against Fulham.
think you are right,it will go down to the wire. hope you are crrect about A.N and we can break our hoodoo
I think that the Easter week-end games will have a big impact. We need a strong performance in a tricky tie at Brighton and then hopefully all 3 points against Wednesday at home. Watford play Derby away and Boro at home, while Boro play Wigan at home before that. Something has to give in the Watford-Boro and Derby-Watford games at least. Ipswich could do us another favour at home to Bournemouth, but the Cherries should win at home against Brum. Derby have Watford at home and Wigan away. I suspect that we need to be at least level on points with Watford and Boro after those two matches to have a real chance of an auto place. Other than our match at home to Boro, there are no 6 pointer head to head matches after that for the top 6 teams, so gaining points is going to be much more difficult.
With the exception of Blackpool I would pick this as the best game to have at the end of the season. Fulham are a total mess. I really hope they need 3 points to stay up when we play them, we will tear them apart should they need to attack.
Just so long as a draw isn't enough for them, and they don't take the Hughton approach to survival. That said, hopefully Turner can make himself indispensable to their defence, throwing their defence into disarray when he can't face us.
Well, what an eventful day yesterday and results couldn't have gone much better fro us IMO!!! Bring on the Monday games!!!! Looks like it may be a visit to the pub before our game - a draw in the early kick off would be FANTASTIC!!! By my calculations, we would then go top if we beat the Owls - WOW!!!! Watford V Middlesbrough Mon 6 Apr 12:30 Bournemouth V Birmingham Mon 6 Apr 15:00 Norwich V Sheff Wed Mon 6 Apr 15:00 Brentford V Nottm Forest Mon 6 Apr 15:00 Wigan V Derby Mon 6 Apr 15:00
Rudy Austin has been sent off this afternoon for fighting, which should be a 3 game ban and rule him out of out match against Leeds. Every little helps!
Middlesbrough game apart, which obviously will be a tricky one, we should be looking at picking up maximum points from each of the other five games. The Wendy, Weeds and Bolton have absolutely nothing to play for, and appear to be coasting towards the end of the season and Rotherham and Fulham are total dogshit and if we can't comfortably put both of them away then we don't really deserve to finish top two. It really is ours for the taking now, 4-0 win on Monday would really send a message out and put the ****s up our rivals
