I know games in hand are playing a part, but it says a lot for how hard-fought this race is that you were fifth on Boxing Day, you've been amazing since, and you're fifth now.
On boxing day we were 7 points off (a shed load according to Hull fans) and now we're 6 with 2 games in hand (with a much better goal difference). Basically the teams around us had a poor month whereas we had a quality one. Its become tighter now.
Can't argue with that. You only have to look at what it has done to our northern neighbours. One non-league win in 2013.
In the short term we have had a weekend off, its gave Chris Wood time to recover from his injury and Sean St. Ledger is closer to returning so it may be a good thing in that sense Our games in hand are against Cardiff and Blackburn so they will be 2 very hard games though
I think that's an excellent point. Blackburn's Cup run as actually done us a favour. The likelihood now is that we'll have Wood when we play them now, vastly increasing our chances of beating them. Plus the rest of the team has had a rest.
They already have done. We now HAVE to win our games in hand if we want second. However, there will be plenty of points dropped between now and the end of the season. Steve Bruce is predicting they'll only win 7 more games.
This isn't necessarily so, as other teams could drop points before we play our games in hand. But it is looking likely, and considering one of those games is Cardiff away, it's going to be tough.
I believe what he actually predicted was that it may only take 7 more wins, rather than predicting that we will only get 7 more wins.
Im not too sure 7 more wins will be enough for them Watford would need 8 wins from 14 We would need 9 wins from 16 All very do able
Lots of the top teams play each other over the final run in...... I've no idea who will get the 2nd auto.
Glad Blackburn beat Arsenal in more ways than one. It means they´ll have an even more of a fixture pile up & Arsenal will be trophyless yet again . I´ve said this every season since we were in the 1st div & maybe even before that. I know there´s abit of cash to be had BUT, "why make an effort in the FA cup when there´s more important things on the agender ?" I´m not going to use it as an excuse but we could really do with out all those games in April. For that I think we may miss out on 2nd spot . Hope I´m wrong though.
Right games to watch this week are Tuesday Burnley v Middlesbrough Cardiff v Brighton Hull v Blackburn Ipswich v Watford Crystal Palace V Bristol City 8pm Saturday Blackburn v Leeds Bolton v Hull Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace Watford v Derby Middlesbrough v Millwall 5.20 Sunday Wolves v Cardiff 2pm
For once I really hope you´re right Charles old boy. 2-0 v CAFC is a good prediction but, I´m abit worried v BFC. New manager & Tom Ince ??? Having said that we have Wood back, but I think I´d take 4 pts from them games if asked now.
... probably know what I'm going to say here ... it was Nigel that changed a winning side - personally I think you play your best side in every competition unless they are injured - don't buy this players get tired business ...never have .. if you are winning you want to play in EVERY game .. not the cup that started this slump ..
For what it's worth I agee with you Fosse. We rested players for the Cup games and the following games the players lacked sharpness. One of our players (Quinn from memory) commented that he'd rather play than be rested.
