Would be interesting to know what the points difference was for the 85% that went up from the teams placed 2nd/3rd. I mean yes we’re top but only on goal difference plus only one point separates the top four. By that I mean what was the cushion that the leading team had for when the inevitable dip, like Leicester last season, hits?
Have no fear LoL, your question will be answered. However I've only got 10 seasons of data at the moment, so another busy day for me tomorrow What I can tell you now, is that the average number of points at this stage of the season, that the eventual league winners had was 49, having scored 44 goals and conceded 19. Second placed averaged 45 points,can't remember the other details as I'm at my dad's at the moment.
Here you go then LoL Data is taken from the 2000/2001 season so based on 24 seasons, as opposed to the 20 seasons that Ristac mentioned. From those 24 seasons, 14 times the team leading the Championship after 23 games has been promoted as Champions. A further 6 times those leading the Championship after 23 games, have been automatically promoted, whilst 4 teams have failed to gain promotion despite having led the Championship after 23 games ( of which we are one of them) So over 24 seasons, 20 of the teams leading the Championship after 23 games, have gained automatic promotion, a success rate of 83.3% The shortest points gap where the team at the top of the table after 23 games, still won the league title was 1 point, in the 2014 season, when Bournemouth were 1 point ahead of Ipswich and 3 points ahead of Derby. Bournemouth ended up winning the title by 1 point ahead of Watford. and 4 points ahead of Norwich. Watford and Norwich were respectively 7 and 8 points behind Bournemouth at the halfway stage of the season. In the 2021/22 season Fulham were ahead of Bournemouth by 2 points after 23 games, with Blackburn a further point behind. Fulham ended up winning the title, maintaining the 2 point gap over Bournemouth, who finished 2nd, and 8 points ahead of 3rd place Huddersfield. The biggest come backs to win the title were in the 2011/12 season, when Reading in 6th place, were 11 points behind leaders Southampton, with Reading eventually winning the title by 1 point, and 2006/07 season when Sunderland were in 11th place and 12 points behind leaders Birmingham after 23 games, and eventually won the title by 2 points with Birmingham finishing 2nd. Of the 14 teams that have won the Championship after leading it after 23 games, 5 of those were ahead of 3rd place by 4 points or less at the halfway stage. Only one team has topped the table with a gap between second place by more than double figures. This was in the 2000/01 season when Fulham had 58 points and Bolton, in 2nd place, were 13 points behind. 58 points is also the highest total any team has had at the halfway stage. Fulham and Leicester have both reached this figure, Leicester doing so in 2023/24, although their lead was only 6 points. 9 teams have led the Championship at the halfway stage have gained 50 points or more, the average points total for those 9 teams is 54, and on average the gap between 1st and 2nd place has been 5 points. 7 of those teams have gone on to win the Championship, with the other two being promoted automatically. in 2016/17, Brighton were top of the table on 51 points, 2 points ahead of Newcastle, with Newcastle eventually winning the league by 1 point. The other occasion was in the 2019/20 season when WBA were top of the league on 50 points, 3 points ahead of ourselves in 2nd place. WBA ended up finishing second behind us by 10 points, gaining only 33 points in the second half of the season. Those seasons highlighted in green, the team leading the Championship after 23 games, finished in 2nd place and gained promotion. Those highlighted in yellow, failed to gain promotion either automatically or via the play offs. Those not highlighted were promoted as Champions On average the team leading the championship after 23 games, have 49 points, 2nd place on 45 points and 3rd place on 42 points
Feb 14th 2025: Leeds want Newcastle striker this summer That is according to TBR Football, who report that Leeds hold an interest in Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson as a potential option to add more firepower to their side. Wilson has spent much of his career in the top flight, enjoying a fruitful spell with Bournemouth before completing his move to Tyneside. Like Bamford though, Wilson has struggled with injuries and, now 32-years-old, is not a player that Eddie Howe can count on. The Newcastle boss has worked with him at both Bournemouth and Newcastle, and is a masisve fan of his talents, labeling him "incredible" in 2023.
16th May 2025: "Leeds United will reportedly target out-of-contract Newcastle United No.9 Callum Wilson in a bid to strengthen their attacking options for the Premier League." https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-line-up-huge-31661623 Maybe we're willing to take that chance ???
He would be a great addition on a free, but we would also need another number 9 due to his injury record. Joseph can go to help find this Beto Wilson Piroe I'd be more than happy. Each striker brings another dimension to play
Like Bucks, I’d take Wilson on a free if we can sign another striker and also move on Bamford and Joseph. My concern would be what contract length would we be forced into, we can’t afford to have anyone draining the wage pot, we’ve been there done that
I watched Arsenal vs Newcastle yesterday and Wilson started. He was the worst player on the pitch. He's either nowhere near match fit or his legs have completely gone. If it was my decision, I'd say it's a risk not worth taking. A 2 year deal would cost the club £6-8 million in wages alone. I'd rather take a punt on someone else including Vardy who has had a half decent season playing alot of games and would cost less.
Reading Newcastle fans views and the majority, definitely stating, his legs have gone, no longer a PL quality player. It's a no from me.
