Despite the fact that we lost to p'boro (they must be the bogey of all bogey teams; they manage to do the double over us and will probably be relegated whilst we should be promoted - bizare) We should keep calm, everyone around us is feeling the pressure. I do think Malky took his eye off the ball mind you yeterday; his team selection and substitutions appeared to be looking to the Blackburn game, especially when we were leading in the game. At this stage it doesn't matter how we actually perform as long as we pick up points along the way. Lets face it we have been the most consistent team this season and we are almost there, now is the time to keep our nerve and we will be promoted. Trying to second guess Malky's selections and who we think should be in or out of the team is not really relevant ( we do have one of the best squads in this league). So long as we keep ahead of third, currently Watford (playing Hull tomorrow) we will be O.K. Not many of us have experienced City playing in the top division, we are on the brink of something very special, although my finger nails are getting very short!
You are right, it is time for every one to hold their nerve. Particularly in the home games where the crowd needs to be louder than ever. Even if we go a goal down in these games let's just keep up a wall of noise. Periods of silence could transmit nerves to the players and they need to stay calm and play their natural games. Having said this I am still at a loss to understand how we have not scored a lot more goals when you consider the attacking qualities in the squad. But as you say let's all stay calm and we will be where we want to be by the end of April. Onwards and upwards.
He needs to pick attacking players tomorrow. The likes of Noone can get the crowd going. Conway played well when he came on at Pboro. I expect him to start. Noone on the other wing. If the line up is similar to Saturday we will have problems.
I've been saying for weeks we need to attack and let the opposition worry about us. Yes we may lose a couple of games but we only need to win four to be champions. Time to take off the shackles and go for it.
Good luck for the run in guys! Know you are all understandably cautious but IMO you are nailed on certainties for promotion! Have to say that you are the best team in this division by a country mile and am really looking forward to a prem Welsh derby next season - let's show these English lightweights what a true derby is; forget Manure v Liverpool, Swansea v Cardiff will set new standards for pride and passion! You ARE going up as champions! I have seen nothing in recent fixtures that will dissuade me from that opinion! So keep the faith and look forward to a couple of fixtures that will show our English hosts that the Welsh are here to stay!!!!
Is it time to change the starting line up? After all the performances have not been good for a while now. Listening to the game on Saturday you could be forgiven if you thought Smith & Whitts were not playing! I am fed up hearing about us grinding out wins and playing rubbish football. We have had umpteen opportunities to take this league by the scruff of the neck and got a lot more daylight between us and 2nd spot never mind 3rd. I am afraid most of this team will need to be replaced if we get promoted. The only players I believe are the quality needed in the premiership (in the usual starting 11) are Marshall, Bellamy & Hudson, I'd suggest they would walk into the starting 11 of most teams in the premiership outside of the top 5 teams. The rest would have varying degrees of success but would not be automatic choices. As for Kim, Velonijka, Mutch & Mason why are they not getting game time in the championship? Ones for the future according to MM but does he expect them to turn into premiership players, if we get up, by playing development games? Rant over....
We have 5 home games. We need 10 points from those home games to get promoted. Take 3 against Blackburn and we make our task easier. I fancy us to get 10-12 points all up over the last 8 games which gets us to 86 points. Hull may get 14-16 over the last 7 and Watford look okay for about 12-14. That should see us safe as either 1st or 2nd. As I have said, I think we will still do it, but coming 1st may well not happen, but tbh I couldn't give care less about finishing top. I agree with Taff as well. It has been pretty disappointing football. MM needs to show he has some balls and attempt to take games by the scruff of the neck!
Siam, 14 pts guarantees promotion, 18 pts guarantees champions... That's assuming hull watford and palace win all their remaining games but with hull v Watford tomorrow, that's not gonna happen. The more they all drop the less we need and the past few weeks results has shown everyone is feeling the pressure at the top. We're in a great position and I can't see us throwing it away now, despite recent performances.... But when have we ever done anything the easy way
7 points ahead , can celebrate real soon . Best to save more dosh for all the premiere League away games to come . Premiere League ticket price could be up to £100+ ( Arsenal ) . Plus all the travelling , hotels , and food and drinks .
Looking at Hull's second half results it seems like they can't beat top half sides , they last did it in December so they will have to pull out all the stops to make up the ground between us , flat track bullies in cricket terms
