Next three Swans (a) Newcasle (h) and Hull (a) I think Sunderland need 4 points from those.Possible but I think 2 is more likely.
Looking forward to proving this garbage wrong - as I'm sure, is Martin Jol http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/foo...e-in-fulham-or-norwich-to-go-down_174060.html
It's factually incorrect anyway.Neither of us actually "Flirted with the drop".What happened was that many factored in a Wigan revival that never materialised.When they lost at home to Swansea that was effectively the end of their much predicted fightback.The only club that flirted with 18th place was Sunderland who finished three points above them.Lazy journalism.
Does it actually count as journalism? Isn't the idea simply to get people to lay a bet at 3:1 before our odds lengthen and people realise we are not for the drop? (I don't bet myself, so this is a genuine question rather than a rhetorical one.)
I didn't realise that this thread was going this year Cruyff and pretty gutted that we are heavily involved in it already. I think Palace were gonners before the season started and Sunderland look poor currently. On that basis we only need to be above one more team but I have to say that I think we will come good and be comfortable in the end. The last 3 games have given me great hope and the quality that we bought in the close season is slowly coming through.
I think we are roughly where I thought we would be at this stage of the season, perhaps a little higher. Saw a point for us v Everton, loss with Chelsea and draw win Villa/ Saints giving 5 points.We got 4.Perhaps thought a point from Stoke and Hull and a loss to Spurs. We got 3 points. Who would have seen Spuds getting beat! Key factor for me us from playing Cardiff to about the end of January. Got to get points on the board. Line up is looking better, but again despite adding , the final third quality/decision making and delivery is costing us. Poor corner from Pilkington ( who was very good yesterday) led to their second combined with Tettey's failure to clear and Ruddy who should have saved. If we get these sorted and give it a go like we did yesterday results will come but again we will be lower half most likely so always at risk.
Whilst it would be preferable not to be bottom three I think we need to see it in the context of three good performances.Had we drawn all three against Villa,Stoke and Chelsea we would have been in the same points position, albeit not in the bottom three on GD.All the teams we have played apart from Stoke are top half,I think that this is relevant.We are after all just 2 goals off Swansea who have had no harder start than us. On that point take a look at who QPR have played virtually the whole bottom half of the Championship.It will be interesting to see how they fare against the top half.
Hey CT; Very astute observation regarding QPR; glad to see there is still some interest in my club especially as it is on a PL relegation thread The next five games for us include tough away trips to Wigan; Burnley; Millwall (obviously as a London derby) and Reading with a solitary home game to Derby. Looks like you interest on how we fare against the top half is upon us. As you found out last year with your wins against Arsenal; Man Utd and Man City; aslong as you accumulate the required points for your goal it does not matter who you beat. Some victories may feel sweeter but still only result in 3 points. As a side point; the teams we beat may currently be in the bottom half of the table but at the time of the game were they? It's not something i'm really that concerned about because going 8 league games without conceding a goal is quite a feat against any championship side. Anyways this thread is about the PL relegation watch; I'm totally confused with the GP appointment by Sunderland but could be a risk that pays off. They showed plenty of spirit against an under performing Man Utd team so I feel that they can only improve. Crystal Palace have had no real luck but seem to lack a real PL quality player so I expect them to flirt with the bottom 3 all season. Early days but for some reason i'm finding it easier to watch MOTD this season.
I just posted this on the 'Tactics' thread, but it seems appropriate here as well: While it's a bit worrying to be 18th in the table (though equal on points with 4 other teams), I feel there is a growing solidity in this side that we haven't seen since the early 90's. This time last year, City were winless and had 3 points, a goal difference of -12, and were about to lose 4-1 to Chelsea before embarking on the 10 match unbeaten run. While that type of run is unlikely to happen again, this new solidity suggests that another disappointing run of results after the New Year is also unlikely. A lot will depend on the players, of course, but I can't help feeling that there is a lot more to come from RvW, Elmander and Hooper, especially as Howson, Tettey and Fer adjust further to their new roles. The pace and crossing ability of Olsson is also only beginning to show what can be done as the gelling continues. That's enough to make me confident (but not smug either!).
It's quicker to do it than talk it through, Thurnby Just click on the circular yellow 'smiley' at the top of the box where you type and there's a whole collection of optional emoticons to choose from
try leaving out 'then' and 'then a' <grin: Looks like our resident technophobe was having one of his senior moments for a change
I did mention the alternative option on a previous post before our resident technophile got involved!
