It seems to me that Leicester have the rub of the green with their fixtures into the New Year only in that they have 3 home games out of four whilst Burnley and ourselves both have 3 away games out of four. QPR play: B'pool A, Leicester H, Forrest A and Wat A. Leicester play: Burn H, QPR A, Reading H and Bolton H. Burnley play Leic A, B'pool H, Boro A and Wigan A Against the home advantage for Leicester is that they are playing three of the top five and Bolton are no push overs at present either despite their position on 15th in the table. As for ourselves, I am hoping for a win against Blackpool and at home against Leicester though that may be a tall ask and a draw might be acceptable. I am concerned that our away record against Forrest and Watford is not great. Come 1.1.14, those who have battled to top two must surely be favourites for automatic promotion? How do others read it?
I can possibly see the chasing pack closing the gap on third while whoever of the top 3 has a good set of results will have a healthy lead and a huge psychological advantage for the new year. My tactics would be to go for the jugular - 12 points - but accept 5+ (which should keep us in the mix).
Said previously that 12 points out of 18 during December would put us in a good position.....we've got 4 already so another 8 points from the coming 4 games and we will be well set. Get more than 8 points and we'll be top comfortably, less than 8 is not a disaster.....
Don't forget that Schteve Mac's Derby are steaming up the table - they could well be in the mix if their good run continues and the leading continue to drop point from games that they (arguably) should be winning Since losing to us, they have won 5 on the bounce scoring 14 and conceding only 3 - best away record in the league and averaging 2.33 points a game through Oct, Nov & Dec
I Would be more concerned with Derby,i can see them winning all this lot 14/12 Charlton A 21/12 Doncaster H 26/12 Huddersfield A 29/12 Barnsley A
I think that we will play better against better teams in our next four games. They are all on Swedish TV as well. Ten points, because we never win at Florist.
Everyone seems to have a good run and then falter i.e. Burnley then Leicester. So I think the same will happen with Derby, then we must capitalise. I do think that we did better with SMc as coach and not so well after he left, so where I thought originally it was a three horse race for 1st and 2nd I now feel that there are definitely 4 and maybe more.
Sorry, Tramore, but I jumped the gun on the Watford game. The next three are definitely on Swedish TV, but the Watford game is not confirmed. Sorry!
I think it's quite the opposite, Leicester are in a bit of trouble fixture wise. Their next 3(in the space of a week) isn't a run you'd want coming off two losses. If we beat them, there's every chance they'll have lost 5 on the trot. They'll (almost) certainly be coming to loftus road off the back of a midweek hiding, which would scupper any momentum they may have gained from a positive result V Burnley. I can't see them fielding anything other than a strong side V City. Reading afterwards will be no pushover either.
Good alternative view, thanks for that. If they simply get beaten by City, that will be the same as us (likely) losing to Everton. If they do get pasted, then I think you have more of a point. I do not want to approach this sort of debate with any sense of ease or arrogance. Some of us tried that route before and got bloodied noses. The best mantra I've read on here many times now is to win the game in front of you, don't worry about what others do and especially focus on the home record. Our defense have certainly been doing that!
No problem! I see what you're saying about the Everton comparisons, but I think this would be more demoralising for Leicester. Making it this far then getting knocked out in the quarters (at home) would be disappointing, particularly for the fans who're probably dreaming of Wembley. I'd also imagine that there's no way they can justify fielding a weakened side, when the prize of the Semi finals is in sight. Saturay-Tuesday-Saturday will be a gruelling schedule, with every game being incredibly significant for them. The squad must already feel crap after two embarrassing losses, which makes me think (hope!) these fixtures have come at the wrong time. I agree with your point about arrogance. I'm trying hard not to get ahead of myself with the blackpool game...but surely they're in a poor state after 5 reds and two losses in a week? Three suspensions for their game Vs us...it's positive signs. Can't count our chickens!
Nicely summed up. Talking of chickens, I'm surprised we did not have a poultry related chant or two last Saturday.
If we are still in the top two after those run of fixtures, I would be very confident of automatic promotion.
