top of the table is getting tighter than ever 7 teams are now in contention for 3 places 4th to 6th .... with Brentford and Ipswich just a further win / loss behind. with Derby coming up this could be even closer, without seeming negative I think we have done remarkably well this season and a well deserved top half finish is all but guaranteed so a big well done there. Last season we had a sticky period where in the main just 1 goal a game robbed us of half a dozen or more points, and a unstressful mid table finish that would have had most people satisfied with the 2016/17 season. we have to play 5 of those chasing us, so to a degree it is in our own hands! not to get beaten by them! We got a bit short on strikers last season, and this we seem to have started the season with a good squad of strikers able to cover the odd illness injury! our 2 main men have been out for month's and the "reserves" whilst doing well have on occasions been found lacking. Not saying they haven't done well but just a few extra goals may have come along with the main centre forward being just that! hopefully the next 2 weeks will see either of the 2 out back in the squad or a new "tammy" arriving.....................
Not quite sure about what you mean there JG, but if it's the 3 to go up you mean, better make that at least 8 teams in contention. Fulham will finish top 6 and someone already in there will suffer. Although Boro got beat yesterday by them and are in 9th, they'll come again under Pulis so that top 6 could still change a lot come May.
If we carry on the same,we will definitely drop out the top six sadly. We had a real chance of promotion without the lottery of the playoffs. What do we do, go out and get more wingers and midfielders,when we require a striker. We will never get a better chance, could be another 20+ years before it happens again.
Lee Johnson confirms ‘bids in’ for new Bristol City recruit and hints at wanting striker http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/lee-johnson-confirms-bids-in-1061812 It does say he is hinting after another striker but I reckon we can take it for granted that he is more determined than that..
If we are wanting promo we require one,how we have stayed in the top six without a recognised striker or strikers is amazing. Bobby has done a fantastic job,however a striker he is not.
OS added 4th to 6th! I DONT THINK anybody other than Wolves or Derby will fill top 2 . so its down to who is in the 4 PO spots, our position is getting a little shaky! currently Cardiff have 50 points, so currently you need to lose 3 games and Leeds need to win 3! THEY CAN WIN 2 AND DRAW 1 BUT NO GUARANTEE they will get a better GD. ( similar argument for teams down to 10th! ) there is 57 points up for grabs ... of course a loss for Derby ( win or draw city) this week will change the dynamic, especially if as expected 5 of the teams are likely to win you maybe get a draw ..lol ..... and Brentford join the fray playing out of sorts Reading, with Ipswich playing Bolton they could soon be making it very hot in top 10.
So three games into the second half of games, we’ve one of the easiest last 10 games (what I’ve read but I think all Championship games are difficult) Only 5 points behind second place you’ve written us off? You do realise that Derby, Cardiff and Villa are all going to take points off each other don’t you?
Don't know if it's just me but I really don't think we require a new striker. Yes we're lacking a presence up top but both Diedhiou and Djuric would provide that - we were just unlucky that we were caught out with 2 long term injuries in the same position. With the former due back in the coming weeks, I think splashing out on a striker would be a waste, particularly as 1 or 2 of them would get frustrated at missing out if we had a fully fit squad for a period of time.
I just think that it may take a while before Diedhiou and Djuric get fully fit and we need something different up front.....be nice to get a loan or two till end of season. We are using Taylor whom I don't think is at this level.......yet
JG - you can make a case for anyone down as far as Norwich to claim a top 6 spot - they're only 6 points off Sheff Utd in 6th. That can disappear in a few games let alone the 19 that are left. What I will say though is the importance of a points buffer to get you through a bad patch. We lost 4 league games on the bounce but because we already had the points in the bin, we've managed to more or less weather the storm regarding table position and stayed well in the top 6. Anyone (and probably everyone) can have a bad run that will prevent you adding to your points total, but at least you can't lose those you've already amassed. Points in the bag are the biggest factor as we go into the run in - it's very hard playing catchup unless a team above you collapses big time.
To be quite honest with you Taylor with the right man alongside him would do us proud. If you remember when he did play alongside a big man early season he looked the business. Not played in the right set up.
no not written us off Pointing out how difficult in terms of how many teams are likely to be involved shortly ! yes quite aware Derby, Cardiff and Villa will play each other as will most of the teams in the top 12. It is the ability of those teams, top 12, to negate the points between them .. ideally YOU win of course, worst scenario being you lose and draw being the negation We have 2 games before we can drop out of the top 6 ! v Derby and QPR SHEFF LEEDS FULHAM can all over take us Midds bro and PNE draw level (based on points) with just Villa and Sheff playing each other. Are we a worthy team at present to go up? ...the jury is out 4 points next 2 and I would say.."we are getting there"
pretty much what I am saying .. our buffer has eroded to 4 points, and has eroded "slowly" by not picking up any of 9 and other teams dropping them to boot biggest benefactor being Wolves .. who now have to lose 5 whilst the chaser Derby wins 5!
our last 10 games, as ROD says relatively easy! potentially 18 points? = 65 ( 47 +18 ) and clear of relegation issues! lol so our next 9 games need to yield about 14 to get top 6? 79pts !
Not convinced that Diedhiou and Djuric are the answer. I cant see either of them scoring anywhere near the quantities that Tammy got.
Agree with you mate, not really seen enough of them to be convinced.....I would loan out Taylor and try and get a couple on loan till end of season.
we are just 4 goals less than first 14 games when we scored 22 .. so been a bit "shy" all season? if we are not happy with results? we are 4th joint top scorers of the division on 40 ............wolves 50, Derby 44, Brentford 41 on 40 are 5 teams with hull on 39 leeds 37
Agree. Not convinced he's a Championship quality player (especially not a Championship striker) either. In the right team, he could be a real star in L1, so maybe that's his true level, somewhere between the two leagues ?
