Luton were an outlier. The exception not the rule. Cov have had stuck with a manager for years now and are now seeing the benefit of that stability. Sunderland got 6th on 69 points last year. If we continue our current PPG average for the next 6 games were on course for 70.
Another good away win. Pretty much any win away is good. We needed it. Credit for that. 2nd goal was real quality. That's the sort of thing we should be seeing more of given the quality of players we have, not just the flashes of individualism. And it was good to see a bit of inventiveness from a set play routine (where Seri unfortunately fluffed the chance). We kept possession well. BUT imo we were as usual much too safe and conservative (no politics). And also too slow in getting it forward. Cardiff were poor, and didn't give us much of a physical battle like some other teams have done. Of course, our play helped make them look poor to an extent. The way they play and set up appears to suit us. Big tests this coming week; let's now kick on (as has been said so many times). Hopefully this time we do.
please log in to view this image Championship clubs when they have to play a club with parachute payments.
Typically mature response. Of course we can aspire to overachieve. But it has to be acknowledged that's exactly what you're expectation is.
It’s quite interesting when you look at the promoted teams over the last few seasons. The teams going up without parachute seemingly are much better run and have a much better chance of staying up due to this. Luton this season, Brentford in the 21/22 season, Leeds 20/21, Sheff United 19/20. It does show how building over a few seasons at this level and going up at the right time makes for a better experience when you get to the “promised land”.
I don’t rate Allsop personally. But I don’t think he can be blamed for their goal. Karlan Grant struck it very well and right into that bottom corner. Next two games are crucial because so are Norwich’s. They have Sheffield Wednesday (who are fighting to survive) and Preston (battling for playoffs). They will likely win their last 3, but these 2 are where they might slip up. We have two massively winnable home games, but the 3 after that are tricky. If we’re going to do it, we have to put the pressure on and close that gap.
As I said during the first half, most of the team that played or were on the bench will be here next season, so that's a real positive. Omur and Tufan have a great understanding, be good to see us bring in a striker they are familiar with to really make the most of what they can do. Shame Kahveci is having a good season at Fenerbahce, would have loved us to have poached him.
Reckon we’ll be in for Akgun at Leicester now given they won’t sign him permanently (unless they have an obligation). Need a right winger and clearly he can play at this level as much as he’s had a fairly mixed season.
Norwich are a lot stronger at home but their remaining away games are all tough. Hopefully the massive are up for it midweek after their big win today. Preston is never an easy place to go and then Birmingham away on the last day when they could need a result to survive. It's unlikely, we probably need 16/18 points ourselves, but I still believe!
They have a €9m option on him. They also paid half a million euros for his loan, plus his wages. If we're looking in Turkey, which I fully expect us to next season, the first name on our list should be Mert Mulder. He's the best right back in that division and at 25 he has a lot of football in him. Would be fantastic competition for Coyle. If Philogene leaves (and Zaroury will be going back), be great to go in for Oguz Aydin at Alanyaspor. 9 goals and 6 assists this season for a mid table team? Hell yes.
13/15 would put us in the mix. Which effectively allows us 1 slip up. 74 pts gets you there, most seasons. Sunderland did it on 69 last year, which we're on course to beat. But that would require a complete collapse from Norwich as theyre 2 points off that with 5 to play.
How aren’t Hull in top 6?[/QUOTE] Inconsistency as the players we now have get coached to play as a unit whilst playing football correctly perhaps. Could be wrong like..
We need to look beyond stats for forwards imo. Lokilo had 4 and 4 in like 12 appearances and he was dog ****.