Like I said above - wide open. We're on 18 points and there are three teams leading the division on 24 points - seems crazy to say we're only 6 points off the top.
Sticking this post on here for general Championship discussion rather than starting a new thread. Since that first game against Norwich there's been something obviously different about our style and we have to thank Morison for that. A new passing game emerged straight out of the blocks that depite a few defensive shortcomings on times that cost us goals, lacked the end product at the sharp end and points were thrown away. It's fair to suggest that will or already has changed recently, and there's a strong feelgood factor at the club. Don't know whether Morison's departure has had anything to do with it and the squad/club is more "together" now, but it seems better all round and I think there's more to come. There's been a suggestion we're just an average mid table side and I'd say that was a pretty fair assessment over the first 10 games, but that's changed recently. A few games further on now, and looking at what else is out there, there's no reason why we can't trouble the top 6 this season - at least.
I think Morison's abrasive style with the media also extended into the team with the likes of Watters, Davies and others suffering to their detriment. Hudson seems a more balanced character and that can only help both with the pr side of the game and with the players. Clearly there will be players who need a boot up the backside but this better done out of the public eye while still letting players know he is pi$$ed off with them. Surely there is nothing worse for a player's confidence and self esteem than being roasted in the stadium in front of 18,000 people? Watters looks an absolute shell of a man when on the pitch. A goal or two may change this but I suspect, for him, that will happen at another club in January.
Taking it one stage further, with 33 games to go, it's still early days, but we're in 11th spot in that fledgling table. Apart from Watford with Bilic now in control, I don't see any of the other dozen clubs below us to be any better than ourselves. As for the 10 above us right now, are Luton, Wigan, Preston and Reading any better? I don't personallay think so and that leaves just half a dozen - the current top 4, Blackburn and Swansea. I don't think we've got a hell of a lot to do to equal or better at least a couple of those. Top 6 is more than a realistic target, and with current leaders Sheff Utd getting just 1 point from the last 9 and second spot Norwich just 4 from their last 9, things have tightened up for the auto spots - why shouldn't we be able to even target that?
Weirdness abounds, from a sh1t start there now appears to be tons of interest in taking over the club/arena/wasps, Wasps are in admin and have cancelled the game on Sat and Heineken have taken all the beer out of the stadium. I can’t keep up with all that’s going on, but knowing city, we’ll still end up with the sh1tty end of the stick
As much as I hate to say it, the Jacks are the form team at the moment and we have a tough one away at QPR ahead of the game against them. I think our next three games could be pretty big for us in determining whether we can sustain a challenge in the top half or not.
Although not "season defining" as the phrase goes, those away games at QPR and Swansea will tell us a lot about the path we're on. That's not denigrating the importance of Saturday's home game against Coventry, but they've obviously got their own problems at the moment. Every game is worth 3 points to the winners and it's important to deny those points to close adversaries on their own grounds. Having said that, if we can't win our games on our own patch we'll struggle to mount any sort of top end challenge.
This league is usually wide open, but this season seems more topsy turvey than most. While you need to give attention to the teams above / around you, its fatal to take your eyes off the teams you feel you should beat. Its why the league is attritional. Fortunately we seem to have a big enough squad to cope. All comes down to the manager to utilise the squad and for every player to be ready when needed.
Ronnie......I guess this is a defining moment that you might be able to take advantage of. I can't think there are many interested on a stadium in Coventry apart from your club and the council.....who have failed there once. I guess it depends if your owners have the bunce to go for it.....but it should be cheap!!! Not sure what the running costs are like though.
Looks like Ashley is front runner but not sure how much he’s into egg chasing, may be just a way to get the stadium then buy SISU out but they’re still saying we’re not for sale, so who fugging knows
I've just read that some yank is considering you and the stadium......wasps must be toast in a receivership with assets being split up and sold. I also saw that the council are saying receivership means handing the stadium back...or similar. It can't be god for the club using the stadium not to have Coventry in their name!
Right - back to the general Championship stuff - no offence Reggie. . When it come to progression, it's often a very different perception for a football club on the inside, and it's supporters on the outside, but the fear of dissappointment can result in a lack of ambition for both. In the case of the football club, it's natural to be wary as failure through being over-ambitious could have serious financial implications, but that's not the case amongst supporters. Whilst most are sensible and understand that, there's nothing wrong with us psychologically pushing on and trying to enjoy the ride rather than hiding behind the sofa waiting for the results to come in.
Progress is my ambition and progress will take us where it takes us. Just looked at the Coventry situation. It's bloody complicated isn't it.
With all due respect to Reggie my only concern with Coventry is we're playing them Saturday. Natural sympathy for Reggie and his fellow supporters in their plight but other than that a win and 3 points will push us further up the table....or am I just being selfish and over ambitious?
Saturday is a game we need to focussed for. Easy enough to lose it even if its a game we should win. Dont think there are any teams that should worry us, but no teams we should be overly confident of beating. Lets just enjoy the ride. Stabilising the club and its finances, developing 1st team players through the academy, evolving the playing style, developing financial value in the playing squad. For me all the above are progress. If an improved league position supplements any or all of the above, even better. Icing on the cake, promotion, but not necessary for us to claim progress.
