I don't see any reason for not thinking we are capable of automatics, at the start of the season most of our fans were saying that we could not finish above Leeds, Leicester, Southampton Etc. We are 4th at the minute and have played some decent stuff but I don't think we have really got going yet. We have some new players to bed in still and some existing players to come back from injury. We are one of the highest scoring teams in the league but none of our strikers have opened their account yet but I believe they will soon. Defensively we are generally solid (apart from when we play 10 against 12 like in our last game) and do not concede too many.
I have said before that I think Ipswich will fall away but at this present time they have done better than I thought. Southampton are about where I thought they would be and Leeds are as inconsistent as I expected. Leicester look good but they have yet to have a wobble and I also think that on our day we will give them a very good game.
I think our team this year looks to have a very good strength in depth look which we lacked last year and this may well lead to a second half charge for automatics.
3 years ago if you had even mentioned automatic promotion to Prem our fans would of just laughed you away yet here we are 3 seasons later debating whether it is possible.
For me we need to be positive and believe in what we are trying to achieve as I have said before we the fans can be the difference, but we need to create the atmosphere where these young players can thrive and be confident and not worry about the odd mistake.
I also know recent history makes us cautious but at home the stadium should be a cauldron of noise and should intimidate the opposing team but I think we struggle to get that atmosphere at times because as fans we are still waiting for the next disaster and not enjoying the moment.
HWTL STID