Just looking at the league table, I think it's already starting to take shape with the real movers and shakers in this division moving towards the top. Interesting to see that 7 teams now have 18 points or more after 9 games. That's a really solid return, averaging 2 points or more per game. Looks like it's going to be a real dogfight between these seven teams and although it's still very early in the season, I really only see Wigan from outside these 7 teams being in the top 6. Thoughts?
I get the feeling Burnley and Blackpool may struggle to last the pace with their more limited squads. I think it will be Reading, Wigan, Leicester, Forest & Watford chasing us through the season...
I think we're looking at promotion being contested between QPR, Leicester, Forest, Watford, Burnley, Reading (i.e. the current top 6) but I have the feeling that both Blackburn and Huddersfield will make decent fists of things, too. Both have decent goalscorers in Rhodes and Vaughan, respectively; priceless assets in any division.
Perhaps we could poach that pair in the January transfer window? Not sure about Huddersfield, but only room for improvement with Wigan.
That's why this division ( and league 1 and 2 ) are so hard to predict. With 7 wins and 2 draws you would think we would be ahead by a country mile; but no, 4 or 5 teams are nipping at our heels. A great start and I'm loving being top of the league, but just takes a tricky bunch of fixtures and we could be 3rd or 4th.. I'm keeping the faith for now though! I haven't looked at our fixtures ahead. Which month is looking tough ?
October is tough, Barnsley at home next week followed by 3 tough away fixtures at Millwall, Burnley and Wigan. December also has 6 tough fixtures, Home to Bournemouth, Blackburn and Leicester and away to Blackpool, Forest and Watford.
Bang on assessment ole chap .............. Be a good fellow and get Tonz to open the chequebook for safe measure.
So by 1.1.14 we will have a very realistic idea of where we stand. Either way it might be time for Tony to (wisely) splash the cash (again!).
Come off it, mate. We are leading the competition and we really haven't clicked until this weekend. Truth is, we should continue our fine form along with being positive. Sure, we are going to have some tough games so are every other team. Yes, we do need another striker or two but again, we are top we have every reason to believe in ourselves, so why should that change?
If Blackburn don't make it up this year, I think Rhodes will be a target - and if he wants to play EPL he will need to move or he'll miss the boat. But agree it's going to be a tough season at the top. Still some top teams to play yet, but hopefully we will have settled down (with performances like yesterday, and the quality of subs we could bring on). Just hope we can steal points from those 6 to underpin our hopes.
This! Come through these fixtures either in top 3 or 4 and you can start thinking about the possibilities I have only seen two QPR games this season, and without wanting to criticise, they have been hard to watch as there has been no real fluidity in the games (Sheff Wed & Leeds). I have also noted that most teams you have played so far are in the lower echelons of the league, so the fixtures highlighted by Finglas are going to give everyone a much clearer picture of QPR's chances this season. There is little doubt the team has become more of a cohesive unit, and appear to pulling in the same direction, albeit against some quite poor teams.
Sensible observations Thai, having said that the real tests will be the games v Reading, Wigan, Leicester, Forest and Watford, who I believe are the main contenders, ten games that will hold the key to automatic promotion or the lottery of the play-offs...
All fair points. I think that Harry and his staff have worked on solidifying our back four before expanding our play. At least I hope that's the case. By all accounts we were much better yesterday. I don't think we have had a chance to put out our best 11 yet. I think we too will get better as the season goes on. A lot of our games at HQ won't be pretty and will require patience from the players and the fans but we may get plenty of opportunities away from home.
Fair enough, and to be honest before yesterday I was far from impressed by our performances. But to me, yesterday was the day we finally 'gelled' and showed what this team can do. Was it a one off and next week is it back to the 'ugly' play we've seen so many times so far this season ? Only time will tell but I've got a good feeling right now and nothing is gonna take that away.
If I were an R, I think I would have some concerns about what is at the sharp end of the pitch. Charlie boy will score goals for sure, but who else is going to chip in or take up the mantle should he get crocked for a month or two. Is there strength in depth at present?
