Looking back over the last five years the number of points for the last promotion place has varied from 78(2012-13) to 84 (2011-12 when we last went up - we had 88 in second place). That total of 88 would have won us the title in three of the last five years.The points needed for the title have varied from 83 to 93 in that period. I hate to tempt fate but a continuation of the form we have averaged so far this season would almost certainly see us promoted and probably as champions. It would clearly help if Burton could lose the odd game or two as well (I think we were the last side to beat them) but things are looking pretty rosy at the moment. I think we are beginning to see the real strength in depth in our squad coming through now - despite serious injuries to three key players we can still bring quality off the bench to win games late on. All credit to MM for installing a more ruthless winning mentality to the squad as well as producing some decent football. We are certainly physically a match for any side in this league. The lowish gates are the most mystifying element of the season at present and I hope these will pick up with the warmer weather (and hopefully an improvement in the pitch) but we have many reasons to be pretty confident about the outcome to the season. If we do get promoted I think it will be a major achievement in view of the low point we were at in the summer and I hope MM is not poached by a bigger club because a League 1 campaign with him in charge is going to be very interesting indeed.
It would be great to see us promoted as champions and would also help out our trophy cabinet slightly! However there is still a long way to go and things could all change. It'd be nice to see some of the teams around us drop a few points and as you'll be aware, we have played most of them now but they still have to play each other in some way. The lack of fans is mystifying and I had hoped that a prolonged winning season as we've had so far (especially including Chelsea) might have brought a few fans through the gate again. As Mellon insists it's all about the next game and we need to hope that they win them one by one and others don't.
I think a decent gap is starting to open up to fourth place and hopefully we can maintain that. Hasselbank has done a brilliant job at Burton (even though he took over a good team) as not many players of his level would be comfortable managing players of lower ability. I know there are 15 games to go but I get the impression we are still improving in the area of grinding out results in games and we have great experience as well as ability amongst our ranks which should be enough to see us home.
KDS, I hear what MM is saying but to some extent that is standard manager-speak to try and take a bit of pressure off the players. He has to think long-term as well as short-term and has done that by building up a really strong squad and has used them pretty well (for example the reintroduction of Clarke and Vernon and the change of formation recently). I am sure MM and the players believe that being champions of this league is well within their grasp. I agree we must not take our eye off the ball and a visit to a team struggling near the foot of the table can be just as difficult as playing promotion rivals (as Luton found out this week).
I would like us to go up as champions but Saturday was a set back or a wake up call, get cobbs and wobbs out of the way . 14 games left 91 is a useful number!
I'd love to see us go up as Champions but its tough at the top with an unexpected great season by Burton. Let's hope we ride this out and get some silverware in May!
Yes I think it is 13 games since Burton lost (against us) so lets hope they suffer from vertigo at the top and at least start drawing a few. Wycombe and Luton have also suffered some losses lately so it makes it even more vital we continue our great home form as that will mean we can cope with the occasional loss away.
As I was saying, it doesn't pay to look ahead too much. The injury to Lawrence could make a huge difference. The omens for Tranmere were not good ie. the lauding of Lutweiler on CBBC and the huge away following (last defeat was at Burton with 1000+ in the away end)
KDS, I am a scientist so I don't believe in omens but I take your point that every game is a potential banana skin when you are near the top.
