It's obviously too early in the season to say where we might finish and a lot could happen to change the current standings and situations... But looking at the teams above and around us where do people think we stand? Are we better than them? Why or why not? Things are going well at the moment and we've not put our 'best' squad out even once this season due to injuries etc but could things go downhill or improve? 1. Could we finish in the top two? 2. Could we beat the teams around us in the playoffs? 3. Will some teams (like Blackburn or Wolves for example) come good later in the season and pose a threat? 4. Can we keep this form up for much longer? 5. Are we good enough for promotion this season? I just want to know how people are predicting our season might go at this point... Optimistic or cautious about what lies ahead?
As posted somewhere else, my original prediction was for us to finish 6th (a progression from 11th & 8th last two seasons). I tipped Leicester as champions and Cardiff to finish 2nd. I expected Bolton Wanderers, Wolves & Boro to make up the other places. Palace for me are the big surprise. Cardiff have the best home record in Europe, they'll be hard to catch. Palace might wobble but then I think we're part of a Top 5 group which are a bit better than the rest.. I say this as we didn't get anything from cardiff, leicester & Boro so far, did Ok vs Palace & beat Watford & millwall quite easily really. I think the only teams we're yet to play are Huddersfield & Derby.
I fancy us for fourth spot. I think Cardiff and Leicester will take the top two, Palace will fall off the pace slightly to 3rd, and then two of Blackpool, Brighton, Blackburn and possibly Wolves to complete the top six.
CPRRECT AND SPOT ON.!!! But i shall take a rain check for now on this and wait until 2nd January 2013. But nobody has impressed me as better than us at the moment.
Cardiff Boro City Leicester Palace Huddersfield Perhaps if we get a consistent goal scoring striker, then we will have a better chance of getting an automatic place!
There are signs of the Top 5 breaking away as they seem to have a bit more in their locker than the chasing pack at the moment, and seem to be more consistent. Still time for Watford, Forest or Blackburn to put in a strong run and gatecrash the party. We have lost on merit at Boro, Lesster and Cardiff but all those clubs have to come to Hull and I trust SB will have them primed to go for their jugular, when they come here. Our strong away record, if it continues, could be our trump card points-wise.
1. I'd like to think so, but I still think Cardiff and Leicester are favourites for the top 2 as things stand at the moment. With a couple of additions and the return of Hobbs and Cairney strengthening our squad there's no reason why we can't break into the top 2 though. A win against Leicester on Boxing Day would certainly put us in contention. 2. We've not got results from teams around us so far this season (Watford and Palace aside) but we still have to play these teams at home. If we do make the play offs our performances will have to improve against the likes of Middlesbrough, Leicester etc. 3. Blackburn don't look any great shakes at the moment and somehow I can't see them picking up. Possibly even Wolves as well. I think we do need to be wary of teams such as Leeds, Derby, Watford, Blackpool, Forest and Bolton in the 2nd half of the season. 4. Yes. 5. Yes. It's going to be a close one, but I think from what has happened so far and what could happen in January we are good enough to challenge for promotion this season.
If we are to compete for the automatic places we need to do better against the other playoff/top sides. Up til now we've only beaten Watford out of the top lot (as the table shows- where they'll finish is another matter). Must do better after the xmas.
The title is ours for the taking this season, its wide open with the opposition nothing special, this is the best squad we've ever had at this level and this is our best opportunity to win the Championship/2nd division in our history, looking forward to automatic promotion.
We have to add to it in January, maybe a striker. Also depends on whether the loanees aren't recalled to their parent clubs. Thinking mainly of the Sunderland lads.
Can I just butt in here a minute with my fivepennorth? Do you seriously think you were better than us at the CCS last month, or was that just an off day for you? You were a bit lightweight on the day - a lot of decent control but no bite. Apart from our centre backs we're a pretty small side and you didn't compete. Koren's wonder goal for you at the death gave the scoreline a false impression - we were much better than 2-1 infers. Having said that, apart from Watford who I thought were very good and unlucky not to get a point at our place, you were probably the slickest I've seen this season and I've seen all our 10 winning home games. That includes Middlesbrough, Blackpool and Wolves. Your win at Watford yesterday surprised me though - I thought they'd edge it. That says it all for me and confirms my thoughts at the start of the season when I had you down in my top 6. As for the autos, I see us at Cardiff with the squad Malky has now built as only being able to lose it for ourselves. Still think Middlesbrough under Mowbray have as good a chance as anyone of the other spot. Like someone said above, I've a feeling that Palace who rely heavily on their two wide men and Murray will drop a few slots and finish in the playoffs along with you, Leicester and maybe a surprise package in Derby. Seriously good luck to you. I spent a couple of years on contract work in the 80's in Hull at the Ideal Standard/Stelrad works (is it still there?) and spent many a Saturday afternoon at Boothferry Park with some of my local workmates. Great times.
Still think Cardiff will win the league. You've got some good solid championship players and the likes of Bellemy and Whittingham are stand out players worthy of a higher league. Cheers for the comments. Yes the Ideal Standard works is still down National Ave.
Before a ball was kicked I was the only one on here who predicted we would finish as champions and I'm sticking to it.
J Yes, genuinely I think we're the best team I have seen. At the halfway point you have been the best team so far, but there's another 20 + games this season. I don't think we picked our strongest side down at Cardiff, and your first goal was as much down to woefully inept goalkeeping, a problem which has thankfully now been rectified. I still think we had decent posession at your ground and caused you problems, despite having Mr Tumble in goal and I think from memory some other key personnel changes. I would like to think we will reciprocate the result when you come up to the KC. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Must admit, bottling it has become something of a speciality for us. Maybe Davey Jones had something to do with it over the six years he was here, but Malky Mackay is a completely different animal. Malky has built up a great squad after having deal with losing a load of players when he came to us last season. There's a totally different feeling at this club now. If we're still up there with a dozen games to go, we'll take it. BTW, talking of Dai Jones, anyone up there heard if Madaric has pulled the plug on him? I did hear from a old work colleague who's a lifelong Wednesday supporter that if he lost against the Wurzels yesterday, he wouldn't be in charge against Barnsley.
