What has impressed me about Cardiff this season has been their ability to grind wins out by a single goal - I'd half expected them to falter but they just keep doing it - for me Bellamy's fitness may be key to where they finish at the end of the season. Palace have an excellent first XI but are light squad wise (IMHO) the transfer window will have a big influence on their continuing fortunes for me. I expect Hull to strengthen in the transfer window and to be up ther challenging for an auto spot and in the play-off frame if falling short of that. I think Boro have a good young side but just get the feel that they will need to wait a year Brighton are the curve ball - capable of really good football and beating anyone on their day Watford similar to Brighton. My top 6 prediction: Cardiff Leicester Hull Watford Brighton Palace
I don't know what's happened to Emnes, I used to rate him, but he's gone from scoring 18 last season to 5 this season and against you, he didn't look like he'd score if the game had went on for another two hours.
Agreed. I don't think Brighton are good enough and I don't see anyone outside of the top 6 making a late charge.
They have McDonald Jutkiewic, Miller and Emnes. With 30 goals between them, Hull would kill for any two of those right now. They looked negative against us because they played one "withdrawn" forward upfront - basically no strikers! - to try and stifle the midfield, which worked - Drinkwater and James were outnumbered throughout, meaning we often had to rely on breakaways. You could say this backfired on Boro since they didn't score, but the peno in the last few minutes showed they were right in it until the end when, if they'd matched our system, we may have beaten them by a cricket score. In short, whatever shortcomings Boro may have, Mowbray is brilliant enough to find a way round it. They'll definitely make the play-offs.
Cardiff have been very impressive. I think they'll take one of the autos for sure now. That leaves a group of 5 battling for the second spot plus one play-off winner. The current top six will probably remain (IMO), but keep an eye on the late challenger whoever it may be (I think Forest could be the ones who might sneak in). The play-offs will be hard to call this year. Anyone one of (Hull) City, Leicester, Boro, Palace or Watford could beat the others and get there.
Forest might have been in with a chance until they appointed 'Bic 'Eck' as manager - his expansive attacking brand of football should ensure enough draws to guarantee mid-table security (obscurity) ...
Watford is still a bit of an 'experiment' at the moment - the big plus for them this season has been Zola's links to Italian football that has facilitated a string of Italian league loanees - that could well be derailed if Chelsea go out of the League Cup (using its proper name) this evening as there is already speculation that, 'fans favourite' Gianfranco might be being 'lined up' to become the next 'Fat Controller' on Roman's train set.
I don't think it's specifically Zola's links to be honest Fosse. I think it's more to do with the Pozzo's also owning Udinese, where (I think) most of the loans have come from.
