Championship thread 25/26! (42 Viewers)

[Gint11]

Yeah I was having a flick through on their forum this morning and they all said the same thing.

Conway does his paper bag act and often drifts wide so there's just a chasm in the box when they're looking to put balls in from out wide.

If the ball is coming in on the left for instance, Whittaker doesn't seem to be looking to get into the box he just stays out to the right.

I think it was Conway that put in a great ball across the 6 yard box last night and there was literally no one there.

Mental game. 3 games ago they were on 6 straight wins and looked like they were going to win the league and here we are now, on the verge of widening a gap on them with a win tonight and they’re flapping.

Can change so quickly.

 

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[Gint11]

Thing is, Ipswich have shown that they're susceptible to slipping up.

Which is why I don't see them suddenly going on a ridiculous run between now and the end of the season. They'll drop points, probably in the games where we least expect them to.

Posters are putting a lot of emphasis on last night's result when in reality it was a game on paper they were always likely to pick up points.

Watford have been pretty poor recently.

Yeah, but they are also fighting for playoffs and usually good at home so I thought Ipswich might have dropped points last night.

However I agree in that Ipswich are hit and miss and won’t win every game going forward.

 

[Sick Boy]

Wrexham on the socials are getting excitable about 4 promotions in consecutive years. With us to play at home, please don't let us aid them

It's about time we beat them!

 

[TomRad85]

Wrexham on the socials are getting excitable about 4 promotions in consecutive years. With us to play at home, please don't let us aid them

God i hope they don't, unless it's at the expense of Birmingham. Think i might choose Wrexham over Ipswich too now, Ipswich really fuck me off.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

God i hope they don't, unless it's at the expense of Birmingham. Think i might choose Wrexham over Ipswich too now, Ipswich really fuck me off.

I hope Millwall stay the course and beat the lot of them.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Thing is, Ipswich have shown that they're susceptible to slipping up.

Which is why I don't see them suddenly going on a ridiculous run between now and the end of the season. They'll drop points, probably in the games where we least expect them to.

Posters are putting a lot of emphasis on last night's result when in reality it was a game on paper they were always likely to pick up points.

Watford have been pretty poor recently.

It’s important to note that I said I can’t see where they’ll lose. Of course they can drop points by drawing games. They’ve only lost 1 more away game than us and Boro and if they win their game in hand,

Football is full of surprises, the bookies would’ve made a lot of money with Oxford drawing v ourselves and Boro in consecutive games. Logically, the away games they have left should get 3-4 wins. They have tough home games v Boro, Hull and Millwall who are 1st, 2nd and 5th in away form all season where they could drop points. Their home form PPG is 2.18 so automatic promotion strong.

To bring it back to ourselves, we’re in the best position by far and pretty happy to say that 2 wins this week means we’re probably unable to be caught up by both Boro and Ipswich, maybe one but not both.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Yeah, but they are also fighting for playoffs and usually good at home so I thought Ipswich might have dropped points last night.

However I agree in that Ipswich are hit and miss and won’t win every game going forward.

They were good at home. They've been shaky recently though.

In the past 6 games they've won twice at home. And in the past 10 games in total they've again only won twice.

Hardly indicative of a team that will turn Ipswich over.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

It’s important to note that I said I can’t see where they’ll lose. Of course they can drop points by drawing games. They’ve only lost 1 more away game than us and Boro and if they win their game in hand,

Football is full of surprises, the bookies would’ve made a lot of money with Oxford drawing v ourselves and Boro in consecutive games. Logically, the away games they have left should get 3-4 wins. They have tough home games v Boro, Hull and Millwall who are 1st, 2nd and 5th in away form all season where they could drop points. Their home form PPG is 2.18 so automatic promotion strong.

To bring it back to ourselves, we’re in the best position by far and pretty happy to say that 2 wins this week means we’re probably unable to be caught up by both Boro and Ipswich, maybe one but not both.

I’m not sure what was laughable about saying they’ll lose at a local rival and a playoff contender to be honest. By that metric you probably wouldn’t have had Wrexham down to score 5 against them.

If you think they’ll go undefeated for the rest of the season that’s as bold a statement as saying we’re probably home and dry as far as the top 2 is concerned.

 

[covcity4life]

We've addressed the lack of depth in the squad now which was a killer.

We had a blistering start that papered over the cracks we'd failed to address in the summer. I don't think for a second we'd have dropped so many points had Onyeka been signed as a Sheaf replacement in August and Esse as an option.

Thankfully we've addressed it now but looking back at the Blues game in particular, the bench was so poor Lampard had his hands tied on who to select as a starting XI.

Papered over the cracks by being the best team in the league

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I’m not sure what was laughable about saying they’ll lose at a local rival and a playoff contender to be honest. By that metric you probably wouldn’t have had Wrexham down to score 5 against them.

If you think they’ll go undefeated for the rest of the season that’s as bold a statement as saying we’re probably home and dry as far as the top 2 is concerned.

I wasn’t laughing at you, but with you - the post was funny. Frankly, I hope they lose all 3 games but don’t think they will.

Equally, projecting that they will win 3-4 games against the likes of WBA, Sheff W, Stoke, Charlton, Pompey, Norwich or Southampton is hardly a big claim that’s overhyping them.

From that list, I’d be expecting 3-5 wins from those fixtures if it was us.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I wasn’t laughing at you, but with you - the post was funny. Frankly, I hope they lose all 3 games but don’t think they will.

Equally, projecting that they will win 3-4 games against the likes of WBA, Sheff W, Stoke, Charlton, Pompey, Norwich or Southampton is hardly a big claim that’s overhyping them.

From that list, I’d be expecting 3-5 wins from those fixtures if it was us.

I would certainly back them to win 4 of the 7. But they’re a very inconsistent team, that’s been their problem for a long time. Norwich will be right up for it, Southampton have turned a corner as have Pompey and the latter two sides need the points. 12 points from 7 away games is still a very good return in any case.

Funnily enough we acquired 14 points from the same fixtures.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

I wasn’t laughing at you, but with you - the post was funny. Frankly, I hope they lose all 3 games but don’t think they will.

Equally, projecting that they will win 3-4 games against the likes of WBA, Sheff W, Stoke, Charlton, Pompey, Norwich or Southampton is hardly a big claim that’s overhyping them.

From that list, I’d be expecting 3-5 wins from those fixtures if it was us.

I wouldn't put it past WBA having a new manager bounce, Norwich are in solid form, Charlton are just awkward to play against, and Southampton look borderline dangerous. Even Portsmouth look like they've got a bit of grit about them now.

It's worth nothing that they've only won 6 away games all season.

Them winning 4 from the remaining 7 would be the maximum I'd predict.

 

[StrettoBoy]

I really wouldn't be surprised to see our point lead over 3rd jump up to 15 points over the next few games.

 

[StrettoBoy]

Good old Leicester.. always liked them

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I wouldn't put it past WBA having a new manager bounce, Norwich are in solid form, Charlton are just awkward to play against, and Southampton look borderline dangerous. Even Portsmouth look like they've got a bit of grit about them now.

It's worth nothing that they've only won 6 away games all season.

Them winning 4 from the remaining 7 would be the maximum I'd predict.

All that is true, but objectively, their away run in is easier than the ourselves and Boro.

Last season, we tripped up v Plymouth, Luton, Derby and Hull in the closing weeks of the season, so the league position isn’t a gimme. They can be difficult games and for our sake, I want them (and Boro) to slip up.

 

[Liquid Gold]

Papered over the cracks by being the best team in the league

Yeah, the cracks being that the best first XI in the league had no support at all.

As soon as the inevitable injuries, suspension and extraordinary illness hit us the cracks were there for all to see.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Yeah, but they are also fighting for playoffs and usually good at home so I thought Ipswich might have dropped points last night.

However I agree in that Ipswich are hit and miss and won’t win every game going forward.

Great win for Ipswich last night I mean sorry
Interesting hull and Wrexham and Ipswich all winning
Actually and Southampton

 

[wingy]

Bookmark the post, they’ll lose at Pompey, Norwich and Southampton.

They're all clued up and Southampton have good lawyers.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

They're all clued up and Southampton have good lawyers.

Lol

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

All that is true, but objectively, their away run in is easier than the ourselves and Boro.

Last season, we tripped up v Plymouth, Luton, Derby and Hull in the closing weeks of the season, so the league position isn’t a gimme. They can be difficult games and for our sake, I want them (and Boro) to slip up.

While that's true, their home run is considerably harder.

And although their record Portman Road is obviously strong it's inevitably going to be tested over the coming weeks. Hull, Millwall, Birmingham and Middlesbrough are all in solid form currently.

Hull, Millwall and Middlesbrough are some of the best sides in the league away and to be honest I think Birmingham have potentially turned a corner as well and won't roll over as easily as they have done previously away from home.

Swansea, Leicester and Stoke will likely have to play out their skin to get anything out of their respective games against them.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

All that is true, but objectively, their away run in is easier than the ourselves and Boro.

Last season, we tripped up v Plymouth, Luton, Derby and Hull in the closing weeks of the season, so the league position isn’t a gimme. They can be difficult games and for our sake, I want them (and Boro) to slip up.

We just need to focus on ourselves for now. We've broken back out at the top. Let's try and get maximum points over the next five games or so.

Let the others scrap it out and go through the stress.

 

[Alkhen]

I know it's a minority but it blows my mind how some of our fans start banging on about how we are as good as promoted on PPG and start predicting the date we'll secure it.

Lads we've been through this, we blew a 12 PT gap already! The championship comes at you hard and fast everything can change in a week or two let's not get carried away after a couple of wins. We are on a good course and look a lot better equipped than December to cope with things but let's not set ourselves up for a fail by acting like it's a sealed deal.

 

[wingy]

We just need to focus on ourselves for now. We've broken back out at the top. Let's try and get maximum points over the next five games or so.

Let the others scrap it out and go through the stress.

This.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

While that's true, their home run is considerably harder.

And although their record Portman Road is obviously strong it's inevitably going to be tested over the coming weeks. Hull, Millwall, Birmingham and Middlesbrough are all in solid form currently.

Hull, Millwall and Middlesbrough are some of the best sides in the league away and to be honest I think Birmingham have potentially turned a corner as well and won't roll over as easily as they have done previously away from home.

Swansea, Leicester and Stoke will likely have to play out their skin to get anything out of their respective games against them.

Do you back any of those teams to beat Ipswich away? Personally, I don’t. 2-3 draws, definitely.

I don’t expect Boro, Ipswich or ourselves to drop many more points at home. Although Boro could be demoralised if they drop any more points v Blues and QPR and we’ve pulled away. In fact, Boro themselves need to go out and win 4-5 of their remaining games to stand a chance imo. Only Millwall and Bristol should cause them problems.

We have the most difficult run in but it’s v marginal and it’s to our advantage the toughest games are at home where we’ve been close to flawless since Lampard came in.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

We just need to focus on ourselves for now. We've broken back out at the top. Let's try and get maximum points over the next five games or so.

Let the others scrap it out and go through the stress.

For sure, I’m v confident that a win tonight and v Stoke is ‘set point’. From that position, we really would need rotten form at home and away to fall out of the top 2.

 

[covcity4life]

Yeah, the cracks being that the best first XI in the league had no support at all.

As soon as the inevitable injuries, suspension and extraordinary illness hit us the cracks were there for all to see.

We were light on wingers. Other than that it was a good squad. Thus why we were top at the time and didn't encounter any issues till last week of the year

It's silly to try to pretend recruitment hasn't been very good

 

[covcity4life]

For sure, I’m v confident that a win tonight and v Stoke is ‘set point’. From that position, we really would need rotten form at home and away to fall out of the top 2.

I'm not sure about tonight. Think we can beat stoke. Anything today a bonus

 

[fernandopartridge]

We were light on wingers. Other than that it was a good squad. Thus why we were top at the time and didn't encounter any issues till last week of the year

It's silly to try to pretend recruitment hasn't been very good

To be fair we also hadn't got a direct replacement for Sheaf which we now have. We still had a strong squad but it wouldn't be unfair to say it over-performed early season.

 

[alexccfc99]

Actually feel sorry for the guy;

I do sometimes wonder what goes through an owners head at times, these are smart people who have made a lot of money we are talking about yet did anybody genuinely think that appointment was going to be a success other than the people who appointed him?

They would have easily kept their head above water under Mason imo, they were on that rotten away run but their home form was not far off, maybe even Top 6 iirc - If you were gonna sack Mason fair enough but surely you sack him for a Rowett or an O'Neill as others have done as opposed to another rookie

 

[robbiethemole]

I dont disagree

What was more concerning last night was the actual performance. We didn't play bad against you or Oxford for that matter, last night we looked tired and i mean the majority of players. Passing was slow and players looked backwards rather than forwards which has been one of our key strengths.

End of the day we had two home games against bottom 3 opposition, bottom 3 for a reason and we had no answers. Ipswich had two tricky away games. The hope was to gain more points than them and build a gap. The reality is they have gained two points. ITs a shame

We need a better performance but Birmingham will fancy it on Monday. Playing away may be a blessing at this stage though.

We will go again

Brum won't be a pushover! as much as I hate saying it, they are good at home

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Do you back any of those teams to beat Ipswich away? Personally, I don’t. 2-3 draws, definitely.

I don’t expect Boro, Ipswich or ourselves to drop many more points at home. Although Boro could be demoralised if they drop any more points v Blues and QPR and we’ve pulled away. In fact, Boro themselves need to go out and win 4-5 of their remaining games to stand a chance imo. Only Millwall and Bristol should cause them problems.

We have the most difficult run in but it’s v marginal and it’s to our advantage the toughest games are at home where we’ve been close to flawless since Lampard came in.

Do we necessarily need them to lose home games? If they draw 3 of their remaining 7 they're probably not going to reach the automatic spots. So I think that's the wrong question to ask to be honest. Do I think they'll go on a similar run as they have done the past 7 games - winning 6 and drawing once? No I don't.

I think there will be games that they'll definitely struggle to bag a win and realistically I think anything lower than 5 / possibly 6 wins from 7 won't be enough for them to overtake us as I don't see their relatively inconsistent away form drastically improving.

 

[Skyblueweeman]

I know it's a minority but it blows my mind how some of our fans start banging on about how we are as good as promoted on PPG and start predicting the date we'll secure it.

Lads we've been through this, we blew a 12 PT gap already! The championship comes at you hard and fast everything can change in a week or two let's not get carried away after a couple of wins. We are on a good course and look a lot better equipped than December to cope with things but let's not set ourselves up for a fail by acting like it's a sealed deal.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

I know it's a minority but it blows my mind how some of our fans start banging on about how we are as good as promoted on PPG and start predicting the date we'll secure it.

Lads we've been through this, we blew a 12 PT gap already! The championship comes at you hard and fast everything can change in a week or two let's not get carried away after a couple of wins. We are on a good course and look a lot better equipped than December to cope with things but let's not set ourselves up for a fail by acting like it's a sealed deal.

I mean just look at Middlesbrough, from 6 wins in a row to 2 points in 3 games. Still a lot of games to go and plenty of them won’t go the way they are predicted to go prior to kick-off.

 

[Liquid Gold]

We were light on wingers. Other than that it was a good squad. Thus why we were top at the time and didn't encounter any issues till last week of the year

It's silly to try to pretend recruitment hasn't been very good

I'm not a 'recruitment truther'. I think in the main we've done very well.

I think however that we left ourselves short in the summer window and that really affected us in the winter months.

We've done excellently well in January to rectify that but we'd probably be out of sight now if we just did that in the summer.

 

[Macca1987]

I mean just look at Middlesbrough, from 6 wins in a row to 2 points in 3 games. Still a lot of games to go and plenty of them won’t go the way they are predicted to go prior to kick-off.

Completely agree, we will see all 3 teams win the ones they might not have, draw or lose easy winnable games.
Let's just enjoy the rollercoaster of the next 2 months and fingers crossed at the end of it we are sitting in one the those top 2 spots PUSB