Are we going to blink? (24 Viewers)

[Paxman II]

Just a thought came to mind as we consider what a stunning season it has been so far with all the pundits saying we are nailed on for top spot.
Looking at previous teams like Sheff.Utd and Burnley in their promotion seasons. They each blinked in form at some point, but then after a few quick defeats, they quickly got back to winning ways before their 'lead' over the chasing pack was eroded.
Do you think that same scenario will play out with us? Watching the form picking up dramatically at Southampton for example, and Ipswich's fine run of recent form, and Stoke staying the course and pressure, should we be nervous?
My own view after Stoke and Boro' away wins, is we will not blink bar a couple games here and there. I think we are all set in a forward motion and a good place in terms of confidence, a very good harmonised team with some gifted players for this level all finding good form when needed. The gap we have created is a nice cushion when we get that blink.
That being said, who do you think will get the other automatic spot, and purely for bias reasons who would you actually like to get it?

 

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[SkyBlueSam01]

Yep

Life is just a series of blinks

But as long as we open our eyes again we see our destiny come to fruition

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

We’ll have a bad run of form at some point, it’s inevitable. Hopefully we’ll have done enough by that point for it to not matter too much in the grand scheme.

 

[stevefloyd]

The only way it seems at the moment that will impact our season is injuries to key players, the players stepping in have done their bit well in keeping our momentum up so far long may it continue

 

[JulianDarbyFTW]

All it takes is a run of four or five games where you lose three and draw a couple, and all of a sudden the chasing pack are breathing down your neck. Just a sticky run that almost every team has. But I suspected the wheels would fall off after Wrexham, and it didn't happen, so I'm not sure even a few games without a win is enough to derail the season.

But I think back to Newcastle and their 12-point lead over Liverpool, and how it all imploded as the season reached its crescendo. Pressure does funny things to people. The advantage we have is that Lampard has lived and breathed pressure his entire career, and if anyone can keep things steady, I’m confident he's the man.

 

[Lamps]

Our squad depth is stronger than most thought. Rudoni is finally coming back after over 2 months out. Wright is out injured again. We've just won away to 2nd place 2 games on the bounce. Yet we're now on a run of 10 wins from 11 games. The only defeat all season was with 3 defenders missing.

Southampton now have a decent chance of climbing the table now they've got rid of Will Still, but their problem is they have to keep winning just to climb up the table. They are 16 points and 26 goals behind us. We've drawn 4 lost 1. So out of the 1st 17 games we've only dropped 11 points.

We're scoring for fun. We have now had 12 different goalscorers. We have players at the top of the goals table. Teams can't cope with our attacking threat both when playing on the front foot or on the break. Our opponents are normally knackered by the 70th to the 80th minute. And when our opponents get a chance they still have to beat Rushworth.

Of course there's a chance of us suddenly going on a bad run and other sides suddenly getting a run together, but there's more of a chance of things continuing as they are especially now Rudoni is back and fully fresh when other players are starting to feel the pace.

 

[SIR ERNIE]

Said it before, the biggest threat to our league form is a cup run. We don't need one.
Let's not be distracted from the real business.

 

[Marty]

The hard work is already done, the buffer has been created, I heard the other day that for us to get autos we need mid table form for the rest of the season. If we go to both Ipswich and Soton and get 4 points from those fixtures we're dead certs for the title. As fans it's now time to enjoy the ride.

 

[Johhny Blue]

We're scoring for fun. We have now had 12 different goalscorers. We have players at the top of the goals table.

13 if you include Osayi-Samuel

 

[clint van damme]

Sure we'll hit a blip. But I don't see any team good enough to replicate our current run and take advantage.

I've been saying for weeks that people have been over estimating the challenge posed yIpswich and for me the jury's still out on Southampton even though they've undoubtedly got some fire power.

 

[harvey098]

It just feels similar to the Robins league 1 promotion to me now. I don’t fear anyone below, in fact it feels like teams have the fear factor when playing us which then becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.. I’m sure that boro striker scores the sitter on Tuesday if they’re playing someone shit and already 4-0 up. Psychology affects performance massively in sport and we’re walking on with an advantage every game right now.

 

[Lamps]

Sure we'll hit a blip. But I don't see any team good enough to replicate our current run and take advantage.

I've been saying for weeks that people have been over estimating the challenge posed yIpswich and for me the jury's still out on Southampton even though they've undoubtedly got some fire power.

It was clear to see before the season started that Will Still was their weak link. Because of the time they allowed him they have been left with a realistic chance of 2nd. In 13th but only 6 points off 2nd. But to beat us they need to get 0.56 points more than us for every remaining game. Each time we win that target goes up slightly even with a win for them.

 

[Dougin]

Nah, we will be 20 points ahead by the end of January.

 

[SonofErnie]

All it takes is a run of four or five games where you lose three and draw a couple, and all of a sudden the chasing pack are breathing down your neck. Just a sticky run that almost every team has. But I suspected the wheels would fall off after Wrexham, and it didn't happen, so I'm not sure even a few games without a win is enough to derail the season.

But I think back to Newcastle and their 12-point lead over Liverpool, and how it all imploded as the season reached its crescendo. Pressure does funny things to people. The advantage we have is that Lampard has lived and breathed pressure his entire career, and if anyone can keep things steady, I’m confident he's the man.

One team caught Newcastle. In that scenario we would be promoted.

 

[Kilclines curly mullet]

Remember that we have been in Automatic form over the past 46 games since Lampard took over, not just the 17 games this season.
We have proved over a significant period of time that we are an excellent team.
Sure we will have a blip, but the difference is that we have those blips in games and we still win.
Ipswich for example had a blip last night and lost

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Yeah we’ll have blips. Already had one against Wrexham and can’t imagine we finish the season without another one of them.

The important thing is how we respond and so far we’ve done that extremely well.