If we are in the top 2 by christmas we will get promoted (9 Viewers)

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Walsall fans probably thought they were promoted when they were 16 points clear in January.......
For Walsall they lost a key loan player and stuff like this happens lower down the EFL pyramid. With us, the only thing that could hold us back is injuries. We're already managing Haji and EMC's minutes because they rarely finish games and come off the same time most games - recent results have allowed us to manage the squad well.

We shouldn't be under any pressure to sell players and surely King will open the cheque book if we're Top 2 or thereabouts come January. Even one 'statement' signing would get us over the line (preferably 2-3).

In the Championship, if you're Top 2 after 20 games, you're v likely to be Top 3. The Top 4 last season was consolidated between 15-20 games (only Sheff U dropped below Burnley).

 

Brighton Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
For Walsall they lost a key loan player and stuff like this happens lower down the EFL pyramid. With us, the only thing that could hold us back is injuries. We're already managing Haji and EMC's minutes because they rarely finish games and come off the same time most games - recent results have allowed us to manage the squad well.

We shouldn't be under any pressure to sell players and surely King will open the cheque book if we're Top 2 or thereabouts come January. Even one 'statement' signing would get us over the line (preferably 2-3).

In the Championship, if you're Top 2 after 20 games, you're v likely to be Top 3. The Top 4 last season was consolidated between 15-20 games (only Sheff U dropped below Burnley).

It's a funny one with the relegated sides all off to a bad or indifferent start when we're used to seeing them fly out the gates and pretty much stay up there. I expect some bumpy patches for us in the next two months, but we can afford for our PPG to drop to about 1.65 (from 2.33 currently) and still end up on 46 points at the halfway stage. At that point you're in January and reinforcements will surely arrive.
 

covcity4life

Well-Known Member
There is a different kind of pressure on the top team made even greater by the “unbeaten” tag. We’re handling it really well so far but sometimes it pays to lurk in around the top six and be ready for a late run.
Yes we’ll get promoted this season. I’ve been a bit “anti prem” for a long time and love the championship, but maybe it’s time.
The championship has peaked for us this year. It will be shit to be in it ever again as far as I'm concerned
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
It's a funny one with the relegated sides all off to a bad or indifferent start when we're used to seeing them fly out the gates and pretty much stay up there. I expect some bumpy patches for us in the next two months, but we can afford for our PPG to drop to about 1.65 (from 2.33 currently) and still end up on 46 points at the halfway stage. At that point you're in January and reinforcements will surely arrive.
My hope is that we'll remain unbeaten going into the international break. Gut instinct is that we'll lose one between them, probably Sheff U or Stoke but I won't discount Wrexham.

Come Jan, I expect us to be proactive in the transfer market because if now isn't the right time to 'go for it', when is?
 

Brighton Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
My hope is that we'll remain unbeaten going into the international break. Gut instinct is that we'll lose one between them, probably Sheff U or Stoke but I won't discount Wrexham.

Come Jan, I expect us to be proactive in the transfer market because if now isn't the right time to 'go for it', when is?
I'd be surprised if we kept it going that long, then again I was sure we'd lose at Portsmouth. Bournemouth managed the first 15 unbeaten in 21/22 which would also take us through to the break to be fair.
 

blunted

Well-Known Member
Words of caution. Newcastle were 15 points ahead at one stage and were overhauled.
Under Sexton, we were 2nd in the top division near Christmas. We avoided relegation on the last day of the season.
Think only injuries or fatigue due to a small squad can hold us back this season.
 

Sky_Blue_Daz

Well-Known Member
Words of caution. Newcastle were 15 points ahead at one stage and were overhauled.
Under Sexton, we were 2nd in the top division near Christmas. We avoided relegation on the last day of the season.
Think only injuries or fatigue due to a small squad can hold us back this season.
Very wise words . We do need to add in January
 

Johhny Blue

Well-Known Member
The championship has peaked for us this year. It will be shit to be in it ever again as far as I'm concerned
I hear ya’ one of the most exciting times in my life was when we were promoted to the old first division ( top of the world) but I remember life in
division 1/prem and all the relegation battles winning a few games here and there between losses. Our fans today have got used to “success” and may not handle those kind of games well.
 

rob9872

Well-Known Member
Nobody of the top expected teams running hot like Leeds and Burnley did last year, so I reckon 88 (possibly as low as 85) achieves promotion this season.

To hit 88, we need 60 from 34 games, that seems very doable from our start with this team, as long as no more long term key injuries.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
I'd be surprised if we kept it going that long, then again I was sure we'd lose at Portsmouth. Bournemouth managed the first 15 unbeaten in 21/22 which would also take us through to the break to be fair.
At this point, our form is so strong you look at the fixture list and can't see a game where you think we'll lose.

The early warning signs are there though. In our last 2 home games we've lost on 'xG' and anyone at the Watford game will have seen Rushworth stop 2 massive chances for Watford and one v Blackburn. There's definitely a tactical tweak required for home games at least and this is why I think we're most likely to lose v Sheff U.

Words of caution. Newcastle were 15 points ahead at one stage and were overhauled.
Under Sexton, we were 2nd in the top division near Christmas. We avoided relegation on the last day of the season.
Think only injuries or fatigue due to a small squad can hold us back this season.
Yes, we're where Sunderland was this time last year. The thing going for us is that the teams around us are currently 'over performing' and the relegated teams are well behind the pace even if their underlying stats show they're underperforming.

The table after 20 games has generally separated the wheat from the chaff.
 

Brighton Sky Blue

Well-Known Member
At this point, our form is so strong you look at the fixture list and can't see a game where you think we'll lose.

The early warning signs are there though. In our last 2 home games we've lost on 'xG' and anyone at the Watford game will have seen Rushworth stop 2 massive chances for Watford and one v Blackburn. There's definitely a tactical tweak required for home games at least and this is why I think we're most likely to lose v Sheff U.


Yes, we're where Sunderland was this time last year. The thing going for us is that the teams around us are currently 'over performing' and the relegated teams are well behind the pace even if their underlying stats show they're underperforming.

The table after 20 games has generally separated the wheat from the chaff.
We exerted a lot more control at Fratton Park than we did in the games either side of it, and there's perhaps a lesson in there. Sort of live by the sword die by the sword really, we want to play an expansive type of football which I'm fully onboard with, but it comes at a risk when teams take up the challenge.

I suggested earlier in the season that the best way to play against us would be to fight fire with fire. Blackburn and Watford have done that and caused bigger problems than other visitors to the CBS anyway.
 

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