Saddlebrains
Well-Known Member
Walsall fans probably thought they were promoted when they were 16 points clear in January.......
If we are in the top 2 by christmas we will get promoted (11 Viewers)
- Thread starter Evo1883
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Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Aye with CCFC I won't believe it till it's mathematically certain. Even then I'll be a bit nervy
Sky Blue Pete
Well-Known Member
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
People from Walsall think a lot of daft things
Mucca Mad Boys
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).
2025/26 Championship Date Range: 1-JUL-2024 to 10-NOV-2024
TWTD provides the most comprehensive coverage of Ipswich Town Football Club with current news, forums, blogs, videos, ratings and more.
clint van damme
Well-Known Member
Brighton Sky Blue
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.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).
2025/26 Championship Date Range: 1-JUL-2024 to 10-NOV-2024
TWTD provides the most comprehensive coverage of Ipswich Town Football Club with current news, forums, blogs, videos, ratings and more.www.twtd.co.uk
covcity4life
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
Mucca Mad Boys
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?
Brighton Sky Blue
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.
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.
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
Very wise words . We do need to add in January
Johhny Blue
Well-Known Member
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.
SeaSeeEffCee
Well-Known Member
Some real misery guts on here at the moment
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.
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
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.
Sky_Blue_Daz
Well-Known Member
I think we need 11 wins to secure a playoff spot .
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
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.
Brylowes
Well-Known Member
Time to wake up & smell the coffee!!
SonofErnie
Well-Known Member
And lost by an aggregate of 5-1. Non expansive teams Hull and Norwich won a point each.
skyblue025
Well-Known Member
Just buy an advent calender with whiskey or gin etc in it. Much better than ripping a piece of paper off. The way things are going you will need all 25 as well.
Lamps
Well-Known Member
I'm not setting any targets. I'm looking at what is actually happening. Previous seasons are precautionary tales but nothing else.
Middlesbrough look our nearest rivals. They've only won 1 game by more than 1 goal. We've only won 1 game by a single goal. That's where Portsmouth scored the late goal. They've lost to Portsmouth. They've had a great start but since the start of September they've got 13 points from the last 8 games. That's playoff form.
What you need to be successful is either a solid defence or lots of goals. We have both. Rushworth is showing why we seriously needed a good GK. MVE is missing our next game. His replacement, KKH, would get into most Championship sides. Then we also have Woolfenden waiting for his chance. Grimes sitting just in front runs the games. We've conceded less goals than all the other sides other than Middlesbrough and Stoke that have conceded 1 less. That's a promotion winning defence.
Goals?
We've been so good that some of our supporters moan when we win by only 2 goals. We've scored at least double the goals of every side other than Hull and Bristol City who both have 20. Hull have also conceded 20.
I know a side or 2 could go on a run. But presently there only looks like 1 side that could. That's us and we've been on one from the start. We have 18 points from the last 6 games. Charlton in 6th have the grand total of 19 points
It's time to relax and enjoy what looks like our best season ever. Don't worry about the sides below us. Just watch most of them fall away from the hunt for an automatic promotion place.
Middlesbrough look our nearest rivals. They've only won 1 game by more than 1 goal. We've only won 1 game by a single goal. That's where Portsmouth scored the late goal. They've lost to Portsmouth. They've had a great start but since the start of September they've got 13 points from the last 8 games. That's playoff form.
What you need to be successful is either a solid defence or lots of goals. We have both. Rushworth is showing why we seriously needed a good GK. MVE is missing our next game. His replacement, KKH, would get into most Championship sides. Then we also have Woolfenden waiting for his chance. Grimes sitting just in front runs the games. We've conceded less goals than all the other sides other than Middlesbrough and Stoke that have conceded 1 less. That's a promotion winning defence.
Goals?
We've been so good that some of our supporters moan when we win by only 2 goals. We've scored at least double the goals of every side other than Hull and Bristol City who both have 20. Hull have also conceded 20. I know a side or 2 could go on a run. But presently there only looks like 1 side that could. That's us and we've been on one from the start. We have 18 points from the last 6 games. Charlton in 6th have the grand total of 19 points
It's time to relax and enjoy what looks like our best season ever. Don't worry about the sides below us. Just watch most of them fall away from the hunt for an automatic promotion place.
Liquid Gold
Well-Known Member
It's too early to tell right now.
I think top 2 at Christmas and it will be our year though.
I think top 2 at Christmas and it will be our year though.
Otis
Well-Known Member
Yeah, but you are comparing Poundland with Fortnum and Mason.
Sbarcher
Well-Known Member
The Laithwaites mixed wine advent calendar arrived last week. Always a great present for the wife.Just buy an advent calender with whiskey or gin etc in it. Much better than ripping a piece of paper off. The way things are going you will need all 25 as well.
CovValleyBoy
Well-Known Member
Over decades I have never thought of City all of the time.
oscillatewildly
Well-Known Member
Whilst I’m sure most of us will applaud the bravery in making your confession I suggest you still need to take a walk to the back yard and admonish yourself in a most severe manner.
Robinshio
Well-Known Member
11 games to half way - 18 points keeps us on 2 points per game - something like the set of results below looks reasonable
Wrexham A Win
Sheff U H Draw
Stoke A Lose
WBA H Win
Middlesbrough A Draw
Charlton H Win
Ipswich A Lose
Preston A Draw
Bristol C H Win
Southampton A Lose
Swansea H Win
Wrexham A Win
Sheff U H Draw
Stoke A Lose
WBA H Win
Middlesbrough A Draw
Charlton H Win
Ipswich A Lose
Preston A Draw
Bristol C H Win
Southampton A Lose
Swansea H Win
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
No easy games on that list, if we're still in the top 2 at the end of them...oh yes.
Mucca Mad Boys
Well-Known Member
If we beat PNE away and break the Deepdale curse, it’s written in the stars.
lord_garrincha
Well-Known Member
They finished 2nd though... I'd reluctantly take it!
Robinshio
Well-Known Member
especially if thats with 5 games to go