The Championship

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

So we are now exactly half way through the season. Just doing a quick bit of number crunching - I know how to have a wild Saturday night me - if we take our PPG for the first half but excluding the first 7 games, we get 2.06/game. If  we can average the same for the second half of the season we would end up with 81 points.
That would have got us to 4th place last season and is easily enough for a play off spot any year.

:giggle:

[wassy04]

So we are now exactly half way through the season. Just doing a quick bit of number crunching - I know how to have a wild Saturday night me - if we take our PPG for the first half but excluding the first 7 games, we get 2.06/game. If  we can average the same for the second half of the season we would end up with 81 points.
That would have got us to 4th place last season and is easily enough for a play off spot any year.

We did play most of the top 6 in those first 7 games though so assuming we'll maintain this PPG is slightly optimistic. 

If we make some squad improvements and keep the big names though then maybe we could continue this form against the better teams when we play them again soon.

[Paplane]

So we are now exactly half way through the season. Just doing a quick bit of number crunching - I know how to have a wild Saturday night me - if we take our PPG for the first half but excluding the first 7 games, we get 2.06/game. If  we can average the same for the second half of the season we would end up with 81 points.
That would have got us to 4th place last season and is easily enough for a play off spot any year.

We did play most of the top 6 in those first 7 games though so assuming we'll maintain this PPG is slightly optimistic. 

If we make some squad improvements and keep the big names though then maybe we could continue this form against the better teams when we play them again soon.

Weve got to go to Bournemouth, Fulham, Blackburn away too.

Actually with our away record thats maybe the best scenario.

[zicorice]

Sheff Utd look like they've got their act together. Definitely a threat to the top 2.

[Username]

Neither Fulham or Bournemouth have won in their last five games

[Portchester Tricky]

Looking at the table. Blackburn have got 15 points from 5 games. If they sell Brereton Diaz, that accounts for 18 goals they have scored. Our goal difference is creeping up, but we need to add more goals . The race towards the top 2 finishes looks to be spread among 5 or 6 teams, including us. I dont think that Autos are out of reach at this juncture of the season. We just need to up the goals scored and continue our frugal defence stats. The addition of a different type of forward could make all the difference in the January window.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for Blackburn to sell Brereton in January.

[nffc93]

It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for Blackburn to sell Brereton in January.

Don't think they can afford to hang onto him till end of the season and potentially lose out on 20m +
Out of contract at end of season.

Think they've got serious financial issues

[Username]

Barnsley v Stoke and Cardiff v Coventry already called off on Boxing Day, which means a draw for us against ‘boro will mean we move into the top six

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever for Blackburn to sell Brereton in January.

Don't think they can afford to hang onto him till end of the season and potentially lose out on 20m +
Out of contract at end of season.

Think they've got serious financial issues

Blackburn have a one year option though and I would expect them to trigger it.

[Paplane]

Fulham were pretty poor last night but fair play to Sheff, they did a number on them. We'd be chuffed if our side put in a resolute performance like that. Oh and Harry Wilson is the most overrated player in the league if you ask me. Liverpool have had Fulham's pants down by selling him for £12m.

I fully expect Fulham and Bournemouth to remain and finish as the top 2 sides. All teams at the top have a dip in form in the winter, it's just the way it is. They'll just play through it and their quality will come back I'm sure.

With Blackburn, Sheff U, us and Boro looking like they've got their acts together there's now big pressure on Coventry and Stoke. It'll be interesting if those two can continue to get good results.

[Ciscokid]

Fulham were pretty poor last night but fair play to Sheff, they did a number on them. We'd be chuffed if our side put in a resolute performance like that. Oh and Harry Wilson is the most overrated player in the league if you ask me. Liverpool have had Fulham's pants down by selling him for £12m.

I fully expect Fulham and Bournemouth to remain and finish as the top 2 sides. All teams at the top have a dip in form in the winter, it's just the way it is. They'll just play through it and their quality will come back I'm sure.

With Blackburn, Sheff U, us and Boro looking like they've got their acts together there's now big pressure on Coventry and Stoke. It'll be interesting if those two can continue to get good results.

What I found interesting about Sheffields performance last night was the way that they challenged Fulhams possession every sing!e time. Players like Billie Sharp fought for each ball so that eventually Fulham found no space or time to create their normal moves. They were forced to look ordinary by a tactical masterpiece from Heckingbottom. If others can copy that  method successfully then Fulham will drop into the p!ay off positions.