At least 10 teams fighting to be in the mix. Are there 6 better than us over 46 games? Here's what I think.
NORWICH +6 - found the consistancy and the team spirit to stay up there but maybe lack the X factor players for top 2. They were the best team we've played though tbf
MIDDLESBROUGH +4 - undoubtedly have the "built from the back" part nailed but I predict they might just find themselves short of top 2 and not positive enough to get though the play-offs and the fans arent happy with such boring football. Probably the players arent either.
SHEFFIELD UNITED +3 - along with Norwich probably the best 2 drilled and hardworking sides and so will punch above their weight, which they are doing again but as last season they surely lack the quality to stay ahead of 6 other sides in the the most competitive championship for years.
LEEDS UNITED +3 - Decent football under Bielsa, probably the most like the Wolves of last year. Haven't quite got their quality though and unless they strengthen in Jan (which I fear they might big style go for it) then I can see them being overhauled by most.
WEST BROM +2 - As strong an attacking side as you'd ever need, Premier League XXL players, could win any game that they could be bothered to (so hope we dont get them in the play-offs). If they hold on to their key players in January whoever finishes above them will be going up I reckon
DERBY +1 - I will try and be objective. Yes Ive seen them rip apart title favourites West Brom and Middlesbrough, terrorise Man Utd reserves and win 4-1 at Chelsea, But under Frank they've only got one gear. 5th gear, or as I like to describe it 'ALL OUT NO DEFENCE'. It shouldn't take a David Platt to work out a plan to stop them (as the likes of relegation-threatened Bolton and Villa have done). Statwise, for their front foot all out energy game they have had more than 80 more shots on goal than us this season which is fairplay but the bottom line is that that has amounted to just 2 more goals than us. Anyway the pressure is on, its now or not yet for Derby cos if they keep it up then Frank will be linked with every Prem job going and of course Mount, Tomori and Wilson (the only reason they are any better than last season) are not their players and so wont be at Derby next season and wont give a ****. So lets just wait for....wheels....falling off....christmas etc......AGAIN!
FOREST Scratch - I will try and be objective. Were not in a bad place. 2 defeats and 2-1 down on goals from corners is a massive improvement from where we were last year after 17 games (7th on 27 points!! D'oh). But it feels totally different, like we are 10x better. Defensively were getting there, but that is a bit at detriment to the attack cos it can feel like we are playing with 10 going forward. We will sort it, Im sure Carvalho will only get better and we can certainly squeeze a bit more juice out of other attack minded players especially right side. At the minute we are relying on the likes of Grabban, Lolley, Robinson and Carvalho staying fit and firing but if they do and we add whats missing in Jan then we will defo be top 6. No doubt we will have as good a squad as any to cope with 49 game season and if we sign a killer right attacker we could flirt with the top 2. Its Karankas first season remember I think if we dont go up then AK will be nearer having all the players he needs to make his, at the minute a bit dull 4-2-3-1, into the exciting and solid vision of 4-2-3-1 he has in his head. I believe he can given time, but maybe 2 more windows will be needed if we can't get lucky this year.
8th SWANSEA -1 - Solid and organised defensively, not totally firing to their potential yet up front. That would put them in the same bracket as us and Middlesbrough but would expect us and Boro to finish higher.
11th VILLA -3 - Ridiculous squad. I couldnt say any of our players would be nailed on to get in their best XI. Obviously the best squad on paper in the league, but football is not played on paper its played on computers nowadays and do their super players have super stats......do they ****. Now theyve pinched Dean Smith its hard to see them not making up the ground with the squad theyve got as long as they get everyone playing his way. But can they?
16th STOKE -5 - Ive included these in 'the mix' reluctantly. With Gary at the helm I doubt they are a danger. Again they have a Prem size XXL team and all the tools you'd think to bounce back. They're slowly improving and not too far behind but unless they sack Rowett I just cant see them doing a Fulham.
Other notable mentions who I can't see doing a Fulham are -
15th Brentford -5 (not now DS gone), 12th Birmingham -3 (already firing well above their weight), 10th QPR -1 (midtable), 9th Blackburn -1 (naaa).
3 from 10. That's how I see it. We're in the mix 30% chance of the promised land.
NORWICH +6 - found the consistancy and the team spirit to stay up there but maybe lack the X factor players for top 2. They were the best team we've played though tbf
MIDDLESBROUGH +4 - undoubtedly have the "built from the back" part nailed but I predict they might just find themselves short of top 2 and not positive enough to get though the play-offs and the fans arent happy with such boring football. Probably the players arent either.
SHEFFIELD UNITED +3 - along with Norwich probably the best 2 drilled and hardworking sides and so will punch above their weight, which they are doing again but as last season they surely lack the quality to stay ahead of 6 other sides in the the most competitive championship for years.
LEEDS UNITED +3 - Decent football under Bielsa, probably the most like the Wolves of last year. Haven't quite got their quality though and unless they strengthen in Jan (which I fear they might big style go for it) then I can see them being overhauled by most.
WEST BROM +2 - As strong an attacking side as you'd ever need, Premier League XXL players, could win any game that they could be bothered to (so hope we dont get them in the play-offs). If they hold on to their key players in January whoever finishes above them will be going up I reckon
DERBY +1 - I will try and be objective. Yes Ive seen them rip apart title favourites West Brom and Middlesbrough, terrorise Man Utd reserves and win 4-1 at Chelsea, But under Frank they've only got one gear. 5th gear, or as I like to describe it 'ALL OUT NO DEFENCE'. It shouldn't take a David Platt to work out a plan to stop them (as the likes of relegation-threatened Bolton and Villa have done). Statwise, for their front foot all out energy game they have had more than 80 more shots on goal than us this season which is fairplay but the bottom line is that that has amounted to just 2 more goals than us. Anyway the pressure is on, its now or not yet for Derby cos if they keep it up then Frank will be linked with every Prem job going and of course Mount, Tomori and Wilson (the only reason they are any better than last season) are not their players and so wont be at Derby next season and wont give a ****. So lets just wait for....wheels....falling off....christmas etc......AGAIN!
FOREST Scratch - I will try and be objective. Were not in a bad place. 2 defeats and 2-1 down on goals from corners is a massive improvement from where we were last year after 17 games (7th on 27 points!! D'oh). But it feels totally different, like we are 10x better. Defensively were getting there, but that is a bit at detriment to the attack cos it can feel like we are playing with 10 going forward. We will sort it, Im sure Carvalho will only get better and we can certainly squeeze a bit more juice out of other attack minded players especially right side. At the minute we are relying on the likes of Grabban, Lolley, Robinson and Carvalho staying fit and firing but if they do and we add whats missing in Jan then we will defo be top 6. No doubt we will have as good a squad as any to cope with 49 game season and if we sign a killer right attacker we could flirt with the top 2. Its Karankas first season remember I think if we dont go up then AK will be nearer having all the players he needs to make his, at the minute a bit dull 4-2-3-1, into the exciting and solid vision of 4-2-3-1 he has in his head. I believe he can given time, but maybe 2 more windows will be needed if we can't get lucky this year.
8th SWANSEA -1 - Solid and organised defensively, not totally firing to their potential yet up front. That would put them in the same bracket as us and Middlesbrough but would expect us and Boro to finish higher.
11th VILLA -3 - Ridiculous squad. I couldnt say any of our players would be nailed on to get in their best XI. Obviously the best squad on paper in the league, but football is not played on paper its played on computers nowadays and do their super players have super stats......do they ****. Now theyve pinched Dean Smith its hard to see them not making up the ground with the squad theyve got as long as they get everyone playing his way. But can they?
16th STOKE -5 - Ive included these in 'the mix' reluctantly. With Gary at the helm I doubt they are a danger. Again they have a Prem size XXL team and all the tools you'd think to bounce back. They're slowly improving and not too far behind but unless they sack Rowett I just cant see them doing a Fulham.
Other notable mentions who I can't see doing a Fulham are -
15th Brentford -5 (not now DS gone), 12th Birmingham -3 (already firing well above their weight), 10th QPR -1 (midtable), 9th Blackburn -1 (naaa).
3 from 10. That's how I see it. We're in the mix 30% chance of the promised land.
