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It is interesting to note that actually the table after 15 games in does not change that much with only really one team moving dramatically to the finished table come end of season.
After 15 matches
1 Sheffield United
2 Leeds United
3 Middlesbrough FC
4 Norwich City
5 West Bromwich Albion
6 Derby County
7 Nottingham Forest
8 Swansea City
16 Aston Villa
End of season
1 Norwich City
2 Sheffield United
3 Leeds United
4 West Bromwich Albion
5 Aston Villa
6 Derby County
7 Middlesbrough FC
8 Bristol City
9 Nottingham Forest
10 Swansea City
I've looked at different years and it is the same situation if your not top 8 after 15 matches then generally you are not making top 6 at the end of season. Of course there is one team that gets close or does but that is only one team outside top 8 after 15 games. So those next 9 games could be even more important that previously thought.
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10-09-2019, 06:38 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-09-2019, 08:48 AM by Sniffer Dog (Admin).)
15 games is a good indicator. Would love to hit a bit of proper form...
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I've been optimistic the past few seasons.
I now truly believe this is the year. I've seen enough to think automatic is a real possibility.
SL has given the team a spirit I've not seen for years, add to that the quality and strength in depth, I'm really buzzing.
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Grabban has to stay fit through to Jan. Other positions have backup or formation options. CF unfortunately does not.
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Yes agreed, every team has weaknesses in the Championship, and this is ours.
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I think Ameobi or even Lolley could do a job for a game or two...it’s him playing 90minutes every game that is a worry but they do look fitter than in previous years.
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Although our strength in depth is impressive (particularly in midfield) I do wonder what we will be like should Grabban and Dawson get injured. Last season, Dawson's long term injury had a really bad impact on the team (although I think that also corresponded closely with whatever happened after the Ipswich game). Dawson has such experience, know how and skill at reading the game that he is probably our most important player. He is very much fulfilling the same role for Worrall as Des Walker did for him and no doubt Joe will be a far better player for it - but I would worry if Dawson was to get another long term injury even though we are well stocked with some good options at the back.
Grabban is another one just because we are so short at that position - Mir yet to show he is good enough; Ameobi possibly but not a long term option. Hopefully Grabban can stay fit.
Finally I've got to say that I really felt Watson was one of our poorest players last season. What has happened - did we secretly sell him and replace him with a doppelganger. Long may it continue.
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Without Grabban.....we will look like when we beat Derby 3 nil in the cup...
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The word is that Mir looks impressive in training. He will surprise a few this season. Hope he grabs a goal against Arsenal.
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If I'm being totally honest, I am happy with the way things are going at the present time. We are 10th in the table and ticking along nice and quietly just under the radar. This is helping to keep the pressure away from the players. Yet we are only 4 points off an automatic spot and 1 point outside the play offs.
I don't think any of the teams above us have played tougher fixtures than we have so far, so when they do play each other, a lot will drop points to those in and around them. We now start to play teams below us for the first time. It is imperative we do not do our typical thing and get too complacent against those lower than us, thats when we will lose our way.
Lets face it, the only game we have lost this season was through an offside goal mixed with poor goalkeeping and a very very flukey goal, that I dont actually blame the keeper for as the chances of that going in would've been 100/1 maybe. It will be interesting to see how we fair against West Brom now that our players are all starting to gel, SL is getting his ideas and tactics across, it would appear that our main nucleus of players have now been determined and we now look like a side capable of going on to better things.
But lets all try and keep things in perspective. It is still early in the season and we need to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on our players too soon. If we can do that, then yes! this could very well be our season!!
"It's Tricky to rock a rhyme, to rock a rhyme that's right on time, it's Trickay, It's Tricky, Tricky, Tricky Tricky" - Run DMC
