| Last 5 games 17:42 - Jan 18 with 2071 views | _CliveBaker_ |
We’ve reeled in both Cov & Boro by 6 points each.
Since the end of August when the window closed (after 4 games) we’re at 2ppg now as well. 44 points from the 22 games. I was a bit surprised to see over the same period Boro have only actually averaged 1.6ppg. They won their opening 4 and had 9 points on us at that point, but that’s pretty middling playoff form since, across half a season.
That form for the rest of the season gets them to 79.4. 11 wins from our 20 games outpaces that (even with 9 defeats). Of course they could well do better, and they’re not the only horse in the race. I do reckon 13 wins from our 20 games does it though. Maybe less depending on draws, but it goes to show the margin of error is surely going to be far more generous than last time out at this level. It’s all there for the taking isn’t it.
|  | | |  |
| Last 5 games on 17:45 - Jan 18 with 1999 views | Kieran_Knows |
A good end to the transfer window and we win this league comfortably, IMHO. |  |
| |
| Last 5 games on 17:47 - Jan 18 with 1976 views | nrb1985 |
Our run in would be the only cause for concern on assumption we also make a couple of useful additions this window as the others will surely do.
Without looking, from memory I think we haven by far the toughest run in and obviously have to go to those lot up the road. |  | | |
| Last 5 games on 17:51 - Jan 18 with 1922 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Last 5 games on 17:45 - Jan 18 by Kieran_Knows |
A good end to the transfer window and we win this league comfortably, IMHO. |
Another #9 and CM reinforcement and it’s all there for us. It probably is without that, but a couple of injuries have more chance of fooking us over.
Hard ones to recruit for with half an eye on next season. I wouldn’t mind a short term option up front, similar to the Moore signing maybe, then reassess in the summer when hopefully we’re recruiting as a premier league team. | | | |
| Last 5 games on 17:54 - Jan 18 with 1893 views | Dubtractor |
I've posted similar at various points over the last few months, but with each passing week/month we're looking more and more like the real deal. Whatever stats you want to look at - PPG/Goals scored or conceded/XG for or against - show the same improving trend, and without needing those stats we are very evidently playing increasingly slick football with passing patterns to unlock defences.
It's not perfect yet and we'll have some more bumps I'm sure, especially in away games, but I'm pretty confident of top 2 as it stands. Get the right reinforcements in this month and I think we'll take some stopping. |  |
| |
| Last 5 games on 17:56 - Jan 18 with 1874 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Last 5 games on 17:47 - Jan 18 by nrb1985 |
Our run in would be the only cause for concern on assumption we also make a couple of useful additions this window as the others will surely do.
Without looking, from memory I think we haven by far the toughest run in and obviously have to go to those lot up the road. |
Possibly but I don’t see a huge amount that scares me between now and the end of March. I always thought Jan - end of March could be very fruitful. We’ve been to Cov, Boro, Millwall, Preston, Leicester, Brum, Bristol City. They’re some of the stickier fixtures IMO.
April looks a tough month though. | | | |
| Last 5 games on 17:57 - Jan 18 with 1861 views | Guthrum |
| Last 5 games on 17:51 - Jan 18 by _CliveBaker_ |
Another #9 and CM reinforcement and it’s all there for us. It probably is without that, but a couple of injuries have more chance of fooking us over.
Hard ones to recruit for with half an eye on next season. I wouldn’t mind a short term option up front, similar to the Moore signing maybe, then reassess in the summer when hopefully we’re recruiting as a premier league team. |
I think it makes a huge difference when we are recruiting not only as a Premier League team, but also not having come direct from League One and after an absence of over two decades. It will be a situation where potential signing are likely to have played against the team recently, not still being in nappies when it was last possible. Name recognition, perhaps a different set of assumptions about the probable outcome. |  |
| |
| Last 5 games on 18:00 - Jan 18 with 1838 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Last 5 games on 17:57 - Jan 18 by Guthrum |
I think it makes a huge difference when we are recruiting not only as a Premier League team, but also not having come direct from League One and after an absence of over two decades. It will be a situation where potential signing are likely to have played against the team recently, not still being in nappies when it was last possible. Name recognition, perhaps a different set of assumptions about the probable outcome. |
No idea why, and just one big hunch, but I think we’ll make 2 relatively big money signings (£5m+) from abroad. | |
| |
| Last 5 games on 18:02 - Jan 18 with 1807 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Last 5 games on 17:57 - Jan 18 by Guthrum |
I think it makes a huge difference when we are recruiting not only as a Premier League team, but also not having come direct from League One and after an absence of over two decades. It will be a situation where potential signing are likely to have played against the team recently, not still being in nappies when it was last possible. Name recognition, perhaps a different set of assumptions about the probable outcome. |
Hopefully (although we’re yet to see tons of evidence) a more sophisticated scouting network as well. To their credit Sunderland look to have unearthed a lot of value by shopping abroad, where as we seemed limited to paying a premium on players scouted in the Merlin sticker book. As good as some of those have done, if you’re paying that sort of money for the Szmodics and Ogbene’s of the world you’re probably destined to struggle at that level. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Last 5 games on 18:04 - Jan 18 with 1770 views | Guthrum |
A significant factor is that we have not had the winter/New Year slump which has afflicted Town in many previous seasons. Not having that loss of momentum somewhere between November and February will leave us better positioned, not needing an extended, near-miraculous run of wins to secure a promotion slot. | |
| |
| Last 5 games on 18:08 - Jan 18 with 1698 views | SuffolkPunchFC |
I did a similar analysis from a different angle yesterday, and also arrived at 79 pts for Boro. I have us and Coventry finishing very close, unless they drop off very signficantly.
https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/6 [Post edited 18 Jan 19:39]
| | | |
| Last 5 games on 18:14 - Jan 18 with 1620 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| Last 5 games on 18:08 - Jan 18 by SuffolkPunchFC |
I did a similar analysis from a different angle yesterday, and also arrived at 79 pts for Boro. I have us and Coventry finishing very close, unless they drop off very signficantly.
https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/6 [Post edited 18 Jan 19:39]
|
Hadn’t seen that thread, thanks for sharing | | | |
| Last 5 games on 18:16 - Jan 18 with 1605 views | mellowblue |
it is looking very promising and I tend to be cautious on my expectations with Ipswich. Reassess after we get this run of away games out of the way in Feb. Then the finish line starts to be nearer in sight. But it is all looking very promising. | | | |
| Last 5 games on 18:50 - Jan 18 with 1450 views | SomethingBlue |
It's not bad for what, we've been told by some sages here and elsewhere, is the worst team ever to occupy third place. We should be fine but I'm cautious until I see how everything looks personnel-wise at the end of January – would like us to strengthen so that others cannot say they've closed the quality/depth gap. The schedule in February deals us an extraordinary inconvenient hand, too. I think there is an opportunity to turn this pretty quickly into a three-horse race, and indeed to win it, but the next month will tell us a lot. | |
| |
| Last 5 games on 18:56 - Jan 18 with 1378 views | RIPbobby |
We have so many options in our locker. Lets hope we keep progressing. |  | | |
| Last 5 games on 20:57 - Jan 18 with 1026 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Last 5 games on 18:08 - Jan 18 by SuffolkPunchFC |
I did a similar analysis from a different angle yesterday, and also arrived at 79 pts for Boro. I have us and Coventry finishing very close, unless they drop off very signficantly.
https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/6 [Post edited 18 Jan 19:39]
|
Tend to agree with that, but will wait for end of transfer window. Both incoming & outgoing, Boro have placed a high price tag on Hackney, not impossible a Premier League club is prepared to pay it.
We currently have two spaces in our 25 man squad, suspect we are confident of making at least one significant signing.
Looking forward to Guthers regular tables. |  |
| |
| Last 5 games on 21:39 - Jan 18 with 876 views | billlm |
We're going up it's who comes with us and it's not via the playoffs |  | | |
| Last 5 games on 22:36 - Jan 18 with 706 views | FoD_Blue |
| Last 5 games on 20:57 - Jan 18 by Pinewoodblue |
Tend to agree with that, but will wait for end of transfer window. Both incoming & outgoing, Boro have placed a high price tag on Hackney, not impossible a Premier League club is prepared to pay it.
We currently have two spaces in our 25 man squad, suspect we are confident of making at least one significant signing.
Looking forward to Guthers regular tables. |
Is Townsend expected to return any time this season?
Maybe one of the vacant spots in the squad will become his? | | | |
| Last 5 games on 22:39 - Jan 18 with 690 views | FrimleyBlue |
Id feel more confident with a few additions this window.
In our upturn weve not had to do without azor. Nunez etc as yet. That is a slight concern as both do two very important jobs and neither really have a player like them in the side. |  |
| |
| Last 5 games on 10:45 - Jan 19 with 277 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Last 5 games on 18:50 - Jan 18 by SomethingBlue |
It's not bad for what, we've been told by some sages here and elsewhere, is the worst team ever to occupy third place. We should be fine but I'm cautious until I see how everything looks personnel-wise at the end of January – would like us to strengthen so that others cannot say they've closed the quality/depth gap. The schedule in February deals us an extraordinary inconvenient hand, too. I think there is an opportunity to turn this pretty quickly into a three-horse race, and indeed to win it, but the next month will tell us a lot. |
I said this a couple of weeks ago but it already is a three horse race for me. Maybe not in terms of points totals as they stand but I just cannot see anyone below us having enough about them to get at least 2 points per game over the remaining 19 games. I think the GD differential is quite telling. Millwall 4th on -2, Hull 5th on +3 vs us on +21. It feels like teams like Hull, Millwall, Preston are playing above their level already and can't see them having improvement in them. [Post edited 19 Jan 10:46]
| | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
