(sorry about the spelling in this thread)
I was looking at the league table this morning and was asking myself is it possible to still make promotion. The answer to that is yes it is still possible but the places we can catch in the top 6 are now down to just two spots in my view.
So shall we have a look at the competition?
Norwich are a huge 14-15 points clear from the chasing pack and would require a 5 game swing in our favour to catch them, this is very unlikely as has not happened to any of the top teams this season. After sticking with the manager through a tough period last year they have managed to come out the other end stronger and more of a team with a group goal rather than a team of players all playing to different styles. I did expect them to be top half at the start of the season in my predictions but didn’t think they would be top of the shop. A team no better than us but they have been very lucky over the season, they have played teams at the right time to get results and winning becomes a habit. Prediction 1st
Leeds currently sit 2nd on goal difference with a 10-11 point gap and look good for top spot finish. A team that plays good football and cheats its way to points so no real surprise they are where they are. They started the season on fire and then hit a slump which saw them give up the top spot in the league. However they have not fallen away nor have they rediscovered the blistering form instead they have become one of these teams you just don’t know who is going to come out and are not really showing any form or consistency. I do expect them to carry on picking points up but I just get the feeling they will not get enough to hold onto the automatic promotion position. Finish 3rd
Sheff Utd, like Leeds, sit 10-11 points clear of those outside the top six. Last season they started strong and were holding their own at the top until a complete collapse and they fell quickly to mid table and unable to recover. However the team seems to have gain some valuable experience from that and unlike last year this team do not look like slowing down and running out of steam. In fact this team is starting to find another gear and push forward. Goals are being to come easier for the forma forest strike force and it would not surprise me if Billy Sharpe finishes at the top goal scorer this season. Another team who are “in it together” who have had a few years to build with a single man in charge now showing they are ready for the long challenge of the championship. Finish 2nd
Then the next team in the list is WBA, they are a team who just keep scoring and goals win you points even if the rest of the team is not performing. A team built for wide play with two of the best players for through balls and crossers in the championship. The tactics are simple at WBA “get behind defenders rather than passing the ball in front of the backline, make them defend deep so our midfield has more space” and this has served them well. They have not been afraid to leave gaps of space and players unmarked in their pursuit of goals this season which as cost them at points, it is just lucky for them the championship does not have a huge amount of players who have the finishing quality of the premiership. With a gap of 7 points(8 to us) it will be a tough task to chase them down. Therefore we can assume they will be in the top 6 and are likely to be the team to beat in the play off’s but I wouldn’t rule out top 2 for WBA. Finish 4th – Play off winners
Middlesbrough are 7 points away and even tho it is a gap and gives them breathing space to allow a bad game or two, they are one of those teams who are capable of having a run of losing games or periods of draws. They are defensive minded team who struggle to find the net and when the going gets tough could find it hard to compete at the business end of the season. Teams going to Middlesbrough who are fighting for survival will see 0-0 at 70mins as a chance to overload on attack and snatch a win with little fear of a counter attacking threat as Pulis normally at this point moves to a more defensive system and players. Middlesbrough still need to come to the city ground in the third from last match of the season and could have a huge bearing on the top 6 places. Finish 6th
And finally we have Derby who are only 4 points clear and still to come to the city ground, a game which will now carry more importance than bragging rights this season. Derby have a track record at this point of the season to self-implode and go on a losing streak before picking up at the end of the season to scrap into the play off’s. However normally they have a much better points advantage between them and the chasing pack. As a team they are relying heavy on the young loans to win them games this season and with all young players inconsistency is a big factor. So far the old players have managed to hold out when the loans aren’t performing but games now come thick and fast questions will be asked if the squad size and age could cope over an extended period of time, games Saturday and Wednesday take a serious toil and they just don’t have depth to chance things around. I do not expect them to make top 6 but the question is will it be us that replaces them or another of the chasing pack remains to be seen. Finish 9th
I was looking at the league table this morning and was asking myself is it possible to still make promotion. The answer to that is yes it is still possible but the places we can catch in the top 6 are now down to just two spots in my view.
So shall we have a look at the competition?
Norwich are a huge 14-15 points clear from the chasing pack and would require a 5 game swing in our favour to catch them, this is very unlikely as has not happened to any of the top teams this season. After sticking with the manager through a tough period last year they have managed to come out the other end stronger and more of a team with a group goal rather than a team of players all playing to different styles. I did expect them to be top half at the start of the season in my predictions but didn’t think they would be top of the shop. A team no better than us but they have been very lucky over the season, they have played teams at the right time to get results and winning becomes a habit. Prediction 1st
Leeds currently sit 2nd on goal difference with a 10-11 point gap and look good for top spot finish. A team that plays good football and cheats its way to points so no real surprise they are where they are. They started the season on fire and then hit a slump which saw them give up the top spot in the league. However they have not fallen away nor have they rediscovered the blistering form instead they have become one of these teams you just don’t know who is going to come out and are not really showing any form or consistency. I do expect them to carry on picking points up but I just get the feeling they will not get enough to hold onto the automatic promotion position. Finish 3rd
Sheff Utd, like Leeds, sit 10-11 points clear of those outside the top six. Last season they started strong and were holding their own at the top until a complete collapse and they fell quickly to mid table and unable to recover. However the team seems to have gain some valuable experience from that and unlike last year this team do not look like slowing down and running out of steam. In fact this team is starting to find another gear and push forward. Goals are being to come easier for the forma forest strike force and it would not surprise me if Billy Sharpe finishes at the top goal scorer this season. Another team who are “in it together” who have had a few years to build with a single man in charge now showing they are ready for the long challenge of the championship. Finish 2nd
Then the next team in the list is WBA, they are a team who just keep scoring and goals win you points even if the rest of the team is not performing. A team built for wide play with two of the best players for through balls and crossers in the championship. The tactics are simple at WBA “get behind defenders rather than passing the ball in front of the backline, make them defend deep so our midfield has more space” and this has served them well. They have not been afraid to leave gaps of space and players unmarked in their pursuit of goals this season which as cost them at points, it is just lucky for them the championship does not have a huge amount of players who have the finishing quality of the premiership. With a gap of 7 points(8 to us) it will be a tough task to chase them down. Therefore we can assume they will be in the top 6 and are likely to be the team to beat in the play off’s but I wouldn’t rule out top 2 for WBA. Finish 4th – Play off winners
Middlesbrough are 7 points away and even tho it is a gap and gives them breathing space to allow a bad game or two, they are one of those teams who are capable of having a run of losing games or periods of draws. They are defensive minded team who struggle to find the net and when the going gets tough could find it hard to compete at the business end of the season. Teams going to Middlesbrough who are fighting for survival will see 0-0 at 70mins as a chance to overload on attack and snatch a win with little fear of a counter attacking threat as Pulis normally at this point moves to a more defensive system and players. Middlesbrough still need to come to the city ground in the third from last match of the season and could have a huge bearing on the top 6 places. Finish 6th
And finally we have Derby who are only 4 points clear and still to come to the city ground, a game which will now carry more importance than bragging rights this season. Derby have a track record at this point of the season to self-implode and go on a losing streak before picking up at the end of the season to scrap into the play off’s. However normally they have a much better points advantage between them and the chasing pack. As a team they are relying heavy on the young loans to win them games this season and with all young players inconsistency is a big factor. So far the old players have managed to hold out when the loans aren’t performing but games now come thick and fast questions will be asked if the squad size and age could cope over an extended period of time, games Saturday and Wednesday take a serious toil and they just don’t have depth to chance things around. I do not expect them to make top 6 but the question is will it be us that replaces them or another of the chasing pack remains to be seen. Finish 9th
