Th epoints dropped applies to all teams and is just part of football. We are in 7th place with half the season gone and a game in hand. Win that and we are 3 points of 3rd, and we did this with rubbish strikers.I think you should prepare to have your heart broken. Neil Warnock might be working miracles with some of the players who were already at the club, but his signings haven't worked at all. Akpom, Hall, Morsy and Roberts are just not doing it.
There's a critical need for a good striker but I don't have faith that Warnock can deliver it within the available budget. For as long as Assombalonga and Akpom are in the team, chances will be missed and points lost.
I would agree that missing out this year is not necessarily a bad thing. Still a top 6 and playoff games would be fun.We're not good enough to seriously challenge this year. Next maybe? Perhaps we'll kick on with a few additions in the Jan window, but I doubt it.
Actually I don't think this is a bad thing. Build a team around some of the young lads and let's see where we can go. Assuming we can keep hold of players like Tav.
Never to early to get promoted.I would agree that missing out this year is not necessarily a bad thing. Still a top 6 and playoff games would be fun.
Bournemouth are 3rd, with a much better GD than Boro. Boro do have a game in hand on them, but so do Watford and Reading (both 4 points ahead of Boro) and Brentford have two games in hand and 5 points and a better goal difference too.Th epoints dropped applies to all teams and is just part of football. We are in 7th place with half the season gone and a game in hand. Win that and we are 3 points of 3rd, and we did this with rubbish strikers.
Huddersfield, Preston, Sheff Wednesday suggests its sadly not a blip. Its the same old problem. We don't let many in but scoring goals is a huge issue.To think we beat Birmingham 4.1 away just a few weeks ago. We were a shadow of that team today. Hopefully Warnock b***ks them and it is only a blip.
41 points15 Pts to play for in January, how huge could that be ?
5 winnable games , ended with a tasty finish with Norwich. Could we really be on 51 Pts ?
Birmingham
Forest
Blackburn
Rotherham
Norwich ( I think this is still on )
I agree with all of that. We're a work in progress this season, but with a crop of our own youngsters ready and willing to step up - as seen in the cup against Brentford - next season could be exciting. We might not be making it stick on the pitch at the moment, but to be fair to the club they have been working hard to tie down the players who want to be here for a few more years. Its probably Warnock who has the experience that has helped the whole club shake off its complacency.I can't see a top-six finish this season with this squad. January is not likely to change much though I do hope Neil gets one or two in he really wants in the squad. They've played flat out for us up until recently and I think the fatigue is starting to show as it inevitably would at some point. The injury to Browne is an unfortunate setback too.
We're a small squad that has come a long way from nearly going down last season. Still, work to do and we're short in areas this season that will cost us. Hopefully, NW stays on and we have a decent Summer in strengthening the squad further, then who knows what we can achieve next season.
As I mentioned in another thread though, the cost of Covid and no fans in the ground, etc .. what kind of impact is that going to have on us getting as many players in as we need?? I can't even see the ground being open in all areas for fans for the start of next season. It's not just us, mind .. it's going to hurt all clubs that aren't run by a bunch o' billionaires.
I hope you're right and fans do come back sooner than later .. we're defo a work in progress though and just seems a bit crazy to expect top six and promotion this season or never as some have said, after where we have come from last season .. there'll be no shame in finishing mid-table this time around and then going again next year with a few more players ... as long as Neil gets the players he wants to strengthen, mind. That's gonna be a tough one in current circumstances. Who knows ..I agree with all of that. We're a work in progress this season, but with a crop of our own youngsters ready and willing to step up - as seen in the cup against Brentford - next season could be exciting. We might not be making it stick on the pitch at the moment, but to be fair to the club they have been working hard to tie down the players who want to be here for a few more years. Its probably Warnock who has the experience that has helped the whole club shake off its complacency.
I hope he wants to stay on for another season if we fall short and have another crack with the prospect of fans coming back. Money will be tight but I expect they'll be a surge in attendances across the country.