They'd only played 4 games when he took over so I don't think that should countI hate to say it, but I'd probably say Roy Keane at Sunderland would take some beating back in 2006/07.
It's the hope that kills you.....Wait
Cooper joined Forest after only 8 games (I believe they had 4 points, not 1 btw). 9 points from the play-offs and 12 from fourth.
We had played 16 games when Carrick started - more than a third of the season had gone. We were also 9 points from the play-offs and 12 from third.
So very similar turn around needed but 8 games less in which to do it.
I think Carrick is a really good manager but we can’t underestimate how bad Chris Wilder wasThey did, sorry, I forgot that they were managerless for their first win rather than it being Cooper in charge.
We were 8 points off 6th when he started.
But Cooper took over a team that had finished 17th the previous season and were expected to be mid-table at best that season to begin with.
Carrick took over a team that finished 7th and should have been in the play-offs but for Wilder's episode, and were strongly expected to be fighting for promotion again this season.
Wilder's abysmal start to the season derailed that, but nobody would have been surprised if you told them Middlesbrough would be in the play-offs after 38 games last July.
Actually, a lot of bookies had them as one of the favourites to finish top 6. Along with us.But Cooper took over a team that had finished 17th the previous season and were expected to be mid-table at best that season to begin with.
Our match at Kenilworth Rd could be massive.What if we finish above Sheffield utd, but Luton finish above us with a 95th minute winner?
That's what I'm worried about.
Think I need to leave this forum until end of May. I can't let myself believe we can do it. My glass is half empty we will end up disappointed I feel.
Hope I am proved wrong obviously
As Mr Horse pointed out, form is key. There's a guy on YouTube (forget who though) who did those exact calculations as well as using the reverse fixtures. With the reverse fixtures it had Sheffield United finishing 12 clear of us which just shows the turnaround in form under Sir Michael.Boro: 19 points in our last 8
SU: 13 points in their last 9
Repeat this form and we finish 3 points clear.