Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: KRS on May 27, 2018, 12:44:03 PM
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Third time lucky then?
It may be a little early for this thread, but with all the doom and gloom following yesterday’s no show, we have to face the simple fact of another season in the Championship...but is it as bad as some are saying?
We didn’t go up and we didn’t deserve to. The one saving grace is that we would have more than likely been the whipping boys of the Premier League again with this squad and management. At least we know we’ll win a few games and should be pushing for promotion at the top end of the table again.
Another thing to consider is that we’ve been unfortunate to have both Newcastle and Wolves literally steam roll the Championship these last 2 seasons...and I’m genuinely struggling to see any teams that could repeat this next season. The same could be said of Wolves as no one really expected it, and if you throw Cardiff and Fulham into the mix with their uncharacteristic winning streaks, then the Championship next season really is about as open as it could get. With the right management and if we keep our best players, it literally could be there for the taking.
Derby and Middlesbrough offer the best of the rest from last season, where as Baggies, Stoke and Swansea will have to cut their cloth and adjust to life in the Championship accordingly. Is there any real threat from these teams or any unlikely suspects to come into the mix? I may be wrong but I just don’t see what we have to fear next season as long as the team are managed correctly and send out with an attacking philosophy to win games rather than the negative tactics that we’ve all seen far too much of this season.
Let’s see how this summer unfolds, and look forward to a Championship winning season...
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The item on the top of any list of priorities for next season has to be, to use the club motto, be prepared. A good start to the season is absolutely imperative. No faffing and fannying about with will he/won't he come dramas a week before the start of the season or key players going on global flights to play on international duty, or players housebound by jammed gates. We must be fully match fit and knowing who is going to play where. We fell out of the traps last August and never really recovered from it. It must not happen again.
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Get a bloody plan, get some fresh ideas and start trying to win games rather than avoid losing them.
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The whole play-off situation won't have helped. It's hard to plan for next season when you don't know who you can afford to buy, and who's going to be at the club.
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The other bright spot is that the club won't increase the price of season tickets, so I'm going to get one.
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Let's get at it from the off next season. A more youthful looking starting eleven with a bit more pace and ability to play through the middle instead of moving the ball wide all the time would be nice
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I cant see any grounds for optimism. With no money for transfers and no money for wages, surely this means only Hourihan will remain from the starting 11 yesterday. So whoever the new manager is (and I hope it is Deano) he will need to be very good at bringing in cheap, young talented players from the lower leagues. It may take years to recover from this position.
Derby, Middlesborough, Sheff Utd, Sheff Weds, the 3 coming down, 2 of the 3 coming up and the likes of Leeds etc will be a real test for a completely unknown Villa set up.
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This is what we're left with (I think):
2 - De Laet 29 (1 year)
3 - Taylor 29 (3 years)
5 - Chester 29 (2 years)
6 - Whelan 34 (1 year)
8 - Lansbury 27 (3 years)
9 - Hogan 26 (3 years)
10 - Grealish 22 (2 years)
13 - Steer 25 (1 year)
14 - Hourihane 27 (2 years)
15 - Jedinak 33 (1 year)
16 - Bree 20 (3 years)
17 - Richards 29 (1 year)
19 - Green 19 (1 year)
20 - Bjarnason 30 (2 years)
22 - Kodja 28 (2 years)
27 - Elmohamady 30 (2 years)
24 - Elphick 30 (1 year)
29 - Hepburn-Murphy 19 (2 years)
36 - O’Hare 20 (1 year)
37 - Adomah 30 (2 years)
38 - Lyden 22 (1 year)
39 - Davis 20 (2 years)
44 - McCormack 31 (2 years)
Gollini 23 (2 years)
Gil 25 (1 year)
Tshibola 23 (2 years)
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At the end of this season all of the following should be out of contract;
Terry, Bunn, Hutton, Samba, Agbonlahor, Sarkic, Watkins, Abdo, Blackett-Taylor, Borg, Prosser, Pastorek, Clarke, Clark, Finnerty, Coates, Knibbs, Cox, Hall, Idem, Johansson, Stretch, Boucher, Bazeley-Graham, Williams, Rowe.
Finnerty has been sold, and Agbonlahor isn't going to be offered a new contract.
If we don't give any of the others a new contract, then the complete player list for next season will start as follows;
GK: Steer,Gollini
Def :Taylor,Chester,Bree, Richards, Elmohamady, De Laet, Elphick, Bedeau, Suliman, McConnachie, Patterson, Revan, Walker.
Mid: Whelan, Lansbury, Grealish, Hourihane, Jedinak, Bjarnason, Adomah,Green, Gardner, O'Hare, Lyden, Doyle-Hayes, Tshibola, Birch, Birch, Brunt, Ige, Ramsey.
Fwds : Hogan, Kodjia, Davis, McCormack,McKirdy, Hepburn-Murphy, Guy, Hooper, Mooney, Odutayo, Sea, Tait, Bridge, Pressley.
I've heard we will face a transfer embargo, due to failing FFP , so It'll be interesting how many of the above list will play in the first team squad next season.
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Oh and I'm sure Gil is already sold, as part of his loan agreement.
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Where has this talk of a transfer embargo came from? Wyness has maintained the stance that we would pass FFP so another bad decision to not invest if we failed...you may as well fail by a long way than marginally if this is true.
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Transfer embargo?
Also some of the younger U23 lads are halfway through 2 year deals.
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Da Leat forgot we had him...
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Oh and I'm sure Gil is already sold, as part of his loan agreement.
Not sure, didn't his loan club get relegated which voided that 'must buy' clause. Pretty sure I read that on here so cannot verify whether true. Regardless he might be a good back up option to Grealish meaning we can build a team plan around a 'number 10' rather than building a team around Grealish.
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Gil is shite.
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If I was the Dr, I'd release pics of the kit and stadium renders. We need some good news, even if it is pics of the new kit or stadium plans.
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And announce we've sponsored the training ground for 100 years for £200m.
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And announce we've sponsored the training ground for 100 years for £200m.
That would be great.
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And announce we've sponsored the training ground for 100 years for £200m.
;D
I see no reason why we couldn't be walking out at the Recon Stadium next season under a 50m five year naming deal
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Xia/Wyness need toncome out early and show some leadership. Don't let Bruce go on holiday (Lord knows hes earned it) without a clear steer on his intentions for next season.
We cannot drag this out. If we're going to make a change; make it quickly. Round and Wyness should have been planning for months about what the steps are should we not go up.
Most of the squad won't be missed if they move on. If the experienced pros couldn't get us up this time, they're even less likely to do something time.
Time for bravery thia summer alright. My fear is that the decision makers are too conservative and ingrained with the status quo to look outside the Moyes/Allardyce/Pardew status quo.
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Millwall, Boro, Derby, Stoke, Brentford, Bristol City; possibly one or both of the Sheffield teams; maybe Leeds ….
there are plenty of contenders for promotion.
Which is why decisions need to be made early and, as Brian said above, perfect preparation for the next season needs to be in place.
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If I was the Dr, I'd release pics of the kit and stadium renders. We need some good news, even if it is pics of the new kit or stadium plans.
The stadium plans depend on us getting promoted, not the time to think about that is it?
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If I was the Dr, I'd release pics of the kit and stadium renders. We need some good news, even if it is pics of the new kit or stadium plans.
The stadium plans depend on us getting promoted, not the time to think about that is it?
I know but the fans want to see the plans.
Could change the crest back too.
Do something.
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Glass half full observation: we'll win more games next season than we would have done had we been promoted. Frankly I'm happier when we win and rather it was on a regular basis than holding out hope that we might scrape a victory when Palace or Watford come to town.
On a personal note, I can get to Bolton and Blackburn in half an hour, Wigan and Preston in not much longer, and Leeds and Sheffield (at a push) in an hour. I enjoy going to away games when there's a fair to good chance of a result. Much better than spending the thick end of £50 to see us dicked five or six at the Etihad.
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Millwall, Boro, Derby, Stoke, Brentford, Bristol City; possibly one or both of the Sheffield teams; maybe Leeds ….
there are plenty of contenders for promotion.
Which is why decisions need to be made early and, as Brian said above, perfect preparation for the next season needs to be in place.
Contenders but don't scream quality like Wolves and Fulham.Unfortunately,Baggies might turn out to be a good team in this league,though if Villa and Albion were battling for the top 2 it would certainly add extra interest.Agree with early decisions needed.
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Fuck it. I refuse to give a shit until at least July. I am going on holiday.
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I've just booked a week long trip to Finland, specifically Helsinki starting 15th September so that's one gig I'm going to miss under our new manager.
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Leeds just signed a deal linking them with the SF49ers which should bring in revenue for them so wouldn't count them out
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If Steve Bruce is staying he needs to have his remit changed from 'just get us up' to 'build a team'.
The financial constraints on SB and the neccesity to get us promoted this season led to a selection of loanees
and proven championship players being put together with a basic and one dimensional game plan.
We now need to build a team to play a decent brand of football with a sprinkling of youth and raw ability which can evolve in to a top side.
We have not got the Mendes connection so we cannot expect to get three or four top players in and turn it round it one season.
Brentford have proved you can play good football on a tight budget in the championship, so given our extra revenue we can improve on that.
I don't know if SB is the man for this assignment.
Either way, don't expect a quick fix.
Keep smiling, UTV
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Millwall, Boro, Derby, Stoke, Brentford, Bristol City; possibly one or both of the Sheffield teams; maybe Leeds ….
there are plenty of contenders for promotion.
Which is why decisions need to be made early and, as Brian said above, perfect preparation for the next season needs to be in place.
Norwich, Hull, Forest. Even WBA and Qpr.
There's often a team or 2 who will surprise up near higher end of league.
Can depend on the business teams do in close season and how team and squads get set up in style of play and good management and coaching.
I feel forest and maybe Hull and Qpr could show something higher up in coming season.
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There doesn't appear to be any decent footballing sides left, which is a positive.
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The better footballing sides have now moved on. Surely we can get close from this lot?
(https://thumb.ibb.co/bZLEJJ/7_DC33_A7_B_A5_AD_475_C_B421_B0_A7_AA24_F87_B.png) (https://ibb.co/bZLEJJ)
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We were out performed this season by one of the least footballing sides you are likely to see in Cardiff so I wouldn't be dismissing so called nonfootballing sides so easily ...
Derby if they employ Lampard I would think would be a side who would play decent stuff. Mclaren plays ok football now at QPR Hull improved alot under Atkins who has previous in getting sides promoted.Monk with a preseason is likely to change Birmingham into a passing side as well
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Things to look forward to:
1) Stoke away on a Friday night in December in a minus 6 gale.
2) Club captain Micah Richards having his contract renewed for four more years.
3) Jed Steer sporting a snazzy Luke 1977 goalie top.
4) Small Heath and the Smethwick Brazil spending both their games against each other singing about a club that has won more than they can ever dream of.
5) Kick offs against said “clubs” being at 10:00 on a sunday morning.
6) Bruce, if still here, abandoning the old fashioned playing strikers thing and opting for a 7 at the back and three defensive midfielders system.
7) Scott Hogan scoring goals for fun at his next club.
8)Loan players from Bury, Scunthorpe and Tamworth.
9) Vice Captain Ross McCormack, on the front cover of the first programme.
10) Season ticket holders being tempted to renew in September at the bargain price of £500 for the following season.
11) Alex Tunzebe once again flirting with John Terry on Twitter whilst being injured from a freak skydiving injury whilst being out injured for 4 months with a “hurty foot”. Don’t worry, he’s the next big thing at Man Utd.
12)Dr Tony with cryptic messages on Twitter in January before signing someone that you’ve never heard of ever, from Barnet’s youth team.
13) England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. Also Man Utd’s number one.
14) Onamoh going back to Tottenham reporting back for training and being refused entry as no one has a pissing clue who he is.
15) Cardiff captain James Chester.
16) James Bree earning rave reviews and an England call up at Everton.
17) Hoping Glenn Whelan stays fit.
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There doesn't appear to be any decent footballing sides left, which is a positive.
Agree, if we lose Bruce.
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Others and Green to have bigger roles. Kodjia and Grealish (touch wood) match fit from August to May. Add Grabban and some out and put pace, a mobile central midfilder a d be prepared to risk more and we'll be in good shape.
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fotget Grabban, he's not wat we need , we have too many journeyman 30 somethings as it is.
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Top scorer in the league. We'd be up automatically if him and Super Jack had been playing since August.
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What we need is leadership & a frank statement from the top - I hope that the conversations today have not been wallowing & ‘see you after holidays’ type but that Dr T & Keith have sat down with Bruce and a decision on his future is publicly known in next 24 hours.
Would also hope that they have sat down with Jack and likewise a decisive statement of intent is issued that says ‘going nowhere’ if that is the outcome of those discussions.
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without buying a single player you could swap Davis for Grabban, O'hare for well any midfielder apart from Grealish and you have not weakened the side at all
and given more game time probably improved it
there might be others,
if we have younger players who can't make more of a difference in the team than Lansbury, Conor H, Whelan, Elmo, Taylor, Samba, then they really must be a bunch of useless lemons
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Things to look forward to:
5) Kick offs against said “clubs” being at 10:00 on a sunday morning.
They are clubs.
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without buying a single player you could swap Davis for Grabban, O'hare for well any midfielder apart from Grealish and you have not weakened the side at all
and given more game time probably improved it
there might be others,
if we have younger players who can't make more of a difference in the team than Lansbury, Conor H, Whelan, Elmo, Taylor, Samba, then they really must be a bunch of useless lemons
Valid point.Would suggest that RHM and Doyle-Hayes are even better than Davis and O'Hare and that Bree and Clark will make excellent full backs.Tactics Tim raved about Green who has been subject of interest from better judges at Arsenal and Spurs.
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Top scorer in the league. We'd be up automatically if him and Super Jack had been playing since August.
Do I sense your confidence in our promotion chances subsiding? 😋
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Top scorer in the league. We'd be up automatically if him and Super Jack had been playing since August.
And if we just played positively to win every game we wouldn't have had the play offs to deal with. We showed that when this team wanted to be it was outstanding. Unfortunately most of the time the manager in his subservience, like yesterday sent the team out to play with a ball their mouth and a gimp outfit on.
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i'd be a bit hesitant about grabban too unless he's peanuts. signing up a 30 year old forward on a 2 year or more contract with no resale value at the moment doesn't sound good financial sense
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Probably looking at circa 8m for Grabban, we’re not going to be spending money like that any more.
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without buying a single player you could swap Davis for Grabban, O'hare for well any midfielder apart from Grealish and you have not weakened the side at all
and given more game time probably improved it
there might be others,
if we have younger players who can't make more of a difference in the team than Lansbury, Conor H, Whelan, Elmo, Taylor, Samba, then they really must be a bunch of useless lemons
It's pretty disingenuous to suggest that Keinan "Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo" Davis is a like-for-like replacement for Grabban, who's second top goalscorer in the division.
If you run down yesterday's team and think about what it might look like next year it's not pretty:
GK Johnstone Bunn
RB Elmohamady Bree
LB Hutton Taylor
CB Terry Samba
CB Chester Richards
RW Snodgrass Bjanasson
LW Adomah Green
CM Jedinak
CM Hourihane Whelan
CM Grealish O'Hare
ST Grabban Davis
A season with that first team won't end well!
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Having seen Andre Green a few times, I find it strange ,so many think he will make a huge improvement to the team.
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without buying a single player you could swap Davis for Grabban, O'hare for well any midfielder apart from Grealish and you have not weakened the side at all
and given more game time probably improved it
there might be others,
if we have younger players who can't make more of a difference in the team than Lansbury, Conor H, Whelan, Elmo, Taylor, Samba, then they really must be a bunch of useless lemons
It's pretty disingenuous to suggest that Keinan "Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo" Davis is a like-for-like replacement for Grabban, who's second top goalscorer in the division.
If you run down yesterday's team and think about what it might look like next year it's not pretty:
GK Johnstone Bunn
RB Elmohamady Bree
LB Hutton Taylor
CB Terry Samba
CB Chester Richards
RW Snodgrass Bjanasson
LW Adomah Green
CM Jedinak
CM Hourihane Whelan
CM Grealish O'Hare
ST Grabban Davis
A season with that first team won't end well!
Isn't Bunn out of contract as well?
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Isn't Bunn out of contract as well?
I hope not. As distinctly average as Bunn is, I'd prefer him in goal to the world's only midget professional goalkeeper, Jed Steer.
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without buying a single player you could swap Davis for Grabban, O'hare for well any midfielder apart from Grealish and you have not weakened the side at all
and given more game time probably improved it
there might be others,
if we have younger players who can't make more of a difference in the team than Lansbury, Conor H, Whelan, Elmo, Taylor, Samba, then they really must be a bunch of useless lemons
It's pretty disingenuous to suggest that Keinan "Couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo" Davis is a like-for-like replacement for Grabban, who's second top goalscorer in the division.
If you run down yesterday's team and think about what it might look like next year it's not pretty:
GK Johnstone Bunn
RB Elmohamady Bree
LB Hutton Taylor
CB Terry Samba
CB Chester Richards
RW Snodgrass Bjanasson
LW Adomah Green
CM Jedinak
CM Hourihane Whelan
CM Grealish O'Hare
ST Grabban Davis
A season with that first team won't end well!
Because you have sold at least 6 of the more important players,Grealish,Chester,Kodjia,Hourihane,Elphick ,Elmo and probably Hogan and Lansbury.Amazing you kept Bjarnason,but at least paired him with Whelan and Jedinak.2 or 3 holding midfielders No Ross or Gabby upfront..Released Hutton and 5 well paid loanees.
Probably £50m in transfer fees and the only signing is an extension of Samba's contract.Plus Steer is a far better keeper.
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without buying a single player you could swap Davis for Grabban, O'hare for well any midfielder apart from Grealish and you have not weakened the side at all
and given more game time probably improved it
there might be others,
if we have younger players who can't make more of a difference in the team than Lansbury, Conor H, Whelan, Elmo, Taylor, Samba, then they really must be a bunch of useless lemons
Agree with this ,also we lose Johnstone but use Sarkic, Bree for Hutton, Kodjia starts from August with RHM taking his place on the bench, Callum O’Hare you’ve already mentioned , I’d rather Jake Doyle - Hayes is on the bench than Onomah. Andre Green anyone ? There are options..
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Aren't De Laet and Gil only on loan too...?
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There are so many players floating around villa Park I loose count. You could probably field a side of people who actually belong to us but have been away so long we've all forgotten them. i might be wrong but aren't Gollini and the guy we bought from Reading missing from the lists immediately above?
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I thought Gollini had been sold but Tshibola's a good shout - I think he only went out on loan.
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Where's Kodjia? Why are we selling everybody And replacing nobody?
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Where's Kodjia? Why are we selling everybody And replacing nobody?
Because we've got to find £50m from somewhere.
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Have we?
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I think if we play our cards right we should still have decent options in midfield and attack. At least to get us in contention for play offs.
Defence is going to need a hell of a lot of work given who we'll be losing.
Can't see us challenging for top 2 like we did this time. Boro still have decent year of parachute payments and Pulis will probably sign another five 6ft + players so they'll be more Cardiff than Cardiff. Stoke will probably be strongest of the relegated trio.
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Hard to say at the moment how we will do until we see what team we end up with and who is the manager but we know a lot of the current first team will be gone and we possibly well have to cash in on either Grealish or Kodjia, I think the best we can hope for is the playoffs but I suspect we'll more than likely end up mid table.
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Where's Kodjia? Why are we selling everybody And replacing nobody?
Because we've got to find £50m from somewhere.
It's like listening to people moaning about brexit. We're all doomed I tells ya. Doomed.
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Where's Kodjia? Why are we selling everybody And replacing nobody?
Because we've got to find £50m from somewhere.
It's like listening to people moaning about brexit. We're all doomed I tells ya. Doomed.
As with Brexit, there’s every justification to be extremely worried.
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If we are £50 million over FFP, then at the end of the season we'd have an embargo on registrations and a fine.
Seems it would be £47.5 million based on r.10.1.
Xia can put in another £8 million equity. Terry and Gabby going saves £5 million a year, Amavi sale adds £8 million.
The Related Party rules are wooly. I suggested it would be a subjective test and indeed it is. 5.5 provides a test that you must demonstrate the deal would be of equivalent value if carried out by a knowledgeable third party at arms length.
Is £10m a year overboard? 25% of a 7 year old Man City deal, I would suggest no. Carrington gets £10m from Chevy. BMH attract a couple of million? LUKE deal adds a few more?
The deals are all clearly designed with FFP in.
mind.
Exceptional items have a pretty broad range and they all appear discretionary too.
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I don't think it will be financial armageddon either.
However I think this season will be our best run at top 2 in a few seasons unless the next manager we appoint is brilliant at making the 11 more than the sum of its parts. We haven't had a manager with that ability for quite some while.
For everyone who hate the play offs now because we lost, get used to them as that will be our best bet for promotion. Have to hope we might actually turn up once at Wembley.
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Please no more play offs - can't take that again.
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Please no more play offs - can't take that again.
I'd confidently predict now we won't be anywhere near 1st or 2nd next season.
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Please no more play offs - can't take that again.
I'd confidently predict now we won't be anywhere near 1st or 2nd next season.
Im sure Cardiff felt the same way this time last year too. You just don't know, new manager, new ethos and suddenly you hit a formula, same manager playing a few kids and suddenly you get on a roll.
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Please no more play offs - can't take that again.
I'd confidently predict now we won't be anywhere near 1st or 2nd next season.
Let's wait and see after statements and transfer business
I then may join you in being confident about that prediction!
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We need to see what impact FFP has but knowing we will lose quite a few of the current first team, I just can't see us challenging for the top two positions. Possibly lower playoff positions.
We have utterly wasted the advantage the parachute payments gave us, now it's down to good management. *Wince*.
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The big bonus is there is no Wolves or Fulham in this league now. Just a collection of shit, pragmatic teams. Rowett has gone to the faves Stoke but they will play percentage football. WBA have an aging squad and will lose the odd decent player they have.They also have a manager that hasn't got a clue. The league is wide open this year so let's not give up yet.
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Boro will be in top 2. They'll do everything Cardiff did this year.
I agree the relegated teams don't look hugely threatening particularly West Brom and Swansea. Stoke will be in the mix for top 6.
Bit harsh saying Darren Moore dosen't have a clue considering some of the managers he defeated back end of last season but those games were pressure less free hits for West Brom so completely different scenario in a division where they'll be expected to win games most weeks with a much changed team.
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The item on the top of any list of priorities for next season has to be, to use the club motto, be prepared. A good start to the season is absolutely imperative. No faffing and fannying about with will he/won't he come dramas a week before the start of the season or key players going on global flights to play on international duty, or players housebound by jammed gates. We must be fully match fit and knowing who is going to play where. We fell out of the traps last August and never really recovered from it. It must not happen again.
100% this. It seems ludicrous that such a plan isn’t considered a matter of course but how many clubs begin a season in a deeper turmoil than at any other time in their season?
Secure your signings early, boot out the deadwood, build a team ethic, establish your starting 11, begin the season on the front foot. Is this too much to ask? Instead we get sucked into the exhausting soap opera driven by agents and the media, posturing and preening their way through the summer. Pre-season friendlies which should be harmonising the squad become instead a shop window for grumbling players and the club is undermined as plans for the season are usurped by personal interests and vendettas. To think that our great club should be held to ransom by anyone, let alone agents and prima donnas, is nauseating.
Don’t let it happen Villa, get organised, get serious and learn from last season’s mistakes. There can be no excuses this time.
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I saw one headline today that suggested that rivals were already circling the Villa carcass - what a load of total hyperbolic bollocks.
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Frank Lampard taking over at Derby is a very interesting move.
He says he's a young manager who knows the needs of the dressing room.
I think that's very true and perhaps people like Bruce are a bit out of touch.
Out of many recent ex premier league level professionals who have taken up managing over recent years and established named player I think Lampard will do very well.
What's good for Derby is that talk he's also brought in highly rated coach jody Morris from Chelsea who has had a lot of success in developing the young Chelsea players.
Have to say a bit envious about derby's move as villa could have gone for Lampard and somehow kept JT as player coaching role.
Excellent player who I think at this level will do fine.
It's just refreshing to hear him say
“We’ll aim high but we’re also realistic. “I want to be successful and that means promotion.” rather than Bruce say his 'there or thereabouts" and "big league“
Similarly to ourselves the owner has said FFP is very real so they have to be sensible and can't just spend.
Anyway I do see Derby as a rival in 2018/19 season and would find it gauling if they were successful but applaud their foresight if it works.
If it did and didn't work for villa by keeping Bruce or bringing in old names then one thing is we follow the example.
Each club is different but I would have liked villa to have explored Lampard move
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No thanks
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Interesting to see how he does there. Derby have a decent squad but like us they will have to cutback so might have to sell Vydra.
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Boro will be in top 2. They'll do everything Cardiff did this year.
I agree the relegated teams don't look hugely threatening particularly West Brom and Swansea. Stoke will be in the mix for top 6.
Bit harsh saying Darren Moore dosen't have a clue considering some of the managers he defeated back end of last season but those games were pressure less free hits for West Brom so completely different scenario in a division where they'll be expected to win games most weeks with a much changed team.
Forrest are dark horses , recently sold so cleared money issues and made a profit in last accounting year I think other than the 3 relegated teams they are the only club who can really spend in the league and Karanka has a recent promotion on his CV
Way I see it Forest ( possibly Boro) and the 3 relegated sides have cash the rest like us will have to balance books so IF we don't lose too many players I still think top 6 is possible ...
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Frank Lampard taking over at Derby is a very interesting move.
He says he's a young manager who knows the needs of the dressing room.
I think that's very true and perhaps people like Bruce are a bit out of touch.
Out of many recent ex premier league level professionals who have taken up managing over recent years and established named player I think Lampard will do very well.
What's good for Derby is that talk he's also brought in highly rated coach jody Morris from Chelsea who has had a lot of success in developing the young Chelsea players.
Have to say a bit envious about derby's move as villa could have gone for Lampard and somehow kept JT as player coaching role.
Excellent player who I think at this level will do fine.
It's just refreshing to hear him say
“We’ll aim high but we’re also realistic. “I want to be successful and that means promotion.” rather than Bruce say his 'there or thereabouts" and "big league“
Similarly to ourselves the owner has said FFP is very real so they have to be sensible and can't just spend.
Anyway I do see Derby as a rival in 2018/19 season and would find it gauling if they were successful but applaud their foresight if it works.
If it did and didn't work for villa by keeping Bruce or bringing in old names then one thing is we follow the example.
Each club is different but I would have liked villa to have explored Lampard move
Derby are being fined £10mil and are losing £3mil a month , they let Rowlett go as they needed the compo money he will do really well there to get them in the PO's again
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Boro will be in top 2. They'll do everything Cardiff did this year.
I agree the relegated teams don't look hugely threatening particularly West Brom and Swansea. Stoke will be in the mix for top 6.
Bit harsh saying Darren Moore dosen't have a clue considering some of the managers he defeated back end of last season but those games were pressure less free hits for West Brom so completely different scenario in a division where they'll be expected to win games most weeks with a much changed team.
Cardiff are the exception rather than the norm; Newcastle, Brighton, Huddersfield, Wolves, Fulham all played possession based passing football, with the Jawdees having some of Rafa's arch pragmatism thrown in as well once they took the lead.
I would be surprised if Pulis can get a side to generate 90 points. He's too fearful and I'm surprised you think otherwise considering you just saw them for 180 minutes.
Plus they'll have their own FFP web closing in on them too.
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They've still got a year of decent money left so would imagine they'd spend a bit on getting more of Pulis type players.
Bamford scored a shed load in second half of the season (although oddly he was dropped for play offs). Gestede might get to his Blackburn form aswell.
After losing to us on NYE they took 39 points from 21 in second half of the season under him so suggests they could get 80 + points in the manner they did under Karanka two years ago.
They were limited against us as we did the physical stuff better and had more ball carriers in our team. Up in the air if we'll have that ability in our team next season.
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Tiny is as much a dinosaur as Bruce. I think Boro peaked at No 5.
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Frank Lampard taking over at Derby is a very interesting move.
He says he's a young manager who knows the needs of the dressing room.
I think that's very true and perhaps people like Bruce are a bit out of touch.
Out of many recent ex premier league level professionals who have taken up managing over recent years and established named player I think Lampard will do very well.
What's good for Derby is that talk he's also brought in highly rated coach jody Morris from Chelsea who has had a lot of success in developing the young Chelsea players.
Have to say a bit envious about derby's move as villa could have gone for Lampard and somehow kept JT as player coaching role.
Excellent player who I think at this level will do fine.
It's just refreshing to hear him say
“We’ll aim high but we’re also realistic. “I want to be successful and that means promotion.” rather than Bruce say his 'there or thereabouts" and "big league“
Similarly to ourselves the owner has said FFP is very real so they have to be sensible and can't just spend.
Anyway I do see Derby as a rival in 2018/19 season and would find it gauling if they were successful but applaud their foresight if it works.
If it did and didn't work for villa by keeping Bruce or bringing in old names then one thing is we follow the example.
Each club is different but I would have liked villa to have explored Lampard move
Derby are being fined £10mil and are losing £3mil a month , they let Rowlett go as they needed the compo money he will do really well there to get them in the PO's again
Purely a vanity project by Lampard - I thought he was a shoe in at Ipswich so why did he not go there ?
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Ipswich have less more than Derby do.
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Ipswich have less more than Derby do.
That covers all bases!
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We still matter! There was a bloke on my job today who heralds from Doncaster, but he's a Wednesday fan. I got all this information from being within earshot of his conversation with someone else, and when asked for his views and hopes for their upcoming season, he replied that, "as long as we finish above United and Villa, I don't care."
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Bolton players on strike over unpaid wages. Them and Rotherham should be two relegation spots at least!
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We know what happened the last time we lost our spine in one summer. Theres a high chance we'll start this season without Johnstone Terry Chester grealish and Kodjia. Or perhaps with one of them
When we do eventually go up playing a brand of progressive football and driven by several youth products, I suspect Bruce won't be in charge
But for this season his experience could stop us going under.
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I'm going to say I think we will get the Play Offs again I remain positive even in light of what's happening at our club and impending sales othewrwise there's no point in going to the matches we must keep the faith.
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I'm going to say I think we will get the Play Offs again I remain positive even in light of what's happening at our club and impending sales othewrwise there's no point in going to the matches we must keep the faith.
Although a little nervous about the future squad - I am with you brother
No hope = no chance
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I'm going to say I think we will get the Play Offs again I remain positive even in light of what's happening at our club and impending sales othewrwise there's no point in going to the matches we must keep the faith.
I admire what you're saying but disagree slightly, as a supporter you go to the matches regardless of what's going on off the pitch because that's what it means to support something through thick and thin. We've been through bad times before, we'll pull through this situation, maybe a bit more battered than ever before, but Aston Villa will survive in one form or other because we'll still be here to attend or, should feet or finances fail us, support as best we can from afar.
I do agree with keep the faith, I lack your optimism about reaching the playoffs this year (or anything close to that), but I'll fly over for games regardless.
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I'm going to say I think we will get the Play Offs again I remain positive even in light of what's happening at our club and impending sales othewrwise there's no point in going to the matches we must keep the faith.
I admire what you're saying but disagree slightly, as a supporter you go to the matches regardless of what's going on off the pitch because that's what it means to support something through thick and thin. We've been through bad times before, we'll pull through this situation, maybe a bit more battered than ever before, but Aston Villa will survive in one form or other because we'll still be here to attend or, should feet or finances fail us, support as best we can from afar.
I do agree with keep the faith, I lack your optimism about reaching the playoffs this year (or anything close to that), but I'll fly over for games regardless.
I will always go to see Aston Villa no matter what as I have done for many years but I always like to be positive even through the really difficult times I'm a glass half full type of man I suppose it's years of being optimistic that this year is going to be our year.
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I'm going to say I think we will get the Play Offs again I remain positive even in light of what's happening at our club and impending sales othewrwise there's no point in going to the matches we must keep the faith.
I admire what you're saying but disagree slightly, as a supporter you go to the matches regardless of what's going on off the pitch because that's what it means to support something through thick and thin. We've been through bad times before, we'll pull through this situation, maybe a bit more battered than ever before, but Aston Villa will survive in one form or other because we'll still be here to attend or, should feet or finances fail us, support as best we can from afar.
I do agree with keep the faith, I lack your optimism about reaching the playoffs this year (or anything close to that), but I'll fly over for games regardless.
I will always go to see Aston Villa no matter what as I have done for many years but I always like to be positive even through the really difficult times I'm a glass half full type of man I suppose it's years of being optimistic that this year is going to be our year.
Tell you what, if you're right, come end of season I'll send you a bottle of something. Because I want you to be right, and triumphing over this shit-storm we're currently in the eye of would certainly be something worth celebrating.
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I'm going to say I think we will get the Play Offs again I remain positive even in light of what's happening at our club and impending sales othewrwise there's no point in going to the matches we must keep the faith.
I admire what you're saying but disagree slightly, as a supporter you go to the matches regardless of what's going on off the pitch because that's what it means to support something through thick and thin. We've been through bad times before, we'll pull through this situation, maybe a bit more battered than ever before, but Aston Villa will survive in one form or other because we'll still be here to attend or, should feet or finances fail us, support as best we can from afar.
I do agree with keep the faith, I lack your optimism about reaching the playoffs this year (or anything close to that), but I'll fly over for games regardless.
I will always go to see Aston Villa no matter what as I have done for many years but I always like to be positive even through the really difficult times I'm a glass half full type of man I suppose it's years of being optimistic that this year is going to be our year.
Tell you what, if you're right, come end of season I'll send you a bottle of something. Because I want you to be right, and triumphing over this shit-storm we're currently in the eye of would certainly be something worth celebrating.
Thank you I will look forward to having a nice tipple.
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From transfer activity so far I'd be amazed if Stoke aren't top 2. They've also kept (so far) more of the squad from last season than I expected, Joe Allen and Butland still there.
Will stick with Boro in 2nd.
For play offs I do think it's pretty open. Don't think West Brom or Swansea will do much. We need to see what sort of team we have after the window starts.
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Yeah Stoke, Boro top 2 for me. Albion will make the playoffs if they keep their squad together too. Forest and Leeds could be in the playoffs. Reckon 6th will be a mighty scrap.
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Xia/Wyness need toncome out early and show some leadership.
Lol
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I keep reading about how Leeds are dead certs for top six - why? Same applies to Forest who are also being backed by a few media types to do the same. both were beyond awful last season.
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Odds to win the Championship
Stoke 6/1
Boro & Albion 8/1
Forest 10/1
Leeds & Swanseaa 11/1
Derby 14/1
Villa, Brentford and Sheff Wed 16/1
Norwich 20/1
Bristol City, Preston, Sheff U and Wigan 25/1
Small Heath and Millwall 33/1
Blackburn 40/1
Hull and QPR 50/1
Ipswich and Reading 66/1
Bolton and Rotherham 80/1
I actually think any of those four teams at 25/1 might be a good bet as dark horses.
I have no idea why Small Heath and Millwall are both lumped together at 33/1 when they each had such different seasons last season.
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I keep reading about how Leeds are dead certs for top six - why? Same applies to Forest who are also being backed by a few media types to do the same. both were beyond awful last season.
Haven't Forest got in to bed with the same agent Wolves used to get all those players that were too good for them?
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I keep reading about how Leeds are dead certs for top six - why? Same applies to Forest who are also being backed by a few media types to do the same. both were beyond awful last season.
Several clubs who finished in the top 6 of the championship in the last 2 or 3 years were struggling near the bottom of the table the season before. It’s that kind of division.
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I keep reading about how Leeds are dead certs for top six - why? Same applies to Forest who are also being backed by a few media types to do the same. both were beyond awful last season.
Forest will be dull as dishwater to watch but as said are getting some decent players in and also have Karanka who showed at Boro he can turn an underachieving club into top 6 material.
Less sure on Leeds. Last couple of years they've tended to start seasons great then collapse in the second half of the season. Way Bielsa works that could well happen again. Don't think they've signed anyone of note either.
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At one point it looked very likely that we lose Grealish, Chester, Adomah and Kodje.
If we keep 2 or 3 of those, as now seems likely, we should be be contenders for promotion.
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I'd be surprised if Boro are anything other than Play Offs. Tedious Pulis Ball won't guarantee enough points away from home. See the same for Rowett.
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I'd be surprised if Boro are anything other than Play Offs. Tedious Pulis Ball won't guarantee enough points away from home. See the same for Rowett.
Didn’t Rowett’s Derby have a very good away record last season?
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He didn't really have a good record anywhere after Christmas.
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I'd be surprised if Boro are anything other than Play Offs. Tedious Pulis Ball won't guarantee enough points away from home. See the same for Rowett.
38 points from his 22 games last season. They'll be there or thereabouts. Aden Flint will probably score about 15 for them with even more long throws and set pieces than he got on the end at Bristol.
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Wouldn't be enough for Play Offs potentially. Certainly not automatics.
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That points per game ration guarantees the play-offs, and a few times has been enough to go up automatically.
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Not the season before last it wouldn't have. Fulham came 6th in 80.
It depends on whether you have a couple of sides who remain in almost perfect form for significant lengths of time. Last year there were 3, this time I think it looks more of a much of a muchness.
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Stoke will be up there with and it pains me to say it West Brom if they keep there squad together Boro also like I said before I think we stand a chance of being in the mix maybe Leeds if they keep there manager and don't chop and change and then you have Brentford ,Derby and Sheff Utd who might be there or thereabouts.
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Not the season before last it wouldn't have. Fulham came 6th in 80.
It depends on whether you have a couple of sides who remain in almost perfect form for significant lengths of time. Last year there were 3, this time I think it looks more of a much of a muchness.
And how many did 7th have, which is the important bit. Not once has a side had that ppg and not made the play offs.
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Goals are probably where we're going to struggle this season, unless the Kodj gets back to anything like his best. Hogan is useless, especially if Bruce stays, and you can't see many of the kids doing very well. RHM is always injured, and Davis is a good player but not at all prolific. We also won't have Jack dragging defenders out of position to make space for others.
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Snodgrass scored a few, too. Best hope is that one or two youngsters come through and become stars. Someone like Sessegnon would be nice.
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Snodgrass scored a few, too. Best hope is that one or two youngsters come through and become stars. Someone like Sessegnon would be nice.
He plays for Fulham though I think, so it probably won't be him.
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Another plan scuppered.
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So have our odds changed since last week or are we still behind the likes of bloody Forest Derby and Leeds ?
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Behind the three relegated clubs, Forest, Boro and Leeds. Level with Derby. Ahead of everyone else.
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So have our odds changed since last week or are we still behind the likes of bloody Forest Derby and Leeds ?
Stoke
Middlesbrough
West Brom
Forest
Leeds
Swansea
Villa
We're 9/2 for promotion, jointly with Brentford though interestingly shorter odds than them at 12-1 to win the division.
We're 11/1 to be relegated though there are 14 other clubs with shorter odds than that.
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Fourteen clubs less than 11/1.
Robbing bastards.
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Why are West Brom so high out of interest?
Darren Moore did fine job at end of last season but expectation now is they win 20 + games which is totally different so interesting if he's up to that.
So far though they've lost likes of Foster and Evans, Rondon being linked to Newcastle and would expect likes of Craig Dawson and Rodriguez to also be picked up by premier league clubs.
So far they've signed Kyle Bartley and Bobby Reid. Reid could easily be one season wonder.
I don't see them being in mix for automatics, same for Swansea. There's no law that relegated prem teams will be in mix for automatic or even top 6, we saw that in 16/17 and also Hull and Sunderland last season.
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Same reason we were the season after we went down. Same reason just about every relegated side is.
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Stoke seem to be buying everyone who can lace a boot and I was amazed to read that Rhodes has gone to Norwich - have I got that right?
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I really couldn't call who'll be strong this season
Stoke have spent money but I'm not convinced. Rowett will no doubt have them top 6 or so we will Pulis w Boro
But I thought by the end of the season there was a pretty big gap between the top four and the rest
Leeds will implode at some point
Don't think Darren Moore will succeed
So pretty open for a team to take advantage. Can't see that being Vila whoever the manager is as the one thing we've learned is the importance of a clear idea on how to play. Henry doesn't have time to install that. Bruce has always struggled a bit in that respect, and it must have been very hard to plan for this season
Not convinced we've the players for his 352 at all - especially sown the left
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I agree with a lot of that but with a few tweaks, I still think we can finish top six - with Bruce or Henry.
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FFP Embargo list:
SHA
Sheffield Wednesday
Anymore?
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What are you basing them on? I've not seen any link to confirm either.
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Noses cannot register Pederson as they're embargoed. Monk chatting about it today.
Wednesday manager mentioned it yesterday.
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Ta.
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I thought I bump this one as season upon us and use it for ALL related championship stuff villa and otherwise .(if that's ok)
Like a chance to discuss obviously villa but any of the other teams , managers , players and generally championship coverage.
However I don't wish to hijack or derail thread and also aware that championship season 18/19 other clubs business may not be allowed or wanted on this page but thought it would be good to add to this existing thread that idea and develop it keeping it on main page with everyone blessing .
My main respect here is for original thrad creator KRS
And also for any admin to tell me that's okay to do
I think it wise to not start a championship thread in eager anticipationess of new season and as I say use this one .
So admin and KRS is that ok.
Or do I not post about other squads on here
Thank you
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Don't really see a standout team at this point and think the teams coming down could struggle. Stoke will probably go in as favourites, but I lad I work with is a season ticket holder at the Sty and reckons Rowett is a very negative manager and might hold them back a bit. I do think Middlesbrough will be strong this season under Pulis and would be my bet to win it as it stands, even though it will be the usual turgid stuff from Pulis.
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Didn’t Boro sell Traore in the end? He was their main attacking threat last year, other than Ayala from set pieces.
Think Stoke are favourites. Not sure who the Baggies and Swansea have kept/signed.
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The relegated prem clubs still have some talent which look too good for championship level so hope they move on:
Swansea
Are wilf bony, Leroy fer , clucas still at Swansea ? Kyle naughton ?
Heard Mawson is leaving to Fulham . Ki has left to Newcastle
Ayew brothers won't hang around will they . Andre has left and our Jordan is linked away
Wba
Is Jay Rodriguez still at Wba? Where is Gareth Barry in a taxi ? Jonny Evans left to Leicester
Heard that Rondon is off to Newcastle
But of course Jake Livermore is back at his rightful level
Stokie
are Jack butland , Bojan! Joe Allen , Ryan shawcross, choupo moting staying at Stoke ?
Some of these players relegated are better than championship level so would like prem clubs to take them and give us a chance .
Stoke look very decent squad in particular.
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Skillz Bony is shite - and has been ever since he chased the money to Man City.
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I only found out today that the Championship and EFL highlights have moved home from Channel 5 to the Quest channel.
I am going for -
Challengers - Villa, Blackburn, Derby, Boro, Sheff U, Stoke, Albion, Wigan
Middlers - Bristol City, Leeds, Preston, Swansea, Forest, Sheff Wed, Norwich
Strugglers - Small Heath, Bolton, Brentford, Hull, Ipswich, Millwall, QPR, Reading, Rotherham
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I'd swap Leeds and Forest for Blackburn and Wigan. I think the latter will both start strong but they haven't got the squads to keep it up, just like Sheff U last season I suspect they'll drop away fairly sharply once injuries, bans and general tiredness kicks in.
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I'd expect Swansea to be contenders, too. They were never outclassed in the Premier League so see no reason why they should struggle massively in the division below.
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I'd expect Swansea to be contenders, too. They were never outclassed in the Premier League so see no reason why they should struggle massively in the division below.
I think they'll be "there or thereabouts". They play decent football and seem to have an ongoing club ethos.
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With Swansea and West Brom a lot depends on how their new managers get on - same with Derby but even more so as Lampard has never even coached I believe
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The problem for Swansea is their squad looks pretty light, with 2-3 players still being linked with moves away.
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The Sky predictor league thing has us finishing 9th.
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I'm sure other clubs looked at our squad when we came down and said "they have some decent players, they'll be fine". Only we knew the internal mess we were in. In the end relegated clubs have massive internal issues, especially within the squad of players who stopped giving a fuck a while ago. There is no guarantee that just because they have players we have all heard of they will be motivated to play to that potential in the Championship. All three relegated clubs last season struggled at various stages, Boro' improving post Pulis, all with a bucket load of parachute money at their disposal. What cannot be measured is togetherness which is critical to rebounding immediately.
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The Sky predictor league thing has us finishing 9th.
I'd say it's about right until something happens either on the managerial front or with a release of funds; or both.
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maybe but I'm sure they predicted Brentford finishing third.
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With the business they have done in the close season Stoke should be right up there challenging. Swansea were far from the worst side who have ever been relegated so they stand a chance of challenging but I'm not totally convinced they will be around the top. I reckon that how much of a challenge Albion make will very much depend upon whether they can carry on the spirit they showed under Darren Moore in the last few games or if the fact they had such a nightmare season in general will still be effecting them.
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I'd expect Swansea to be contenders, too. They were never outclassed in the Premier League so see no reason why they should struggle massively in the division below.
Aren't they selling most of their good players? Fabainski, Ayew (Andre), Mawson all gone and what's left is pretty mediocre.
Similar to Hull last year who had huge turnover and nearly got relegated.
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maybe but I'm sure they predicted Brentford finishing third.
Wouldn't shock me if Brentford have a good start. Last two years they've had really slow starts and then hit great form after xmas but had too much ground to make up on top 6.
Think at least one of Brentford, Preston and Sheffield United will be in play offs. They all came close last season and division is weaker than last season I think.
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We were 0-0 with Stoke yesterday in a behind closed doors friendly.
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We were 0-0 with Stoke yesterday in a behind closed doors friendly.
Do we know what the line ups were Ads?
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I can't find any record of the line ups
From the pics on the website, Bree, bjarnason, Gardner and jedinak played. And stoke were very much a reserve side. So perhaps mostly a chance for some players to get game time
In terms of the league, I think forest will be strong. I can't say I know these portuguese players they've brought in, but they all seem to be creative midfielders
If jack goes, we really do look weak on the creativity front. Gone are the days that all you needed was a good defence, hard working midfield and two good strikers
O'Hare isn't ready for me. Adomah has been out of form for a while. Hourihane is nowhere near as creative as some would have you believe and Lansbury has been a big disappointment
Time for mendes to send a couple of genuinely classy players our way. I'm just not sure there are many realistic candidates left
After the recent lift from the takeover I'm starting to feel quite pessimistic about this sesson. I think we'll be top 10 or so all season so a good chance of play offs. But way off premier league class still and I think we may have another slow start due to less than ideal preparation
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Just listened to the Notthetop20 podcast. They had us 9th, based on how ordinary we were before grealish came back into the side, especially in terms of creativity; plus the disruption of the summer
I found it hard to disagree, tho suspect incoming players would send us a bit higher than 9th
But I am increasingly reminded of how mediocre we were before Xmas, most of the time
Still think the most likely outcome is a fairly boring season, hopefully with the emergence of some youngsters, and then hopefully a more visionary manager for next season, with some more headroom for signings and some high quality loans
But I still think sacking Bruce a week ago would have been a big risk
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I'd expect Swansea to be contenders, too. They were never outclassed in the Premier League so see no reason why they should struggle massively in the division below.
Aren't they selling most of their good players? Fabainski, Ayew (Andre), Mawson all gone and what's left is pretty mediocre.
Similar to Hull last year who had huge turnover and nearly got relegated.
I expect Swansea to not contend. I saw them as often boring and towards the end of season had no fight what so ever losing matches constantly.
In some ways out if depth.
I also saw them outclassed by man city home and away and Liverpool away from home as well.
Swansea have made some daft managerial appointments .
It's a shame as they were a team I enjoyed watching and admired there progress.
However I don't see the manager will be so good because coming from Swedish league he needs to adapt to a higher level.
It's not even Bob Bradley standards .
Unfortunately for them the days of the football were over after Martinez Rodgers Laudrup era and were on a steady decline .
On Paul Clement and Carvajal were 2 appointments were stock was not high and were doomed.
Also found both had a charlatans feel about them that
I can't go as far to say they are false goods but neither were suitable at time of appointing after both managers recent lack of success.
I agree seeing as they will be selling players they would be similar to a Hull or Sunderland from the 3 going down .
WBA remains to be seen and good luck to big Dave . I like any team that shows some spirit however I really not fussed if they go down again of course
Stoke are the team that would concern me though the manager may level things up as temperament wise he's could enjoy a yellow or red card or two with the new 'management discipline' to be in place.
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The Sky predictor league thing has us finishing 9th.
Would you enlighten us on the whole table .
I mean need context of where other teams would supposedly finish.
Thanks
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Just listened to the Notthetop20 podcast. They had us 9th, based on how ordinary we were before grealish came back into the side, especially in terms of creativity; plus the disruption of the summer
I found it hard to disagree, tho suspect incoming players would send us a bit higher than 9th
But I am increasingly reminded of how mediocre we were before Xmas, most of the time
Still think the most likely outcome is a fairly boring season, hopefully with the emergence of some youngsters, and then hopefully a more visionary manager for next season, with some more headroom for signings and some high quality loans
But I still think sacking Bruce a week ago would have been a big risk
Sounds reasonable arguments however could you give context as similar to reply from last post.
It's interesting to know how league is seen and where all clubs would finish.
I mean would have to have the information on all 20 clubs and then they make their argument .
As there is no money or prestige involved I can suspect that a prediction of 9th and predictions of other teams would not be amazingly in depth knowledge and research more a guess work from some know how on each club. Also the window hasn't closed so signings from all teams make all the difference coming and goings.
But appreciate the post and that hearing views.
Matt Collins in context in a league with these other clubs where would you predict villa will finish . That would be as interesting to h and v as it is sharing other people's opinions
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Skillz the Sky predictor thing is easy to google - I'm not reading too much into it as they had Brentford finishing third.
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SKY Predictor Bookies Odds
1 Stoke 1 Stoke
2 Derby 2 Boro
3 Forest 3 WBA
4 WBA 4 Forest
5 Leeds 5 Leeds
6 Swansea 6 Swansea
7 Villa 7 Villa
8 Boro 8 Derby
9 Preston 9 Brentford
10 Millwall 10 Sheff W
11 Bristol C 11 Norwich
12 Sheff U 12 Bristol C
13 Sheff W !3 Preston
14 Brentford 14 Sheff U
15 Norwich 15 Wigan
16 QPR 16 Small Heath
17 Reading 17 Millwall
18 Bolton 18 Blackburn
19 Blackburn 19 Hull
20 Small Heath 20 QPR
21 Wigan 21 Ipswich
22 Rotherham 22 Reading
23 Ipswich 23 Bolton
24 Hull 24 Rotherham
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/aug/01/championship-season-preview-2018-19
Grauniad's view of the runners and riders. We are not seen as contenders.
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We are listed under "Playoff Contenders".
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I think that's fair with how the squad currently looks. Obviously I hope we can do some good business between now and the end of the month (when the loan window closes).
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I keep telling you the Guardian is a shit rag! Also rans my arse.
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It's hard to say with us currently as we have not recruited a single player and have lost players who made of the spine of the side ...as it is I think we may have enough to creep into the play-offs but no more than that.
Forrest / Stoke will be the 2 strongest sides
WBA/ Swansea should be there or there abouts
Leeds/Derby recruited well but new managers to league or in Derby's case an inexperienced manager full stop so could go either way with them
I think Shef United will be close to top 6 again
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I keep telling you the Guardian is a shit rag! Also rans my arse.
And again, we are listed under "Playoff Contenders".
There are four clubs listed under "Title Challengers", seven, including us, mentioned under the subheading "Playoff Contenders" and four cited as being "Relegation Candidates".
There isn't even an "also rans" section, but if there was, we wouldn't be included.
Take the blinkers off, maybe?
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We’ll piss it obviously 😄
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I thought Paul McInnes write up of us seemed pretty fair.
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We just need momentum. From the off, fucking go for it. Start well, lose under 6 games all season, and we won't be far off.
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We just need momentum. From the off, fucking go for it. Start well, lose under 6 games all season, and we won't be far off.
And then you woke up and realised Steve Bruce is still here and your dreams were shattered :(
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does anyone know what odds we had exactly this time last year?
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does anyone know what odds we had exactly this time last year?
Might not be exact but I remember looking to put a bet on us for promotion and the odds were too short for my liking so I didn't bother, was 5/2 or 3/1 most places from what I remember and we're were 3rd/4th favourites. Looking at current odds that's about right for those positions.
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I keep telling you the Guardian is a shit rag! Also rans my arse.
Fake news.
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it was a joke .
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does anyone know what odds we had exactly this time last year?
The Racing post football pullout published today says we were 7/1 joint favourites this time last year. I seem to remember there not being much between us, Boro & Fulham.
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right and that was with a squad that had yet to see Snoddy and several others, plus Kodjia out for the season. It's not all doom and gloom. A few additions and we'll be there - or thereabouts.
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I really don't see the point in Journo's writing these articles until the transfer window closes. Villa grab three players of the right quality and the odds suddenly look worth a punt. Column inches to be filled on a quiet news day.
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From our best team last season, four key players right through the side have left and not been replaced. And it could well be five including our best player.
So as things stand I wouldn't see us troubling the top two much
But remains to be seen who might come in
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right and that was with a squad that had yet to see Snoddy and several others, plus Kodjia out for the season. It's not all doom and gloom. A few additions and we'll be there - or thereabouts.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Snodgrass end up at Boro with Traore going to West Ham. A lot can change in the next week. Leeds and Sheff Utd seem to have made good signings. Stoke trying to do a Villa and buy promotion at the first attempt but have a fair amount of over the hill deadwood that they won't shift.
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Why are Forest so fancied?
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Why are Forest so fancied?
I think they have made some quality signings but generally speaking I have been confused as to why Forest and Leeds have suddenly become so hotly tipped for success. Time will tell.
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Mark my words Derbys lampard will be up there .
Starting with outclassing Reading Friday evening .
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Mark my words Derbys lampard will be up there .
Starting with outclassing Reading Friday evening .
Make no mistake skilzy, your words have been marked. Lamps could light up this division and you could well be awarded the Order of Nostradamus medal.
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Also rans my arse.
I recommend Immodium.
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We just need momentum. From the off, fucking go for it. Start well, lose under 6 games all season, and we won't be far off.
And then you woke up and realised Steve Bruce is still here and your dreams were shattered :(
Haha. Something along those lines.
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As a matter of interest, twelve months ago where did all these predictor things have Wolves and Cardiff?
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As a matter of interest, twelve months ago where did all these predictor things have Wolves and Cardiff?
From memory, Wolves were about 6th favourites and Cardiff about 10-12th.
Boro and Villa were 1st and 2nd.
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Why are Forest so fancied?
I think they have made some quality signings but generally speaking I have been confused as to why Forest and Leeds have suddenly become so hotly tipped for success. Time will tell.
Leeds are actually signing some good players regardless of Bielsa. Bamford and Barry Douglas in this week for 10m combined which is great business.
I'd say Forest having Karanka as manager means they'll be up there. Guy plays grinding Bruce style football but he turned Boro around and had them consistant top 6 contenders.
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Bamford is shite.
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Bamford is shite.
He lost his confidence for a bit but he's a very good striker at this level. Won POTY at Boro and he also scored scored 12 in 10 at Boro after xmas before Pulis inexplicably dropped him for the games v us.
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Not scoring for 18 months to 2 years is a loss of confidence?
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I thought it was less than 12 in ten? He only ever seems to score in short spells, followed by droughts of biblical proportions.
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Bamford is shite.
He lost his confidence for a bit but he's a very good striker at this level. Won POTY at Boro and he also scored scored 12 in 10 at Boro after xmas before Pulis inexplicably dropped him for the games v us.
Bamford is streaky, he'll score a bunch close together and then struggle for a few months (or longer) I wouldn't have wanted us to sign him.
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Bamford is shite.
He lost his confidence for a bit but he's a very good striker at this level. Won POTY at Boro and he also scored scored 12 in 10 at Boro after xmas before Pulis inexplicably dropped him for the games v us.
Bamford is streaky, he'll score a bunch close together and then struggle for a few months (or longer) I wouldn't have wanted us to sign him.
Is that somewhat due to being in and out of sides over the last couple of years (or even since his first spell at Boro).
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No, Ads is right, it's due to him being a bit shit.
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Bamford is shite.
He lost his confidence for a bit but he's a very good striker at this level. Won POTY at Boro and he also scored scored 12 in 10 at Boro after xmas before Pulis inexplicably dropped him for the games v us.
Adama won the POTY, Bamford didn't score 12 in 10.
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Bamford is shite.
He lost his confidence for a bit but he's a very good striker at this level. Won POTY at Boro and he also scored scored 12 in 10 at Boro after xmas before Pulis inexplicably dropped him for the games v us.
Bamford is streaky, he'll score a bunch close together and then struggle for a few months (or longer) I wouldn't have wanted us to sign him.
Is that somewhat due to being in and out of sides over the last couple of years (or even since his first spell at Boro).
Nah, he was dropped because if he isn't scoring he's a complete waste of a shirt, and he doesn't score consistently enough to justify the risk.
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that Guardian site also has a comment from a fan from each club, not too many optimistic fans on there.
the bloose comments could break your heart
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that Guardian site also has a comment from a fan from each club, not too many optimistic fans on there.
the bloose comments could break your heart
There's another preview of the Championship on there, a Bluenose pops up amongst the comments. No guesses who he talks about.
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Why are Forest so fancied?
I think they have made some quality signings but generally speaking I have been confused as to why Forest and Leeds have suddenly become so hotly tipped for success. Time will tell.
Leeds are actually signing some good players regardless of Bielsa. Bamford and Barry Douglas in this week for 10m combined which is great business.
I'd say Forest having Karanka as manager means they'll be up there. Guy plays grinding Bruce style football but he turned Boro around and had them consistant top 6 contenders.
Bamford is hit and miss and never seems to settle anywhere I feel he llbbe of David nuguent levels of dritfing round leagues.
You're right to extent though the sold Vieria who will be some player . I like signing especially Douglas are decent though he's a poor defender in Leeds wing back system he ll thrive.
Karanka is way more advanced than Bruce though there is a similar style of being organized and steady before the spectacular. Schooled with mourinho but forest and leeds remain to be seen.
Norwich despite losing Madison and Murphy could show something
Still pains me that defeat and more the performance! Against them at carnary road and are yellow bellies performance .
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I've looked at the ins and outs of all teams and not been impressed with anyones. I know Forest have made some signings but they're still unproven at this level.
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As a matter of interest, twelve months ago where did all these predictor things have Wolves and Cardiff?
From memory, Wolves were about 6th favourites and Cardiff about 10-12th.
Boro and Villa were 1st and 2nd.
I have still got the first price coupon and then the updated one from the week before the season started. You are absolutely right about Boro and Villa being first and second favourites and Wolves originally being around sixth favourites. But by the time the last ante post coupon was printed on the eve of the season, a lot of money must have gone on Wolves in the previous couple of weeks as all of a sudden they leap frogged Villa and Boro and became favourites.
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I have just caught up with the full ins and outs this summer in the Championship. That is a hell of a turnover of players. Especially for Leeds, Forest, Swansea, Bolton and Rotherham.
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Not scoring for 18 months to 2 years is a loss of confidence?
I never said he was good enough for the prem, went to I think Palace, Burnley and Watford and did nothing at any of them.
Went to Boro permanently and lost his confidence, rarely playing under Monk. Somehow Pulis starts to get a tune out of him and Adama.
Anyway I actually think this weakens Boro a bit. Gestede is Gestede and Assambalonga was woeful in both games v us, guy is a poacher and little else. Have to say who they replace him with I guess.
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Bamford is shite.
He lost his confidence for a bit but he's a very good striker at this level. Won POTY at Boro and he also scored scored 12 in 10 at Boro after xmas before Pulis inexplicably dropped him for the games v us.
Adama won the POTY, Bamford didn't score 12 in 10.
Just checked, it was 9 in 7 league games over Feb-March so similar run to Kodjia in the first SB season.
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Probably best to check before posting stats :-*
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Without the problems of this summer we would be aiming for top two (which would still be hard), but now Play-offs again is the best we can get IMO. Think we will struggle unless we can get a few quality signings and of course need to hold on to some of our better players.
My darkhorse for this season is Norwich. I think Blackburn and Bolton could stay up. Think forest and Derby will make the play-offs. Ipswich to go down.
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Norwich who are weaker and we're mid-table?
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I’m not sure it’s that ridiculous to have us mid table. Obviously we could still improve the squad significantly, but at the moment we have a weaker squad than last year.
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how can you make an informed call on anyone before the end of August?
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how can you make an informed call on anyone before the end of August?
Because you could have lost six games by the end of the first day of September.
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Think Norwich are dark horses for relegation. Can see SHA rolling them over 2-0 first game.
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You've missed my point Ealing. Everyone can add to their squads until the end of August, so judging where people might finish now is misleading.
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You've missed my point Ealing. Everyone can add to their squads until the end of August, so judging where people might finish now is misleading.
Apologies, my post was terribly phrased. I meant that people sort of feel compelled to pass judgement now because we could be 18 points off the pace by September 1st.
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no problem I should have worded my post more explicitly. Here's hoping we are competitive at least in August whilst our esteemed leader works tirelessly to bring in new blood.
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West Brom already losing 2-1 at home to relegation favourites.
Don't see them doing anything this season, too many players not motivated enough (Brunt, Gibbs, Barry etc) and whole different ball game for Darren Moore compared to last season.
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Tuesdays championship matches
3-0 Boro. Sheffield United
1-1 Forest WBA
A lot can be said about Forest and how they are looking to improve however I think a definite work in progress there.
Wba style was pretty limited and only came to attack late on. Felt some players were altogether there .
However they still somehow took a point.
Was interesting watching former villa loaners SJ and Grabban. I only watched second half as saw the first half of boro Sheffield United
To add now sky are able to cover all matches in midweek games championship do we feel that would affect attendance?
It's early days if course in the championship but I feel villa can be well up there .
I have to say though hull as I knew were very average and Bruce found his way to win the match . Played well in spells but it was a match that was winnable.
Boro , Leeds and probably Derby Stoke Swansea will all be strong at home I think so it's how they perform away.
Rotherham seen out of their depth.
Sheffield United have had tough start to season and it goes to show fixture runs and winning the winnable matches when others will be dropping points will go along way.
Of course loan window will be coming to close end of month and time for squads to be finalized together .
Looking forward already to season and despite early I not fearing any clubs . Kind of like all the world cup talk with England . However I think a good look at fixtures needed for rivals to see how works out.
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Another thing to add is that Leeds beat stoke and was like they won world cup or promotion .
It was first match of season and seemed way over the top.
It may have been mentioned and seen by others but this is what I led to believe is an example of 'a bit small time'.
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SATURDAY 11TH AUGUST
Aston Villa Wigan
Blackburn Millwall
Bolton Bristol City
Middlesbrough Birmingham
Norwich West Brom
Nottm Forest Reading
QPR Sheff Utd
Rotherham Ipswich
Sheff Wed Hull
Stoke Brentford
Swansea Preston
Derby Leeds
I can see wins for Boro and hopefully ourselves .
Would hope some matches are draws so teams drop points and maybe one or two shocks again this week
Important to build with wins and kinder run of fixtures .
I just hope Boro aren't the Cardiff of this year and outdo Bruce.
I feel Lampard , Karanka and or maybe Bielsa or Potter may be looking at being the footballing teams of the league with the better players
I trust Bruce has learnt and will mix up play. Rotate , use the fresh legs and squad and take advantage of early fixtures
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I agree forest could do well. Can't see them being as good as wolves were tho
Leeds looked brilliant but bielsa sides typically fall away badly
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Leeds were quite at it !
Do you like look of Derby ? Signed Waghorn now too decent goal getter
That will be interesting Saturday
For villa
Hopefully the likes of Tuanzebe and McGinty can add some dynamism .
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Villa win and other championship predictions
Backburn Millwall: Blackburn
Bolton Bristol City : Score Draw
Middlesbrough Birmingham Boro
Norwich West Brom: Score draw
Nottm Forest Reading :Forest
QPR Sheff Utd :Sheffield Utd
Rotherham Ipswich : Ipswich
Sheff Wed Hull: Both score Sheffield Wednesday win
Stoke Brentford: both score Stoke win
Swansea Preston: both score Swansea win
Derby Leeds: Both score Derby win
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Backburn Millwall: Draw
Bolton Bristol City : Score Draw
Middlesbrough Birmingham Boro won
Norwich West Brom: WBA won
Nottm Forest Reading :Forest won
QPR Sheff Utd :Sheffield Utd won
Rotherham Ipswich : Rotherham won
Sheff Wed Hull: Both score draw
Stoke Brentford: both score draw
Swansea Preston: Swansea won
Derby Leeds: Both score Leeds won
Think major surprise was the margin of Leeds victory .
And well done Rotherham
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Leeds do look great. I'm hoping they do a typical bielsa.
But it is frustrating to watch a team that was worse than us last year play the sort of technical fast paced football I wish we'd play
Finding a manager who can get us playing like that would be great. Not easy though. Might have to keep an eye on the sack race
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Of the other championship matches Saturday thinking WBA and Leeds to win not sure on the rest .
Bristol City Middlesbrough
Hull v Blackburn
Leeds v Rotherham
Millwall v Derby
Reading v Bolton
Sheff Utd v Norwich
West Brom v QPR
Wigan v Nottm Forest
Preston North v Stoke
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WBA 7-1 QPR
Think wba have a lot of goals in them with Rodriguez and Gayle and was quite a ridiculous scoreline seeing Mcclaren lose so heavily.
WBA along with Boro, Leeds and perhaps Swansea look likely contenders at this point.
Fair mention to Bolton and milwall this season who seem competitive despite resources .
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Frank Lampard hasn't had a good start at Derby. And listening to his uncle 'Arry on the radio today he is angling for an assistant or coaching job alongside 'little Frank'. Probably with a view to stepping into his shoes if and when he gets the bullet.
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Lampard derby at home to ipswich Tuesday I think they will win that one but he's had a mixed start .
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didn't you think he was going to rip the league a new one Skillz?
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Well Lampards has potential and attacking wise they have decent players seems he's being let down by some of them . However the match at milwall must have been torture for him on side lines
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EFL will stream matches live online in the UK and Ireland for the first time on Tuesday.
The service, for midweek games outside of bank holidays and not shown live on Sky Sports, will cost £10 per match.
Fans will be able to view a game via their team's digital platform iFollow, used by 58 of the 72 EFL clubs.
Overseas supporters have been able to stream every non-televised game online since the start of of the 2017-18 season.
Aston Villa, are among the 14 EFL clubs not signed up to iFollow.
So why is this then anyone know??
I do know villa and all the championship teams can be shown on sky sports via red button in midweek - there are eight rounds of midweek fixtures during this season
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Don't know. They have their own [crap] AVTV offering of course, but at the moment that's only available for people outside of the UK. *cough*
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There is an EFL highlights/goals show on Quest tomorrow night 1030 till midnight.
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Lampard derby at home to ipswich Tuesday I think they will win that one but he's had a mixed start .
2-0 at the moment. How did we not beat Ipswich?
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At least we don't follow QPR and have Steve Mc as boss
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Stoke 0-3 Wigan what a result all round .
That squad not to win a game stokies suffering from the fall to championship
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Gary should have stayed where he was.
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Boro v WBA
Pulis derby tonight .
Draw favored result in terms of league placing .
Dwight Gale is a player I would like villa to have at this level .
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I'd like Abraham even more
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At least we don't follow QPR and have Steve Mc as boss
I would say that I doubt QPR will have Steve Mc as boss for long, but I don't think they can afford to sack him and pay him off.
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Deserved win from Boro last night WBA so called fore power wasn't on show.
Boro seemingly finding a way each match
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2 of the points we’ve gained this season against teams who are 23rd and 24th. Scintillating.
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Would snatch your hand off for a play off place.
We are nowhere near good enough for top 2 in how we play.
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Forest v Small Heath is a poor game and you can't tell which team spent big in the summer and which club didn't have a pot to piss in. Which, to be fair is probably a compliment to the noses.
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Joe Lolley getting his annual SHA goal.
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I went upstairs to post on here about how crap the game was and to go to the bog, went back down and found out I had missed two goals!
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shit happens
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Leeds 0-0 Boro last night
Have to say Boro are a solid and organised outfit.
1 if not 2 will be up there come season end battling for automatic
Of today's matches many interesting and think could be some goals around .
Wigan , Derby , Preston maybe wins
Looking in with interest in wba stoke a premier league fixture !
Matches today are
Birmingham QPR .
Brentford Nottm Forest
Hull Derby
Preston North End Bolton
Reading Sheff Wed
West Brom Stoke
Wigan Rotherham
Millwall Swansea
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Matches of note also took place
Another win for Leeds 3-0 v Preston a kind fixture despite the injuries.
And WBA win 4-2 v Bristol city more noticeable.
Both these look strong contender for promotion .
Stoke starting to find feet 1-0 against Swansea who have a real weak attack and seem to not score goals.
Brentford drew 1-1 at lowly Ipswich.
Derby 0-0 Blackburn
Table wise top 6 after Tuesday
1.Leeds 18pts
2.Brentford 15pts
3.WBA 14pts
4.Boro (play wed vBolton)14pts
5.Bristol city 14pts
6.Villa 13 pts (ahead on GD Derby and Wigan)
Technically after Wednesday matches could slip to 7th 8th 9th depending on what Bolton , Sheff Wed and Forest do.
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So that's 8 rounds played
Last year after 8 rounds
1 Leeds United 17
2 Wolverhampton Wanderers17
3 Cardiff City 17
4 Preston North End 15
5 Ipswich Town 15
6 Sheffield United 15
And villa had 10 points after 8 matches
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Preston have had a wretched start. Surprised at how badly they're doing.
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Preston surprised me too Ads thought they would be up there.
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Sean Maguire getting injured just before start of the season did them as they didn't spend any of the 9m they got for Hugill in January on a replacement.
Thought they'd be mid table though rather than bottom 3.
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Spoke to a PNE mate of mine he said they’ve apparently got 5 first teamers out injured and it’s killing them, they’re not playing badly just can’t seem to buy a win and can’t score away.
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Excellent. Got them on the 2nd so hopefully we can better the two points we've taken at home the past two seasons.
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Excellent. Got them on the 2nd so hopefully we can better the two points we've taken at home the past two seasons.
You just know that’s when their luck will turn, it’s the Villa way!
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2018/19: After 9 matches 12 th place 13 points . 5 points off top place and promotion places
Last season after 9 matches villa were 7 points off top 2
League Championship table as it stands now (2018-19 season)
1 Leeds 9 18pts
2 Middlesbrough 9 18pts
3 WBA. 9 17pts
4 Sheffield United 9 16pts
5 Wigan Athletic 9 16pts
6 Derby County 9 16pts
7 Brentford 9 15pts
8 Bristol City 9 14pts
9 Nott Forest 9 14pts
10 Shef Wed. 9 14pts
11 Blackburn Rovers 9 14pts
12 Aston Villa 9 13pts
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Bruce yesterday said 4 points off the top which is nonsense it's 5 plus there are a round of matches to play today .
Though 4 points off the automatic.
However there are several matches being played and think Brentford , Forest and boro can win .
Derby are losing at Bolton and sheffield utd have a tough one v milwall
Wba away preston I think another Preston loss which makes difficult on Tuesday
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Bruce yesterday said 4 points off the top which is nonsense it's 5 plus there are a round of matches to play today .
Though 4 points off the automatic.
However there are several matches being played and think Brentford , Forest and boro can win .
Derby are losing at Bolton and sheffield utd have a tough one v milwall
Wba away preston I think another Preston loss which makes difficult on Tuesday
Totally agree with your first sentence Footy. Just another blatant attempt by Spud Face to massage the truth. We're 14th as it stands.
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I also heard his claims of resting and reintroduction for this match of Bjarnasson as it's a "marathon" with the winter ahead ! Hmm as if he's not making that up as he plays who ever he likes as he goes along to a major extent .
I expect him to make claims on Jedinak 'long summer' too
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It’s a very tight league we are in
we are 15th if we had won yesterday we would be 5th
Edit, no we wouldn't I'm talking rubbish again
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Far more mediocre league than last season.
I know the points totals are close but 15th for us is a disgrace.
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6 points with them all to play twice. Pot him now and get the promotion dreadnaught moving.
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Anyone else feel that the post take over optimism is waning slightly? This is a poor division this year and is ripe for a team to take it by storm ...........Time for Purslow and NSWE to get their backsides into gear
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I think we're just all waiting for them to make the decision Clive and then see who follows....dithering and giving SB until even xmas would be completely unacceptable imo.
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Dithering is the perfect description. We're 15th, and I'd like to bet (without checking) that not many teams who are 15th after 10 games have been promoted.
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It seems to be an average year this season, we've been awful but still within touching distance of the leaders. No outstanding team, which makes it all the more frustrating that we have this chancer in charge of our team and the most talented squad in the league.
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West Brom go top with 20 points after today's results .
Villa 14, points 15th place
6 points off top spot then .
2 points of play offs
8 teams to get ahead of
Results
Birmingham 2 Ipswich 2
Blackburn 2 Nottm Forest 2
Bolton 1 Derby 0
Brentford 2 Reading 2
Hull 1 Middlesbrough 1
Millwall 2 Sheff Utd 3
Norwich 1 Wigan 0
Preston North End 2 West Brom 3
Rotherham 2-2 Stoke
Swansea 3 QPR 0
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Tuesday fixtures :
Aston Villa Preston North End
Brentford Birmingham
Hull Leeds
Ipswich Middlesbrough
Wigan Swansea
Reading QPR
Stoke Bolton
Wednesday fixtures:
Blackburn Sheff Utd
Derby Norwich
Nottm Forest Millwall
Rotherham Bristol City
Sheff Wed West Brom
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After 11 matches
Midweek results
Brentford Birmingham 1-1
Hull Leeds 0-1
Ipswich Middlesbrough 0-2
Wigan Swansea 0-0
Reading QPR 0-1
Stoke Bolton 2-0
Blackburn Sheff Utd 0-2 moved up Derby Norwich 1-1
Nottm Forest Millwall 2-2 forest move up to playoffs
Rotherham Bristol City 0-0
Sheff Wed West Brom 2-2
So West Bromwich 2 goals down and came back to make it 2-2 .
Adam Reach who score screamers scored 1st for Wednesday and were on top at 2-0
Harvey Barnes for west Bromwich amazing dribble for equaliser .
Millwall 2 goals down away forest and came back for 2-2 .stoppage in play due to floodlights but fair play millwall
1 Leeds 22
2 Middlesbrough 22
3 Sheff Utd 22
4 West Brom 21
5Norwich 18
6 Brentford 17
7 Swansea 17
8 Derby 17
9 Wigan 17
10 Bristol City 16
11 NForest 16
12 Sheff Wed 16
13 Aston Villa 15
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The Leeds owner, Andrea Radrizzani, has called for a Premier League Two, saying the Championship does not make enough TV money for the division to be sustainable, which condemns its clubs to repeated crisis and takeovers.
I think the model of the Championship should be reconsidered, because the turnover of owners is not really a healthy system,” Radrizzani said at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in London. “It is not sustainable to stay in the Championship. This model, and also the small money they [the EFL] generate from TV rights, split between 72 clubs, maybe they need to reconsider, and consider another way, to create a Premier League Two or something else that can be sustainable.”
We should concede that a club like Leeds that is watched by 500,00 to 600,000 people live on Sky is getting from the league only £2m to £2.5m [TV income] and are actually penalised, because we are more than 20 times on TV. Maybe we should reconsider the system because it doesn’t work.”
It’s difficult to be in a league where we make losses because there is not enough income generated from media rights,” he said. “So I think all the clubs should open a discussion to see how we can change this league so it’s sustainable – and [so we] don’t have a crisis every two years with every club going bankrupt or changing ownership.”
The EFL responded to Radrizzani’s comments with a statement emphasising the improved TV deal worth £600m over five years from next season and the £4.6m “solidarity” payments to each Championship club from the Premier League. “The Championship remains one of the most competitive and unpredictable divisions in world football,” the statement said.
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Sheffield Wednesday 1 Middlesboro 2
Have just watched the highlights goals and seen Adam Reach score another fabulous goal.
Boro looked to be better and there was some ridiculous defending by the Wednesday centre back absolutely shocking. I don't think even Villa faux centre halves have ever been that awful in passing across carelessly.
Boro sit top of the championship and are definitely a contender having looked at the squad they have a solid and organised set up and game plan with some quality players.
I would have them as a stayer for the top 2/ top 6 this season.
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Boro are the most tedious side in the league.
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Boro a pragmatic team I feel and sit top of the league. They have spells of some decent play but overall yeah find under Tony Pulis it's all about the result.
Mo besic is a fine player and they have the best central defenders in the league.
Meaning they have best defensive record.
In championship today I think WBA will beat Wigan , Forest and Norwich , Derby and Sheffield United could be scoring draws but leaning to home teams in both .
Stoke v Birmingham I think a home win in the Gary Rowett derby .
Blackburn v Leeds could well be a draw.12pm kick off.
Brentford v Bristol city and
Hull Preston looks a goal scoring affair .
Rotherham I think could beat Bolton
Ipswich(QPR) and reading(Millwall) really need to win their home matches but don't think both will
Such an interesting round of league matches today
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Leeds,
Leeds are falling apart,
Again
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Don't think you'll be needing the 2 points a game formula to get automatic promotion this season.
Just looking at the table and Boro top with 25 from 13 games, I imagine this time last year Wolves and Cardiff both had around 30 points?
Over a season that's about 87 points.
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Wolves were on 29, Cardiff and Sheff Utd were on 27. We were on 22. Fulham were on 18, same as we currently have.
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The league doesn’t have a standout team like Wolves this season and the runs Fulham and Cardiff made at the end last year were simply an anamoly given what has happened in past seasons. We have loads of games to catch up.
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Don't think you'll be needing the 2 points a game formula to get automatic promotion this season.
Maybe not, but we should still go for it.
We need 74 from 33 games - 2.24 per game.
Or, if you like, 21 wins, 11 draws and 1 defeat (last game of the season when we're already promoted - losing against Norwich as they pip the Olbiyun to the other automatic promotion place!).
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i think you might have just underscored why we won't be achieving that. Much as I'd love us to, the idea of us losing just one more game between now and May is unthinkable. Interestingly, if i read those points summaries right, we are exactly the same number of points away from the leaders as we were this time last season - the difference this time is that there are 12 teams between us and the top, so a lot of results have to go your way to make any progress.
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We're 7 points off the top
There are 99 points to play for
It's doable
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i think you might have just underscored why we won't be achieving that. Much as I'd love us to, the idea of us losing just one more game between now and May is unthinkable. Interestingly, if i read those points summaries right, we are exactly the same number of points away from the leaders as we were this time last season - the difference this time is that there are 12 teams between us and the top, so a lot of results have to go your way to make any progress.
Alright, what about 22 wins, 8 draws, and 3 defeats? So winning 2 out of every 3 games.
I'm messing about but the point is serious - we shouldn't be giving up on automatic yet. But what's clear is that to get automatic you have to win the majority of your games. Which we knew already. But Bruce seemed to struggle with.
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Our motto should be: f**k the f**kers and f**k the draws.
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Way I look at it 20 more wins gets us in the top 6 so that's more realistic than however many gets us top 2.
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Way I look at it 20 more wins gets us in the top 6 so that's more realistic than however many gets us top 2.
We're 7 points off top spot in a very average division and 3 points off a playoff position. And let's not pretend Boro are some outstanding runaway train, or in fact any of the sides above us are in any way that much better. Let's start with bridging the gap in the next few weeks to 3 or 4 points. It's not that difficult.
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7 teams and 3pts between us and the playoff places...lets get there first, cement our place, take stock and then push on to automatic places. Anything is possible this season.
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Lampards derby looked impressive from highlights seen in beating Sheff united.
Wednesday away at WBA will be a good test.
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Really? Fuck sake...we've been drawing ad nauseum since 2001...
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Really? Fuck sake...we've been drawing ad nauseum since 2001...
Brentford drew 6 out of 12 under him this season.
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Really? Fuck sake...we've been drawing ad nauseum since 2001...
Brentford drew 6 out of 12 under him this season.
Booooo!!
Smith OUT!!
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Really? Fuck sake...we've been drawing ad nauseum since 2001...
Brentford drew 6 out of 12 under him this season.
Same amount as we did under Bruce then.
We have better players than Brentford. We have more chance of turning those draws into wins.
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Way I look at it 20 more wins gets us in the top 6 so that's more realistic than however many gets us top 2.
We're 7 points off top spot in a very average division and 3 points off a playoff position. And let's not pretend Boro are some outstanding runaway train, or in fact any of the sides above us are in any way that much better. Let's start with bridging the gap in the next few weeks to 3 or 4 points. It's not that difficult.
Agree 7 points is nothing at this point. However, we have a very difficult December. Thanks to Bruce, we've thrown away the advantage that the opening fixtures gave us. We now have to go out and perform against the better sides. 3 or 4 points at the turn of the year and I'd be quietly confident that we could do it.
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We will draw a few games under Smith I think, just the style of play will mean that Brentford have drawn a fair few this season and Walsall did in many of his seasons.
Way I look at it 20 more wins gets us in the top 6 so that's more realistic than however many gets us top 2.
We're 7 points off top spot in a very average division and 3 points off a playoff position. And let's not pretend Boro are some outstanding runaway train, or in fact any of the sides above us are in any way that much better. Let's start with bridging the gap in the next few weeks to 3 or 4 points. It's not that difficult.
Agree 7 points is nothing at this point. However, we have a very difficult December. Thanks to Bruce, we've thrown away the advantage that the opening fixtures gave us. We now have to go out and perform against the better sides. 3 or 4 points at the turn of the year and I'd be quietly confident that we could do it.
The flipside of that is that most of our games between now and the new year are against teams we're going to be competing with for promotion so there's plenty of 6 pointers in there so we have only ourselves to blame if we don't close the gap. We need to put the teams like QPR and Bolton away though, no point beating the top sides and then losing to the relegation battlers (like we did after Wolves).
We've got 12 games left in 2018, if we can get something around 2 points per game from those then we'll be top 6 and with no one looking like they're going to storm away that gives us a platform to step up from. With our squad and the new attacking intent I think we're going to have a run of 7-8 wins on the bounce at some point so avoiding runs of draws/defeats the rest of the time so we keep ticking over is the key, that's how you get out of this division. 3-4 games without a win is damaging but recoverable, doing it 2-3 times in a season is what did for Bruce and he's already given us our shitty run for this year.
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Form team
QPR 20 points in last 10 matches after hearing Sheffield Wednesday last night .
Birmingham 3 victories in a row and unbeaten in 10.
Top 2
Boro only manged a 0-0 draw at home to Rotherham which was surprising and Sheffield United were held 1-1 late equaliser .
Today wba play derby
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QPR will spank us like they did that infamous night at VP unless we raise our attitude hugely.
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I don't think there is anything wrong with our attitude. It served us well enough against Swansea when we saw the game out. We just need to improve on the footballing front.
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QPR will spank us like they did that infamous night at VP unless we raise our attitude hugely.
What night?
I remember a 3-3 where we scored in the last minute...
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Didn't they beat us after the Wolves win ?
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Didn't they beat us after the Wolves win ?
So they did - I'm blaming old age - that game had completely slipped my mind!
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I wish it had slipped my mind Ad@m !!
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Looking at our fixture list I've got a feeling it's going to get worse beefier it gets better. I reckon we might well be bottom six or so by the time we face west brom in December
Think Friday will be very tough. Here's hoping we can pull something out of the bag like we did there last year
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Lampards Derby won 4 -1 away to WBA
Lewis grabban scored 2 in beating Bolton for Forest .
Leeds with comfortable win and back to top league with 2-0 home win v Ipswich .
These 3 teams have a manager that only started this season right and are managing to implement ideas .
Leeds Forest Derby all to be up there along with Middlesboro
Middlesboro v Derby
And Forest Leeds Saturday they are interesting matches .
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Good result for PNE
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It's play-offs at best for us now I think, 11 points behind leaders Sheff Utd.
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This is a repeat of 16/17 I'm afraid.
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The auto pro numbers could well be mid 80s this season... a season for having Steve Bruce as Manager
(please forgive me for such a rash comment)
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In case any of you were wondering, it appears we actually won last Friday...
(https://thumb.ibb.co/fotDAq/pravda-score.png) (https://ibb.co/fotDAq)
from avfc official.
We are Aston Villa and we'll tell you what the score was.
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Just recently seen and caught up with results on the Tuesdays 27 November .
Norwich stopped winning !!
And Boro held.
I read that Reading had a late penalty saved away at Leeds but I felt this was a 3pointer for Leeds and any aspiring playoff /promotion club would , in probablility ,defeat reading at home.
Sheffield United did the business away at Deanos old Manor
(Great match at home to Leeds saturday so some team will drop points!)
Bolton just never win these days
And well played Rotherham holding back QPR who are around our league position .
Results in full:
Brentford 2 Sheff Utd 3
Hull 0 Norwich 0
Leeds 1 Reading 0
Preston 1 Middlesbrough 1
Rotherham 2 QPR 2
Sheff Wed 1 Bolton 0
Over to the villa to keep up winning .
The other matches tonight are
Stoke v Derby in the Gary Rowett Derby
Lambos Ipswich v Bristol City
Millwall v Blues
Swansea v Baggies
Wigan v Blackburn
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What are the ramifications if we "don't" go up this season?
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Forest will finish top 6 imo, very impressed with them tonight. In such a crazy game they displayed plenty of good attributes.
If we keep in touch then we have a really good run from January up to Mid Feb so that should be the time we established ourselves in the play offs and still have three months to have a go at top 2.
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Forest are a much better side than Norwich. They'll be top 6. As will we.
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No outstanding teams this season so we have every chance of at least the playoffs
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Bookies have us as 7th favourites for promotion with Forest the other team currently in the Top 8 missing out on the play offs also.
Based on what I've seen this week we will both finish Top 6 with Sheff Utd and Boro missing out.
I still fancy us for automatic with the Baggies funnily enough.
Norwich, Leeds, Derby, Forest play offs.
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I still don't think Leeds will last the pace. Theyre increasingly spawny and their squad is so thin.
Sheffield United dropping off too.
Boro may well squeak 6th.
Forest, Derby, Norwich and possibly Boro for the play offs.
Us and Sandwell up automatically.
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If we can maintain this until Jan 1st then I have no doubt the second half of the season will be fruitful. We just need to ensure the likes of Leeds and co don't increase the gap. Anything under 10 points and you have to fancy us making a claim with a decent run of fixtures post Christmas.
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I’d be more worried about the gap if I thought either of the top 2 would be there at the end of the season. Leeds looked poor yesterday, terrible at the back and didn’t deserve the points. They are riding their luck.
The playoffs could be very good and close this year, as long as pulis doesn’t get in and stink out half of it.
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That's fair enough but the gap exists and we need to make up for those awful Bruce results. We have basically started the season with a 15 point handicap.
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Think the strength in depth in midfield and attack will get us over the line - if you think yesterday we didn't start with any of Adomah, Kodjia, BB, Lansbury, Hogan, O Hare, Jedi, Whelan - no other team has that squad depth.
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I'm going to call it.
We're quite good aren't we.
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I'm going to call it.
We're quite good aren't we.
Yes but I am nervous about saying it out loud, the last few years have made me extremely cautious about predicting anything more than one game at a time.
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I'm going to call it.
We're quite good aren't we.
Yes but I am nervous about saying it out loud, the last few years have made me extremely cautious about predicting anything more than one game at a time.
We've all got to lose the nervous mentality. I was convinced we were going to come unstuck against Boro yesterday, but the actual result and performance made that a nonsense.
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Only frustration for me is after an indifferent run Leeds have got back on track and won their last three as we've picked up.
Reminds me of last season when we had that 7 game winning run between January and February and then Cardiff responded by doing the exact same thing straight after.
Seems the championship becomes a very predictable league for the top teams when we start winning!
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I agree and it does feel like those frustrating periods last season where we were getting wins and staying still. But having watched Leeds the performances have really not been there recently and surely the results will catch up. I know we said that about Cardiff all season last year but that was a real aberration.
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What’s going through my mind is that whoever is going to clinch one of the two promotion spots needs to put together a sustained and consistent run of good results. To achieve that they need:
A very good manager - tick
A squad of good/very good players - tick
A squad big enough to sustain injuries and suspensions - tick
Not sure that many other clubs can claim all three.
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Of the teams below us I think only Stoke are capable of getting a top six finish if they can get their act together. Even though they are currently top I expect Norwich to fall away. The other six currently above us (Leeds, Boro, Albion, Forest, Sheff U and Derby) are our promotion rivals in my opinion.
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Stoke are massively average. I thought Gary Rowett might be a decent but his football is as bland as it comes too.
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Only frustration for me is after an indifferent run Leeds have got back on track and won their last three as we've picked up.
Reminds me of last season when we had that 7 game winning run between January and February and then Cardiff responded by doing the exact same thing straight after.
Seems the championship becomes a very predictable league for the top teams when we start winning!
I’m not convinced Leeds will last the pace. Last 2 wins needed a missed penalty by Reading at the death then a gift from the opposition keeper at Sheffield united (and woodwork saving them v late on), it’s fortune that will probably run out.
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We need 61 more points from 26 games to hit that magical 2 point average. That's 19 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats.
It's in the bag!
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Won't need 90 points to get top 2, I think 85 will be enough.
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When you need to score 5 just to draw against us, we're in good nick.
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Theres no point doing ifs, buts, and may be's with all the points dropped under Bruce, but even those 2pts dropped against Forest would but a different perspective on things and we'd be in an even better position to attack the play off positions. We can't win them all though, so we have to be patient and wait for others to drop points...would you bet against us?
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Theres no point doing ifs, buts, and may be's with all the points dropped under Bruce, but even those 2pts dropped against Forest would but a different perspective on things and we'd be in an even better position to attack the play off positions. We can't win them all though, so we have to be patient and wait for others to drop points...would you bet against us?
January and February is our time to pounce:
QPR H
Wigan A
Hull H
Ipswich H
Reading A
Sheffield United H
Brentford A
All this will hopefully some new signings in the weak areas of the first 11.
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I went to the Leeds match when they played Bristol. They stroke the ball round nicely enough, but that's about it. Bristol City were dire, but Leeds still needed a fortunate sending off for Bristol in order to win the game. They were a bit spawny this weekend as well by all accounts. They're scraping points at the moment; we're absolutely rinsing the best teams in the division.
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Spawny against Reading too.
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Our last 2 games of the season ?
Away to Leeds
Home to Norwich
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Won't need 90 points to get top 2, I think 85 will be enough.
They were saying on WM last week that at that time last season Woves were top with 44 points and Cardiff 2nd with 42 (I think), but at the same time this season Norwich were top with 37. As you say, might not need as many points this season.
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I think we're benefiting from Norwich being unlikely to win the league. So the difference between the winner and their current points total and Wolves is even bugger than 7 points.
Norwich and Leeds may continue their run. We all thought Cardiff would falter and they didnt. But I'd be surprised having seen both if either finished in the automatics.
Pity we played Norwich so early in Smith's reign. Equally that Tammy went off. Hm
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I think Norwich are the best team we've played this season. I see no reason why they can't keep it up. Leeds haven't really impressed me but they've got a top class manager who has them punching above their wait.
We only need one to go on a bad run because 2nd will see us up.
Albion worry me and to a lesser extent, Derby as well but for the short term, we need to concentrate on our own game. I felt that at the beginning of this difficult run that the best we could hope for was to be the same distance behind the top 2 on 1 January that we were at the start. We've managed to do that so far and have gained a point on 2nd. If somebody had told me that at the start of October, I'd have thought they were mad.
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Norwich?! Really? Why?
A drab game we would probably win now.
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I agree, I think Norwich are incredibly average. We gifted them a win with lax defending. If we played them now, just four weeks on, we'd hammer them.
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It is there for the taking this year. Derby usually implode after Christmas whoever is in charge, Norwich are playing way above themselves and will hit a rough patch soon, Boro are too negative and can't score goals and that will not change with TP, Sheffield Utd didn't last the course last year and I do not see anything different this year, Leeds are currently riding their luck with scabbed results , that is until they visit us later this month. I suspect Albion will be close, but will drop plenty of points and Forest are also likely to buck their recent trend of slumping as they seem well organised and have some depth, but may lose the likes of Lolley in the next window. We are genuinely the best in this league, we just need to make up for lost time and go on a run like Fulham's last year, hopefully we are already on it. :)
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Norwich?! Really? Why?
A drab game we would probably win now.
I thought they were good. They restricted us (which is probably why you think it was drab) and they worked their socks off to force our defenders into rushing passes that ultimately led to mistakes, as Blues did last week. It takes a certain level of fitness to do this for 90 minutes.
Who do you think are the best team we've played then? Derby? Boro?
Whether we would hammer them now is irrelevant. The two points are: a) Can they sustain their form? and b) Were they the best team we've played?
They've won 6 and drawn 1 of their last 7. I don't think that is an indication that they are unlikely to win the league.
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They had one more chance than we did and it was Chester being typical Chester. The first and other effort was off a corner where Tammy would have been far better positioned to clear had he been on the pitch.
I thought they were anything but impressive.
Forest are quite easily the best side we have played. They'll pick up a lot of points away from home.
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There were one or two on here last season who denigrated Cardiff and, their so called jammy results, were thoroughly convinced that they will not last the distance. Same thing is now being said about Leeds however Leeds have been around the top two now all season and I think they will stay around. I am secretly hoping they implode after January.
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Leeds next two matches before they get a beating at Villa
Are QPR at home
Bolton away
Norwich next 3 matches (2away)
Bolton at home
Bristol City away
Blackburn away.
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They had one more chance than we did and it was Chester being typical Chester. The first and other effort was off a corner where Tammy would have been far better positioned to clear had he been on the pitch.
I thought they were anything but impressive.
Forest are quite easily the best side we have played. They'll pick up a lot of points away from home.
Even allowing for Forest's 5 against us, Norwich have still scored more goals than them. They lost Madison and Murphy in the summer and seem to have adjusted to suit their players. It's not a purple patch, it's 20 games which is almost half a season.
I'm not saying that they can't be caught because I think they can. I just feel that you shouldn't automatically write them off - Especially as they are 9 points ahead of us. Hopefully, a couple of injuries and suspensions will knock them off course a bit. I'm hoping that Grabban won't continue in this vein of scoring throughout a season as well - He did similar last season and began to falter from around March onwards.
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Well for a start norwich should be beating beating Bolton at home Saturday .
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We just need to keep our current form up and the remaining games this month all look tough. However, it should be noted that after Fridays trip to the Albion, there’s only Leeds, Forest, Blues and Stoke in top half that we have left to visit and I’d fancy us against anyone in the league at Home in front of a big vocal crowd. Also, last two games of the season - Leeds away, Norwich at home. Bloody hell, could be huge matches.
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We can do nothing other than concentrate on ourselves and second guessing other teams is pointless, we're not even in the top 6 yet so let's not get cocky.
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We can do nothing other than concentrate on ourselves and second guessing other teams is pointless, we're not even in the top 6 yet so let's not get cocky.
I partly agree, but isn't it a pleasure to concentrate on ourselves after that November and, dream again? It is a very very long time since we have had a month like that.
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Well for a start norwich should be beating beating Bolton at home Saturday .
Norwich could be like Cardiff from last season or Huddersfield from the season before. Not in terms of similarity in play, but as the team which you keep telling yourself 'they'll not keep this up for long!'
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Looking at our fixture list I've got a feeling it's going to get worse beefier it gets better. I reckon we might well be bottom six or so by the time we face west brom in December
Mental note, don't listen to Matt.....
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Didn't we (briefly) go above Cardiff into second towards the end of the season last year after being miles behind at one stage and despite having Bruce in charge? I think it was either after the Wolves home game or possibly when we beat Cardiff themselves. Only for Bruceball to fuck it up completely.
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Didn't we (briefly) go above Cardiff into second towards the end of the season last year after being miles behind at one stage and despite having Bruce in charge? I think it was either after the Wolves home game or possibly when we beat Cardiff themselves. Only for Bruceball to fuck it up completely.
Yep. Sometime in late Feb and early March I think.
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We went second after we beat Blose in February.
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For six whole days, wasn't it?
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Looking at our fixture list I've got a feeling it's going to get worse beefier it gets better. I reckon we might well be bottom six or so by the time we face west brom in December
Mental note, don't listen to Matt.....
Ha! Fair to say I'm feeling a lot more positive now
I did put a tenner on us to win the league at 20-1 after the Swansea game so I was obviously a bit up and down
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Didn't we (briefly) go above Cardiff into second towards the end of the season last year after being miles behind at one stage and despite having Bruce in charge? I think it was either after the Wolves home game or possibly when we beat Cardiff themselves. Only for Bruceball to fuck it up completely.
It was after the SHA game, our 7th win in a row and we were 2nd, a point or two ahead of them.
Cardiff then promptly won their next seven themselves and we got 1 point from Fulham and Preston games and that was that.
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Well for a start norwich should be beating beating Bolton at home Saturday .
Norwich could be like Cardiff from last season or Huddersfield from the season before. Not in terms of similarity in play, but as the team which you keep telling yourself 'they'll not keep this up for long!'
Good comparison idea!
I been wishing for too long that all team above villa won't keep it up for long ! Giving hope for progress!
However now i have an over confidence villa win majority of matches !
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I’m home alone tonight, so decided to watch the extended highlights of our last few games.
I’m sure the forest game will not be the last that we score five plus goals.
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Norwich are battlers with great team spirit but I don't think they have half the quality that we do and their defence can certainly be got at. Letting in four at home to Millwall is worse than five to Forest in a way...
I think we'll reign-in the 9 points deficit on them over the next three months, certainly before the last day of the season meaning our game against them at VP in May shouldn't be do-or-die.
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Unfortunately until we get rid of Nyland we have the tendency to turn 3 points into 1. Naarwich now 11 points ahead. We are somewhat reliant on them and Leeds imploding a bit.
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We have to play Leeds twice. There's six points.
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Since the Smith arrival, I've felt that if we could get to January in reasonable shape, get in a keeper, CB and LFB, we'll push on and definitely be in contention for automatic. The next 4 games are massive for us.
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Norwich are battlers with great team spirit but I don't think they have half the quality that we do and their defence can certainly be got at. Letting in four at home to Millwall is worse than five to Forest in a way...
I think we'll reign-in the 9 points deficit on them over the next three months, certainly before the last day of the season meaning our game against them at VP in May shouldn't be do-or-die.
It's now 11 points but I agree with your analysis.They are just getting over the line at home against the likes of Bolton and Rotherham.Their goal difference is not that good ,considering the number of points they have got.
We are an outstanding side and we are in 8th and Stoke are starting to get their act together,it will be an almighty scramble for promotion and the play off places and Norwich could well succomb to the pressure.We,on the other hand,are starting to demolish our opponents.
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Yep
You have to think that if Norwich are currently wining a lot of games narrowly, late in games, and scraping past mediocre teams at home, it will catch up with them
Leeds - I've always felt they'll burn out as Bielsa sides tend to. That game is gonna be massive
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God Norwich are so jammy aren't they?
I imagine they must have quite a hard fixture list in second half of the season as they seem to be playing all relegation candidates at home recently (Bolton, Rotherham and Millwall last three home games) and scraping 95th minute wins.
How many top teams have they beaten this season? Obviously they beat us but that was second game of DS so we were barely in top half at that point. I remember WBA beating them 4-3 start of the season and Stoke beat them at home a few weeks ago, think Leeds might've done aswell.
Could be a good time for us to play leeds in 2 weeks as seen they've got likes of Cooper, Dallas and Ayling out for 6 weeks so will struggle to put an experienced back 4 out against us so got to think our front three will get a lot of joy in that game.
Was pretty happy Forest lost tbh. Way they've been playing recently they probably fancied a run at top 2.
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Just checked Norwich results against "top" teams this season:
Norwich 3-4 West Brom
Sheffield United 2-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-3 leeds
Norwich 1-0 Boro
Derby 1-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-1 Stoke
Forest 1-2 Norwich
Norwich 2-1 Villa
From now up to start of February they've got Derby, Forest, West Brom, Sheffield United and Leeds so confident that 10 point gap will be significantly eroded.
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Good stats SHQ!
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Just checked Norwich results against "top" teams this season:
Norwich 3-4 West Brom
Sheffield United 2-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-3 leeds
Norwich 1-0 Boro
Derby 1-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-1 Stoke
Forest 1-2 Norwich
Norwich 2-1 Villa
From now up to start of February they've got Derby, Forest, West Brom, Sheffield United and Leeds so confident that 10 point gap will be significantly eroded.
Is this where we're supposed to call them'flat track bullies'? I have no idea what that means.
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I can't see Norwich keeping up their good form. I reckon they will fall away like Sheff Utd did last season.
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Norwich may well fall away but we need about 4 teams to drop points consistently whilst we keep averaging 2 per game. If this happens over the next 15 games we will be top however it's a big if and we have no room for error and it's not in our hands. We just have to grind on and see what happens.
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Norwich may well fall away but we need about 4 teams to drop points consistently whilst we keep averaging 2 per game. If this happens over the next 15 games we will be top however it's a big if and we have no room for error and it's not in our hands. We just have to grind on and see what happens.
We have plenty of good fixtures from after Leeds game up to middle of February. We should be well established in the top 6 and still have 3 months of the season to go.
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I think Bruce left us too much to do, I expect the play offs and would fancyus against any one.
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It all depends where we are when the tulips come up and the tickly bit starts
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Top 6 (points wise) after 21 games
43
42
37
37
36
36
After 21 games last season
48
44
40
38
37
37
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Wolves were pretty much on 50 points. Would imagine Newcastle were same the previous year.
Would be amazed if Norwich or Leeds got over 90 points. We're nearly halfway now and both are just over 40 points and scraping wins at home to relegation candidates so should balance out when they play tougher games.
Still think 85-90 will be enough for 2nd but then I thought that last year and Cardiff simply didn't fall away.
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The Newcastle season it was
46
45
37
36
35
35
It rarely varies much.
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On a different note, some top notch costumes at the Christmas Party.
Grealish as Duffman
Landsbury as Where's Wally
Hutton as Ledger's Joker
Taylor as Ali G
Hutton and Taylor looking top draw.
God knows who the rest are.
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The Cool Runnings one was excellent, no idea which players it was though.
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Norwich may well fall away but we need about 4 teams to drop points consistently whilst we keep averaging 2 per game. If this happens over the next 15 games we will be top however it's a big if and we have no room for error and it's not in our hands. We just have to grind on and see what happens.
Were only five points off third. The rest of 'em seem very catchable indeed to me
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Third/fourth are only 5pts away so certainly within our grasp, but bridging the extra 5-6pts gap to Leeds and Norwich is a big ask. There’s still a long way to go and a lot of points to play for, so all we can do is keep winning games and hope they drop points along the way.
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We play Leeds twice, so I wouldn't say it's that difficult.
We're 3rd in the form table from;
West Brom away
Boro away
Forest home
Blues home
Derby away
Bolton home
All of which bar Bolton were above us. Meanwhile Leeds have been getting dicey penalties and red cards while looking dross and Norwich have had an easy run, but as SHQ pointed out, they've faired badly against other top 6 sides.
Certainly conceivable that they could continue to keep getting results. But they don't look anywhere near as good Wolves did.
We need to keep doing what we're doing. Considering the run we're in an how utterly dominant we look, you'd hope we'd be beat Stoke and get back to the 2 points average during Smith's reign.
Keep the pressure up, stay within touching distance until January and capitalise.
Stoke home
Leeds home
Swansea away
Preston away
QPR home
They're the fixtures before we can sign a keeper or whoever.
You'd fancy us to win all 3 home games and even taking 2 draws away from home would be 11 points and keep us at an average of 2 points.
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Just checked Norwich results against "top" teams this season:
Norwich 3-4 West Brom
Sheffield United 2-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-3 leeds
Norwich 1-0 Boro
Derby 1-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-1 Stoke
Forest 1-2 Norwich
Norwich 2-1 Villa
From now up to start of February they've got Derby, Forest, West Brom, Sheffield United and Leeds so confident that 10 point gap will be significantly eroded.
Is this where we're supposed to call them'flat track bullies'? I have no idea what that means.
A really efficient flat track bully can make play offs or even the top two at a pinch, as long as they win 95% of the ‘flat track’ matches.
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Just checked Norwich results against "top" teams this season:
Norwich 3-4 West Brom
Sheffield United 2-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-3 leeds
Norwich 1-0 Boro
Derby 1-1 Norwich
Norwich 0-1 Stoke
Forest 1-2 Norwich
Norwich 2-1 Villa
From now up to start of February they've got Derby, Forest, West Brom, Sheffield United and Leeds so confident that 10 point gap will be significantly eroded.
Is this where we're supposed to call them'flat track bullies'? I have no idea what that means.
It means when the pitch is an absolute road and a batsman scores big numbers.
A world away from getting a big score on a turning pitch or when the ball is seaming about the place.
Coming to Villa Park will be the equivalent for Norwich of going into day 4 of a cracked and baked sub continent pitch, where the ball is spitting out the rough and we're surrounding the batsman.
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We only need one of Norwich or Leeds to fall off
I'm VERY confident that will happen
Of course, we need to do our bit too.
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2 points a game gives us 82 points. I'm not convinced that, that is enough
We need to average more than 2 points a game.
I think if anyone in the division can do it, it is us. Forest have too much to do, Boro won't get enough points, nor will Sheff U. It is out of ourselves, Derby, Leeds, Norwich & WBA.
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92 points is 60 points away from 25 games:
19 wins, 3 draws, 3 defeats
Piece of piss!
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2 points a game gives us 82 points. I'm not convinced that, that is enough
We need to average more than 2 points a game.
I think if anyone in the division can do it, it is us. Forest have too much to do, Boro won't get enough points, nor will Sheff U. It is out of ourselves, Derby, Leeds, Norwich & WBA.
How many points is a decent keeper worth from January through to May? - if Smith does nothing else in January but acquire a decent keeper, we'll be doing better.
It's the injury issue that freaks me: we need a CB and LFB just to cover ourselves.
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Our last two games are
Leeds A
Norwich H
However, I wonder if they'll be winner takes all games?
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These will be tough games as both will be fighting for a place in the play off group.
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I like your style olafs, good stuff.
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Our last two games are
Leeds A
Norwich H
However, I wonder if they'll be winner takes all games?
Yeah I saw this today. Could be absolutely massive
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We'll twat the pair of them.
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I'd be quite happy to go up via the play off's. No-one remembers the team that finishes second and the Play off final gives maximum exposure. Make up for the disaster of last season. If we were to finish top, that would be lovely but I think we have too much to do this season already.
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Our last two games are
Leeds A
Norwich H
However, I wonder if they'll be winner takes all games?
About time we an exciting last day game.
When was the last time we had something to play for on the final game, all the relegation struggles we were always safe before the final game and automatic promotion was over last season before Millwall away.
I'd sign up right now if we had to beat Norwich to finish 2nd.
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We'll twat the pair of them everyone.
Fixed.
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Boro losing in Carabo Cup to Burton I think Pulis could be off sooner than later .
Boro been really poor form and now lost out to be in semis
We only 3 points behind them and they are sliding!
Maybe Bruce to step in there?
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Swapping Jack Duckworth for Kevin Webster, what's the point?
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The league is shaping up to be a lot tougher than suspected as teams are finding thier form.
We have dropped 6 points recently that we could not afford if we are expecting top 2.
It’s the play offs with some potentially tough opposition.
You can all thank Steve Bruce.
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Swapping Jack Duckworth for Kevin Webster, what's the point?
Boro swapping Pulis for Bruce would be just like when Albion swapped Pulis for Pardew. Or when any club decides to swap their manager for Mark Hughes or Paul Lambert. The words deckchair and Titanic spring to mind.
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The league is shaping up to be a lot tougher than suspected as teams are finding thier form.
We have dropped 6 points recently that we could not afford if we are expecting top 2.
It’s the play offs with some potentially tough opposition.
You can all thank Steve Bruce.
Who will you be thanking?
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We need 80 points to get to guarantee the playoffs. Thats still 2 points a game.
I think we will strengthen the defence if Kalinic is the kind of money we can afford to spend.
I hope we can keep Tammy and get Jack back playing.
Our hope has to be getting to the playoffs as the form team. Of the teams likely to be in it, I would be most worried about Stoke.
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on the basis of our ineptitude today, I don't think we will be troubling the play offs this year. We need to build out own side - let the loand go home and the out of contracts go to whomever they like, sell a few others and start again
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We need 80 points to get to guarantee the playoffs. Thats still 2 points a game.
I think we will strengthen the defence if Kalinic is the kind of money we can afford to spend.
I hope we can keep Tammy and get Jack back playing.
Our hope has to be getting to the playoffs as the form team. Of the teams likely to be in it, I would be most worried about Stoke.
When have you ever need 80 points to finish in 6th position in this league?
Top 2 is gone now but very knee jerk imo for anyone to suggest we can't finish anywhere between 3rd-6th. We did beat Boro and Derby 3-0 away and both are likely to finish top 6. Maybe WBA aswell and we all know what happened in that game.
Leeds are just this season's Wolves/Newcastle.
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Were pathetic when the ball is in the air.
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Fair play, Leeds are the best team I've seen at Villa Park this season but even then, if Elmohamady hadn't been at fault for two of their goals we could've won that.
We're reaping the "benefits" of Bruce leaving us with one centre half on the books. I just hope we don't lose too much ground before Deano can fix that problem.
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To be above the side 7th is usually 70-75 points, has been as low as 69 and as high as 79. That's going back a decade and is to finish 1 point above 7th.
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To be above the side 7th is usually 70-75 points, has been as low as 69 and as high as 79. That's going back a decade and is to finish 1 point above 7th.
Yeah I've thought in last few years even 75 is pretty high for 6th place. We're halfway through the season and teams like Sheffield United, Derby, Forest and Boro aren't on 40 points yet so 80 points demand does seem a bit of an odd figure plucked from the air.
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11th place at the half way point in the season in a really poor league says it all for me - unless Smith drastically improves the defence even a play off spot is being optimistic
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11th place at the half way point in the season in a really poor league says it all for me - unless Smith drastically improves the defence even a play off spot is being optimistic
We're down there because we didn't win any of Brentford, Reading, Sheff Weds, Blackburn, Preston (when they were bottom of the league with 5 points) and Millwall.
Reason Norwich are second is they beat all the relegation strugglers. We didn't under SB and in fairness Dean has had only one of those type of games so far, Bolton at home. Which we won very comfortably.
As disappointing as today is I honestly think people should hold fire a bit. We have very winnable games coming up so I expect us comfortably in top 6 by the start of February.
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Really depressed after that today, I've seen a few comments that it feels like Bruce's first season and that's been my fear. Stalling just outside the playoff places. We had that horrendous run post Christmas that year. I'm hoping that isn't the case now while Jack and Axel are out.
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It's not like Bruce's season till we have a good 7 game shit streak where we draw once and then finish off with an equally garbage run.
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We've had our "tough run" and won 3 drawn 3 and lost 1. I'll wait and see how we are after the next 6 "not so tough games" before panic sets in. Let's not forget, Leeds were the best side we have seen this season to be fair...Smith's still only had a handful of games and will soon have a new GK and hopefully, new defenders.
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Just for confirmation our next 9 league games:
Swansea (a)- Been very inconsistant and doubt they'll finish play offs. That said will be tough with all the effort we put in today. Probably a draw.
Preston (a)- Was shaping up to be a very tough game but they had Ben Pearson sent off again yesterday and likes of Calum Robinson are injured so lacking a bit upfront. Amfy will probably tell more but that should be a win.
QPR (h)- Had them down as relegation candidates so McClaren's done an incredible job especially with how they started the season. Last opponent we should be complacent about after last season's fiasco. Draw.
Wigan (a)- Last seen losing 3-0 at home to SHA. One of those "if we can't beat them...." type of games.
Hull (h)- Win.
Ipswich (h)- Lambert's return. No doubt he'll describe them as the second coming of Brazil 1970 but again type of game we have to win if we want to do anything.
Reading (a)- Win, they are a poor poor team and criminal we didn't beat them at VP.
Sheffield United (h)- Always tough games against them. Feels like the type of draw after a winning run type of game.
Brentford (a)- Fancy us strongly in this one to break the hoodoo as Dean knows them inside out, we might sign 1 or 2 of their first 11 and they've been on a poor run since he left.
21 points from our next 27. Even with our scratch defence. A points haul like that will surely put us comfortably in the top 6.
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I reckon Albion, Stoke and Leeds are the three better sides. Stoke have taken time to adjust but seem to be getting stronger and will do well in the second half of the season. The rest of them are much of a muchness and we can beat any of them, therefore, target the play off's and hope for the best. We've lost one game in 8 and haven't suddenly become a crap side, although we do need to strengthen quickly. I remain optimistic but hope that we can wheel and deal in January.
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I reckon Albion, Stoke and Leeds are the three better sides. Stoke have taken time to adjust but seem to be getting stronger and will do well in the second half of the season. The rest of them are much of a muchness and we can beat any of them, therefore, target the play off's and hope for the best. We've lost one game in 8 and haven't suddenly become a crap side, although we do need to strengthen quickly. I remain optimistic but hope that we cab wheel and deal in January.
Stoke have a very good squad but same as Boro, pragmatic manager that will mean they draw more than they should. We were same under SB.
My dream play off selection would be Boro as we match up very well against them, Norwich (would surely be on a downer by blowing top 2) and Derby (battered them away).
No guarentees but there's no Fulham type team in that selection.
Wouldn't want to get in the play offs and have to play any of WBA, Sheffield United or Forest tbh, for various reasons we don't match up as well against them.
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I appreciate that we have endured a " tough streak " of fixtures and that we now embark on a run of " winnable" games and being pragmatic let's see where we are in 6 games time - my experience of the Villa over the years is that we don't always take advantage of such games - just maybe the end game is to prepare for an all out assault on the league next season with Smith's`team
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I appreciate that we have endured a " tough streak " of fixtures and that we now embark on a run of " winnable" games and being pragmatic let's see where we are in 6 games time - my experience of the Villa over the years is that we don't always take advantage of such games - just maybe the end game is to prepare for an all out assault on the league next season with Smith's`team
Certainly the lack of Grealish and Axel injury makes the above fixtures much trickier but even an o.k points return should get us in top 6.
Without looking I'd imagine a fair few of the teams above us will be playing each other so potential to cancel each other out like Derby-Forest did on Monday.
Might not be the worst thing for Leeds to run away with the league now. Them taking points off Norwich, WBA, Derby etc is good news for us in the long run.
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We've had our "tough run" and won 3 drawn 3 and lost 1. I'll wait and see how we are after the next 6 "not so tough games" before panic sets in. Let's not forget, Leeds were the best side we have seen this season to be fair...Smith's still only had a handful of games and will soon have a new GK and hopefully, new defenders.
Realistically how soon before we see these new players? Business is never as quick as people talk it up to be. Three games until the window even opens. I hope we come storming back and string a run together but I'm feeling decidedly less confident given recent form and the key injuries we've got.
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mid table is where we are and likely as not where we will finish. I said earlier on another thread how do sides like Albion make this league look easy? They were almost as shite as we were last season when we came down, but sit well above us tonight. Same with Derby, Sheffield United etc. Dean needs time, I agree, but it won't happen overnight or magically in January. A massive clearout in the summer with lots of players out of contract or going back to their parent clubs provides an ideal opportunity to sweep clean.
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We've had our "tough run" and won 3 drawn 3 and lost 1. I'll wait and see how we are after the next 6 "not so tough games" before panic sets in. Let's not forget, Leeds were the best side we have seen this season to be fair...Smith's still only had a handful of games and will soon have a new GK and hopefully, new defenders.
Realistically how soon before we see these new players? Business is never as quick as people talk it up to be. Three games until the window even opens. I hope we come storming back and string a run together but I'm feeling decidedly less confident given recent form and the key injuries we've got.
Kalinic already signed so will be in for Swansea cup tie. I presume the bank holiday means he can't play against QPR but could be wrong.
Seems Elphick is being recalled. Don't rate him long term but I agree him coming back is a must with Axel's injury. Again I don't know if he can play v QPR.
Beyond that maybe a new face or two for Wigan but given the way January transfer windows go much of the business is done last day.
Can see that being the case if we go after Brentford players.
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mid table is where we are and likely as not where we will finish. I said earlier on another thread how do sides like Albion make this league look easy? They were almost as shite as we were last season when we came down, but sit well above us tonight. Same with Derby, Sheffield United etc. Dean needs time, I agree, but it won't happen overnight or magically in January. A massive clearout in the summer with lots of players out of contract or going back to their parent clubs provides an ideal opportunity to sweep clean.
West Brom just have a good front four like we do and they're all fit currently (their results dipped when Dwight Gayle got injured). I wouldn't say they've been that much better as they've had shite results themselves but they didn't have the handicap of Steve Bruce for the first two months.
Dunno if they'll get top 2 as they're not great defensively either but would prefer to play Norwich in a play off situation tbh.
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I was a Bruce in man in the summer. I was wrong
The recent results are fine overall. Very good even
It was the failure to beat Reading, Ipswich, Wednesday, Preston etc that cost us. That's 9 points that we really should have extra. We'd be third.
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The margins are certainly finer than they seem. We've lost once in 8 and we are totally out of the promotion race? A few wins and we'll be back in the mix but we need to find that consistency.
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The margins are certainly finer than they seem. We've lost once in 8 and we are totally out of the promotion race? A few wins and we'll be back in the mix but we need to find that consistency.
Problem always seems to be the weekends we've won recently pretty much everyone above has so no ground can be made up hence we're actually further off top 6 than when SB was sacked somehow. It was a bit like that last season.
I do think it will balance out next 6 weeks as we're playing mostly bottom half and Norwich for one are playing a fair few teams around them so we should be in the top 6 and maybe get gap down to 2nd to about 8 points so will go back to being a long shot stab at 2nd I hope.
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I haven't given up on automatics yet.
We are so much better with Bruce's squad now, and am sure there will be quality coming in January.
Once the defence is functioning correctly, we will score against anyone.
Norwich will weaken, Leeds may run out of steam.
Next six games are crucial
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I think the gap is too big now. We needed to beat Leeds. I wonder if anyone has ever won the championship after being 11th at Xmas.
But the task is the same. Win the next 6 and see where we are.
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Agree, the next 6 games are crucial, hopefully teams above drop some points and we can make up ground. Merry Christmas 👍
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The only hope re Leeds is that they do burn out.
I can’t see it myself though as their manager will know exactly how far to push them. He won’t have trained them like he did in the summer if he thought there was a chance of burn out half way through the season.
We can hope Norwich blow up but they’ve shown no signs of doing so thus far. Even if they do, we still have to catch Albion.
It’s play offs again for me this season. The only thing to decide is whether we can get 3rd or 4th in order to ensure that we’re home in the second leg.
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I think the gap is too big now. We needed to beat Leeds. I wonder if anyone has ever won the championship after being 11th at Xmas.
But the task is the same. Win the next 6 and see where we are.
Fulham were never going to catch Wolves last season but they arguably should've got second in the end. That was some run though. Don't see us capable of that as we'll draw too many as seems the rule. I'm sure Eamonn has a few facts and figures for that....!
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Wolves and Cardiff were consistent, as were Newcastle and Brighton the season before. We won't make top two but can make 5th or 6th.
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Leeds and Norwich score two each after the 90 minute mark. You've got to start thinking they are destined for the automatic places.
Does anyone know how many points Norwich alone have gained with late goals, feels like half of them!
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Norwich won't finish 2nd.
WBA are only 3 points off them now I think so with their firepower they're your likely second.
We just need to get back winning and see where the land lies in early February.
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This time last year, we went on a 7 game winning run which cemented us in the top 6. I have a feeling we will do that again now. We’ll be top 6 by the end of January and we will not slip out of it.
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This time last year, we went on a 7 game winning run which cemented us in the top 6. I have a feeling we will do that again now. We’ll be top 6 by the end of January and we will not slip out of it.
I actually think by then end of Jan we might be on a decent streak. Could even be 6 or 7 wins by the time we play Sheff Utd in Feb.
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To guarantee playoffs (based on last 10 years) is 80 points or 44 from remaining 22 games. That magic 2 points a game stat again. From these 5 easier games I think we need at least 12 points to get into playoff spots and then stay there. I could see Norwich blowing up but other teams better placed than us to take advantage. Hats off to Norwich but I think they will falter now.
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Didn't you say this the other day chap? I have no idea where you get 80 points from! 75 points for 6th is more of an average and it's been less in a fair few recent seasons.
I'd love to see all these teams who have missed out on 6th on 79 points.
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He may be basing it on the points total of the teams that finish 6th rather than 7th. A lot of the 6th placed sides may have reached 80 points or more, but they didn't need that many if the side finishing 7th didn't get 79 points.
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Points total of teams finishing 7th working backwards from last season to the 99/2000 season.
73, 75, 69, 78, 71, 68, 70, 72, 69, 74, 70, 74, 67, 70, 71, 70, 75, 72, 74.
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Smethwick will get second place and we will be in the play offs.
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Smethwick will get second place and we will be in the play offs.
Yes, Albion and Leeds for the two top spots. Anyone from Norwich, Boro, Blues, Derby, Sheffield United, Forest, Stoke, Villa and QPR, although I think QPR won't make it. This is the toughest and tightest the Championship has ever been.
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Points total of teams finishing 7th working backwards from last season to the 99/2000 season.
73, 75, 69, 78, 71, 68, 70, 72, 69, 74, 70, 74, 67, 70, 71, 70, 75, 72, 74.
Thank you!
75 points is more or less what you need. Some years it's not even that. Of course I would want 3rd or 4th for home advantage in second leg which was crucial last season.
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At least a couple of those teams will fall away, like Sheffield United, Brentford, did last year
I'd bet on Qpr blues shef United being the most likely
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Smethwick will get second place and we will be in the play offs.
Yes, Albion and Leeds for the two top spots. Anyone from Norwich, Boro, Blues, Derby, Sheffield United, Forest, Stoke, Villa and QPR, although I think QPR won't make it. This is the toughest and tightest the Championship has ever been.
If we get in my dream three to face would be Norwich (probably on a downer from missing 2nd and can get at that defence), Derby (massively outplayed them at their place) and Boro (the one top team in this league we always match up well against).
Of other likely contenders I'd be worried facing likes of Forest or Sheffield United.
Still lots of football to play before any of this becomes likely of course.
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Smethwick will get second place and we will be in the play offs.
Yes, Albion and Leeds for the two top spots. Anyone from Norwich, Boro, Blues, Derby, Sheffield United, Forest, Stoke, Villa and QPR, although I think QPR won't make it. This is the toughest and tightest the Championship has ever been.
If we get in my dream three to face would be Norwich (probably on a downer from missing 2nd and can get at that defence), Derby (massively outplayed them at their place) and Boro (the one top team in this league we always match up well against).
Of other likely contenders I'd be worried facing likes of Forest or Sheffield United.
Still lots of football to play before any of this becomes likely of course.
It's quite exciting isn't it? Hopefully, we can add two or three players of real quality in the window to give us that push.
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Points total of teams finishing 7th working backwards from last season to the 99/2000 season.
73, 75, 69, 78, 71, 68, 70, 72, 69, 74, 70, 74, 67, 70, 71, 70, 75, 72, 74.
Thank you!
75 points is more or less what you need. Some years it's not even that. Of course I would want 3rd or 4th for home advantage in second leg which was crucial last season.
I said guarantee playoffs which means the points you need to Ensure you get at least 6th. Based on the poster above, I stand corrected, it's 79 points not 80. If you got 79 points in the last 20 years you would always have got in the playoffs. Granted, 75 points might be enough but then it might not.
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The Noses will be deducted points as well.
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Points total of teams finishing 7th working backwards from last season to the 99/2000 season.
73, 75, 69, 78, 71, 68, 70, 72, 69, 74, 70, 74, 67, 70, 71, 70, 75, 72, 74.
Thank you!
75 points is more or less what you need. Some years it's not even that. Of course I would want 3rd or 4th for home advantage in second leg which was crucial last season.
I said guarantee playoffs which means the points you need to Ensure you get at least 6th. Based on the poster above, I stand corrected, it's 79 points not 80. If you got 79 points in the last 20 years you would always have got in the playoffs. Granted, 75 points might be enough but then it might not.
We guarenteed play offs at Ipswich away last season. Didn't mean we needed 83 points for it.
Derby finished 6th last season on 75 points btw. So in that scenario 76 points was all we needed.
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When you try and predict a month's fixtures, it never pans out, but January looks like a very good month where we could go on a run like Leeds have. Other teams will be taking points off each other, so I think we'll be in the middle of the play off positions gradually clawing back second place.
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Up to 9th and 3 points off 5th with 3 of the 4 ahead of us to come to Villa Park.
After the run of fixtures, that's acceptable.
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All we can do is keep winning our games and the opportunities to move into the playoff places will open up...
In the next 2 games, Derby play both Norwich (a) and Middlesbrough (h) so at least one of them will make way for either us or Blose (who have winnable games against Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday).
Following the FA Cup weekend, Derby go to Leeds, Baggies host Norwich, and Middlesbrough have a trip to the Sty.
We need to keep pace with Sheffield Utd (5pts ahead of us in 4th) who seem to have favourable fixtures and will be trying to close the gap to Baggies.
There's a lot of football to be played, but if we can sign a few new players in January, make ourselves solid at the back, then the league table may have a very different complexion by the time we play, and hopefully turn Baggies over in mid-February.
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John Percy from the Torygraph reckons Karanka is on the verge of getting the Spanish Archer at Forest.
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John Percy from the Torygraph reckons Karanka is on the verge of getting the Spanish Archer at Forest.
Surprised how much they've struggled as I thought they were a really good side going forward in all the chaos of the 5-5. Think they've won once since?
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We should never have let them back into that game after going 5-4 up. All things considered, when you look at the teams we have played under Bruce and Smith, Smiths done a really decent job to keep us in the conversation with the balance of the squad and injuries. Get 3 outfield players in the right place early in Jan I reckon we can get 3rd or 4th.
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Can see us sneaking the playoffs then beating Stripeys/Smegs in the final
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Some of that Forest defending is laughable, miskick for the 3rd goal....
People think we've got problems.
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We saw that Forest defending up close and personal a few weeks back. Unfortunately ours was every bit as laughable that evening.
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Can see us sneaking the playoffs then beating Stripeys/Smegs in the final
I think that’s very possible. Hopefully we’ll punch it in the net for the winner.
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Stating the obvious, but injuries and what we do in the window will dictate how our season pans out. We're an average team at best without Jack at the moment, and we need to be more solid at the back and more creative in midfield. With Jack and some reinforcements in defence then we should comfortably make the playoffs...not so confident of putting together the much needed run of wins without.
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Some of that Forest defending is laughable, miskick for the 3rd goal....
People think we've got problems.
Aitor Karanka clinging to Nottingham Forest job after fall-out with players and poor form.
Jokanovic or Leonardo Jardim being lined up .
Forest play Millwall away Saturday then Leeds new years Day..
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I think jokanovic could do a great job with that squad
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Yeah, Slavisa at this level is dynamite. Hopefully Aitor does cling on and keeps drawing them to midtable.
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Championship Form Guide last 6
1 Leeds United 18pts
WWWWWW
2 Hull City 14pts
DWDWWW
3 WBA 14pts
WDDWWW
4 Birmingham City 13pts
WWLDWW
5 Norwich City 12 pts
DWWDWD
6 Stoke City 11pts
WDWDWL
7 Q P R 10pts
DLLWWW
8 Sheffield Wednesday 10pts
WLDLWW
9 Sheffield United 10pts
WLWLDW
10 Bristol City 10pts
LWDWDDD
11 Aston Villa 9pts DWDDLW
12 Derby County 8pts
LWWDDL
13 Preston North End 7pts
DLWWLL
14 Swansea City 6pts
LLWWLL
15 Nottingham Forest 6pts
DWLDLD
16 Millwall 5pts
LDDLLW
17 Brentford 5pts
LDLLWD
18 Middlesbrough 5pts
DLDLWL
19 Blackburn Rovers 5pts
LWDDLL
20 Bolton Wanderers 4pts
LDLLLW
21 Ipswich 4pts
LLLWDL
22 Wigan 4pts
WDLLLL
23 Rotherham 3pts
DLDDLL
24 Reading 2pts
LDLDLL
-
Championship Form Guide last 6
1 Leeds United 18pts
WWWWWW
2 Hull City 14pts
DWDWWW
3 WBA 14pts
WDDWWW
4 Birmingham City 13pts
WWLDWW
5 Norwich City 12 pts
DWWDWD
6 Stoke City 11pts
WDWDWL
7 Q P R 10pts
DLLWWW
8 Sheffield Wednesday 10pts
WLDLWW
9 Sheffield United 10pts
WLWLDW
10 Bristol City 10pts
LWDWDDD
11 Aston Villa 9pts DWDDLW
12 Derby County 8pts
LWWDDL
13 Preston North End 7pts
DLWWLL
14 Swansea City 6pts
LLWWLL
15 Nottingham Forest 6pts
DWLDLD
16 Millwall 5pts
LDDLLW
17 Brentford 5pts
LDLLWD
18 Middlesbrough 5pts
DLDLWL
19 Blackburn Rovers 5pts
LWDDLL
20 Bolton Wanderers 4pts
LDLLLW
21 Ipswich 4pts
LLLWDL
22 Wigan 4pts
WDLLLL
23 Rotherham 3pts
DLDDLL
24 Reading 2pts
LDLDLL
Considering we haven’t played any of the bottom nine in our last six games I’ll be more interested in this table six games from now.Not just for us potentially picking up points but top teams having to lose points to each other.
-
I'm surprised Hull are doing quite that well. I had that down as a bit of a home banker
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Martin O'Neill now being linked to Forest
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I'm surprised Hull are doing quite that well. I had that down as a bit of a home banker
No Elphick and Jackson Irvine is playing for Australia in Asia Cup so that's two of their best players straight away not playing v us. Grosicki might be sold aswell.
-
Id have thought bowen might go too. Surprised he hasn't already tbh
-
Martin O'Neill now being linked to Forest
Phew. That’s more like it. Was worried they’d get Jokanovic.
-
Championship Form Guide last 6
1 Leeds United 18pts
WWWWWW
2 Hull City 14pts
DWDWWW
3 WBA 14pts
WDDWWW
4 Birmingham City 13pts
WWLDWW
5 Norwich City 12 pts
DWWDWD
6 Stoke City 11pts
WDWDWL
7 Q P R 10pts
DLLWWW
8 Sheffield Wednesday 10pts
WLDLWW
9 Sheffield United 10pts
WLWLDW
10 Bristol City 10pts
LWDWDDD
11 Aston Villa 9pts DWDDLW
12 Derby County 8pts
LWWDDL
13 Preston North End 7pts
DLWWLL
14 Swansea City 6pts
LLWWLL
15 Nottingham Forest 6pts
DWLDLD
16 Millwall 5pts
LDDLLW
17 Brentford 5pts
LDLLWD
18 Middlesbrough 5pts
DLDLWL
19 Blackburn Rovers 5pts
LWDDLL
20 Bolton Wanderers 4pts
LDLLLW
21 Ipswich 4pts
LLLWDL
22 Wigan 4pts
WDLLLL
23 Rotherham 3pts
DLDDLL
24 Reading 2pts
LDLDLL
Lambert in his wet dream position of one outside the bottom 3.
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Martin O'Neill now being linked to Forest
Hahahaha...poor eejits.
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'75 repeat and beating Norwich last match of the season (although it didn't matter then).
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Criminal result today when we see what the top 3 did.
Worth noting though the amount of goals Norwich are conceding.
WBA also not winning again when Dwight Gayle is injured.
We simply though have to win on games when Norwich or Leeds drop points. Today was nowhere near good enough against Preston's B team.
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We are nowhere near ruthless enough. Urgently need reinforcements.
-
us 'dropping' 2 points and Derby snatching an unlikely victory cost us big time today, especially with favourable results elsewhere. A gap of three points between us and 6th would have been so much better going into the already tough QPR game
-
Whoever goes up this year is going to find it a fairly distressing experience next season. Nobody can defend
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Whoever goes up this year is going to find it a fairly distressing experience next season. Nobody can defend
This is one of the reasons I am not keen on us getting promoted this season - would prefer to have the team strong in all areas, be top of the division throughout the season with confidence in abundance; on present form this would probably take the summer to fully address. Should we go up we would be languishing in the relegation zone without significant improvements, unless the January window additions are exceptional. Was this not what our CEO was alluding to a few weeks ago?
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1 win from the last 4 games has prompted me to reassess our promotion chances.
We are not the side I thought we were and the fluent, attacking football seen a few weeks ago has disappeared.
I've formed the conclusion that it's more about the manager than it is the players. Rafa showed it in 2016/17, Nuno last season and Belisa this season. Other teams promoted have their manager to thank as well (Cardiff, Huddersfield, Brighton). We are a much better side on paper than Leeds but the gap between us is immense.
If we can sneak play offs this season, I will be happy. There are some good sides in there though and we need to improve consistency. The loss of Jack has shown (again) just how important he is. January is big for us now but if (which is looking likely) we don't go up this season, the summer will be even bigger. This time next season, we will have a clearer view of how good a manager Smith is. Being the eternal optimist, I am hoping we'll be in Leeds position, given our spending power and the attraction to players that we have.
I haven't written off this season but we need to get a winning run going pretty soon and after that, we need to ensure that we don't have a bad run, as we did in the spring of the previous 2 seasons.
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OPR really is a must win if we are to have a chance of the play offs. We have to give Smnith at least two windows before we have any real idea as to how his team might look. For me I don't expect anything from this season, it's next that will really show who and what we are.
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I don't think that you can have the luxury of choosing when you go up.What might be the implications of FFP ? A hefty fine ? I think that the owners might have budgeted for that .A transfer embargo would be damaging if it included loans.
Would Grealish or McGinn be lost at the end of the season ?
Momentum or confidence can be lost because of the break for a new season.
.Under Saunders in 75 we won our last 8 games,signing off the season by hammering Norwich 4-1 away.
3 games but nearly 4 months later it was our turn to be hammered by Norwich and we had 1 point from our opening 3 games.
There is also a limit to our short term potential as Purslow pointed out the top 6 in the Prem look fixed for the next few years.The gulf between them and the rest looks huge. But below them the Division looks uninspiring.Watford,Bournemouth and newly promoted Wolves are prospering.Burnley finished 7th last year.Next year finish above Brighton and we should have another financial bonanza to improve the team.
Even the worst case scenario of relegation would really be just a temporary setback as we would be back in this league with a far better squad and no FFP.
It's a no brainer,you just don't refuse the £80m plus that they give you for being in the top division.
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OPR really is a must win if we are to have a chance of the play offs. We have to give Smnith at least two windows before we have any real idea as to how his team might look. For me I don't expect anything from this season, it's next that will really show who and what we are.
With our depleted squad,I can see QPR being a difficult game but it's more of a must win for an automatic spot.We are only 5 points behind Boro and Derby and they have to come to VP.
-
In Dean we trust, come on villa let's win 4 of the next 6 and get in those play off spots, onwards and upwards.
-
Deary me. Talk of 'must wins" in December!!
-
Exactly 2 months ago we were 17th 7 points off the play offs so we have edged slowly closer if nothing else. Interestingly the Top 6 are the same now as they were then, albeit in a different order.
The challenge is to break into those play off positions - I've given up on automatic - and carry a Fulham like momentum into late May.
-
It is a must win if we want any chance at the top 2, which is what he says. I doubt anyone really expects us to finish top 2 now though.
-
We had a good run, copped a very unfair result at the Albion where we lost Taylor (who has proved a lot better than Hutton there) and Grealish. We've slipped into a blip of form these past four games, where we've been slow in moving the ball and just as suspect defensively, if not more so at full back now too.
That said we've only lost one against the leaders and even the we should have earnt a point.
5 points isn't going to get us up automatically, but we're all well aware of the squad imbalance and the defensive weaknesses.
Yesterday we had 3 right backs and a right sided centre half hopelessly out of form and playing with an injury, with a keeper that isn't good enough.
It's not the platform upon which to build anything.
But we know we're going to strengthen and we already have, while equally we know we have fire power.
I'm very confident of the Play Offs. I think by mid-February we'll be tucked into the top 6. I think the automatics are now highly unlikely, but perhaps always were.
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It is a must win if we want any chance at the top 2, which is what he says. I doubt anyone really expects us to finish top 2 now though.
I struggle with the principle that any game can be a must win with half the season still to go. We could still theoretically get to 100 points.
But to say it's a must win for the playoffs is an absolute nonsense.
OPR really is a must win if we are to have a chance of the play offs. We have to give Smnith at least two windows before we have any real idea as to how his team might look. For me I don't expect anything from this season, it's next that will really show who and what we are.
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it's not absolute nonsense at all. With our growing injury crisis it is quite possible we will lose on Tuesday and be eight points off 6th. Why do you have to be so intolerant of other people's opinions?
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it's not absolute nonsense at all. With our growing injury crisis it is quite possible we will lose on Tuesday and be eight points off 6th. Why do you have to be so intolerant of other people's opinions?
Many of the clubs above us over are playing each other over next few weeks aren't they? Pretty sure Boro/Derby is soon and last time they met it was a draw so two dropped points by both right there if repeated.
Even if we don't win on Tuesday I'd be confident of 7 points from Wigan-Hull-Ipswich and that would get us very close to top 6 with said teams above dropping points.
It's certainly must win for top 2 but still far too early in the season to say that for anything else. Get to April and we're 5 points off top 6 and there are your must win games.
-
it's not absolute nonsense at all. With our growing injury crisis it is quite possible we will lose on Tuesday and be eight points off 6th. Why do you have to be so intolerant of other people's opinions?
I'm not intolerant of your opinion, but "must win" is not an opinion, it's a factual statement, and to say that Tuesday is "must win" when we're 5 points off the playoffs with 63 points still to play for is demonstrable bollocks!
-
blimey - you'll be telling me demonstrable bollocks is exempt from your factual statement definition next.
-
Gary Rowett sacked stoke city. Won 8 of 26 league matches.
Never worked out for him though only had 6 months or so.
Stoke 14th 8 points off play offs .
-
Right, I need some help with calendar dates here people. Last day of the season is 05 May, and play off final date is Monday 27 May. I've been invited to a wedding on Saturday 18th May....SO if last year is anything to go by, the play off first leg would be weekend of 11/12th & second leg the following midweek, yes?
Of course, this is all subject to mus finding some form between now and then...but you have to be prepared, don't you...?
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Right, I need some help with calendar dates here people. Last day of the season is 05 May, and play off final date is Monday 27 May. I've been invited to a wedding on Saturday 18th May....SO if last year is anything to go by, the play off first leg would be weekend of 11/12th & second leg the following midweek, yes?
Of course, this is all subject to mus finding some form between now and then...but you have to be prepared, don't you...?
It is a fair while until May. Look on the bright side, in that time we could have finished in the top two and the bride and groom to be could have had second thoughts and cancelled their wedding. ;)
-
That's as maybe, but on the invite it doesn't say 'RSVP once you know where the Villa finish'...if only it did!
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Right, I need some help with calendar dates here people. Last day of the season is 05 May, and play off final date is Monday 27 May. I've been invited to a wedding on Saturday 18th May....SO if last year is anything to go by, the play off first leg would be weekend of 11/12th & second leg the following midweek, yes?
Of course, this is all subject to mus finding some form between now and then...but you have to be prepared, don't you...?
Play offs in week/ weekend before 18th
The fa cup final is that day. 18th.
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play off final date is Monday 27 May
What a shite day for the playoff final. It'll be a bank holiday so presume it would at least be a 3pm kickoff.
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play off final date is Monday 27 May
What a shite day for the playoff final. It'll be a bank holiday so presume it would at least be a 3pm kickoff.
Isn't it that day every year? With the exception of world cup years where they switch the order and the Championship playoff is on the Saturday rather than the Monday?
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Sadly I don't think we will be troubling it this year. With the right squad rebuilding in the summer though, I would hope Dean could spearhead us to the autos!!
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Completely disagree. We'll be in the top 6 by the time we play Sheffield United.
-
I'm not writing off the play offs just yet either. We've a lot of improving to do obviously but there's still a lot of points to play for as well.
-
We've added a centre half and need a mobile defensive midfielder and left back. Do that and with Jack to come back in February and Tammy hopefully staying, we'll be a lot more balanced.
-
Completely disagree. We'll be in the top 6 by the time we play Sheffield United.
Well i, for one, will be hoping this is your one prediction in every ten that actually comes true!
-
Find me the other 9.
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Find me the other 9.
Villa v QPR pre match "3-1 Villa"
Villa v Leeds pre match "...win we shall. A statement of further intent."
Villa v Stoke pre match "3-1 Villa"
Next 5 games thread (26th Dec) "15 points"
January Predictions thread (30th Dec) "Win the lot"
December fixtures - the next 6 thread "6 wins and 32 goals scored"
Championship - 2018-2019 thread (10th Dec)
"Stoke home
Leeds home
Swansea away
Preston away
QPR home
They're the fixtures before we can sign a keeper or whoever.
You'd fancy us to win all 3 home games and even taking 2 draws away from home would be 11 points and keep us at an average of 2 points."
Next 4 games thread (November) "I think we'll win the three home games.."
Next 6 games thread (Oct/Nov) "18 points"
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Ads you have a stalker or someone who just enjoys reading your posts as I do !
-
Find me the other 9.
Villa v QPR pre match "3-1 Villa"
Villa v Leeds pre match "...win we shall. A statement of further intent."
Villa v Stoke pre match "3-1 Villa"
Next 5 games thread (26th Dec) "15 points"
January Predictions thread (30th Dec) "Win the lot"
December fixtures - the next 6 thread "6 wins and 32 goals scored"
Championship - 2018-2019 thread (10th Dec)
"Stoke home
Leeds home
Swansea away
Preston away
QPR home
They're the fixtures before we can sign a keeper or whoever.
You'd fancy us to win all 3 home games and even taking 2 draws away from home would be 11 points and keep us at an average of 2 points."
Next 4 games thread (November) "I think we'll win the three home games.."
Next 6 games thread (Oct/Nov) "18 points"
That's really creepy obsessive. And actually a bit sad
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Find me the other 9.
Villa v QPR pre match "3-1 Villa"
Villa v Leeds pre match "...win we shall. A statement of further intent."
Villa v Stoke pre match "3-1 Villa"
Next 5 games thread (26th Dec) "15 points"
January Predictions thread (30th Dec) "Win the lot"
December fixtures - the next 6 thread "6 wins and 32 goals scored"
Championship - 2018-2019 thread (10th Dec)
"Stoke home
Leeds home
Swansea away
Preston away
QPR home
They're the fixtures before we can sign a keeper or whoever.
You'd fancy us to win all 3 home games and even taking 2 draws away from home would be 11 points and keep us at an average of 2 points."
Next 4 games thread (November) "I think we'll win the three home games.."
Next 6 games thread (Oct/Nov) "18 points"
That's really creepy obsessive. And actually a bit sad
in fairness he did ask
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It's a great effort, to be fair
-
And he forgot Tories will win a 200 seat majority ;)
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Blimey Ads, your stalker has a point. Stop predicting and we might yet win this league!!
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It's a great effort, to be fair
It’s hilarious and took him a couple of hours.
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Fair play villa 75 haha great evidence in that respect. Though all entitled to predictions -who ever gets it 100% ?
We've added a centre half and need a mobile defensive midfielder and left back. Do that and with Jack to come back in February and Tammy hopefully staying, we'll be a lot more balanced.
Ads I like this prediction and statement and agree about a balance with those moves .
Then the prediction about being top 6 by time we play Sheffield United ,for me, really has chances.
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I'm not writing off the play offs just yet either. We've a lot of improving to do obviously but there's still a lot of points to play for as well.
Agree, we really need to put a run together, we are not quite in must win territory but getting very close to it.
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I like what Smith is doing, but we now need to go on a run of winning a few games. Bruce could do this, although it would be followed by a slump.
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We cannot complain about how the dice has fallen with 3 out of 4 being Wigan, Ipswich and Reading. Even Hull at home you'd fancy us.
It really is an opportunity to apply some pressure.
Tammy staying feels like a huge lift. Hopefully the positivity isn't wasted.
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Not stalking, honest gov! ;D
And not that difficult. Just find a prediction thread, find Ads' prediction and, boom!
Not a major problem though. I actually enjoy his input and 100% faith that we are going to smash everybody and our rivals are all going to lose every time they play.
Plus, I've actually made money betting against his predictions. So it wouldn't be right to not like his posts. ;)
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“We had a little bit of a slow start to this season but nothing major. We were two points off the top six so we were a little bit surprised when we did leave Aston Villa"
Said a delusional Steve Agnew today.
-
1 win in 10 is very slow. To be fair, we were playing the might of Ipswich and co.
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We played one team that were in the top half of the championship after half a season during Bruce's reign and that was Sheff Utd, who destroyed us.
We were shit under spud, shit.
-
“We had a little bit of a slow start to this season but nothing major. We were two points off the top six so we were a little bit surprised when we did leave Aston Villa"
Said a delusional Steve Agnew today.
There was an article in one of the papers the other day about Bruce going to Sheff Weds. I kid you not, the journalist actually stated SB saved us from imminent relegation in 16/17 in his piece!
I know he has mates in the press but that really is taking the mick.
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1 win in 10 is very slow. To be fair, we were playing the might of Ipswich and co.
Ten man Ipswich and we still couldn’t win.
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“We had a little bit of a slow start to this season but nothing major. We were two points off the top six so we were a little bit surprised when we did leave Aston Villa"
Said a delusional Steve Agnew today.
Can someone confirm what the actual points gap to the top six was when we gave him the boot to firmly disprove this utter bollocks?
-
2 points.
-
Bloody hell. I stand corrected. Seemed a lot worse than that at the time.
-
He should have been sacked immediately after that game at Bramall Lane, easily in the top 10 worst Villa performances I’ve ever seen.
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Bloody hell. I stand corrected. Seemed a lot worse than that at the time.
I was surprised aswell. We were down lower in the league at that time (12th).
Around that time a few teams started to hit their stride. Norwich were only 2 points clear of us then and obviously went on their incredible run.
Problem with poor starts is you gave good teams 5-10 point head starts. Leeds were 7 clear of us after the PNE game and we obviously haven't got close to them since.
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As the target was automatic and the performances were clueless, I have no idea what his point is.
-
Harvey Barnes been recalled by Leicester from the Albion. Massive blow for them, what a shame.
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Harvey Barnes been recalled by Leicester from the Albion. Massive blow for them, what a shame.
That is excellent news. He looks a really good player.
-
Very sad to hear that. What a shame. Never mind.
-
Those poor bogies.
They must be distraught.
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It’s bizarre, all I’ve heard everywhere for the last two weeks was Tammy Abraham being recalled, loan fees, Wolves buying him and then Leicester take back their loan player from West Brom completely under the radar. Why weren’t news outlets going nuts over this possibility instead of reporting on us?
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It’s bizarre, all I’ve heard everywhere for the last two weeks was Tammy Abraham being recalled, loan fees, Wolves buying him and then Leicester take back their loan player from West Brom completely under the radar. Why weren’t news outlets going nuts over this possibility instead of reporting on us?
Because no one cares about them?
-
Barnes has probably just done what Grabban did last season just so he can end up with us.
-
It’s bizarre, all I’ve heard everywhere for the last two weeks was Tammy Abraham being recalled, loan fees, Wolves buying him and then Leicester take back their loan player from West Brom completely under the radar. Why weren’t news outlets going nuts over this possibility instead of reporting on us?
Because no one likes us. Simples.
We should adopt that millwall song just to stick two fingers up to all the midlands clubs who "hate da vile"
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It’s bizarre, all I’ve heard everywhere for the last two weeks was Tammy Abraham being recalled, loan fees, Wolves buying him and then Leicester take back their loan player from West Brom completely under the radar. Why weren’t news outlets going nuts over this possibility instead of reporting on us?
Because no one likes us. Simples.
We should adopt that millwall song just to stick two fingers up to all the midlands clubs who "hate da vile"
MK Dons have adopted that song as well
no one does like them
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Great news to hear that Leicester have recalled probably Sandwell Towns best player this season .Maybe things are starting to go for Villa after this and the Abraham news
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Leicester would be mad not to recall him, every time I have seen him he's been excellent. It's like us losing Grealish for Sandwell and we've struggled without our most creative player.
I did detect a hint of smugness from their fans and WM during the Abraham saga, as if it was never going to happen to them. Pride comes before a fall.
The bunch of fuckin' tramps.
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Leicester would be mad not to recall him, every time I have seen him he's been excellent. It's like us losing Grealish for Sandwell and we've struggled without our most creative player.
I did detect a hint of smugness from their fans and WM during the Abraham saga, as if it was never going to happen to them. Pride comes before a fall.
The bunch of fuckin' tramps.
Say what you think
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1 win in 10 is very slow. To be fair, we were playing the might of Ipswich and co.
Plus we were playing a ten man Ipswich side for half the game and we all know how teams down to ten men always raise their game. ;)
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Some of that Forest defending is laughable, miskick for the 3rd goal....
People think we've got problems.
Aitor Karanka clinging to Nottingham Forest job after fall-out with players and poor form.
Jokanovic or Leonardo Jardim being lined up .
Forest play Millwall away Saturday then Leeds new years Day..
Aitor Karanka has now inevitably left Forest "asked to be released from his contract".
Interesting who comes in Jokanovic and O'Neill 2 touted
-
Imagine us coming up against that prick O'Neill in the play offs.
-
It's hard to believe Jakanovic is available with the way he had Fulham playing last year. The worlds gone mad.
-
The Football Association is investigating after Derby County say a member of Leeds United's football staff was seen acting suspiciously outside their training ground on Thursday.
The sixth-placed Rams visit the Championship leaders on Friday.
In a statement the club said they were "in discussion with Leeds officials in relation to this incident".
The BBC has asked Leeds United for a response, while Derbyshire Police said no arrests have been made.
In a statement, they said officers were called to Derby's training ground on Thursday morning and a man was spoken to at the perimeter fence.
The statement added: "Officers conducted routine checks which were all above board. Despite media reports, no damage to the fence was found, and the man was stopped outside the grounds.
"No arrests were made and the man was sent on his way."
An English Football League spokesman told the BBC: "It is, of course, up to Derby County as to how they progress this matter but as of yet we have received no complaint or contact from the club."
Speaking at his news conference on Friday, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochetinno insisted the incident was not "a big deal".
The 46-year-old played under Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa at Newell's Old Boys, Espanyol and for Argentina and said the practice of watching opponents train has regularly been used in his homeland.
"I played for him I learned a lot from him," Pochettino said.
"The good and not so good. There is nothing wrong to try and find information and know a bit more about what the opponents are doing. That happened 30 years ago in Argentina. Not only Marcelo, all the managers were like this.
"Here maybe it is a little bit weird but in Argentina it happened. It is not a big issue or a big deal."
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No idea if this is the right thread but definite penalty ruled out for a non-existent offside there for Leeds! Never mind eh?
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It's hard to believe Jakanovic is available with the way he had Fulham playing last year. The worlds gone mad.
Jokanovic has a solid but unspectacular CV and his three years at Fulham are the longest he has ever been at a club. Apart from two years managing Partizan Belgrade his other five management jobs have lasted less than a year.
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1-1 WBA v Norwich meant Sheffield United have moved into 2nd promo place.
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It's hard to believe Jakanovic is available with the way he had Fulham playing last year. The worlds gone mad.
Jokanovic has a solid but unspectacular CV and his three years at Fulham are the longest he has ever been at a club. Apart from two years managing Partizan Belgrade his other five management jobs have lasted less than a year.
He also got Watford up playing good football but couldn't agree new contract.
Not a bad choice at all for Forest if they can tempt him.
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Martin O'Neill now being linked to Forest
Now O'Neill set to be appointed in at forest
He's also looking to bring in Roy Keane.
Good move all round for them and may be a real contender for promotion or I feel a secure play off place.
Would have rather seen this from afar with villa in premier league as they will become an even more competitive challenge to other championship teams.
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O' Neill is a busted flush I fear/hope.
-
that magic roundabout never stops
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that magic roundabout never stops
That Zebedee was a piece of work, and no mistake.
Never trust a bastard with a spring up his crack. The dirty bastard.
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that magic roundabout never stops
That Zebedee was a piece of work, and no mistake.
Never trust a bastard with a spring up his crack. The dirty bastard.
you would get a new manager Bounce though
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O' Neill is a busted flush I fear/hope.
Judging by his time at Sunderland and with Ireland I think we had the last of the best of him. I'm not sure MON and Keane together would have got a a top job and Forest are clearly going down the 'old boys' road.
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I think he’s very lucky to get that job
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Can't believe they've gone for O'Neill over Jokanovic. A very old school decision.
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Reminds me of when they hired Stuart Pearce a few years back. Club legend who'll get the "passion" back and he barely lasted six months.
As a short term deal to end of season it's worth a shot but anything beyond that is doomed to failure as we saw the lack of MON long term building here.
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Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.
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Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.
About as much chance as Neil Taylor being voted Villa fans player of the season
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Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.
The manager has quite cleverly held his hand up and taken full personal and individual responsibility. Which suggests he will get a charge of bringing the game into disrepute and the club itself will get away without being punished.
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And admitted they have spied on every club they’ve played.
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He hasn't broke the rules and demonstrated a passion for winning. Imagine Brucie putting that much effort into understanding his opponents!
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I grew up as a kid learning to hate Leeds and their manager Revie .Most fans did not like them back then as they cheated and now it seems like they cheat now .They may not have broke any rules but to spy on other clubs at their training ground is morally wrong
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No wonder they are top of the league.
This blatant disregard for custom and rules shows real lack of respect
It's only because they got caught out that it's made news.
Also bielsa has taken it further by showing how he does it every game
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I hope they don't get docked points. The last thing we want is for them to drop into the playoff places and us have to play them.
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Any chance Leeds will get docked points for espionage in Derbyshire? It's our only hope of catching the blighters.
More chance of finding Rocking Horse shit.
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O'Neill appointed at Forest and looking to bring Roy Keane back .
Would like to hear there comments on bielsa and what they do if they went to see Forest train
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I think MON took Leicester up through the play offs after taking over part way through the season and I can see him doing the same with Forest as they have a decent squad. I think Leeds and Albion will be the top two. I think the play offs will be contested by Norwich, Sheff U, Derby and Forest. I think Villa, Boro and Stoke will all narrowly miss out. Obviously I hope I am proved wrong.
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I think MON took Leicester up through the play offs after taking over part way through the season and I can see him doing the same with Forest as they have a decent squad. I think Leeds and Albion will be the top two. I think the play offs will be contested by Norwich, Sheff U, Derby and Forest. I think Villa, Boro and Stoke will all narrowly miss out. Obviously I hope I am proved wrong.
I reckon you're on the money with that prediction. Throw into the mix that Pulis will be ditched. Not sure about Stoke though.
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Next 5 for all teams that are above Villa = contention for being promoted at this moment. Takes us up to 5th round fa cup 16th Feb.
Obviously the more matches played the better the picture on who is in contention I have to discount Swansea , Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday at this time
Will revise after 5 matches if progress in league position made.
Teams that are above Villa
Leeds, Sheff Utd, Norwich , West Brom, Middlesboro, Derby.
Bristol city, Birmingham, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham, QPR
When Highlighted indicate said teams play each other
=Chance to make gains
Game 1. January 18/19/21
When Villa play hull
Norwich v Birmingham
Nottm Forest v Bristol City
Stoke v Leeds
Blackburn v Ipswich
Derby v Reading
Middlesbrough v Millwall
Swansea v Sheff Utd
Bolton v West Brom
Game 2. 26th Jan
Fa cup matches taken into account
when villa play Ipswich home
Norwich v Sheff Utd
Blackburn v Hull
Nottm Forest v Wigan
Rotherham v Leeds
Stoke v Preston
Swansea v Birmingham (rearranged Tue 29)
Game 3. Feb 1th 2nd When Reading v Villa
Leeds v Norwich
West Brom v Middlesbrough
Birmingham v Nottm Forest
Preston v Derby
Bristol City v Swansea
Hull v Stoke
Sheff Utd v Bolton
Wigan v QPR
Gane 4 Feb 8th 9th 10th
Aston Villa v Sheff Utd
Middlesbrough v Leeds
Derby v Hull
QPR v Birmingham
Blackburn v Bristol City
Norwich v Ipswich
Nottm Forest Brentford
Game 5. Feb 12th 13th midweek
When Brentford v Villa
West Brom v Nottm Forest
Bristol City v QPR
Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough
Birmingham v Bolton
Hull v Rotherham
Ipswich v Derby
Preston North End v Norwich(2 days after Sunday match!)
Leeds v Swansea
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I think MON took Leicester up through the play offs after taking over part way through the season and I can see him doing the same with Forest as they have a decent squad. I think Leeds and Albion will be the top two. I think the play offs will be contested by Norwich, Sheff U, Derby and Forest. I think Villa, Boro and Stoke will all narrowly miss out. Obviously I hope I am proved wrong.
I reckon you're on the money with that prediction. Throw into the mix that Pulis will be ditched. Not sure about Stoke though.
I can't say or not say with forecast but another 5 matches will give a clearer picture.
One key factor are matches to play against one another as much as villa playing the teams above in the table .
Highlighted in post.
Having slipped in few weeks and others gaining form hull, Bristol city have now come in to equation at this moment.
Top 6 Championship Form Guide last 6
Team PTS
1 Hull City 18
WWWWWW
2 Sheffield United 13
LDWWWW
3 Bristol City 12
DDDWWW
4 Leeds United 12
WWWLLW
5 Queens Park Rangers 11
WWWDDL
6 West Bromwich Albion 11
WWWDLD
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6 games ago we were in that pack having played much better sides. Predicting this league is tough when it's as mad as a box of frogs.
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I think inconsistency of teams can be put down to thin squads. A few injuries or suspensions can hit teams hard and they can drift out of the picture for a month. Bruce used to say "That is the Championship, for you", sounding as though there was a mystery to it.
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When Villa play hull 2-2
1pt Gained on Birmingham, Forest , Sheffield utd Leeds.
2pts lost on Norwich , Bristol city, Derby, Blackburn,
Which includes 2pt loss 5 to now 7 pts away from play off
Norwich v Birmingham
Nottm Forest v Bristol City
Stoke v Leeds
Blackburn v Ipswich
Derby v Reading
Middlesbrough v Millwall
Swansea v Sheff Utd
Bolton v Wba Monday evening to come
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Another big week can gain on several clubs 4 as they aren't playing and up to 8 due to Norwich v Sheffield Utd and Blackburn v Hull.
Can definitely gain points wise with a win
(Due to fa cup)
6th place Derby
5th Middlesboro
3rd WBA in the play offs .
7th place Bristol city
(Qpr same points just below don't play)
Other matches of relevance and chance to make gains, points and positions on these if villa win !
Norwich v Sheffield Utd
2nd Norwich
And or Sheff Utd
(dropped points guarantee for at least one club! )
Blackburn v Hull -dropped points guarantee for at least one club
And the other matches of rivals are:
Nottm Forest v Wigan.
Rotherham v Leeds.
Stoke v Preston.
Swansea v Birmingham (Tue 29)
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Villa join 10 th same form as Leeds last 6 matches 9 points
WDDLDW
3 of the top 5 form teams are ahead of us in the table
Bristol city run has really pushed them up into places as has blackurn rovers.
Currently we are ahead of Hull city in actual league placing after yesterday results.
1 Bristol City 14pts DDWWWW
2 Hull City 13pts WWWWDL
3 Sheffield United 13pts WWWWLD
4 Blackburn Rovers 12pts LLWWWW
5 Brentford 12pts WDDDWW
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I am looking at the nine teams above us and think we can overtake Blackburn, Bristol City and possibly Boro in the table by the end of the season but the others will be difficult to jump above for me. Even Forest who are only above us on goal difference will have big boost from the appointment of MON & Keane in my opinion.
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Swans and Blues drew 3-3,!! so stay behind villa in table.
Let's keep up a gap and moving forward shall we ?
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Weather permitting this is a big weekend and chance for villa to make gains on promotion teams Leeds v Norwich, West Brom v Middlesbrough
Vital to beat reading tomorrow.
Also Derby play tonight away at Preston
All be supporting Preston so can gain on Derby
Fixtures of the other teams above villa :
Birmingham v Nottm Forest
Bristol City v Swansea
Hull v Stoke
Sheff Utd v Bolton
Brentford v Blackburn
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Derby win
Forest win
Bristol City win
Sheffield United win
West Brom win
Leeds win
Blackburn win
Hull v Stoke draw
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Weather permitting this is a big weekend and chance for villa to make gains on promotion teams Leeds v Norwich, West Brom v Middlesbrough
Vital to beat reading tomorrow.
Also Derby play tonight away at Preston
All be supporting Preston so can gain on Derby
Fixtures of the other teams above villa :
Birmingham v Nottm Forest
Bristol City v Swansea
Hull v Stoke
Sheff Utd v Bolton
Brentford v Blackburn
Albion win
Leeds win
Villa Win
SHA draw
Bristol draw
Hull draw
Sheffield United win
Blackburn win
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Preston every chance of taking points of derby in last 6 championship matches form table they are both equal .8 points / 18 points
And actually villa have gained a point more (9points)
Preston North End
LDLDWW
Derby County
DLWDLW
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Weather permitting this is a big weekend and chance for villa to make gains on promotion teams Leeds v Norwich, West Brom v Middlesbrough
Vital to beat reading tomorrow.
Also Derby play tonight away at Preston
All be supporting Preston so can gain on Derby
Fixtures of the other teams above villa :
Birmingham v Nottm Forest
Bristol City v Swansea
Hull v Stoke
Sheff Utd v Bolton
Brentford v Blackburn
Derby dropped points. Good.
Lets hope more do too. We still have a faint hope of getting that second spot if we go on a super "duper" run...
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Still technically possible to get promotion or a play off place but it's looking more and more unlikely - disappointing but I think it's time to start planning for a tilt on the Championship next season
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Closer to the Play Offs than before the kick off.
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Mad we're only 14 points off 1st despite winning once in about three months. Last season it would've been more like 30 points.
We've missed a big opportunity this year given how much weaker the teams at the top are.
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Closer to the Play Offs than before the kick off.
Yes, but still adrift after a succession of " winnable ( according to some :)) games"
Personally I think there is too much anticipation of a massive upturn once Grealish is back - we have what, 16 games to play - plenty of points to play for but we will need a really impressive set of results to get us in a play off spot - 6 clubs have a game in hand - so potentially we are 7 points behind at the minute - I'm trying to be positive still but I just can't see us getting enough wins .......if Tammy gets injured where are the goals coming from? - any one else think Smith is not going all out for a play off spot? I am impressed with those still believing and remaining firm in their belief that promotion is achievable ... based on the recent return to " Bruceball" Smith has got his work cut out to up the ante ........
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Beat Bristol at home and it's 1 point.
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Beat Bristol at home and it's 1 point.
Bristol and Derby have played 29 games so it could be 4 points but hey ho there is still a way go .....My point is we need to be winning more games ....despite the initial bounce when Smith came on board it's all gone a bit flat ...maybe we can emulate Fulhams run last season ......personally I just can't see it - I sincerely hope I'm wrong UTV
We have tougher fixtures looming and there needs to be a massive improvement in form to see us beating the likes of Sheffield Utd, Leeds, Norwich ,Bristol and dare I say Small Heath and WBA
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Has the Bristol game been brought forward from April!?
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Even in my most optimistic dreams I can't see us making the top two or even close. However, despite us being so hit and miss the top six is a realistic target for us. Although it is also a realistic target for every team in the top half of the league.
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I'd love you to be right, but I don't think you are. I honestly think our chances of promotion went without a ball being kicked thanks to the uncertainty of our survival and then Bruce's catastrophic transfer dealings.
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Well, other than Brentford and Stoke, we're playing all of the teams around us in the next 8 games. I'd say we need to be winning 6 out of 8 to have a realistic shot of getting in and staying in the play off slots. Anything less than victories against West Brom, Derby and Boro simply won't do.
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Except with the gap being as small as it is, and there being the number of games left that there are, draws, whilst not being ideal, wouldn't be catastrophic.
We need to aim to win them all and must fall further behind but a gap of 4 points with 2 games to go is achievable (if unlikely!)
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I remain optimistic it can be done lot of points still to play for more twists and turns so I reckon we can do it.
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Personally I don't think its on. Even ignoring who we're playing, if you just have us winning all our home games and drawing the aways, it gives us 75 points which was 6th last season. Maybe 6th place will be less this year but still 2.25 points per game is going a bit.
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4 wins and a couple of draws will be fine.
However that's banking in the knowledge we'd actually turn up and beat the poor teams in this league e.g. Millwall at home and Rotherham and Bolton away which we've been failing to do since middle of December and continued on Saturday.
This is the sort of formula we need for the play offs. Up to you whether you think it's realistic sequence of results or not:
Sheffield United draw
Brentford win (banking on DS inside knowledge here tbh)
West Brom win
Stoke draw
Derby win
SHA.....loss
Forest....draw
Boro....draw
Blackburn....win
Sheff Weds....loss
Rotherham....win
Bristol City....win
Bolton.....win
Millwall....win
Leeds....draw
Norwich....win
Indifferent run up up to April then we win 5/6. Takes us up to 75 points anyway.
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Please god don't let us lose to Fistface.
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Please god don't let us lose to Fistface.
Never fancy us away to former managers tbh, losing to Lambert and Wolves was bad enough.
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Of Derby 16 matches. 7 are of those in and around them
However they have played all the top 5 .
And only Bristol city who they are level in points fixture still to come
Derby v Hull
Nottm Forest v Derby
Aston Villa Derby
Blackburn Derby
Birmingham Derby
Bristol City Derby
Derby v West Brom last match season
(Also to play Swansea and Stoke)
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Bristol city who sit 6th and final play off spot
Fixtures include all top 5 to play
10/16 fixtures in and around
Blackburn v Bristol City
Norwich v Bristol City
Bristol City v Birmingham
Bristol City v Leeds
Sheff Utd v Bristol City
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
Bristol City v West Brom
Aston Villa v Bristol City
Bristol City v Derby
Hull v Bristol City (last match season)
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Middlesbrough 1-1 Leeds
Derby 2-0 Hull
QPR 3-4 Birmingham
Blackburn 0-1Bristol City
Nottm Forest 2-1 Brentford
Stoke 0-1 WBA
Norwich play Ipswich tomorrow.
Of those noticeable that Bristol City have won 8 matches in a row and keep themselves 6th place. The form team of the league.
Derby also win
Forest win sees them now above Villa.
Sees Villa 6 points away after losing 2 points rather than any significant gains on 6th place.
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We will need a Hull/Brizzle six wins on the spin type of run to even give ourselves a decent chance of just the play-offs. Really disheartening that the above two limited teams have managed it yet we look miles away from anything close to a few wins on the trot given how disjointed we play and disorganised we are.
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Actually surprised at league table given how bad we've been for months (two wins since start of December) and West Brom only 9 points better off than us.
To me it does seem a far lower standard of league this year compared to previous two seasons.
This time last year Wolves had 68 points on the board. Previous year Newcastle had 65 and Brighton 64.
Current league leaders have 58 points so significant difference. If we had last season's squad and mentality I'd be very confident of top 2.
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Mid week gives a good chance to make up some ground from a couple around us ;
SWANSEA away to Leeds
Forest away to baggies
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Mid week gives a good chance to make up some ground from a couple around us ;
SWANSEA away to Leeds
Forest away to baggies
Yep we always beat Brentford.....
Edit: Surely Derby and Bristol City are the results we need to be worried about?
Swansea have sold half their squad this window. They're having a good season but won't be near top 6 come May. Forest inconsistant and will probably have a run at some stage but Bristol and Derby in pole position now to fight over that last spot.
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Middlesbrough 1-1 Leeds
Derby 2-0 Hull
QPR 3-4 Birmingham
Blackburn 0-1Bristol City
Nottm Forest 2-1 Brentford
Stoke 0-1 WBA
Norwich play Ipswich tomorrow.
Of those noticeable that Bristol City have won 8 matches in a row and keep themselves 6th place. The form team of the league.
Derby also win
Forest win sees them now above Villa.
Sees Villa 6 points away after losing 2 points rather than any significant gains on 6th place.
Plus, the teams in 6th and 7th have a game in hand over us.
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Even the splay offs are now looking a long shot.
We need to go on a long winning run and I just dont see it happening.
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Very hard to pick a top two either, Leeds have 7 points in last 6 games. Quality is rubbish this season compared to last two.
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Our next 6 games
Brentford A
Stripey twats H
Sturke. A
Dabby H
Shit A
Frost A
Do well to get 10 points and we need a lot more.
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Even the splay offs are now looking a long shot.
We need to go on a long winning run and I just dont see it happening.
I am always optimistic that this can happen until I see Hutton, Taylor, Hourihane in the line up.
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Of Derby 16 matches. 7 are of those in and around them
However they have played all the top 5 .
And only Bristol city who they are level in points fixture still to come
Derby v Hull
Nottm Forest v Derby
Aston Villa Derby
Blackburn Derby
Birmingham Derby
Bristol City Derby
Derby v West Brom last match season
(Also to play Swansea and Stoke)
Look at this Bristol City fixtures if they keep winning then they deserve a play off spot !
But I don't think they will with those matches
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Even the splay offs are now looking a long shot.
We need to go on a long winning run and I just dont see it happening.
I am always optimistic that this can happen until I see Hutton, Taylor, Hourihane in the line up.
Exactly how I see it.
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Of Derby 16 matches. 7 are of those in and around them
However they have played all the top 5 .
And only Bristol city who they are level in points fixture still to come
Derby v Hull
Nottm Forest v Derby
Aston Villa Derby
Blackburn Derby
Birmingham Derby
Bristol City Derby
Derby v West Brom last match season
(Also to play Swansea and Stoke)
Look at this Bristol City fixtures if they keep winning then they deserve a play off spot !
But I don't think they will with those matches
They've got more chance of getting in the playoffs than we have. They work harder, can keep the ball, look fitter. The list goes on.
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I suspect if by a miracle we went up, there is still too much to do for Dean to turn this around and we would be facing a relegation battle. We need to build a core and a style before we go up ( he said positively) and then add quality when we have money
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I've been saying for a while that if/when there's 6 points between Villa and the play-offs, then that's the end of the chances for this year. Just can't see us making that up now.
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I agree, we were fucked from the moment Bruce decided it was a great idea to have a billion right backs, no left back and one functioning centre back as a great way to start the season. We then had some half arsed s Brexit-style shuttle diplomacy to sign the guy from France and the lad from Scotland, both predictably doomed to failure.
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Bristol city who sit 6th and final play off spot
Fixtures include all top 5 to play
10/16 fixtures in and around
Blackburn v Bristol City
Norwich v Bristol City
Bristol City v Birmingham
Bristol City v Leeds
Sheff Utd v Bristol City
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
Bristol City v West Brom
Aston Villa v Bristol City
Bristol City v Derby
Hull v Bristol City (last match season)
I meant to post up Bristol fixtures not derby in that comment about look at Bristol fixtures
They are occupying 6th currently but how long so
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I suspect if by a miracle we went up, there is still too much to do for Dean to turn this around and we would be facing a relegation battle. We need to build a core and a style before we go up ( he said positively) and then add quality when we have money
Any team that goes up would need some work done to help premier league status.
So the argument repeatedly made on here about team or squad not being ready or in a relegation battle could will be similar of all the clubs going up.
No guarantees of course .
That said villa are the club full that has a premier league feel and size .
And have a good chance as any if promoted.
Look at Fulham . Absolutely terrible with a mid table championship defence.
2 good managers have been in charge but still no defensive steel.
Cardiff have got a chance and edge, have the balance right to compete in a relegation battle.
And Warnock a capable experienced manager.
And are far better suited and equipped to stay up than Fulham despite all of Fulham half season success last year they have ballsed it.
Wolves have basically shown an advanced progression to be stable and secure premier league status.
Now villa going up would be beneficial as I don't think we be looking to get relegated.
Why wait around any longer down here building some perfect championship team
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If we went up, we would have The keeper, (probably Mings) Jack & McGinn - 4 players. I see us needing another 6 who will go straight into the starting 11 regardless of what division we're in next season. The new RB would probably get a run either way.
I suspect that a relegation battle would have been on the cards regardless and anything else would have been a bonus.
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If we went up, we would have The keeper, (probably Mings) Jack & McGinn - 4 players. I see us needing another 6 who will go straight into the starting 11 regardless of what division we're in next season. The new RB would probably get a run either way.
I suspect that a relegation battle would have been on the cards regardless and anything else would have been a bonus.
And even if we got relegated, we would be coming down with the parachute money which hopefully we would spend a bit more wisely this time
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Actually surprised at league table given how bad we've been for months (two wins since start of December) and West Brom only 9 points better off than us.
To me it does seem a far lower standard of league this year compared to previous two seasons.
This time last year Wolves had 68 points on the board. Previous year Newcastle had 65 and Brighton 64.
Current league leaders have 58 points so significant difference. If we had last season's squad and mentality I'd be very confident of top 2.
The Championship is always unpredictable and a relatively level playing field. That is what makes it the best league for me (apart from when I am betting on it)! I think this year a lot of the top half teams are of a similar standard to each other and they all look capable of conceding goals. If you look at each teams goals difference there isn't a team scoring loads and conceding few. Boro are fifth after conceding only 23 goals in 30 games, by far the best defensive record in the league. Albion are one place and two points above them having scored 25 more goals but have conceded 15 more goals than Boro.
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As much as I'd love the excitement of an of season surge into the play offs, I can't help thinking we'd be better off building for a title chasing campaign next season. I get the parachute money argument, but if we're just going to be dicked every week in the Premier league, we'd be back to the drawing board in 20-21 and most likely, having parted company with another one or two managers.
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As much as I'd love the excitement of an of season surge into the play offs, I can't help thinking we'd be better off building for a title chasing campaign next season. I get the parachute money argument, but if we're just going to be dicked every week in the Premier league, we'd be back to the drawing board in 20-21 and most likely, having parted company with another one or two managers.
Yep - if we can't go up convincingly, then the instant return seems inevitable. I's prefer playing decent football in good matches until we're ready to prove otherwise.
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Yeah its all very well getting hammered every week in the premier and then getting the parachute money to build again, but you end up with a losing mentality hangover that we experienced, and of course you still end up with all your better players leaving because they want to stay in the premier. Sneaking into the premiership with half a squad and then buying better players sounds good on paper but it rarely works out imo.
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In recent times there is a trend for sides newly promoted to the Premier League to cherry pick the best players from the teams who have just been relegated to the Championship.
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I don’t think you can pick and choose when you want to get promoted. We need to throw everything at it this season IMO as otherwise next season we’ll be without Tommy’s goals and probably Jack too.
Huddersfield were one of the worst teams to ever get promoted and they didn’t come straight back down. Cardiff may do the same this season.
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Dunno. I think you need a core of a decent side to go up and then you add to that when you get in the premiership. Realistically we have Grealish, chester and McGinn we actually own. The rest of them are either not our players or already don't look good enough for the premier
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There is no real argument to be had, claiming a team in mid table going nowhere fast is not ready for promotion.
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There is no real argument to be had, claiming a team in mid table going nowhere fast is not ready for promotion.
I think the point is that even if we go on a fantastic second half of the season run and go up through the play offs like Fulham did last season we would be far from ready for the Premier League, even with a couple of decent signings. Just like Fulham this season.
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especially as there are only 15 games to play and no sign at any point of a sustained run of form. Fulham won 23 out of their last 24 I think. We simply don't have any upward momentum.
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Get promoted and be free of the spending rules.
Get promoted, we keep Jack, Mcginn maybe Tammy,Axel, Mings and the Goalie.
There are a couple of others that would fit in the squad
You test our ability to find talent, and we go again.
Stay down, you loose the loaneesm probably Jack and look for new talent.
I know what I prefer, get your fingers out, Smith and Team, anything less than play offs is not acceptable.
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Agreed but we've left it too late - 14 draws tells the story.
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Get promoted and be free of the spending rules.
Get promoted, we keep Jack, Mcginn maybe Tammy,Axel, Mings and the Goalie.
There are a couple of others that would fit in the squad
You test our ability to find talent, and we go again.
Stay down, you loose the loaneesm probably Jack and look for new talent.
Agreed, do people want to hang around down here until every bit of talent is picked off.
The longer it takes the less likely that we will ever get back.
Sadly I think this season is allready over.
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Here's something in the last 7 years
Villa, Derby , Birmingham are only teams relegated from the premier league that haven't experienced promotion or another relegation .
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I don’t think you can pick and choose when you want to get promoted. We need to throw everything at it this season IMO as otherwise next season we’ll be without Tommy’s goals and probably Jack too.
Huddersfield were one of the worst teams to ever get promoted and they didn’t come straight back down. Cardiff may do the same this season.
We wouldn't have the squad simply. More than half need to go in the summer as they're not good enough for this level.
If we'd beaten Fulham I think we'd have had a fighting chance of staying up if we'd made 3-4 decent signings. Snodgrass has been a regular for West Ham in mid table so he'd have probably been one.
SB would've set us up to nick draws and the odd win like Warnock has done at Cardiff which has given them a great chance to stop up now.
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I read that the average time to regain top-flight status is three seasons - although nearly half (21 out of 46) have
immediately return.
At the start of last season, 64 per cent of relegated teams have made a Premier League return - that's 46 out of 72. At some point.
(I don't know if it's more with updated stats including Fulham , Cardiff and wolves -think all already included, maybe one with Cardiff.)
Source : sky sports
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well I think we can say with reasonable confidence that our wait is going into a fourth season.
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I'm taking heart from the fact Norwich stuck by a manager who had an indifferent start and sold their best player but are smashing the league this year. No reason whatsoever why that couldn't be us next season.
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Also, the form we will need to find to get into the playoffs now will have to be that good, that when we do play the play off games our confidence will know no bounds.
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According to the table on FootyStats (https://footystats.org/england/championship) we are top of the league for games which have 3 goals or more with a figure of 71%. Only Ipswich and Rotherham have conceded more goals, and only Norwich and Bitters have scored more.
A weird season.
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I reckon we need to win 10 out of our last 15 to get in the playoffs. On that basis I don't think we're going to make it.
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30 points would give us a chance so could do it with 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats.
Tall order.
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We need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.
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Yes fair point, was thinking 30 points so automatically thought 10 wins. More likely to get 10 draws.
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We need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.
I think we'll be humiliated, not merely embarrased if we went up this year. To save myself time, I'm writing off this season now. Trouble is, will Jack stay in any case, though?
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We need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.
The problem is that we could start next season with no Jack No Ming’s No Tanzabee No Tamy No SJM.
Then we have to somehow build a team that will get promotion and be the basis of a PL team.
I think the bigger danger is that we are looking like we have settled at this level.
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We need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.
The problem is that we could start next season with no Jack No Ming’s No Tanzabee No Tamy No SJM.
Then we have to somehow build a team that will get promotion and be the basis of a PL team.
I think the bigger danger is that we are looking like we have settled at this level.
Absolutely this. It drives me nuts when people say they’d rather not go up yet as we aren’t ready. Just look at some of the shite that regularly survives in the PL.
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The bottom half of the PL is a cesspit of dross. The one crumb of comfort is that if we're stuck in the second division for another year, whoever comes down are gonna end-up like Stoke (and us 16/17). Parachute money? Pah, who'd want to take a parachute to Huddersfield?
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The bottom half of the PL is a cesspit of dross. The one crumb of comfort is that if we're stuck in the second division for another year, whoever comes down are gonna end-up like Stoke (and us 16/17). Parachute money? Pah, who'd want to take a parachute to Huddersfield?
Fulham and Huddersfield are out of their depth in the top flight but the rest of the bottom half of the Premier League would stand out big time in the Championship. Southampton, Cardiff, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and Palace would all be up there challenging and Bournemouth and Leicester would piss all over most Championship sides.
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The bottom half of the PL is a cesspit of dross. The one crumb of comfort is that if we're stuck in the second division for another year, whoever comes down are gonna end-up like Stoke (and us 16/17). Parachute money? Pah, who'd want to take a parachute to Huddersfield?
Fulham and Huddersfield are out of their depth in the top flight but the rest of the bottom half of the Premier League would stand out big time in the Championship. Southampton, Cardiff, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and Palace would all be up there challenging and Bournemouth and Leicester would piss all over most Championship sides.
Agreed the gap between lower prem and top half 2nd division is getting wider and wider.
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We need to build the squad. If we went up this season, we'd come bottom again and be in the same sad position as we recently were. I think we'd be embarrassed. We will be much more competitive next season when Smith has a proper chance to address the shortcomings in the squad. We will not reach the play offs this season with those full backs, those wingers and that midfield. We stand a better chance with Jack back in the side and a fully fit Chester, next to Mings but the third midfielder is always going to be a concern.
The problem is that we could start next season with no Jack No Ming’s No Tanzabee No Tamy No SJM.
Then we have to somehow build a team that will get promotion and be the basis of a PL team.
I think the bigger danger is that we are looking like we have settled at this level.
Absolutely this. It drives me nuts when people say they’d rather not go up yet as we aren’t ready. Just look at some of the shitee that regularly survives in the PL.
I've changed my opinion on this. I was thinking that a proper pre-season while still in the championship would for the best but on reflection no. Fuck that we're Aston Villa. Not Fulham or Huddersfield etc (no offense) We should always aim for the highest and best. If we can somehow scrape promotion we would have the summer to rebuild without the financial shackles. If we did get relegated we would be in a stronger financial position and with a revamped squad ready to bounce back. Again we're not Stoke or West Brom (offense intended)
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https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/11634534/championship-promotion-race-analysed-who-has-what-it-takes-to-get-promoted-to-the-premier-league-this-season
Sky analysis and head to heads of all the top 7 who are in contention.
David Prutton assessment on the Championship is in their too.
He adds a couple of other teams to potentially sneak in there .
Neither are villa
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he's probably right
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https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/11634534/championship-promotion-race-analysed-who-has-what-it-takes-to-get-promoted-to-the-premier-league-this-season
Sky analysis and head to heads of all the top 7 who are in contention.
David Prutton assessment on the Championship is in their too.
He adds a couple of other teams to potentially sneak in there .
Neither are villa
David Prutton has been irritatingly dismissive of the villa since we've been in the championship. He can stick his opinions up his arse.
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Dwight Gayle: West Bromwich Albion striker charged with 'diving
West Bromwich Albion forward Dwight Gayle has been charged with "successful deception of a match official" in Tuesday's draw with Nottingham Forest.
It is alleged he committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the 89th minute of the game.
Gayle , has until 18:00 on Thursday to respond to the charge.
WM radio reports it would be a 2 game ban and would miss but Villa match .
Good ! Because he cheated should be longer ban!
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The bottom half of the PL is a cesspit of dross. The one crumb of comfort is that if we're stuck in the second division for another year, whoever comes down are gonna end-up like Stoke (and us 16/17). Parachute money? Pah, who'd want to take a parachute to Huddersfield?
Fulham and Huddersfield are out of their depth in the top flight but the rest of the bottom half of the Premier League would stand out big time in the Championship. Southampton, Cardiff, Newcastle, Burnley, Brighton and Palace would all be up there challenging and Bournemouth and Leicester would piss all over most Championship sides.
Cardiff massively overachieved last season and I can see Warnock retiring whatever division they're in. They didn't bounce back at all after relegation in 2014.
Dyche might leave Burnley aswell if they went down so that would impact significantly on them.
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Dwight Gayle: West Bromwich Albion striker charged with 'diving
West Bromwich Albion forward Dwight Gayle has been charged with "successful deception of a match official" in Tuesday's draw with Nottingham Forest.
It is alleged he committed an act of simulation which led to a penalty being awarded in the 89th minute of the game.
Gayle , has until 18:00 on Thursday to respond to the charge.
WM radio reports it would be a 2 game ban and would miss but Villa match .
Good ! Because he cheated should be longer ban!
Good news if they do that quickly, their record is terrible when he dosen't play for them this season.
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Maybe it's crazy chat, but we are going to struggle to stay top half of the table? We look like a club that are here for the long haul.....
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Take Tammy, Jack and McGinn out of that squad and we finishing around the lower-mid table Championship team. I can actually see that next season too, maybe McGinn might still be here but not the other 2.
Massive, massive job to be done now.
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Take Tammy, Jack and McGinn out of that squad and we finishing around the lower-mid table Championship team. I can actually see that next season too, maybe McGinn might still be here but not the other 2.
Massive, massive job to be done now.
There are plenty of good strikers not in favour at prem clubs like Tammy that can be signed. We could also do this thing many other clubs have no problem doing and scouting europe and picking up a decent young striker for a couple of million. I believe Brentford are quite good at this....
Replacing Jack if he goes will be much harder. We've seen how bleak things have been without him for the last two months.
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I honestly think the problems at Aston Villa run a lot deeper than Grealish not being able to play for a few months. After last night the season's over in respect of the play offs.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47285098
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United have been fined £200,000 by the English Football League for watching opponents train before matches.
A member of Leeds' staff was found acting suspiciously outside Derby's training ground before the fixture between the two sides on 10 January.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa said he had sent a member of staff to watch every team they have played this season train.
The EFL found Leeds breached rules over treating teams with "good faith".
Leeds have also received a formal reprimand from the EFL, which is bringing in a rule to prohibit clubs from viewing their opposition training in the 72 hours preceding a game unless invited to do so.
The EFL said in a statement that Leeds' conduct "fell significantly short of the standards expected" and it "must not be repeated".
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey added: "The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned and act as a clear deterrent should any club seek to undertake poor conduct in the future.
"We will now look to move on from this incident and commence the discussions about introducing a specific regulation at a meeting with all clubs later this month."
The Football Association has also issued a formal warning to Leeds, Bielsa and a club video analyst.
"The FA will take appropriate action should further evidence of this nature come to light in the future," a spokesman said.
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Well worn cliche maybe but 3 huge games for us this week, all against playoff contenders. If we can get 7 points I think we can really get into the mix and breathe down the necks of Derby and Bristol City. Anything less than that won't be enough I'm afraid.
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I agree, no room for error at all now. If we fail, it's important that we have some momentum going in to next season, as we want to be able to attract players, given the likely turnover.
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I think if we fail to win today then we probably kiss goodbye to our chances of the play offs. It will not just be down to the number of points but also the number of clubs we will need to outperform for the rest of the season.
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I think if we fail to win today then we probably kiss goodbye to our chances of the play offs. It will not just be down to the number of points but also the number of clubs we will need to outperform for the rest of the season.
Most of the club's above us from West Brom down are struggling to get results though and have been for some time.
Win today and we are 9th, only 4 points behind a Derby side we humiliated only last week. Hope that kills you etc....
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And we’ve got chance of taking lots of points directly off those around us in coming weeks if we can stay in form
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I think if we fail to win today then we probably kiss goodbye to our chances of the play offs. It will not just be down to the number of points but also the number of clubs we will need to outperform for the rest of the season.
Most of the club's above us from West Brom down are struggling to get results though and have been for some time.
Win today and we are 9th, only 4 points behind a Derby side we humiliated only last week. Hope that kills you etc....
Yes, that’s why a win is important.
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It’s why I cannot look at nor study the table now.
I know in my water we are too far off the pace, so I don’t want to build up false hope by looking and pondering, what if?
Win 4 or 5 games on the bounce though and I’ll have the table engrained in my mind.
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4 points off sixth then.
Our GD is also decent compared to some teams above. That could be crucial on the final day.
Would take a point on Wednesday as this game will inevitably have taken a bit out of us and Forest are above us and won 3-0 yesterday. Boro is the game we need to win, we're long due a home win v them.
Way I look at it if this squad can accumulate another 20 points in the run in we would have good chance of 6th. Think 71 points would be enough.
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Yes to me Wednesday is about keeping momentum and not letting Forest get one over us. Would happily take a 0-0 rather than losing a nine goal orgy.
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Beat Forest and it's on, still a long shot but if we have our main players fit there isn't a single side that would want to meet us in the play-offs.
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They need to close The Sty to protect their next opponents fans. Millwall.
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Crazy how despite 4 wins in 16, we could be 7th and a point outside the top 6 after the midweek games.
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Crazy how despite 4 wins in 16, we could be 7th and a point outside the top 6 after the midweek games.
Top sides are far weaker than last year. There will be no Fulham standard team in the play offs this year.
If we had last season's team this year I would've been hugely confident of top 2. Infact if we'd had Mings from start of season that signing alone is probably difference between play offs and mid table.
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They need to close The Sty to protect their next opponents fans. Millwall.
I imagine the will revert to their usual style and have lots and lots of fans coming dressed up as empty seats again. Their cup final has come and gone.
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I don't want to tempt fate - although fate is past it and proper shit nowadays - but I think we can win the next two. We are exactly the kind of side that managers like MON and Pulis don't know what to do with. I apologise for the now inevitable defeats.
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I don't want to tempt fate - although fate is past it and proper shit nowadays - but I think we can win the next two. We are exactly the kind of side that managers like MON and Pulis don't know what to do with. I apologise for the now inevitable defeats.
Who knows mate. We are as bad as we are good. Christ knows what to make of us!!
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I don't want to tempt fate - although fate is past it and proper shit nowadays - but I think we can win the next two. We are exactly the kind of side that managers like MON and Pulis don't know what to do with. I apologise for the now inevitable defeats.
Who knows mate. We are as bad as we are good. Christ knows what to make of us!!
At our best, i.e. with Grealish, we can beat every team in this division. We can obviously lose 3-0 against them all too. All of which means I agree 100%!
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Our record v Boro is bizzare. Think the last time we beat them in a home game was 2005. Yet we take the mick up there every year.
We're long overdue a home win against them.
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Hard to judge us based on last 2 games.
I still have concerns that we are not playing well enough and have too many weaknesses to put the sort of run together we need to hit 6 th place.
wings particularly Albert who was anonymous again yesterday, Ghazi shows patches but infrequently.
Tammy is the only consistent goal scorer
defensive midfield remains a problem.
Fullbacks Elmo who had a spell of giving the ball away again and Taylor who did ok yesterday is still Taylor.
There are just too many problems to solve and why we have come up short already..
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Ipswich drawing at Bristol City is pretty good for us.
Not convinced Derby will beat Stoke at home either.
Big few days ahead.
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I refuse to look at the table.
I refuse to get drawn in.
I refuse to get my hopes up when we have left it too late and we’ll only be disappointed again.
I refuse. I refuse. I refuse.
Bloody hell, it’s closer than I thought.
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Ipswich drawing at Bristol City is pretty good for us.
Not convinced Derby will beat Stoke at home either.
Big few days ahead.
Those dropped points could be massive for us and Bristol City. So important that we take advantage against Forest.
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Sheffield Wednesday have crept up, but they seldom beat anybody but the bottom six.
They also have after we've battered them, Forest, Leeds, Norwich and Bristol.
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The "it's the hope that kills you" trope is a load of self pitying bollocks peddled by smug stripey media whores like Skinner and Childs.
Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Hope never killed anyone.
I used to have the hots for Hope Sandoval and then she married that spotty wassock from the Jesus and the Mary Chain. Oh well.
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Ipswich drawing at Bristol City is pretty good for us.
Not convinced Derby will beat Stoke at home either.
Big few days ahead.
Good result for Villa
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We are now 14/1 with Sky Bet to get promoted (joint 6th favourites). A week ago we were 33/1. Things can change quickly.
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https://www.worldfootball.net/table_calculator/eng-championship/
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got us 6th after the weekend games
prays to Mcgrath
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We need to put a run together and to do that we need to stop conceding so many goals. The Small Heath game was another positive in that respect. Conceding just one goal in the last three games against three sides who have some decent strikers is a start.
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Win on Saturday and we go 6th. Derby and Brizzle not playing.
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The bench looked really strong tonight. What a lovely problem to have for Smith with Axel and Angela to come back too.
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When is Angela back?
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The bench looked really strong tonight. What a lovely problem to have for Smith with Axel and Angela to come back too.
Lansbury will do well to make our bench. We need defenders back fit though.
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Win on Saturday and we go 6th. Derby and Brizzle not playing.
And a point off 5th
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Squeaky bum time
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Such a good win that.
Almost out of nowhere we're looking very solid all across the pitch. Axel and Chester still to come back into this let's not forget.
Win Saturday and we can certainly finish 5th.
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Great recovery over the last 3 matches but we have very little room for error now. We will need 21 points from remaining 27.
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I’m enjoying this. I’d given up but it’s doable now. Fulham kept winning last year, perhaps we can do the same?
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When is Angela back?
Might be in contention for Boro, he started training again this week.
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I’m enjoying this. I’d given up but it’s doable now. Fulham kept winning last year, perhaps we can do the same?
Go up and come straight back down ?
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Boro having lost two on the bounce, 30 mins plus with 10 men tonight, coming to Villa Park on Saturday lovely...
Derby, 10 points from last 9 games, falling apart
Preston flying behind us still, some achievement with their resources (Robinson has been injured for months too)
very important win for West Brom tonight, almost certain of a playoff spot now you would have to think
does anyone know who Boro and Bristol's game in hand is against? each other hopefully...
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The old Villa would break our hearts and fuck up against Boro, just as we are getting a head of steam. Don't screw up Villa.
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We rarely beat Boro at home, it would be a good time to change that.
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I’m enjoying this. I’d given up but it’s doable now. Fulham kept winning last year, perhaps we can do the same?
Go up and come straight back down ?
Wasn’t thinking that far ahead!
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Hands up I gave up hope after the Baggies game, how wrong I was.
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Saturday Mar 16, 2019 3:00 PM Aston Villa - Middlesbrough
–
Saturday Mar 30, 2019 3:00 PM Aston Villa - Blackburn Rovers
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Saturday Apr 6, 2019 3:00 PM Sheffield Wednesday - Aston Villa
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Wednesday Apr 10, 2019 7:45 PM Rotherham United FC - Aston Villa
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Saturday Apr 13, 2019 3:00 PM Aston Villa - Bristol City FC
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Friday Apr 19, 2019 3:00 PM Bolton Wanderers FC - Aston Villa
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Monday Apr 22, 2019 1:00 PM Aston Villa - Millwall FC
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Saturday Apr 27, 2019 3:00 PM Leeds United - Aston Villa
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Sunday May 5, 2019 12:30 PM Aston Villa - Norwich City
***********
Saturday Mar 16, 2019 3:00 PM Aston Villa - Middlesbrough
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Saturday Mar 30, 2019 5:30 PM Middlesbrough - Norwich City
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Tuesday Apr 2, 2019 7:45 PM Middlesbrough - Bristol City FC
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Saturday Apr 6, 2019 3:00 PM Swansea City - Middlesbrough
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Tuesday Apr 9, 2019 8:00 PM Bolton Wanderers FC - Middlesbrough
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Saturday Apr 13, 2019 3:00 PM Middlesbrough - Hull City
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Friday Apr 19, 2019 3:00 PM Middlesbrough - Stoke City
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Monday Apr 22, 2019 3:00 PM Nottingham Forest - Middlesbrough
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Saturday Apr 27, 2019 3:00 PM Middlesbrough - Reading FC
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Sunday May 5, 2019 12:30 PM Rotherham United FC - Middlesbrough
*************
Saturday Mar 30, 2019 3:00 PM Derby County - Rotherham United FC
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Saturday Apr 6, 2019 3:00 PM Brentford FC - Derby County
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Tuesday Apr 9, 2019 7:45 PM Blackburn Rovers - Derby County
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Saturday Apr 13, 2019 3:00 PM Derby County - Bolton Wanderers FC
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Friday Apr 19, 2019 3:00 PM Birmingham City - Derby County
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Monday Apr 22, 2019 3:00 PM Derby County - Queens Park Rangers
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Saturday Apr 27, 2019 3:00 PM Bristol City FC - Derby County
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Wednesday May 1, 2019 7:45 PM Swansea City - Derby County
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Sunday May 5, 2019 12:30 PM Derby County - West Bromwich Albion
*************
Saturday Mar 30, 2019 3:00 PM Sheffield United FC - Bristol City FC
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Tuesday Apr 2, 2019 7:45 PM Middlesbrough - Bristol City FC
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Saturday Apr 6, 2019 3:00 PM Bristol City FC - Wigan Athletic
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Tuesday Apr 9, 2019 7:45 PM Bristol City FC - West Bromwich Albion
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Saturday Apr 13, 2019 3:00 PM Aston Villa - Bristol City FC
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Friday Apr 19, 2019 12:00 PM Bristol City FC - Reading FC
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Monday Apr 22, 2019 3:00 PM Sheffield Wednesday - Bristol City FC
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Saturday Apr 27, 2019 3:00 PM Bristol City FC - Derby County
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Tuesday Apr 30, 2019 7:45 PM Millwall FC - Bristol City FC
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Sunday May 5, 2019 12:30 PM Hull City - Bristol City FC
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The confidence in the squad must be sky high and with key players like AT and soon Chester starting to come back we will have immense strength in depth for the run in. You wouldn't want to bet against us getting in the playoffs now.
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Great recovery over the last 3 matches but we have very little room for error now. We will need 21 points from remaining 27.
72-73 points gets you 6th imo. Can't really see Boro or Derby sticking another 16 points on the board.
After us Boro then have Norwich and Bristol City at home.
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We have got to beat Boro.
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Looking elsewhere it's a bit like that scene in Juarassic Park right now. Tiny Penis and Fat Frank are in the stranded Jeep and their glass of water has just started to vibrate ominously.
Whisper it, but it's nearly very much on.
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We have got to beat Boro.
The amazing thing is we don't! Five wins, three draws and a loss would even probably do it.
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We've got a great chance of play offs.
Hoping too much doesn't rest on the the final couple of games - for us or Leeds / Norwich
Would fancy us against the other teams in play offs, w the exception of whoever finishes third. They're all just ahead of us in terms of having a very effective, established way of playing
Would probably say Sheffield United the weakest but thru absolutely pummelled us both games - albeit it in periods of poor form for us
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We beat Boro and we are only a point behind them. We will have dragged them right into it.
We are like the great white shark, circling it's prey then attacking from depth with great speed.
Shame about the 2 week break but then 7 games in about 4 weeks.
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For me, it is very much on. 3 amazing results have elevated us right back into the mix. 1 point off 6th means that we are now very much in with a chance - Just as 3rd placed Sheff U are in with a chance of auto.
What we have to do is keep the form going. 7 wins out of 9 and it's all but guaranteed. 6 would probably be enough. Looking at the fixtures, it is very much "doable".
Ironically, I fear Forest & Preston more than I do Derby & Bristol.
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It's as if it's written in the stars that we'll get the ultimate revenge for the handball goal in December, by beating the Baggies in the playoff final.
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Tuesday 2nd April. Looks like the games in hand.
19:45
Middlesborough v Bristol City
19:45
Swansea v Brentford
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We have got to beat Boro.
The amazing thing is we don't! Five wins, three draws and a loss would even probably do it.
Yes but I would rather we did. I think we need to win both our home games in March to realistically consider play offs.
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we will finish 6th - no doubt
5th boro
6th us
7th Derby
v sheff utd semi play off
and that was with me having Boro winning last night so its on
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To get here after the summer we had is amazing. Most of us would have just been happy to see us not get relegated again I think.
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We don't want to have to get wins against Leeds or Norwich at the end of the season, so the sooner we get the points on the board the better to consolidate a playoff spot. It's tight and there's still a lot of football to play, but beating Boro this weekend will mean we are just 1pt behind them, and clinching that 5th spot would make the road to the playoff final a little bit easier.
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Hi all, first time poster on here although I’ve been following for a while.
After the win last night it’s great to see us putting pressure on the teams in the playoff places, when a couple of weeks ago a lot of us had given up hope. Mings has been awesome and with Hause next to him we seemed to have finally found some solidity and confidence at the back. Add to that Jack coming back and a rejuvenated McGinn and we’re looking good - I just worry that with the treatment Jack gets in games he might not make it to the playoffs!
One game at a time Villa, and we might just do it...
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Welcome. 🙂
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Good post mate and your point about Jack is spot on, every team has worked out.
Stop Jack and you stop the Villa, so this stuff is not going to stop and the refs at this level are crap.
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It's the combinations in the back 5 that have really provided us with the right platform - I would not have predicted earlier in the season that we'd only concede 1 goal in three games against Derby, Forest and the Shite.
Even with Abraham going through a - by his standards - lean spell, we've managed to get the goals that win games.
Very encouraging; particularly with Tuanzebe due back and Chester soon to be available. For me, the intriguing bit will be whether Smith gambles on Tuanzebe as DMF for the remainder.
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To get here after the summer we had is amazing. Most of us would have just been happy to see us not get relegated again I think.
Not sure about that, otherwise there wouldn't have been a cry for Bruce to go.
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Our last two games are Leeds and Norwich, so we could do with Sheff Utd dropping off the pace so those two are home and dry before they play us - not that with our best side we shouldn't beat them anyway!
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Good post mate and your point about Jack is spot on, every team has worked out.
Stop Jack and you stop the Villa, so this stuff is not going to stop and the refs at this level are crap.
This man asks whether you're sure about that?
(https://d3ix52z2istd7h.cloudfront.net/~/media/JMGForest.ashx?mh=720&mw=1280&vs=1&d=20190313T233709Z&hash=50987E446DF349A0694F0AFE49FB914971D04FB1)
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we will finish 6th - no doubt
5th boro
6th us
7th Derby
v sheff utd semi play off
and that was with me having Boro winning last night so its on
I think 5th place is more than achievable. The wheels are falling off at Boro, their fans want Tiny Penis out, 15 points from their last 14 home matches.
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We are now 14/1 with Sky Bet to get promoted (joint 6th favourites). A week ago we were 33/1. Things can change quickly.
11/1 now and 9/4 to get top 6.
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Good post mate and your point about Jack is spot on, every team has worked out.
Stop Jack and you stop the Villa, so this stuff is not going to stop and the refs at this level are crap.
This man asks whether you're sure about that?
(https://d3ix52z2istd7h.cloudfront.net/~/media/JMGForest.ashx?mh=720&mw=1280&vs=1&d=20190313T233709Z&hash=50987E446DF349A0694F0AFE49FB914971D04FB1)
Good point, SJM is a much bigger threat when Jack is on the same pitch.
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We have beaten 3 play-off rivals in the last 3 games (if you count SMA) with opportunity to beat another next up. C’mon!!!
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Good post mate and your point about Jack is spot on, every team has worked out.
Stop Jack and you stop the Villa, so this stuff is not going to stop and the refs at this level are crap.
This man asks whether you're sure about that?
(https://d3ix52z2istd7h.cloudfront.net/~/media/JMGForest.ashx?mh=720&mw=1280&vs=1&d=20190313T233709Z&hash=50987E446DF349A0694F0AFE49FB914971D04FB1)
Good point, SJM is a much bigger threat when Jack is on the same pitch.
Definitely. Double mark Jack and McGinn runs riot.
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We have two of the best midfielders in the league....you cant double mark them both..if they both stay fit..id take on anyone
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We’re again starting to look exactly how we did up to and really including Albion away. Confidence flowing, defence decent and improving and goals all across the team.
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We have two of the best midfielders in the league....you cant double mark them both..if they both stay fit..id take on anyone
And the best centre back judging by performances since Mings arrived. With Abraham up front you'd argue we have the best centre forward too.
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Express and Star:
Villa hosted Middlesbrough today(sic) knowing victory would see them jump into the Championship’s top six for the first time since September.
They are also targeting four consecutive wins for the first time this season, with Smith hoping they have hit form at just the right time.
“It’s very important to be winning games in March, April and May,” he said. “We’re hoping that we haven’t given ourselves too much to do with the points we dropped in January.
“We have to move forward and look ahead now. There’s nine games to go, we need three points in each game.
“The results and performances have given us that confidence.
“Now is a great position to try and build some momentum, which we have done. But we can’t be complacent, we have to keep that going.”
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Were we really still in the top 6 in September?
I assumed it was just August as after we won our opening two we then won a single game up to start of October (Rotherham at home) and then SB was sacked.
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We went 6th after beating Rotherham on the Tues, were 7th after the Weds games.
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Big game today Leeds v Sheff Utd
I would rather play Sheff in the play offs than Leeds tbh if we make it..
They are good (Sheff) but Leeds are better imo
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We are now 14/1 with Sky Bet to get promoted (joint 6th favourites). A week ago we were 33/1. Things can change quickly.
11/1 now and 9/4 to get top 6.
8 of us have a tenner each at 50/1 after the Albion game.
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We are now in sixth position and in the play off places.
I don't know where Small Heath are as they only showed the top half of the table. ;)
'Mind the gap'.
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Every chance Boro could drop out of top 6 now as only 3 points between them and 10th!
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Preston got a 94th minute winner. On same points as us and on a similar run. Derby and Brizzle with games in hand so we shouldn't be complacent. Just hope for 2 weeks with no injuries and prepare for a mad April.
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I don't want to tempt fate - although fate is past it and proper shit nowadays - but I think we can win the next two. We are exactly the kind of side that managers like MON and Pulis don't know what to do with. I apologise for the now inevitable defeats.
The only time I've ever had a positive feeling about as and not put money on. The only time I've ever been right, obviously.
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We've got ahead of ourselves before, only to see it go tits up, so I'm cautious but we're definitely in the mix.
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All we can do is keep our heads down, take each game as it comes and get the wins we need. Boro (1), Derby (1) and Bristol (2) all have games in hand so we still need 2 of them to drop points to secure a playoff spot...beating Bristol at home will complete a much needed treble over those teams.
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Bollocks to all this caution!
IT IS ON!!!
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We went 6th after beating Rotherham on the Tues, were 7th after the Weds games.
You always surprise me PWS. That Rotherham win was preceded by a 1-1 at Blackburn, a terrible 4-1 loss at Sheffield United and three draws v Ipswich, Reading and Brentford.
So odd we're barely win a game under SB and yet just be outside the top 6 yet we were even further away when we then did have 4 wins in Dean Smith's first six games.
At least it's all balanced out now.
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Every chance Boro could drop out of top 6 now as only 3 points between them and 10th!
Their next two are Norwich and Bristol City at home.
Preston will get the last spot I think. Bring on the stripeys.....
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At the time there were 2 points between us in 6th and Blackburn in 13th. Brentford were 2nd and Norwich were 17th (they played on the Weds).
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Bristol City have some tough fixtures coming up. I can see them dropping off.
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I'm looking up, not down. We'll finish 5th and play the Baggies in the play-offs. One thing on our side is we have the players that can handle the expectation and pressure, not to mention momentum.
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I think it's a huge task to finish 6th but will be delighted to so so.
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5 or 6 teams chasing the final 2 spots. We are certainly in the driving seat now. 4 games ago, we were needing something like 9 wins from 12 games. Now it's 5 from 8 with a possibility that 4 wins would be enough - A 50% ratio.
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Looking at everyone's fixtures I think there could still be a few twists and turns in the final few weeks.
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It would be extremely funny if neither the Albion or Leeds are promoted this season (and we are).
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It would be extremely funny if neither the Albion or Leeds are promoted this season (and we are).
Imagine the phone in on WM... These play offs am all wrung...it ay right..
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It would be extremely funny if neither the Albion or Leeds are promoted this season (and we are).
Imagine the phone in on WM... These play offs am all wrung...it ay right..
It would be amusing. But I probably still wouldn't listen, being the arrogant Vile fan that I am.
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It would be extremely funny if neither the Albion or Leeds are promoted this season (and we are).
Imagine the phone in on WM... These play offs am all wrung...it ay right..
It would be amusing. But I probably still wouldn't listen, being the arrogant Vile fan that I am.
All Vilers are arrogant apparently. We are also supposedly all 'fannies'. Obviously at the moment we are rather happy fannies. There is often a team who makes a late run into the play offs and that team often does well in the play offs. I honestly believe that will be us this year. A number of teams just below us in the table like Preston, Bristol City, Wednesday, Hull, Small Heath and Brentford can all put out decent first elevens but they don't have the squad strength and depth that we have.
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I'd rather face Leeds than Sheffield Utd, OR Norwich in the play-offs, if it happens. Nobody else causes me too much concern.
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I'd rather face Leeds than Sheffield Utd, OR Norwich in the play-offs, if it happens. Nobody else causes me too much concern.
With a full strength squad we can beat, nay, demolish anybody. We need to collectively pray that nothing happens to Jack, SJM or Emperor Mings in the next few games.
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I think it's a huge task to finish 6th but will be delighted to so so.
Did Boro look to you a team yesterday that can secure another 17 points in the run in?
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Yes and they will do it by scoring only 7 goals. 5 wins and 2 draws and 1 loss or that is the Pulis plan ;D
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Boro are a joke.
Pretty much all season Pulis has played 5 CBs and then 4 defensive midfielders as they did yesterday. He's beyond a parody now.
They had a 15m pound striker on the bench yesterday.
Travesty if they make play offs ahead of good football teams like Preston and Bristol City.
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Boro are a joke.
Pretty much all season Pulis has played 5 CBs and then 4 defensive midfielders as they did yesterday. He's beyond a parody now.
They had a 15m pound striker on the bench yesterday.
Travesty if they make play offs ahead of good football teams like Preston and Bristol City.
I agree with your point entirely, but don't think we're on the surest of ground if we take the piss out of £15m strikers. We've got 3 £12m strikers, one on loan at Sheffield United, one who will never play for us again, and one who at the moment is an occasional sub!
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I think it's a huge task to finish 6th but will be delighted to so so.
No. At no time did they look a threat. Didn’t seem to be working that hard either.
Did Boro look to you a team yesterday that can secure another 17 points in the run in?
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An uncertain start following potentially going into Administration last Summer plus a terrible injury list has screwed our season. Only now, with players returning from injury, can you see the real Villa. It dismays me that this team now is good enough to walk this League and you see bang average dross currently in the top three positions who, if they go up, will most likely get relegated next season - look at Fulham now.....
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I think the top 4 will be the top 4 at the end of the season, perhaps in a slightly different order. So there are 2 playoff places and I would say 8 teams in the running, down to Hull. 3 of those 8 have games in hand on us and could be on more points than us after 38 games and Preston are on a similar run to us. So I would see us right in the thick of it but we also have the risk that an injury to Jack or SJM could knock our confidence and we have very tough last 2 games.
These are the seasons you live for, in the thick of it and I think this squad has the skill and the experience to do it. My favoured path would be finish 5th, knock out the Tesco bags and beat Leeds 5-4 in the final at Wembley.
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Boro are a joke.
Pretty much all season Pulis has played 5 CBs and then 4 defensive midfielders as they did yesterday. He's beyond a parody now.
They had a 15m pound striker on the bench yesterday.
Travesty if they make play offs ahead of good football teams like Preston and Bristol City.
I agree with your point entirely, but don't think we're on the surest of ground if we take the piss out of £15m strikers. We've got 3 £12m strikers, one on loan at Sheffield United, one who will never play for us again, and one who at the moment is an occasional sub!
At least we play attacking formations, a striker two wide players and a number 10.
Boro pack their side with 9 defenders and have a wide player or Downing in support of their CF. It sums Pulis up.
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I’d like to think that some of our critical players who have not played much football this season will just be coming into peak fitness and help carry the team forward.
Jack, Mings and Hause should be full of energy for the run in.
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As mentioned on WM last night, our stats under Dean Smith are as follows:
With Jack P13 W9 D2 L2 pts 29
Without Jack P13 W2 D7 L4 pts 13
Using the top column's figures, if we had Dean managing and Jack playing for all 46 games we would have amassed 102 points!
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As mentioned on WM last night, our stats under Dean Smith are as follows:
With Jack P13 W9 D2 L2 pts 29
Without Jack P13 W2 D7 L4 pts 13
Using the top column's figures, if we had Dean managing and Jack playing for all 46 games we would have amassed 102 points!
So without Grealish we struggled to turn draws into wins looking at that.
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A Wednesday fan opinion on his side, sound familiar?
The performance yesterday wasn’t good, we were outfought in midfield and sloppy at the back. You look at the run in and the level of performance needs to improve from that significantly or the dream will end pretty quickly.
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Hammer the bitters home and away in the semis, humiliate Bruce at Wembley. Job done.
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Haven’t watched their highlights, but they couldn’t have been that bad to score 4 goals?
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Villa doing brilliantly with 4 wins on the bounce. Obvs if we keep the winning run going we'll make the playoffs. Falter and I see the main threat for the last 2 playoff places (3rd and 4th places look to be out of reach) coming from boro and derby (looking at their run-ins) with Preston as an outside bet. It would be a travesty if boro and derby were both to make it at our expense. UTV!
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The next 6 are the key games, with a three-way race for automatic promotion I wouldn't want to be looking at the Leeds and Norwich games NEEDING wins to secure a playoff spot. Ironically, I looked at those last two fixtures back in November thinking they were great, as it could potentially see automatic promotion in our own hands. But right now, I'd rather just have a top 6 place secured before we meet either of them! On current form, I'd fancy our chances against either of them, but if they're both still chasing an automatic promotion spot, we'd be playing them at the worst possible time.
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Norwich have a bit of a gap in 1st now. 5 points with just 8 left. They have quite a good run in, 4 winnable home games.
I think they'll be up before final game so them being on the beach mentally would help us.
They're always awful at VP aswell, lost both games since we've been down here and also lost to our atrocity of 15-16.
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After watching our sheer dominance and game control on Saturday, I believe we can now do a Fulham and storm through these remaining games and possibly get into the high 70s in points, but being a realist I suspect that low 70s will be enough for the playoffs this year. Indeed high 60s might possibly be enough. Lets make certain by getting at least another 4 or 5 wins and some draws. Albion in the Semi (we still owe them this year), probably Leeds at Wembley, Jack winner, happy day!
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The natural Villa fan pessimist in me is now starting to think about how absolutely galling it would be if Bruce got Wednesday up through the play offs at the first time of asking!!!
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Haven’t watched their highlights, but they couldn’t have been that bad to score 4 goals?
Mowbray was bemoaning the fsct that he was missing 3 central defenders and that they coouldn't cope with their aerial threat.Bruce said that Blackburn caused them problems on the break,does sound familiar.
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Wouldn't worry about them....have to play us, Forest, Leeds, Norwich, Preston and Bristol City all before season is out.
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Stodgy performances and doing well against the lesser clubs, but setting out not to lose against better sides swwma familiar.
I'd be surprised if Wednesday finish close to the Play Offs.
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6 fixtures to Easter Monday (7 for Boro and Bristol City)
Teams competing at this moment for 5th&6th
Middlesboro, Villa , Preston ,Derby ,Bristol City
Sheff Wed , Forest , Hull
Fixture difficulty marked in bold for clubs playing each other or one of the top 4.
1 :March 30th When it's Aston Villa v Blackburn
Sheff Utd v Bristol City
Middlesbrough v Norwich
Derby v Rotherham
Ipswich v Hull
Nottm Forest v Swansea
Reading v Preston North End
Stoke v Sheff Wed
April 2nd
**"Game in hand**
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
2 . April 6th Sheff Wed v Aston Villa:
Preston v Sheff Utd
Brentford v Derby
Bristol City v Wigan
Hull v Reading
Rotherham v Nottm Forest
Swansea v Middlesbro
3. April 9/10 When Rotherham v Villa
(midweek round matches)
Bristol City v West Brom
Preston v Leeds
Sheff Wed v Nottm Forest
Blackburn v Derby
Bolton v Middlesbrough
Hull v Wigan
4. April 13th When Aston Villa v Bristol City
West Brom v Preston
Leeds v Sheff Wed
Middlesbrough v Hull
Derby v Bolton
Nottm Forest v Blackburn
5. April 19 Good Friday Bolton v Aston Villa
West Brom v Hull
Norwich v Sheff Wed
Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest
Bristol City v Reading
Birmingham v Derby
Middlesbrough v Stoke
Preston v Ipswich
6. April 22 Easter Mon :Aston Villa v Millwall
Hull v Sheff Utd
Nottm Forest v Middlesbrough
Sheff Wed v Bristol City
Wigan v Preston
Derby v QPR
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And looking for 5 th place can we outdo Boro:
Middlesbrough
Norwich(h)
Bristol City (h)
Swansea (a)
Bolton (a)
Hull(h)
Stoke(h)
Nottm Forest (a)
Reading(h)
Rotherham (a)
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If you compare our last 2 games to Boro's, I hope we've got it in the bag before then!
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We have 6 very winnable fixtures before the end of season games against Leeds and Norwich...lets do this!
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Championship Form
Top 5
1. Norwich City 18
WWWWWW
2. Sheffield United 16
WWDWWW
3.Preston North End 14
DWDWWW
4.Sheffield Wednesday 14
WWDDWW
5. Aston Villa 13
LDWWWW
-----------------------------
Bottom 5
Bristol City 5pts
WLLDLD
Ipswich Town 5pts
DDLDDD
Blackburn Rovers 4pts
LDLLWL
Birmingham City 4pts
DWLLLL
Bolton Wanderers 3pts
LLLWLL
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And looking for 5 th place can we outdo Boro:
Middlesbrough
Norwich(h)
Bristol City (h)
Swansea (a)
Bolton (a)
Hull(h)
Stoke(h)
Nottm Forest (a)
Reading(h)
Rotherham (a)
Key team as I'd prefer us to finish 5th than 6th. From that I've got Boro getting 72 points. They have a worse GD than us now so I'd be surprised if we get another 15 points this season and that isn't enough for even 5th.
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Annoyingly I'm in Leeds the night before the PO final should we get there and will be travelling via train...
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Annoyingly I'm in Leeds the night before the PO final should we get there and will be travelling via train...
I land at 7am, at Heathrow on the 27th. Hopefully have a nice afternoon in London.
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Annoyingly I'm in Leeds the night before the PO final should we get there and will be travelling via train...
And for your consideration : a % chance Leeds Utd following will be boarding down with you !!
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Play off final? Blimey, lets scrape into 5th, 6th first.
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Let's hope Bolton find a buyer or go into administration rather than liquidation, as we'll be out the Play Offs and with one less game to make up.
That there is real chance they could be liquidated later this afternoon is staggering. What a clown Anderson is.
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I’m gutted !
Given our last few performances and results I’ve been telling mates to get geared up for play off game against baggies.
However, I’ve just written out all top 11 clubs fixtures with guess results and I have ended up with ;
Norwich 100
Sheffield Utd 93
Leeds 93
WBA 87
Boro 76
Derby 73
AVFC 72
Bristol City 71
Preston 69
Forest 69
Sheffield W 65
One for once I bloody hope I’m proved wrong 😩. My guesses for us are pretty ok I think with maybe only debate my game v Bristol city to get additional points....
Blackburn W
Sheffield Wed D
Rotherham W
Bristol D
Bolton W
Millwall W
Leeds L
Norwich D
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I’m gutted !
Given our last few performances and results I’ve been telling mates to get geared up for play off game against baggies.
However, I’ve just written out all top 11 clubs fixtures with guess results and I have ended up with ;
Norwich 100
Sheffield Utd 93
Leeds 93
WBA 87
Boro 76
Derby 73
AVFC 72
Bristol City 71
Preston 69
Forest 69
Sheffield W 65
One for once I bloody hope I’m proved wrong 😩. My guesses for us are pretty ok I think with maybe only debate my game v Bristol city to get additional points....
Blackburn W
Sheffield Wed D
Rotherham W
Bristol D
Bolton W
Millwall W
Leeds L
Norwich D
Derby have one fortuitous win in 8 games, Boro have won twice in 9 and have lost three in a row. Boro have Norwich and Bristol City next up. No way are both of those teams finishing above us.
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Bristol City haven’t won for over a month so it will take a big turnaround for them to get another 16 points. Similarly Boro have lost three in a row. Trying to guess so many results is futile at the best of times but this season the Championship has been even more unpredictable than usual.
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Our recent performances have made me arrogant enough to not be that bothered about who we're playing against - I'd back us to beat pretty much anybody in this league.
I'd certainly make us favourites for almost all of our remaining games. I don't really fancy going to Elland Road on the penultimate week of the season with them needing a result for promotion, but Norwich should be up by the time they come to Villa Park on the final day of the season so we've got to be favourites for that if we need to win to get in the play offs.
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Bristol City haven’t won for over a month so it will take a big turnaround for them to get another 16 points. Similarly Boro have lost three in a row. Trying to guess so many results is futile at the best of times but this season the Championship has been even more unpredictable than usual.
Brizzol are either on a great winning run or a big losing streak...hopefully the latter carries on until end of the season
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Of the teams not in the top 6 there's always the possibility of someone going on a run as well from now, so it's too complex to call at the moment. We've also been lucky the last few weeks with results, so can expect a few weeks to go against us as well. After another couple of games I think we'll have a much better idea. There's also the experience of pressure - at least most of our players have been through it before. Smith on the other hand, hasn't really.
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Of the teams not in the top 6 there's always the possibility of someone going on a run as well from now, so it's too complex to call at the moment. We've also been lucky the last few weeks with results, so can expect a few weeks to go against us as well. After another couple of games I think we'll have a much better idea. There's also the experience of pressure - at least most of our players have been through it before. Smith on the other hand, hasn't really.
He hasn't, but his attitude appears to be right for the job. Compare and contrast his approach to Pulis, for example.
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The Rotherham game worries me - it's got the banana-est of banana skins written all over it!!
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The Rotherham game worries me - it's got the banana-est of banana skins written all over it!!
Bloody hell I know Villa fans can be pessimistic at the best of times but that is hari-kari level pessimism.
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My only concern about Rotherham is getting my arse out of there and back home to the scratcher ASAP
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Let's hope Bolton find a buyer or go into administration rather than liquidation, as we'll be out the Play Offs and with one less game to make up.
That there is real chance they could be liquidated later this afternoon is staggering. What a clown Anderson is.
Buyer found. Winding up order averted. All the luck’s going our way for a change
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Forget Rotherham. You climb a summit by putting one foot and one arm in front of the other.
The focus is Blackburn and Blackburn only. Ignore what the rest do and make sure we win.
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If the key players of Mings, McGinn and Jack stay fit, we'll finish in the play off positions.
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Forget Rotherham. You climb a summit by putting one foot and one arm in front of the other.
The focus is Blackburn and Blackburn only. Ignore what the rest do and make sure we win.
Yep, focus on playing how we do, nullify Dack and Mowbray will be gurning into his black pudding.
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My only concern about Rotherham is getting my arse out of there and back home to the scratcher ASAP
I think Millwall is more like the kind of game we could mess up. Do actually feel fairly confident that we will make the playoffs though.
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The past four games we've looked like a Premier League team playing in the latter rounds of the FA Cup and taking it very seriously against championship clubs. The exception being Saturday where we looked like a Premier League team playing a League 2 side.
As Risso says, if Mings, Jack, McGinn and Tammy all stay fit, we keep our tempo and effort, then there are no slip ups, as we're better than anybody else in this league.
Keep that intensity and focus for each game as it comes and we'll be fine.
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It's going to be exciting and at this stage of the season it's what any fan wants.
It's going to be a ride and half and I'm just glad our burst of form has gave us this chance
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My only concern about Rotherham is getting my arse out of there and back home to the scratcher ASAP
I think Millwall is more like the kind of game we could mess up. Do actually feel fairly confident that we will make the playoffs though.
Hopefully they’ll have a massive cup defeat hangover for the rest of the season.
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I’m gutted !
Given our last few performances and results I’ve been telling mates to get geared up for play off game against baggies.
However, I’ve just written out all top 11 clubs fixtures with guess results and I have ended up with ;
Norwich 100
Sheffield Utd 93
Leeds 93
WBA 87
Boro 76
Derby 73
AVFC 72
Bristol City 71
Preston 69
Forest 69
Sheffield W 65
One for once I bloody hope I’m proved wrong 😩. My guesses for us are pretty ok I think with maybe only debate my game v Bristol city to get additional points....
Blackburn W
Sheffield Wed D
Rotherham W
Bristol D
Bolton W
Millwall W
Leeds L
Norwich D
You have been very generous to the top 4. There is no way teams in 3rd and 4th are going to finish on 93 and 87. That's autopro points and Norwich are not going to hit 100. We will finish on 75 and 5th. Boro will not finish in top 6. Other than that your forecast is quite accurate.
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Surely we cannot say that the forecast is accurate until it is proven correct? Pedant alert.
Whatever happens, I hope that Villa, by getting into 6th spot, don't suddenly think that the job is done and switch off. No more false dawns.
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Ok let's look forecast points total from 24 points and also final points
Going on what has occurred this season so far
and likely outcome based on stats
12+ pts
69,70,71pts based on season so far.
Villa will finish on 69pts with 12pts from last 8 because
Villa average 1.7 pts home
4 matches to play =6.8
Villa average 1.3 pts away
4 matches to play 5.2
5.2+6.8=12pts
Also-this season :Overall pts per match is 1.5 a match
Also Dean smith as manager average is 1.5
Villa finish on 70pts 13 points from 8 matches
This points forecast because minus the
Average points of home teams to play
Average points away teams to play
Villa finish with 71pts. 14 pts from 8 games because :
Recent form of the last 8 games is 1 .75 pts a match = 14 pts
So if villa match the current form with the remaining 8 matches or further improve then villa can achieve a +70points total .
However in last 8 matches have reduced goal conceded to average 1 per match if continued to be matched in remaining 8 I think would bring another 3/4 points in forecast.
for last 8 matches -There for I am optimistically forecasting at maximum 17/18pts and villa having potential to finish on 74/75pts .
(Though I do think be pushing it to get 15/16 points ! )
Personally I would confidently forecast with high probability victories in 4/8 matches
Blackburn 3
Rotherham 3
Milwall 3
Bolton 3
A very good chance of victory v Bristol City 1/3pts
The away matches of Sheff wed 1 pts
12-14pts achieved at this stage would be above expected stat expectations based on matches so far this season
So going into final 2matches being on 69 pts 70 or 71pts would give the chance for my forecast points to be met 17/18pts .
(I gave the extra 3/4 points from what is a best 14point based in stats of season due to to the goals conceded per game being reduced and the continue high goals scored per game )
Those two final matches are the variables Leeds , Norwich to expectations .
I'll forecast the final 2 matches 0-3pts
12pts to 18 pts is the likelihood in range of points villa will achieve
So that's 69 -75pts.
If going in to last two have achieved 14pts then that has met stats expectations. And the final 2 matches could provide the extra pts.
If more than 14 from 18pts have been achieved in the first 6 matches then that's a very healthy position to be in regardless how the other clubs around villa are performing.
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For the Sheffield Wednesday game you can pretty much guarantee that the (yippee aye oh) rotunda from the sty will have been plotting his way to getting a point against us since the day he was appointed (and then went to the Windies). It's up to us to score the early goal to make sure he has to fall back on his plan B, damage limitation.
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You have to factor dropping points in along the way, so with the 8 fixtures remaining I think 14-15pts (out of a possible 24pts) would be a realistic minimal target. The real question is whether or not 71-72pts would be enough to get us in the playoffs...so you have to start asking will 2 of the following teams get the following number of points or more:
Boro: 13-14pts (9 games to play)
Preston: 14-15pts
Derby: 15-16pts (9 games to play)
Bristol: 16-17pts (10 games to play)
Wednesday: 16-17pts
Forest: 17-18pts
Hull: 20-21pts
Blose: 21-22pts
Over to you footyskillz...I look forward to seeing your analysis! Have fun :)
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I did a prediction thing (I know) and had Boro finishing 5th on 73, with Villa and Derby both on 72 - we made the play offs on goal difference!
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Bristol City haven’t won for over a month so it will take a big turnaround for them to get another 16 points. Similarly Boro have lost three in a row. Trying to guess so many results is futile at the best of times but this season the Championship has been even more unpredictable than usual.
I do take on most of the points mentioned following my post but I did probably thought more about each teams opposition as opposed to their own form. Regarding Boro’s games I went for losses against Norwich, draws against Bristol, SWANSEA and forest and then beating Bolton, Hull, Stoke, reading and Rotherham , looks realistic to me, but yes their form would need to return.
For derby no losses (bit too ambitious looking back ), draws v bristol, blues, Brentford, swans and baggies, only winning v Rotherham, Blackburn, bolton and qpr. Looking at a run of fixtures they’ve probably got second hardest run in compared to ours
So, maybe, just maybe there’s a chance....how long can we really keep up our form ? Perversely I’m concerned that other injuries now returning for Lansbury and (can’t believe I’m saying this, unless axel pertners Mings and Hause returns to LB) axel may upset current balance and leave dean over tinkering with selection
God, I’m stresssed !!
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I agree with Risso and Ads, in Mings, McGinn, Jack and Tammy we have 4 of the 'championship best 11', if they play every game from now until the end of the season then we make the play offs with 75 points or more.
Footy did loads of stats but he missed a key one:
We've played 13 games under Smith with Grealish in the team and got 29 points or roughly 2.2 per game, that would be 18 more points for the season and put us on the 75 that I think we'll get.
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Let's hope Bolton find a buyer or go into administration rather than liquidation, as we'll be out the Play Offs and with one less game to make up.
That there is real chance they could be liquidated later this afternoon is staggering. What a clown Anderson is.
Buyer found. Winding up order averted. All the luck’s going our way for a change
Not quite out of the woods just yet, it would seem.
Fortnight adjournment while they sort out some mystery buyer, here's the
The Bolton News (https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17516878.bolton-wanderers-are-safe-and-sound-for-now-but-for-how-long/)' take on it. It makes mention that the interested party "is said to have a “major stake in a high-level football club”". Which sheds no light on them whatsoever.
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For me I look at how we're playing and who we're playing. We've just swept aside our rivals in the past 4 games, concedes 1 goal, scored 11 and looked miles better than all of them.
Derby, Boro and Bristol are out of form.
Preston have been very fortunate, their only shot on goal against the Noses was the 94th minute winner, Boro outplayed them until they were down to 10 men.
Wednesday are doing ok against lower to mid-table sides, but parking the bus against decent opposition.
Anything can happen, but the manner and style of play gives me huge confidence. We're not doing this by luck, we're just a lot better with our first choice XI than any of our rivals.
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Imagine the scenes when Tony Xia rocks up at Bolton in his terrible suit
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Shades of Ismay?
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Imagine the scenes when Tony Xia rocks up at Bolton in his terrible suit
Don’t forget the state of his shoes too.
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You have to factor dropping points in along the way, so with the 8 fixtures remaining I think 14-15pts (out of a possible 24pts) would be a realistic minimal target. The real question is whether or not 71-72pts would be enough to get us in the playoffs...so you have to start asking will 2 of the following teams get the following number of points or more:
Boro: 13-14pts (9 games to play)
Preston: 14-15pts
Derby: 15-16pts (9 games to play)
Bristol: 16-17pts (10 games to play)
Wednesday: 16-17pts
Forest: 17-18pts
Hull: 20-21pts
Blose: 21-22pts
Over to you footyskillz...I look forward to seeing your analysis! Have fun :)
Just like I don't see Middlesboro poor form continuing rate of 1pt per match average meaning finish if 67pts
I also don't see the Preston north end continuous hot form in last 8 at 2.5 pts per game equalled for the final 8 matches. They would achieve -77pts !
Middlesbrough matches home 5 away 4.
70-72pts
70pts if they match the average season pts per game 1.57 = 12pts
And I've included boros home and away avearge after mentioned poor form points per match wanted another measurement for forecasting (this is because that 1pt a match is pretty hopeless and really ? Are they just going to collapse to that poor form for another 8 matches?!)
Boro 72pts. From expected home average and away average 14pts
Home average points 1.5 (X5)
Away average points 1.63(x4)
Preston 69pts-77pts
69pts Matching Season average 1.5 = 12pts
77pts matching current form
Preston need to maintain their great form and would be a real contender
Derby county 66pts -68pts
66pts If continue current form 10pts
68pts On Average pts per match for season =12pts
Bristol city 69-70pts
69pts On current form 13.8 pts - 14pts
70pts On season average = minimum of 15pts
Bristol city are a real contender due to 2 extra matches. Thank fully Boro and Bristol city play each other !
Sheffield Wednesday 66/67 pts - 71pts
71pts equalling current form =16pts
On season avearge=11/12pts
Wednesday need to continue to maintain their current form if so they are a real contender but can they maintain this form ??
Nottingham Forest 65/66pts
Equalling current form =12pts
On season average= 11pts
Summary -Forest would have to improve form and on points from season
Hull City 59pts-62pts
59 Current form 8pts
61/62 Season form 10/11pts
Hull have to super perform to get anywhere near
I'm not interested in Birmingham city the irrelevant!
Boro , Preston , Wednesday and Bristol City could all hit 70+pts based on this. For me I see Boro to get to the 71pts+ the other clubs need to reexamination of their fixtures for forecast
I feel Boro form could rise and Wednesday and Preston slow down .Bristol city are very interesting but then you bring in their fixtures and they are challenging .Conversely Derby fixtures less so. That said of all the clubs in contention some of these teams will pick up form and some will drop off . It's a potential indication but it's also noting fixtures of the opposition and also looking at home and away averages too for further indications.
Bookmakers indication
TO MAKE PLAYOFFS BEST ODDS
Boro 4/9
Aston villa 5/4
Derby 3/1
Bristol City 10/3
Preston 7/2
Forest 14/1
Sheffield Wednesday 18/1
Hull 80/1
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Good work footy.
Pretty much agree with your analysis that the main challengers remain to be Boro, Bristol and Derby.
Preston to play 3 of the top 4 so I'm going to rule them out of contention, and both Bristol and Derby have some tricky fixtures in their run in too. Boro seem to have the easiest remaining fixtures on paper but they are out of form and inconsistent. If we can go and unbeaten with 10pts in the next 4 games then we should be in a strong position if other results go the way they should.
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Why won't their poor form continue?
What was it about us utterly outclassing Derby and Boro, in their runs of 1 win in 8 and 9, that convinced you they had the quality, belief and legs to put another run of form together? When they've accumulated a largely unimpressive points per game rate of 1.5/6 all season?
There is a great opportunity to be 5th come 5pm a week Saturday and then to stretch our legs and make their games in hand come May, irrelevant.
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Momentum is always a factor which makes a lot of teams, including us, streaky and inconsistent. Obviously when the best player in the league is out and you're still repairing your defence, results aren't going to be great but even under Bruce we had good patches followed by bad ones, it's just what happens, players are human and become inhibited when things go against them.
Conversely, some teams ie Derby/Boro/Bristol have all had impressive runs of form before, now Derby may be in the transition period of stopping defeats with draws and the odd win before going on another good run while we have to wait and see if Boro have bottomed-out. Bristol are curious in that as a largely unfancied side, they had a sensational nine wins on the spin but are halfway through a run almost as poor suggesting, like Hull, they are probably finding their level. Preston had an awful first half of the season and Neil was probably close to the sack but they had horrendous injuries and since New Year their upward projectory has lasted longer than even Hull and Bristol with whom you'd bracket as mid-table fodder and little more. The fortune they've had recently in their last two wins and their upcoming fixtures suggest they will probably have a downturn now just when they need to match an in-form and seemingly (lion) rampant, Villa.
Finally, Wednesday have also been on an upturn, based initially on a solid defence but gradually adding goals now and seemingly a more complete team. However, they've had the fortune of building up confidence with these recent wins while playing a lot of the division's poorer sides.
Lastly, on the momentum thing, since collapsing against us with three goals conceded in the last ten minutes at Villa Park, Sheffield United have not conceded a goal in their nine(?) games since which is quite astonishing, especially given how ropey their goalkeeper looked with a couple of our goals.
Not sure what the point to my rambling is but I take comfort that this wacky league consistently shows that a great run can start from the pits of despair which I guess is what partially keeps us hoping and supporting through all the heartache.
Anyway, we'll finish 6th at least, that's the main thing.
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Maybe part of the reason that teams in this league appear inconsistent and that is because most of the teams are pretty evenly matched. Also, the players that are consistently good get bought by premier league teams.
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But in our case, it's been down to injuries to very key players.
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Apparently SHA getting deducted 9 points.
Would put them on fringes of relegation battle.
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Not confirmed yet ,but if true ,they have got off lightly
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We just need 5 more wins.
Blackburn at home, Bolton away and Rotherham should be bankers for that. Maybe add Millwall but they comfortably got a 0-0 at VP last season and like Brentford we've struggled a lot v them since coming down.
Would hold fire on that one particularly as they'll probably still be in a relegation battle at that point.
1 win and a few draws also coming from Sheff Weds, Bristol, Leeds and Norwich. Leeds and Sheff Weds will probably be our two hardest games left for various reasons. Brizzle we've done fine against since being down and I think Norwich will be up by the final day. Their record at Villa Park is dreadful anyway.
It's been a real flip flop season. Start of December I just took play offs for granted and was looking an "easy" January Feb run of games and thinking of outside top 2. That worked out well. Then after Brentford and WBA defeats I thought season over.
Think I'll just enjoy the ride for rest of the season. Last season there was massive pressure to go up, this feels to me like a free hit.
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Apparently SHA getting deducted 9 points.
Would put them on fringes of relegation battle.
Now officially confirmed
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Apparently SHA getting deducted 9 points.
Would put them on fringes of relegation battle.
Now officially confirmed
Lucky, lucky.
5 points clear of relegation but given 2 of the 3 places are done and dusted I don't think they're in any real danger.
No doubt they'll lap up the "us against the world" narrative too!
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Their next 3 are West Brom away and Leeds and Sheffield United at home....
I agree they'll still stay up as Rotherham and Reading both have very tough run ins.
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Seems like a soft penalty - they weren't going up, now this won't put them in any fear of relegation either. It would have had much more impact if they'd started next season on -9, but hey ho at least it's decided.
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I would absolutely piss myself if the EFL have held off giving them the full 12 points because they're about to dock them 6 more points for what happened to Grealish!
Imagine the Noses faces if they go from thinking they've got away with it to actually being plunged in to the relegation zone!
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Good work footy.
Pretty much agree with your analysis that the main challengers remain to be Boro, Bristol and Derby.
Preston to play 3 of the top 4 so I'm going to rule them out of contention, and both Bristol and Derby have some tricky fixtures in their run in too. Boro seem to have the easiest remaining fixtures on paper but they are out of form and inconsistent. If we can go and unbeaten with 10pts in the next 4 games then we should be in a strong position if other results go the way they should.
Thanks and can totally see your thinking there .
So I do think the Bristol city match for Villa is important (as are all) that even more so than sheff wed arguably.
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Why won't their poor form continue?
What was it about us utterly outclassing Derby and Boro, in their runs of 1 win in 8 and 9, that convinced you they had the quality, belief and legs to put another run of form together? When they've accumulated a largely unimpressive points per game rate of 1.5/6 all season?
There is a great opportunity to be 5th come 5pm a week Saturday and then to stretch our legs and make their games in hand come May, irrelevant.
Hey Ads well in direct response only basing it on a kinda regression to mean
That being those in hot form start to slow down .Those in poor form ie Boro improve .
Of course Boro could severely drop off.
And Preston could carry on a 2.5 average
My main thinking is that it's hard to maintain that level of consistentcy.
It could be debated that to maintain poor form is easier as when you're shit you're shit. Boro aren't exactly are lower table squad so just see them having capabilities of trying to maintain their position.
Villa had a poor run and like eammon on here mention so have other clubs .
Also there have been clubs who had hot winning streaks
Villa are in midst of one of these streaks and have the quality to sustain
What I think alot of us will agree on is that
We have the best player in league.
We have several players who are high abilitiy
We score goals
Our defence has improved
And we are hard to beat at home for sure.
Up the villa
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Oh certainly every chance of the villa getting 5th position .
So Addsy I think I slightly misunderstood and now get that you're saying villa could finish 5th (and overtake boro too. Due to relative form of both teams)
My points were more focused and was more with debating and suggesting Boro have a high probability of staying in play off position 5th or 6th !
And think they along with Villa are the two in position.
Bristol city having to play both the villa and boro away and have games in hand have a big say.
I certainly don't care for the boro and appreciate other teams styles of play that Boro .
The current odds for championship to finish in top 6 are interesting and alot can change but at this time it's villa at 5/4 Boro are 4/9 to finish in top 6.
The odds are a reflection and indication though are relevant for this moment in season and factor in the money that fluctuate the odds.
Derby 3/1
Bristol city 10/3
Preston 7/2
Forest 14/1
Sheffield Wednesday 18/1
So again looking at odds and forecasting it suggest to discount forest and Wednesday.
One key aspect can be looking at fixtures .
Form of teams are taken into account by some
fans and supporters others not so much.
However a debate can be had is it form , fixture difficulty ? Games in hand or points already accumulated ?
Up the villa
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Momentum is always a factor which makes a lot of teams, including us, streaky and inconsistent. Obviously when the best player in the league is out and you're still repairing your defence, results aren't going to be great but even under Bruce we had good patches followed by bad ones, it's just what happens, players are human and become inhibited when things go against them.
Conversely, some teams ie Derby/Boro/Bristol have all had impressive runs of form before, now Derby may be in the transition period of stopping defeats with draws and the odd win before going on another good run while we have to wait and see if Boro have bottomed-out. Bristol are curious in that as a largely unfancied side, they had a sensational nine wins on the spin but are halfway through a run almost as poor suggesting, like Hull, they are probably finding their level. Preston had an awful first half of the season and Neil was probably close to the sack but they had horrendous injuries and since New Year their upward projectory has lasted longer than even Hull and Bristol with whom you'd bracket as mid-table fodder and little more. The fortune they've had recently in their last two wins and their upcoming fixtures suggest they will probably have a downturn now just when they need to match an in-form and seemingly (lion) rampant, Villa.
Finally, Wednesday have also been on an upturn, based initially on a solid defence but gradually adding goals now and seemingly a more complete team. However, they've had the fortune of building up confidence with these recent wins while playing a lot of the division's poorer sides.
Lastly, on the momentum thing, since collapsing against us with three goals conceded in the last ten minutes at Villa Park, Sheffield United have not conceded a goal in their nine(?) games since which is quite astonishing, especially given how ropey their goalkeeper looked with a couple of our goals.
Not sure what the point to my rambling is but I take comfort that this wacky league consistently shows that a great run can start from the pits of despair which I guess is what partially keeps us hoping and supporting through all the heartache.
Anyway, we'll finish 6th at least, that's the main thing.
Further to add on Sheff U. They actually didn't concede any goals since January apart from that 8 minutes of ecstay !
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Well after baggies win the top 4 is seperate by 12 points from 5th and May switch around a bit, but we're now in a race for 2 places. This is going to be sweaty.
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I would argue that after the last 4 games, we’ve gone from mid table no hopers, to in with a chance of 6th to now being one of a group fighting on equal terms with another 4 or 5 teams.
For me, I would have taken that all day long after the draw at Stoke. It’s nail biting for everyone from here on in and as we experienced last season, it increases in the play offs. None of us would swap it though.
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Quite a few of the writers here backing us to go up:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/mar/30/football-final-furlong-our-writers-predict-how-season-will-conclude-premier-champions-league-fa-cup
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After the matches today along with Villa we have Derby , Bristol City Middlesbrough, Forest , Preston, Sheffield Wednesday, Hull still competing for 5th&6th play off spots .
The table sees the villa up a place whilst Boro have dropped to 8th . Derby enjoyed a 6-1 win and now 6th.
Bristol City are ones to watch with games in hand and the fixture on the 13th April is a major one when villa play them . All Villa matches of course are important at this stage and beating rivals would keep villa in very strong position . And now being ahead It's vital not to lose to any rival team.
Table
5 Aston Villa 60pts
6 Derby 59pts
7 Bristol City 58pts
8 Middlesbrough 58pts
9 Nottm Forest 57pts
10 Preston 57pts
11 Sheff Wed 56pts
12 Hull 54pts
Fixtures up to Easter Monday
Fixture difficulty marked in bold for clubs playing each other or one of the top 4.
April 2nd
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
April 6th Sheff Wed v Aston Villa:
Preston v Sheff Utd
Brentford v Derby
Bristol City v Wigan
Hull v Reading
Rotherham v Nottm Forest
Swansea v Middlesbro
April 9/10 When Rotherham v Villa
(midweek round matches)
Bristol City v West Brom
Preston v Leeds
Sheff Wed v Nottm Forest
Blackburn v Derby
Bolton v Middlesbrough
Hull v Wigan
April 13th When Aston Villa v Bristol City
West Brom v Preston
Leeds v Sheff Wed
Middlesbrough v Hull
Derby v Bolton
Nottm Forest v Blackburn
April 19 Good Friday Bolton v Aston Villa
West Brom v Hull
Norwich v Sheff Wed
Sheff Utd v Nottm Forest
Bristol City v Reading
Birmingham v Derby
Middlesbrough v Stoke
Preston v Ipswich
April 22 Easter Mon :Aston Villa v Millwall
Hull v Sheff Utd
Nottm Forest v Middlesbrough
Sheff Wed v Bristol City
Wigan v Preston
Derby v QPR
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It is going to be very tight we need to keep winning.
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I have now seen that Bristol city went 2-1 behind after Hogan scored ! And that it was Weimann who scored all 3 for Bristol city!
Amazing result for them considering the poor form and Sheffield utd decent form
I was weary of them looking at things and it's worrying is they have matches in hand however it's positive that villa have to play them and need to keep winning as you say Chicago because the match on Tuesday and then a home match to Wigan could give Bristol the play off space back.
The irony that Bruce will be opposing the villa to maintain a play off position next week is not lost on any of us . Next week it's vital to distance ourselves from Sheffield Wednesday for starters as well as gaining points to maintain position of 5th or 6th pending Bristol city away Boro.
Regards the 13th I really feel Villa need the whole 3points both to dent Bristol push and promote own cause.
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I've just seen the Sheffield United v Brizzle highlights and have only one comment to make.
What on earth were Brizzle thinking when they decided that away kit was a good idea?! It's like they've given a four year old crack cocaine, a handful of highlighters, and 30 minutes with a notepad.
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Could be a huge win for Bristol City that. They still have a tough run in though. Boro away next so at least some dropped points from a rival,
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If we can get 76 points and with our goal difference I think we will get one of the two spots. Bristol and Derby worry me and will have 3 games in the last 10 days versus our 2, but they also play each other.
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We could have done without Sheff Utd fcukin up today. Obviously need to take care of our own business but we also need Boro, Bristol and Derby to drop points...and I expect they will, even though we'll have to take care of Bristol ourselves. Preston, Forest and Sheff Weds will fall away with their tricky figures.
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If I remember correctly, Steve Bruce has a piss poor record against Dean Smith so I expect he'll set up defensively against us at Sheff Weds next week...but if we play our game then we should have far too much for them. Whatever happens, we need to be coming home with 3pts.
Other fixtures to keep an eye on next week:
Tuesday
Boro vs Bristol (draw would be best result for us)
Saturday
Brentford vs Derby (potential for draw or home win)
Bristol vs Wigan (expect a home win)
Preston vs Sheff Utd (hopeful of a 6pt gap between us and Preston after an away win)
Rotherham vs Forest (have Rotherham got enough fight in them after their drubbing today? I doubt it)
Swansea vs Boro (wouldn't be surprised with a home win)
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Well it looks like the chase for 4th place could be on with Baggies imploding in their last 2 games vs Millwall and Bristol.
Could the chase for 4th be on with their remaining fixtures:
Preston (H)
Hull (H)
Reading (A)
Rotherham (H)
Derby (A)
They have some tricky fixtures there particularly against Preston and Derby, but Reading and Rotherham won't be push overs given their fight to stay up.
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Well it looks like the chase for 4th place could be on with Baggies imploding in their last 2 games vs Millwall and Bristol.
Could the chase for 4th be on with their remaining fixtures:
Preston (H)
Hull (H)
Reading (A)
Rotherham (H)
Derby (A)
They have some tricky fixtures there particularly against Preston and Derby, but Reading and Rotherham won't be push overs given their fight to stay up.
I was wondering how big an advantage playing at home in the 2nd leg is.
Away goals don't count in the play offs so the only real advantage that I can see is that the team who are at home in the 2nd leg will have the home crowd with them if it goes to ET and pens.
Other than that, it doesn't make a lot of difference as far as I'm concerned. With that in mind, I see no point in killing ourselves for 4th place if we have already qualified for 5th or 6th.
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I agree Brassneck. The only thing that matters is that we secure a playoff spot...preferably not 6th if possible as I'd rather we play Baggies in the semis. Finishing 4th would only give us bragging rights and the bonus of home advantage in the second leg.
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Leeds beat Sheffield Wednesday and stay in 2nd.
Sheffield United bottling like they did at villa Park !
Only drawing 1-1 at home to Millwall and they had a player sent off. Milwall score in 90 odd mins
Fair play to that Harris who is boss milwall he gives them something belief in staying up.
I feel that Sheffield Wednesday play off hopes another dent
Derby won 4-0 against a Bolton's beleaguers.
Boro won 1-0
WBA easy win 4-1 Preston who are now tailing off.
(Oh and lambo Ipswich are relegated)
1. Norwich 85
2.Leeds 82
3.Sheff Utd 79
4.West Brom73
5.Aston Villa69
6.Bristol City65
--------------------------
7.Middlesbrough 64
8.Derby 63
9.Hull 60
10.Sheff Wed 59
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Next 2 matches
April 19 Good Friday Bolton v Aston Villa
West Brom v Hull
Bristol City v Reading
Birmingham v Derby
Middlesbrough v Stoke
Forest v Sheffield Utd
Preston v Ipswich
April 22 Easter Mon :Aston Villa v Millwall
Reading v WBA
Sheff Wed v Bristol City
Derby v QPR
Nottm Forest v Middlesbrough
Hull v Sheff Utd
Wigan v Preston
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Some tough fixtures for clubs around us. Blues v Derby and Wednesday v Bristol City stand out. Boro's two games aren't easy either.
Derby have to play Bristol City too I believe? Good. Again though, we have to take care of our own business.
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Norwich will almost certainly be promoted by the time we play them, so they should be on the proverbial beach, and with all due respect I can't see Bolton putting up much resistance.
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Bugger. Leeds win today rules out automatic for us :(
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Today has seen any realistic chance of the top 6 end for Forest, Hull, Sheff Weds and Preston.
And then there were 4.
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And with our goal difference two wins from the last four guarantees the playoffs.
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Today has seen any realistic chance of the top 6 end for Forest, Hull, Sheff Weds and Preston.
And then there were 4.
2 quick turnaround of matches could sway things again.
I could not cast out till after these matches.but I could for 5th .
The reason being for 6th place teams still play each other and can take points means Hull , and at a push Wednesday and Preston could sneak in.
I see the 5th between Derby Bristol Boro and Villa. And I think our position is very nice looking ahead now rather than behind too much!
I can revise and join you in the less teams battling for playoffs 5th and 6th come Easter Monday.
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Today has seen any realistic chance of the top 6 end for Forest, Hull, Sheff Weds and Preston.
And then there were 4.
2 quick turnaround of matches could sway things again.
I could not cast out till after these matches.but I could for 5th .
The reason being for 6th place teams still play each other and can take points means Hull , and at a push Wednesday and Preston could sneak in.
I see the 5th between Derby Bristol Boro and Villa. And I think our position is very nice looking ahead now rather than behind too much!
I can revise and join you in the less teams battling for playoffs 5th and 6th come Easter Monday.
That is a bold statement re 5th position lol
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Bookmakers indication
TO MAKE PLAYOFFS BEST ODDS
Boro 4/9
Aston villa 5/4
Derby 3/1
Bristol City 10/3
Preston 7/2
Forest 14/1
Sheffield Wednesday 18/1
Hull 80/1
Now I hope those inclined invested !
At odds against .
Current odds To Make play offs
Aston Villa 1/25
Bristol City 4/7
Middlesboro 9/4
Derby 5/2
Hull 40/1
Wednesday 50/1
Preston 300/1
Forest 365/1
So at this moment Preston and Forest are really discounted . And perhaps could even be dismissed before the matches happen over easter weekend according to bookies.
You can actually get best odds of 150/1 Hull and 250/1 Sheffield Wednesday to make play offs. And could one of these sneak in at 6th place with a run?
To not finish in top 6
Villa 9/1
Bristol city 6/5
Middlesboro 2/7
Derby 1/3
And Villa are 9/4 to be promoted and that's over double money!
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Aston Villa compared to championship average
Points per game 1.64 villa 1.36 championship
Goals scored per game 1.83 villa 1.34 championship
Goals conceded per game 1.38 villa 1.34 championship
Home
Aston Villa v League average
Points per game 1.81 v 1.60
Goals scored per game 2.29 v 1.52
Goals conceded per game 1.62 v 1.16
Away
Aston Villa v League average
Points per game 1.48 v 1.11
Goals scored per game 1.38 v 1.16
Goals conceded per game 1.14 v 1.52
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Going into 2 matches over Easter the current form of championship teams:
Championship Form
1 Aston Villa WWWWWW
2 Norwich WWWWWD
3 Leeds WLWLWW
4 WBA WWWLLW
5 Bristol City DWWDWL
6 Sheff Utd WWLWDD
7 Hull City LDWWWL
8 Sheffield Wed WWDLWL
9 Blackburn WLLLWW
10 Swansea LLWWWL
11 Derby County DDWDLW
12 Reading LDWLDW
13 Millwall LWLWDD
14 Rotherham WLLWLD
15 Stoke City DDDWLD
16 Middlesbrough LLLLWW
17 Ipswich Town DDLWLD
18 Preston WWLLLL
19 QPR LDLLDW
20 Brentford LDLDWL
21 Birmingham LLLWDD
22 Wigan LLWDDL
23 Nottingham Forest LDWLLL
24 Bolton Wanderers LLWLLL
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Bugger. Leeds win today rules out automatic for us :(
I know.
Realistically, it wouldn't have happened anyway. We had too much ground to make up once Jack came back. If only he'd come back before he did!
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What a league the championship is!!
Having caught up with results well its quite something .
Btw I use this thread in both villa aspect but also detailing championship situation overall and especially atm around play offs who are to get in them but with eye in relegation teams that matter in matches v championship rivals for play off places.
Sometimes think confusion as am mentioning other clubs and what they are doing not necessarily with immediate or so much bearing to villa - think we finish 5th or maybe 4th but interesting to see what happened with other clubs
I like this league and will now kinda miss it if villa get what we all want!
However It seems more enjoyable than premier atm but maybe that's because villa are in it !
But also promote and relegation seems super exciting in comparison.
I think the lower leagues 2 may have some excitement but not as aware main focus championship and premier league in UK.
After the results I don't think need to wait till Easter Monday but my point stood that was pending teams to be discounted due to outcomes.
The matches meant that Sheffield Wed and Forest (4 defeats in a row ) and hull and preston despite a great 4-0 win (include sone wonder strokes by villa boy Robinson) out of it now as far concerned. Though not totally matchmatical it's high probability unlikely all 7 points off with 3 to go.
I now like to include Leeds and Sheff utd for play off and their fixtures
I would have included Norwich had they lost!
Results
West Brom 3-2 Hull
Bristol City 1-1 Reading
Birmingham 2-2 Derby
Middlesbrough 1-0 Stoke
Sheffield Utd 2-0 Forest
Preston 4-0 Ipswich
Table wise.
1. Norwich 87
2 Sheff Utd 82
3 Leeds 82
4. West Brom 76
5. Aston Villa 72
6. Middlesbrough 67
----------------------------------
7 Bristol City 66
8 Derby 64
Means we made 70+ points ahead of my initial forecast and at 72 only 3 needed to reach 75 however think villa could achieve now higher total that my forecast of 74/75 points .
Fixtures
April 22 Easter Mon :Aston Villa v Millwall
Reading v WBA
Nottm Forest v Middlesbrough
Sheff Wed v Bristol City
Derby v QPR
Hull v Sheff Utd
Brentford v Leeds
When villa play Leeds 28th April
On the Saturday fixtures:
Bristol City v Derby
Middlesbrough v Reading
West Brom v Rotherham
Sheff Utd v Ipswich
Norwich v Blackburn
Tues 30th April
Millwall v Bristol City
Wed 1st May
Swansea v Derby
Final games Sunday 5TH May!
Aston Villa v Norwich
Derby v WBA
Rotherham v Middlesbrough
Hull v Bristol City
Ipswich v Leeds
Stoke v Sheff Utd
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I’m gutted !
Given our last few performances and results I’ve been telling mates to get geared up for play off game against baggies.
However, I’ve just written out all top 11 clubs fixtures with guess results and I have ended up with ;
Norwich 100
Sheffield Utd 93
Leeds 93
WBA 87
Boro 76
Derby 73
AVFC 72
Bristol City 71
Preston 69
Forest 69
Sheffield W 65
One for once I bloody hope I’m proved wrong 😩. My guesses for us are pretty ok I think with maybe only debate my game v Bristol city to get additional points....
Blackburn W
Sheffield Wed D
Rotherham W
Bristol D
Bolton W
Millwall W
Leeds L
Norwich D
You have been very generous to the top 4. There is no way teams in 3rd and 4th are going to finish on 93 and 87. That's autopro points and Norwich are not going to hit 100. We will finish on 75 and 5th. Boro will not finish in top 6. Other than that your forecast is quite accurate.
That's a decent call at the time. On 5 th place
Points wise that was indication I had also forecasted but optimistically!
Now I think we could break our expectations but maybe the form will slow down I dunno !
Though I do feel at least 5th is somewhat secure
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Ok let's look forecast points total from 24 points and also final points
Going on what has occurred this season so far
and likely outcome based on stats
12+ pts
69,70,71pts based on season so far.
Villa will finish on 69pts with 12pts from last 8 because
Villa average 1.7 pts home
4 matches to play =6.8
Villa average 1.3 pts away
4 matches to play 5.2
5.2+6.8=12pts
Also-this season :Overall pts per match is 1.5 a match
Also Dean smith as manager average is 1.5
Villa finish on 70pts 13 points from 8 matches
This points forecast because minus the
Average points of home teams to play
Average points away teams to play
Villa finish with 71pts. 14 pts from 8 games because :
Recent form of the last 8 games is 1 .75 pts a match = 14 pts
So if villa match the current form with the remaining 8 matches or further improve then villa can achieve a +70points total .
However in last 8 matches have reduced goal conceded to average 1 per match if continued to be matched in remaining 8 I think would bring another 3/4 points in forecast.
for last 8 matches -There for I am optimistically forecasting at maximum 17/18pts and villa having potential to finish on 74/75pts .
(Though I do think be pushing it to get 15/16 points ! )
Personally I would confidently forecast with high probability victories in 4/8 matches
Blackburn 3
Rotherham 3
Milwall 3
Bolton 3
A very good chance of victory v Bristol City 1/3pts
The away matches of Sheff wed 1 pts
12-14pts achieved at this stage would be above expected stat expectations based on matches so far this season
So going into final 2matches being on 69 pts 70 or 71pts would give the chance for my forecast points to be met 17/18pts .
(I gave the extra 3/4 points from what is a best 14point based in stats of season due to to the goals conceded per game being reduced and the continue high goals scored per game )
Those two final matches are the variables Leeds , Norwich to expectations .
I'll forecast the final 2 matches 0-3pts
12pts to 18 pts is the likelihood in range of points villa will achieve
So that's 69 -75pts.
If going in to last two have achieved 14pts then that has met stats expectations. And the final 2 matches could provide the extra pts.
If more than 14 from 18pts have been achieved in the first 6 matches then that's a very healthy position to be in regardless how the other clubs around villa are performing.
So healthy !
That was 15 points from 15 nevermind
In first 5 of last 8
Nevermind getting 14 from 18
The club record run done major wonders and exceeded probability and expectations however as the momentum took the points per match went up as did confidence so based on current form it's obviously 3 more wins!
That said think now looking at Leeds and Norwich forecast of 0-3 pts in those two matches as too low!!
But I wouldn't be surprised if see some draws if we slowing down and changing team .
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You have to factor dropping points in along the way, so with the 8 fixtures remaining I think 14-15pts (out of a possible 24pts) would be a realistic minimal target. The real question is whether or not 71-72pts would be enough to get us in the playoffs...so you have to start asking will 2 of the following teams get the following number of points or more:
Boro: 13-14pts (9 games to play)
Preston: 14-15pts
Derby: 15-16pts (9 games to play)
Bristol: 16-17pts (10 games to play)
Wednesday: 16-17pts
Forest: 17-18pts
Hull: 20-21pts
Blose: 21-22pts
Over to you footyskillz...I look forward to seeing your analysis! Have fun :)
Just like I don't see Middlesboro poor form continuing rate of 1pt per match average meaning finish if 67pts
I also don't see the Preston north end continuous hot form in last 8 at 2.5 pts per game equalled for the final 8 matches. They would achieve -77pts !
Middlesbrough matches home 5 away 4.
70-72pts
70pts if they match the average season pts per game 1.57 = 12pts
And I've included boros home and away avearge after mentioned poor form points per match wanted another measurement for forecasting (this is because that 1pt a match is pretty hopeless and really ? Are they just going to collapse to that poor form for another 8 matches?!)
Boro 72pts. From expected home average and away average 14pts
Home average points 1.5 (X5)
Away average points 1.63(x4)
Preston 69pts-77pts
69pts Matching Season average 1.5 = 12pts
77pts matching current form
Preston need to maintain their great form and would be a real contender
Derby county 66pts -68pts
66pts If continue current form 10pts
68pts On Average pts per match for season =12pts
Bristol city 69-70pts
69pts On current form 13.8 pts - 14pts
70pts On season average = minimum of 15pts
Bristol city are a real contender due to 2 extra matches. Thank fully Boro and Bristol city play each other !
Sheffield Wednesday 66/67 pts - 71pts
71pts equalling current form =16pts
On season avearge=11/12pts
Wednesday need to continue to maintain their current form if so they are a real contender but can they maintain this form ??
Nottingham Forest 65/66pts
Equalling current form =12pts
On season average= 11pts
Summary -Forest would have to improve form and on points from season
Hull City 59pts-62pts
59 Current form 8pts
61/62 Season form 10/11pts
Hull have to super perform to get anywhere near
I'm not interested in Birmingham city the irrelevant!
Boro , Preston , Wednesday and Bristol City could all hit 70+pts based on this. For me I see Boro to get to the 71pts+ the other clubs need to reexamination of their fixtures for forecast
I feel Boro form could rise and Wednesday and Preston slow down .Bristol city are very interesting but then you bring in their fixtures and they are challenging .Conversely Derby fixtures less so. That said of all the clubs in contention some of these teams will pick up form and some will drop off . It's a potential indication but it's also noting fixtures of the opposition and also looking at home and away averages too for further indications
I still take Boro on the 6th place. But like Derby
And Leeds for 3rd. (Both them and Sheffield utd show to me major bottling and that's a good thing for the villa , derby are good cup team and if they get be itching like an sti for them and Leeds semi)
However I would see some sweet irony and then major ex Chelsea sky play offs final love in with Villa Derby after Derby dispose of Bielsa Leeds and karma for spy gate.
Sky would want this story the most . And football people want to see semis
WBA Villa
And Derby leeds
Then Lampard JT play off final
And Villa of course win!
I think I like that rather than the drab Boro being in play offs but they ground out another 1-0 and may just have something.
Of course a few options for play off semis !
But like those world cup prediction things having a look at route to glory.
Sheffield utd villa play off final would be too much to take ! For those sorry blades! Any lead less than 4 they wouldn't feel secure!
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QI
https://twitter.com/SkyBet/status/1118876543332311040
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What's it like having your very own thread, Skillz?
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FFS
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With 2 games to go we still have a big say on who will win the league and who gets automatically promoted now that we have to play Leeds and Norwich.
If Leeds beat Brentford this evening then with 2 to play the top 3 will be:
Norwich: 88pts (+34)
Sheff Utd: 85pts (+35)
Leeds Utd: 85pts (+26?)
Fixtures remaining:
Norwich:
Blackburn (H)
Villa (A)
Sheff Utd:
Ipswich (H)
Stoke (A)
Leeds:
Villa (H)
Ipswich (A)
Looks like the Championship could go to the last day of the season, and how Dean approaches these games with the playoffs in mind may actually influence the outcome.
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Looks like Leeds have fucked up their chance of automatic promotion if they lose to Brentford (2-0 as it stands), so we might not have such a big part to play after all! :D Looks like top 2 will be between Norwich and Sheff Utd now with Leeds in 3rd.
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There has been an overly frenetic quality to Leeds under Bielsa. They have put in some storming performances, including the one at Villa Park, but I have been expecting them to blow a gasket.
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Leeds have blown it. Sheff U play Ipswich on Saturday so with their superior goal difference Leeds can’t catch them even if they win their last two.
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Footyskillz deserves his own thread. In fact I reckon he should start his own Podcast. I thought I was a football statto but Mr F. Skillz does his research. H&V is a far better place with him around.
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Not a good time to lose form. Alioski also injured for Leeds too. Guaranteed third and likely to play a resurgent Derby in the play off semi. Derby could be a problem as they are quite unpredictable and have some really good players.
Over the last 10 games, Albion have 1.7 points per game, that's not brilliant either. Squeeky bum time but I'm glad we are involved, having been where we were just after Christmas. What a run of results!!
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In the spirit of Danny Baker, and his cry of 'NOTHING CAN GO WRONG NOW', whenever Millwall take a lead...Leeds have fucked it and we will triumph.
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A playoff final against Derby looks fairly likely based on today’s results.
And that’s a great thing because as (I think) Soccer HQ pointed out, Derby just look like a team we’ve figured out and could beat 100 times in a row.
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Nothing personal Daz (honest) but finally the evil Boro cannot each 75 points this season.
Bristol City really should get 6th still, I think they'll beat Derby at home.
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Yep, despite Derby’s seemingly good position, the Achilles heel of their away form could bite hard as they’ve got to go to Brizzle then Swansea. And Swansea who remarkably could still get in.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48039297
(https://i.ibb.co/R2ZQ543/596-E9812-B8-F3-4-B6-C-866-E-13856-C731-EE4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R2ZQ543)
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Randolph is always garbage when I see him play.
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SJM is unlucky not to be in that.
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SJM is unlucky not to be the entire team.
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Nothing personal Daz (honest) but finally the evil Boro cannot each 75 points this season.
Bristol City really should get 6th still, I think they'll beat Derby at home.
👍🏻 You’re right when I posted my predictions 9/10 games out for the top 11, they’ve lost 3 games I said they would draw v Bristol, SWANSEA and forest . So not that far out considering amount of games predicted, they should win last 2 and end on 73 in 6th I think, originally I said 5th.
I still go with Bristol ending on 71, and they’re on course with me predicting their next 3 to be 2 wins and a draw finishing 7th.
Then derby who from their last 10 I’ve only got 1 wrong, ending with 3 draws finishing in 8th on 70 pts, just 3 out from my original prediction
Pretty close with all games, with ourselves missing my guess by the most....but it’s +4 and we’ll all rather that
UTV
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SJM is unlucky not to be in that.
It's 433 and shoehorning Sharp into the team. I wouldn't have him in there and place SJM in a midfield 4 and then it's
a great team.
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Ours is the only team I want him to be in!
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SJM is unlucky not to be in that.
It's 433 and shoehorning Sharp into the team. I wouldn't have him in there and place SJM in a midfield 4 and then it's
a great team.
They're just the players that have got the most votes in their respective positions, they're not trying to create a well balanced side! ;)
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SJM is unlucky not to be in that.
It's 433 and shoehorning Sharp into the team. I wouldn't have him in there and place SJM in a midfield 4 and then it's
a great team.
They're just the players that have got the most votes in their respective positions, they're not trying to create a well balanced side! ;)
If creating a well balanced side wasn't part of the criteria they should have just let Steve Bruce pick the team.
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yes but it would have consisted of six right backs and one centre half, leaving little room for much else.
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Sheffield United fully deserve their promotion.
Just an example of a manager building a club up on relatively modest budget.
Have to credit them for also bouncing back from our epic comeback in February.
Think they'll surprise a few next season as they play decent football with a formation that can be difficult to counter if things click as Wolves have shown.
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Sheffield United are co-owned by a very rich Arab. So, are loaded. Good luck to them.
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Sheffield United are co-owned by a very rich Arab. So, are loaded. Good luck to them.
He's been there since their league one days.
They spent 4m last summer which was all on John Egan. Sold Brooks to Bournemouth for 11.5m.
https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2328&teamTabs=transfers
Previous summer they didn't spend much either, signed loads of players from league one.
By the standards in championship these days it is a meagre budget.
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which makes their achievement this season very satisfying.
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Despite their manager, I feel a little sorry for Bristol city. They play good football and they’ve had most things go against them over the last few weeks.
Ah well.
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Despite their manager, I feel a little sorry for Bristol city. They play good football and they’ve had most things go against them over the last few weeks.
Ah well.
Fuck them, two-bob shithouses with a chip on each shoulder.
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What is the situation with Bolton? If they don't fulfil their fixtures, is there the possibility that results will be nullified?
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What is the situation with Bolton? If they don't fulfil their fixtures, is there the possibility that results will be nullified?
Brentford and Forest will get 3-0 wins. Blackpool Charlton a few years back was abandoned on last day so no chance to replay game and Charlton just got a 3-0 awarded.
In other news Norwich need a point v us to lift the title at VP.....
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What is the situation with Bolton? If they don't fulfil their fixtures, is there the possibility that results will be nullified?
They have to play their remaining fixtures even if with the kids. The only reason the game was postponed yesterday was because the reserves had played too recently, and the EFL were concerned about their welfare playing two games that close together.
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Despite their manager, I feel a little sorry for Bristol city. They play good football and they’ve had most things go against them over the last few weeks.
Ah well.
Fuck them, two-bob shithouses with a chip on each shoulder.
This.
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Looking at the final West Brom and Leeds fixtures, it is a not unreasonable possibility we could be playing Leeds in the play-off semis.
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Looking at the final West Brom and Leeds fixtures, it is a not unreasonable possibility we could be playing Leeds in the play-off semis.
Leeds have got Ipswich. PAul Lambert's Ipswich.
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Looking at the final West Brom and Leeds fixtures, it is a not unreasonable possibility we could be playing Leeds in the play-off semis.
Leeds have got Ipswich. PAul Lambert's Ipswich.
Paul Lambert's excellent, really excellent Ipswich.
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SJM is unlucky not to be in that.
It's 433 and shoehorning Sharp into the team. I wouldn't have him in there and place SJM in a midfield 4 and then it's
a great team.
Nothing personal Daz (honest) but finally the evil Boro cannot each 75 points this season.
Bristol City really should get 6th still, I think they'll beat Derby at home.
Well after Bristol defeat to derby and their win last night I predicted a win away to hull this weekend so they finish on 72. I’ve got derby drawing at Swansea tonight and v baggies sat so ending on 72 currently, I predicted 73 though 8 games ago.
As you say I was slightly out with boro getting 76, but still think they’ll finish 6th on 73
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Another correct prediction tonight with derby draw and I’m sticking with boro for finishing 6th as I’ve done since start of this thread
On an aside sky just announced main live game Sunday is derby v baggies
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Another correct prediction tonight with derby draw and I’m sticking with boro for finishing 6th as I’ve done since start of this thread
On an aside sky just announced main live game Sunday is baggies v derby
Derby v bitters to be accurate.
Which just gives Derby the edge I reckon and they’ll squeak in.
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Another correct prediction tonight with derby draw and I’m sticking with boro for finishing 6th as I’ve done since start of this thread
On an aside sky just announced main live game Sunday is baggies v derby
Derby v bitters to be accurate.
Which just gives Derby the edge I reckon and they’ll squeak in.
Oooops sorry, post edited 👍🏻
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Villa v Derby in the final. You heard it here first. Big build up all about wanky Franky and Big JT.
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Villa v Derby in the final. You heard it here first. Big build up all about wanky Franky and Big JT.
Derby 3 Albion 1. Although the third is from a dodgy penalty award.
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41,696 makes us best supported club, as if we didn’t know 😩
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Hal Robson-Kanu sent off for West Brom. Straight red. Play off suspension?
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Hal Robson-Kanu sent off for West Brom. Straight red. Play off suspension?
Yes He will miss the lot
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He will only miss two games....
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So he has to sit out both legs against us.
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I guess, on current form, we go in as favourites. Lots of pundits tipping us to go up. I hope Dean takes no notice of any of it and keeps us totally professional with his one game at a time mentality.
Can someone confirm when the games are please?
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He will only miss two games....
That’s what I meant as that is all they will play
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Can someone confirm when the games are please?
1st leg
Saturday 11th May
12:30pm: Villa vs Baggies
5:15pm: Derby vs Leeds
2nd leg
Tuesday 14th May
8:00pm: Baggies vs Villa
Wednesday 15th May
7:45pm: Leeds vs Derby
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41,696 makes us best supported club, as if we didn’t know 😩
When things are going well
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41,696 makes us best supported club, as if we didn’t know 😩
When things are going well
We had a crowd of over 41k when we were in mid-table too.
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41,696 makes us best supported club, as if we didn’t know 😩
When things are going well
I think our home and away support has been excellent given everything we have had to put up with in the last decade or so.
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I’m gutted !
Given our last few performances and results I’ve been telling mates to get geared up for play off game against baggies.
However, I’ve just written out all top 11 clubs fixtures with guess results and I have ended up with ;
Norwich 100
Sheffield Utd 93
Leeds 93
WBA 87
Boro 76
Derby 73
AVFC 72
Bristol City 71
Preston 69
Forest 69
Sheffield W 65
One for once I bloody hope I’m proved wrong 😩. My guesses for us are pretty ok I think with maybe only debate my game v Bristol city to get additional points....
Blackburn W
Sheffield Wed D
Rotherham W
Bristol D
Bolton W
Millwall W
Leeds L
Norwich D
Well stand up and be counted....
My points variation from predictions 10 games ago
Norwich -6
Sheff Utd -4
Leeds -10
WBA -7
AVFC +4
Derby +1
Boro -3
Bristol city -1
Forest -3
Sheff wed -1
Preston -8
Not too bad overall given the amount of games involved but my predictions would have been pretty form based at the time hence we ended with best surplus given our run. Preston just fell away but interestingly Dirty Leeds ended with the worst sequence expected...dare I say it all bodes well for the next couple of weeks , come on boys UTV
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And there was me thinking you predicted Boro on 75 points. ;D
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41,696 makes us best supported club, as if we didn’t know 😩
When things are going well
I think our home and away support has been excellent given everything we have had to put up with in the last decade or so.
Away has always been fantastic. Home not always so.
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Just to put that into perspective. We are the top team attendance wise in the championship and 9th top average in football in England.
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More than chelsea today.
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More than chelsea today.
Like I said great when things are going well. Not so great when they’re not going well.
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More than chelsea today.
Like I said great when things are going well. Not so great when they’re not going well.
You mean like that last 8 years where we've been by and large shit and bordering embarrassing at time setting numerous negative club records yet we've only had 9 higher average attendances in the past 40 years.
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We've averaged more than we did last season despite finishing lower. Our support is fantastic and attempting to say otherwise is just moaning for the sake of it.
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More than chelsea today.
Like I said great when things are going well. Not so great when they’re not going well.
Thats Chelsea qualifying for the champs league and us in the second division.
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Just to put that into perspective. We are the top team attendance wise in the championship and 9th top average in football in England.
Brilliant. Trying to think the other 8?
Manure
Man City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
Newcastle
West Ham
Chelsea by a whisker?
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Nice to see the manager of Birmingham City being as classy as its fans.
https://twitter.com/justin180676/status/1125056426932678658?s=21
They carry the name of the city you know.
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Nice to see the manager of Birmingham City being as classy as its fans.
https://twitter.com/justin180676/status/1125056426932678658?s=21
They carry the name of the city you know.
The only surprise is that he didn’t do the interview wearing one of the Paul Mitchell masks that the dickheads were wearing yesterday.
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Just to put that into perspective. We are the top team attendance wise in the championship and 9th top average in football in England.
Brilliant. Trying to think the other 8?
Manure
Man City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
Newcastle
West Ham
Chelsea by a whisker?
Evertron I would of thought
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Just to put that into perspective. We are the top team attendance wise in the championship and 9th top average in football in England.
Brilliant. Trying to think the other 8?
Manure
Man City
Spurs
Arsenal
Liverpool
Newcastle
West Ham
Chelsea by a whisker?
Evertron I would of thought
Yes, we're 10th I believe. Everton have averaged nearly 39K, and Chelsea just over 40K. There's then a big jump to Newcastle with 51K. We're miles ahead of the likes of Leicester, Cardiff and Wolves though, the next tier down in the Premier League.
Leeds would be 11th, and Sunderland 12th.
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More than chelsea today.
Like I said great when things are going well. Not so great when they’re not going well.
Thats Chelsea qualifying for the champs league and us in the second division.
XX what's your problem? You sound like a nose on a mission...
Our support has been nothing short of phenomenal through the utter shit we've had to endure. As for when we've been doing better than hoped in the SECOND division - astounding. Lighten up mate, enjoy it.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
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We'll never know unless we do it. We should, the North Stand is dangerous.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
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And we mustn't forget that the thought of it being sold out (when it's not) puts people off trying to buy because they think it's sold out. Heard that loads of times.
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I'd think we'd get into the low 50s for some games. Even in this league.
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Marketed correctly, we could average fifty thousand, if we had a ground that held 55k or more. The drag effect of having loads of midweek games wouldn't affect us so much if we got promoted, for starters.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
This is what I've always said. Throughout our history we've usually had good attendances but rarely had great ones. It's fine to say we could fill 50 thousand for the big games, and maybe more than that, but for just as many against (insert team at the bottom of whatever league we're in) we struggle to get much above thirty. Villa Park is a horrible, lifeless place with twelve thousand empty seats; imagine it with three more Upper Trinities?
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
It wasn't most weeks at all and that was the first year we finished 6th. The next two years we finished 6th and our average dropped each season.
-
That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
It wasn't most weeks at all and that was the first year we finished 6th. The next two years we finished 6th and our average dropped each season.
That was because the football served up was sh!t....
I think that DS variety will attract much better crowds.
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strange thought that Terry has witnessed bigger crowds since joining Villa than he did at Chelsea.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
This is what I've always said. Throughout our history we've usually had good attendances but rarely had great ones. It's fine to say we could fill 50 thousand for the big games, and maybe more than that, but for just as many against (insert team at the bottom of whatever league we're in) we struggle to get much above thirty. Villa Park is a horrible, lifeless place with twelve thousand empty seats; imagine it with three more Upper Trinities?
This is true and there aren't that many clubs who would bring to Villa Park what we take to other grounds, except maybe for the likes of Man Utd and Liverpool. I reckon 44 to 48k would more than suffice.
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You cant take the club forwards if you're worrying about the past. Build it and they will come.
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Rebuild it when we're safely back in the prem and attempting to qualify for europe again.
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I've mentioned this previously but I understand the stadium for the Commonwealth games will hold approx 40,000. Would it be feasible to move there for a season if we need to make significant improvements to Villa Park? A whole new stadium could be built in a year easily enough.
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And there was me thinking you predicted Boro on 75 points. ;D
No I reposted my original predictions...maybe it got revised half way through based on some actual updates left with remaining original predictions ? I’m sure you’ll know 🤣🤣
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
It wasn't most weeks at all and that was the first year we finished 6th. The next two years we finished 6th and our average dropped each season.
That was because the football served up was sh!t....
I think that DS variety will attract much better crowds.
I can't imagine West Ham fans are overwhelmed by their style of play but they've still averaged over 56,000 for three seasons.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
It wasn't most weeks at all and that was the first year we finished 6th. The next two years we finished 6th and our average dropped each season.
That was because the football served up was sh!t....
I think that DS variety will attract much better crowds.
I can't imagine West Ham fans are overwhelmed by their style of play but they've still averaged over 56,000 for three seasons.
Actual fans attending are much lower. 56,000 includes the masses of giveaways and hugely reduced tickets. There was an investigation in to premier league clubs and official attendances and actual attendances and West Hams were just over 40,000 on average but reported as much higher because of the handouts. It was on BBC website, probably still google-able.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
It wasn't most weeks at all and that was the first year we finished 6th. The next two years we finished 6th and our average dropped each season.
That was because the football served up was sh!t....
I think that DS variety will attract much better crowds.
I can't imagine West Ham fans are overwhelmed by their style of play but they've still averaged over 56,000 for three seasons.
Mid table in the prem and they have splashed out on bums on seats players over last three years....Payet, Felipe Anderson, Jordan Hugill......
Get them back in the championship and they'd struggle to get over 40k.
If we go up they'd be an initial feel good factor so I can see us getting 40k crowds for more than half our games.
Good Time to do a rebuild would be say March of the first season back if we're comfortably established but obviously would need planning permission well before. Important not to play a whole season anyway infront of construction boards as I think Arsenal did in the early 90s.
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What's West Ham's record like at their new stadium compared to the few years at Upton Park before?
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You cant take the club forwards if you're worrying about the past. Build it and they will come.
Very much my take on the future
The world of football and its fanbase is very different these days history can only tell you so much.
I have always believed that Aston Villa well run from the top down has potential that as never been realised.
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You cant take the club forwards if you're worrying about the past. Build it and they will come.
Very much my take on the future
The world of football and its fanbase is very different these days history can only tell you so much.
I have always believed that Aston Villa well run from the top down has potential that as never been realised.
Part of the problem at Villa is that our history is so big and important that anything which risks moving from that is seen as terrible so there's a tough balance to strike between modern and traditional. Filling in the corners is a good example, I hate the idea but it would be a fairly simple way to add a couple of thousand extra seats during a renovation of the north stand.
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that makes sense to me in so much as it's a limited liability in terms of return on capital - the problem is the whole of that end of the ground needs rebuilding.
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You'd need the space behind the north for the footprint of the stand. I'd guess the front of the stand would be several yards back from where it is so it could wrap easily with the Trinity and Witton.
A museum inside any new build would be good.
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That's the thing with our fanbase which caught Lerner out.
We get "good" attendances regardless of what's going on on the pitch. We're arguably the most loyal fans out there. But even when we're doing well it doesn't get that much better - during our run of 6th place finishes in the Prem we only sold out half a dozen times a season.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if we had a 50k capacity stadium (ie build it and they will come) but it would be a gamble based on our track record.
There was one year under O'Neill (07/08) when we sold out most weeks, and averaged over 40K.
It wasn't most weeks at all and that was the first year we finished 6th. The next two years we finished 6th and our average dropped each season.
GFC could well have had a bearing on that. Our level of support actually surprises me, given the financial hardship faced by so many people in the region. When I first started working, mid-90’s, I never really gave a second thought about the cost of going to the football. It would likely be a different story in these times.
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You cant take the club forwards if you're worrying about the past. Build it and they will come.
Which is easy to say when it's not your £200m or whatever it would cost these days.
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You cant take the club forwards if you're worrying about the past. Build it and they will come.
Which is easy to say when it's not your £200m or whatever it would cost these days.
You shouldn't buy a club our size without the ambition to drive it forwards.