The run-in leading up to 2013

[Matt Collins]

I do think we've got to the point where we are competing fairly evenly with the vast majority of sides we play. But we're unlikely to get above the bottom 5 whilst we retain the worst goalscoring record in the top flight.

[Mouse Potato]

4 out of 4 for me. Hope that breaks in my next 2 though.

Is somebody telling porkies?

v Arsenal 24.11.12 (H) LOSE            ACTUAL 0-0 DRAW  1pt
v Reading 27.11.12 (H) WIN             ACTUAL 1-0 WIN     3pt
v QPR 1.12.12 (A) DRAW                  ACTUAL 1-1 DRAW  1pt
v Stoke City 8.12.12 (H) DRAW         ACTUAL 0-0 DRAW 1pt
v Liverpool 15.12.12 (A) LOSE
v Chelsea 23.12.12 (A) LOSE
v Spurs 26.12.12 (H) DRAW
v Wigan Athletic 29.12.12 (H) WIN

9 out of 24.

[IFWaters]

To be 'on track' for survival we need to be on 20 points after the Wigan game. 6 points from those 5 games is possible but its so important to try to get something from Stoke. Even if we only have 2 games worth of credit left on the bent-o-meter surely this and Wigan are the games to use that credit and try to get the points.

We now need 5 points from Chelsea, Pool, Spurs and Wigan to be on 20 points after 20 games, on track for the 38 points which would give us better than even chance of survival (avg in last 10 seasons is 37.4). Put another way we need 6 more wins and 5 more draws. Wigan is a huge game. As another poster said we are holding our own in defence against all bar top 5 teams' but we have to be able to create and score.

[levico]

To be 'on track' for survival we need to be on 20 points after the Wigan game. 6 points from those 5 games is possible but its so important to try to get something from Stoke. Even if we only have 2 games worth of credit left on the bent-o-meter surely this and Wigan are the games to use that credit and try to get the points.

We now need 5 points from Chelsea, Pool, Spurs and Wigan to be on 20 points after 20 games, on track for the 38 points which would give us better than even chance of survival (avg in last 10 seasons is 37.4). Put another way we need 6 more wins and 5 more draws. Wigan is a huge game. As another poster said we are holding our own in defence against all bar top 5 teams' but we have to be able to create and score.

Only 2 points needed from 3 games now. Be great if we could double that.

[johncvilla88]

Only got to get one more win and Lamberts with have already equalled McCleish record of 9 victories in a season!

[ciggiesnbeer]

Tough couple of games coming up. But we already have 3 more pts than I expected so I am happy enough. Chelsea has in my view the second best squad in the league (after man City) so I expect us to get a tonking. From Wigan onwards I am hoping we can grab a few points though. At least now we have a nice little cushion to ease our nerves.

[Irish villain]

I remember saying I would be reasonably happy if we had 19 points going into the new year. As things stand, we are well on track to have over 20 points going into the New Year. We can beat Wigan and, are Spurs really that great? I wasn't that impressed with them today.

Wouldn't it be great to be safe by about March?

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Draw against Chelsea and Spurs, then a convincing win against Wigan.

I'd be more than happy with that.

[Irish villain]

Just looked at last season's results, we had 21 points at this stage last season and 24 after our New Year's Eve win against Chelsea.

I think we are all much more confident that we will have a good second half of the season this time around! What dragged us down last eyar was the shambolic loss of form in 2012, particularly at home.

You can't really compare the two seasons at all.

[Dan England]

I know I'll have my good old Villa back when we get 4 points from Chelski and Spurs but then get beaten at home by Wigan!

[IFWaters]

Let's keep or feet on the ground. We still need another

To be 'on track' for survival we need to be on 20 points after the Wigan game. 6 points from those 5 games is possible but its so important to try to get something from Stoke. Even if we only have 2 games worth of credit left on the bent-o-meter surely this and Wigan are the games to use that credit and try to get the points.

We now need 5 points from Chelsea, Pool, Spurs and Wigan to be on 20 points after 20 games, on track for the 38 points which would give us better than even chance of survival (avg in last 10 seasons is 37.4). Put another way we need 6 more wins and 5 more draws. Wigan is a huge game. As another poster said we are holding our own in defence against all bar top 5 teams' but we have to be able to create and score.

Only 2 points needed from 3 games now. Be great if we could double that.

5 or 6 wins, but we should be able to dothat if we keep our confidence.

[tomd2103]

Chelsea will be a tough one (thought that last season though!), but I think Spurs and Wigan at home are both winnable games. 

[Hookeysmith]

Chelsea arrive back in UK today and then face Leeds (certainly no pushover) on Wed - they then play a rejuvernated Villa

I honestly fancy us on Sat - i just can see FSW saying how tired the little loves are

[danno]

think we may be playing them Sunday?

[PaulWinch again]

We are at 16.00.