Promotion Maths

[olaftab]

There is now a clear  incompatiblity between what we need and capability of our manager. Bruce  has averaged 1.8 points per game in his successful promotion seasons and that's exactly what he is achieving with us however as we need 2.0 per game play offs would appear to be not on unless teams in and around the play off group drop more points than average in the next 25 games and sixth place is secured with 73 to 75 points.

[Richard E]

Until we learn to win away games on anything approaching a reasonably regular basis we won't be bothering the top 6.

You watch, we'll crack that and then start losing at home.

[adrenachrome]

There is now a clear  incompatiblity between what we need and capability of our manager. Bruce  has averaged 1.8 points per game in his successful promotion seasons and that's exactly what he is achieving with us however as we need 2.0 per game play offs would appear to be not on unless teams in and around the play off group drop more points than average in the next 25 games and sixth place is secured with 73 to 75 points.

Doctor Tony will enable SB to produce the requisite additional 0.2  ppg by using Ch’an meditation practice to release his true capabilities and achieve silent illumination. 

[SoccerHQ]

Tomorrow is really looking like a must win game now given the results of our rivals in midweek and today.

This time last week we just 3 off 6th, now it's 8 I think.

Our away form is dismal, we need to break that mentality and three points would set us up very nicely for two home games over xmas.

If we can win tomorrow and then beat Burton that would give us 34 points after 23 games. Over a full season that's 68....generally you need 75 points to be sure of top 6 so we'd need to churn out two more wins and a draw than what we've done already....should be achievable given our terrible results under RDM.

[PeterWithesShin]

Sadly it's 9 points.

We've scored 6 goals in 11 games away from home, the lowest in the division. When Rotherham score more away from home you know you have problems.

[Old Kodjia]

On a positive note, for me anyway, now that Brighton are 20 points ahead of us, it takes away the "every game is a cup tie" syndrome that I was feeling.  We are now firmly placed in a battle to reach the play offs and the odd draw or loss here & there is not going to put too much of a dent  into that target.

How ironic that only a few weeks ago, a win at Brighton would have seen us just 10 points behind them-More or less what we now are currently from the play offs.

I don't want to start sounding like a stuck record but win, draw, win, draw, loss is not going to get us up the table.  We need to string winning sequences together as all of the teams above us have done.

[villadelph]

Looking at the table makes me cringe.

I don't see it happening this year..

[itbrvilla]

We'll still be in this division next year.  The team just lacks any real chemistry.  With the exception of a couple of hours play we've been mostly lackluster and have barely created any meaningful chances. Really disappointing.

[Karlos96]

I didn't expect us to get up this season, I thought we'd be around mid table.  After the complete mess we were in it was never going to be a quick turnaround.

[villan from luton]

I think the wake up call should have been after the Leeds game, where they were there for the taking and we were so negative. We were lucky to beat Wigan and then another non-performance at another team devoid of confidence. Bruce has now come out and said it is not good enough, I really hope he changes things tomorrow and makes us a more attacking unit. I have defended Westwood, but he was truly awful at Norwich and we need legs alongside Jedinak. There is an awful long time to go and I think the play offs is certainly still on, but we need to show some balls and go for these teams, starting with the little knob aka as Holloway

[Matt Collins]

Still think it's possible

 But I think we're so far off being a good side with an established pattern of play that it may be best to wait for next season

[four fornicholl]

28 from 21 equates to 56 from 42 plus a couple, no where near where we need to be.

[villan from luton]

Of course the play offs are still possible, this division is mad. The manager needs to find the best system and January will help him. I am a bit concerned by his comments about Kodjia being best out wide, as Leeds and Norwich especially he was anonymous. I want him up top with someone nearby (McCormack?) or even Rudy, who will get goals if given the right service. I think 4-4-2 is the way to stretch teams

[Ads]

Norwich were 8th - 0 points; very poor display.
Leeds were 6th and are now 5th - 0 points; the start of three lacklustre performances.
Brighton were and still are second - 1 point; should have won.
Small Heath were top 6 and have now dropped out - 1 point; we've never played well at the Sty in my life time. They're always needle full, scrappy, close games.
Reading were top six, now 3rd - 3 points; better side and deserved the winner.

Our away form is poor, but it's not like the last five away games could have been much harder. All top six bar Norwich, with a local derby to boot.

Everybody has to come to B6. It's 9 points now but three wins in a row likely puts us a maximum of 4 behind 5th place Leeds.

That's what we've got to keep doing. Beating these shit houses at home, which we invariably find a way to do and alleviate some pressure by winning away.

QPR are utter Blues, we need to go there and win, I think we will too. Then Burton and Leeds offer another 6 points to cap the year off before we make it rain in January with the filthy dollar.

I'll eat all the hats if we are not top 6.

[villan from luton]

Ads, I admire your optimism, but we have to start really playing as a team in a system that suits us and think we are far from that at the moment. Lets hope tomorrow we will see a slightly different system and take the game to inferior opposition.