40% of the season gone

[Scapegoat]

With 18 games on the table we are all but 40% of the way through the table and with some assumptions on the games in hand we are probably 4 points off the Play-Off pace.

 

We are also 10 points clear of relegation and 9 points off the top.

 

 

LJs comments about the teams we have played away could mean that a similar level of performance over the rest of the season would see us close that gap with the 5th and 6th teams - particularly with a few cruicial home wins against teams around and about.

 

 

My summary of the season so far is that our performances and league position don't seem to match-up. We have the best squad in a decade playing confident passing football and dominating games against some quality opposition.

 

It often feels as though we come out of draws feeling that we were the better team, that we should have won (the feeling often encourgaged by social media comments from the oppostiion supporters) etc etc.

 

But they say the league table doesn't lie.

 

So perhaps we flatter to decieve? Perhaps we are not as good as we think? Perhaps a season that means we don't finish on a mid-50s points total (that we seem to have done for years) and end up with 65+ points and finish Top 10 is actually where we are and would represent good progress?

 

But it feels like that would be a season that we have not maximised our potential.

 

I feel like I am watching a side good enough to finish 4th or 5th and have a good shout in the Play-Offs.

 

 

[leeslover]

We're still far too reliant Forte to score, hence not being further up. We'll need goals from elsewhere to push on be it in the squad or elsewhere

[b0ndl1ne]

I'm sure most will agree with me in that i would normally be happy with a top 10 finish if it wasn't for the knowledge that we'd lose 5 or 6 of our strongest XI and I don't think we'd replace them therefore it's hoping for that 6th spot

[lookersstandandy]

Draws at home to Crawley and Gillingham suggest - regardless of the predominance of top team away games thus far - that we aren't quite a Top-6 side yet.

 

History and our average home gates tell us we are likely to lose someone in Jan.... if it's Forte then we're in a bit of bother. The outcome of January's outgoings coupled with LJ's continued hunt for another striker who can contribute goals, be that Wilkinson, Roope Riski, Poleon hitting some form, or anybody else for that matter.... will likely define whether Top 6 is achievable or not.

 

One thing is for sure though.... LJ has improved us by quite a distance and with little budget and for that he should be congratulated.

[Omar Don't Scare]

There is noway Forte will go anywhere in my opinion. He's broken & that's why he is playing for us.

 

A 100% fit Forte and we'd probably be comfortable in the top 6.

 

He looked finished after 30 minutes on Sat but still managed put a shift in alongside the superb Jabo.

[Frankly Mr Shankly]

We're bound to hit a bad run of form at some point. And LJ's note that we've played most of the top six away from home means jack :censored: to me considering we're normally :censored:e at putting away the cannon fodder of the league. If we overcome that we're top six material.

[HarryBosch]

Factor in that the last 10 games were our strongest last season.

 

We're going up.

[OAFCM35]

It's difficult to judge at this stage of the season, yes we started fantastically but we need to hold on to the core of this side in January and if possible add one ot two to push for the playoff finish, we if we lose two or three key players the playoff dream is over, I don't think we will lose Forte purely down to his injury issues, it's more than likely a few of our defends and midfielders maybe sought after, LJ has done a terrific job he has got an eye for spotting the hidden gems that are unwanted by their current clubs even if it means he grabs a few dud uns along the way he deserves praise for what he's done so far this season I just hope that the board want to keep the squad together and see how far we can push.

[the_mighty_bosh]

As with the last 3 transfer windows I'm expecting there to be at least a few key outgoings. However due to the replacements that LJ has found so far this season, I'm getting less and less worried. If we are in the top half and within a win or 2 of the playoffs by the end of February then I'll believe that we could make a go of promotion this year, until then it's about hoping that any changes aren't too unsettling and replacements can fit in easily.