reddogkev Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Ok, we're only 2 league games in, so it is almost ridiculous to try to consider it seriously, but now we've won and lost a game, what do you think? I feel our squad is at the strongest it has been for many a year and, conversely, I do not consider the Championship to be at its usual strength this season. In other words, this might be a damn good season to have a crack at the top end of the table - although we need to win games we dominate for large periods. Do we have any chance, or still too soon for us this season? If you feel we won't have enough this year, would you say that SL should splash out for one more expensive, quality signing to improve our chances?
Nibor Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 No. Top half might be but we're short on quality to go further over 46 games. That's ok, this is a young squad and as long as we're nowhere near relegation and playing decent football I am ok for the moment. I am still unconvinced by LJ but the way the team approached the first three games was encouraging. Hopefully he will learn as much as the players do.
Reddrive Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 No. Not this season. I would hope top 12 and push on next season. But who knows?
Inactive user Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Genuinely think we're looking at top 2 if we can get and keep a head of steam.
RumRed Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 1 minute ago, Rednwhiterob said: Genuinely think we're looking at top 2 if we can get and keep a head of steam. Well ask a stupid question I guess.....
reddogkev Posted August 14, 2017 Author Posted August 14, 2017 1 minute ago, Rednwhiterob said: Genuinely think we're looking at top 2 if we can get and keep a head of steam. Wait a minute, is that genuinely serious? I was just about to comment on the 100% answer of - not a frikkin chance - and you've bucked the trend!
RumRed Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 1 minute ago, reddogkev said: Wait a minute, is that genuinely serious? I was just about to comment on the 100% answer of - not a frikkin chance - and you've bucked the trend! Either a troll or a Johnson I'm going for a complete and utter Johnson.
Bar BS3 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 No, but it appears we are heading in the right direction and a lower top half finish should be a realistic aim for this season. Having said that, we all know how this division is unpredictable and any team that gets themselves on a prolonged good run of results can start to turn their focus to a top 6 finish. One of those COULD be us, but I don't think we will get that high. Yet.
Mr Popodopolous Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Nope. Midtable, better than last year with no relegation slipperiness would be ok I reckon.
reddogkev Posted August 14, 2017 Author Posted August 14, 2017 1 minute ago, Bar BS3 said: No, but it appears we are heading in the right direction and a lower top half finish should be a realistic aim for this season. Having said that, we all know how this division is unpredictable and any team that gets themselves on a prolonged good run of results can start to turn their focus to a top 6 finish. One of those COULD be us, but I don't think we will get that high. Yet. Yep, also my view; I am expecting one of the most unexpected, exciting seasons of shocks and twists we've seen for many a year. Should be true entertainment.
cheshire_red Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 10 minutes ago, Rednwhiterob said: Genuinely think we're looking at top 2 if we can get and keep a head of steam. Lost, irrational Mackem?
Phileas Fogg Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Textbook @reddogkev thread. In answer to the question - it's far too soon to say but who knows. If Huddersfield can do it that has to be the benchmark. Very unlikely though I think.
LondonBristolian Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I do not think top six is likely but I also do not think it is impossible. I agree there are few obviously strong teams this season and some of those who look strongest have started poorly. IF we can regularly play the way we have played in the first half of games for 90 minutes, IF our players stay fit and IF luck is on our side we have a chance. There are a lot of "ifs" there but I am hopeful we can finish closer to the top than the bottom.
Murraysrightplum Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 7-14th I think. Would be happy with that if we're playing good football and show signs of young player developing
Fat Cigar Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I'd be extremely disappointed if we didn't improve on last season's 17th. To be honest, with the players we've got (and some are good, some average, none excellent), we should be aiming for 12th-14th as a minimum. Once we learn how to be ruthless, how to kill teams off, how to defend a lead, we'll be making progress. Some of the football we play is wonderful, but it's quite naive at times. Some of the best teams are happy to sit back, soak up pressure, and hit you on the break. We're not that team. Our style of play is also energy-sapping. This is why you need every player (strikers included) to be able to defend. There are some very talented players in that squad, with a year or two of Championship experience. If we're not comfortably mid-table after 23 matches, something's not right. We're lucky we have Wright playing the Flint type role. The figurehead, the bruiser. I'd also expect Korey and Pack to lead the midfield. As some have said, this league is not as strong as last year's. There's not a single team I'd be worried about playing. Confidence is a huge factor. Mentally, we were gone during that awful run of defeats last year, as well as all the games where we blew first half leads. Mental thoughness and a ruthless, clinical, streak is probably as important as talent in this division. Top 6? Not this year, but these players, with the right management and coaching, can certainly challenge for it in a year or two. Whether they're good enough to push for promotion remains to be seen.
Floatn Over Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Let's just get to 50+ points as soon as possible, shall we. A decent final position is possible but there are lots of issues that need to "click" into place for that to happen. If they did and we were up there, I'd be singing as loudly as anyone but........... I just don't want another ****** relegation scrap.
LondonBristolian Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Forgot to add I don't think SL should splash out on a costly new signing in the hope of guaranteeing top six any more than I think a guy in a Vegas casino should have one more go at the slot machines in case this is the time they pay out. Every club is gambling and it is far from clear whether one more signing would make a difference either way. We could finish top six without them or, more likely, we could make the signing and still miss out.
Guest Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I would snap your arm off for 12-14th and watching some decent attacking football, and hopefully getting a bit more solid at the back as the season progresses.
spudski Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 7 minutes ago, Fat Cigar said: I'd be extremely disappointed if we didn't improve on last season's 17th. To be honest, with the players we've got (and some are good, some average, none excellent), we should be aiming for 12th-14th as a minimum. Once we learn how to be ruthless, how to kill teams off, how to defend a lead, we'll be making progress. Some of the football we play is wonderful, but it's quite naive at times. Some of the best teams are happy to sit back, soak up pressure, and hit you on the break. We're not that team. Our style of play is also energy-sapping. This is why you need every player (strikers included) to be able to defend. There are some very talented players in that squad, with a year or two of Championship experience. If we're not comfortably mid-table after 23 matches, something's not right. We're lucky we have Wright playing the Flint type role. The figurehead, the bruiser. I'd also expect Korey and Pack to lead the midfield. As some have said, this league is not as strong as last year's. There's not a single team I'd be worried about playing. Confidence is a huge factor. Mentally, we were gone during that awful run of defeats last year, as well as all the games where we blew first half leads. Mental thoughness and a ruthless, clinical, streak is probably as important as talent in this division. Top 6? Not this year, but these players, with the right management and coaching, can certainly challenge for it in a year or two. Whether they're good enough to push for promotion remains to be seen. The difference between 17th and 14th and 12th last season, was 4 and 8 points. Less than 3 wins difference in a whole season. It's mad when you think about it. A few wins define a season, and whether a manager is any good or not. I'd like to think, we wouldn't go on a winless streak again. Are we a squad capable of 5 more wins than last season? If the answer is yes, then that would put us in comfortably in the top 10. Obviously a lot depends on injuries, form etc... but if we continue the way we are playing and creating chances, as well as tightening the defence...is 5 extra wins a reality? I think it possibly is.
INCRED Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 9 minutes ago, spudski said: The difference between 17th and 14th and 12th last season, was 4 and 8 points. Less than 3 wins difference in a whole season. It's mad when you think about it. A few wins define a season, and whether a manager is any good or not. I'd like to think, we wouldn't go on a winless streak again. Are we a squad capable of 5 more wins than last season? If the answer is yes, then that would put us in comfortably in the top 10. Obviously a lot depends on injuries, form etc... but if we continue the way we are playing and creating chances, as well as tightening the defence...is 5 extra wins a reality? I think it possibly is. Anything is possible in this league, a few injuries can ruin it, bounce of the ball, Lady luck. There are so many ifs buts and maybes that can affect a team. We have dominated two games for significant periods and one we won and the other we should have based on chances created. If we acquire a ruthless streak then anything is possible, if we continue to be wasteful then we will in my opinion sit mid table. The playing style and new additions have certainly encouraged a lot of fans but it's a long season as we know.
redapple Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Of course it's possible if a tad optimistic. I certainly think we're capable of beating anyone , and who knows if we get up ahead of steam like our promotion season anythings possible.
Chivs Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 If we get a decent holding central midfielder with an ounce of pace then we will finish in the top 6 easily. We won't. And we won't.
Guest AlrightMeBabber Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I'd be happy with mid-table. I think we've approached first 2 games well and have lessons to learn from both games. The fact we went to Brum and didn't get turned right over I think is a positive, although they've had their problems it's a tough place to go.
BCFC Rich Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 1 hour ago, reddogkev said: Ok, we're only 2 league games in, so it is almost ridiculous to try to consider it seriously. I'd say you should of typed this bit and then taken your own advice!
Ivorguy Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 The question is probably phrased in terms of the quality of players. In which case an outside possibility. But it is also the job of the coaches to get us there and that is where our major problems lie. Does anyone seriously think that being one up in opening moments of Saturday's game or even when at 1-1, if Harry had been managing us, we would have come away with no points?
WTFiGO!?! Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Top 24. Really I just hope we do the basics properly, win the fixtures we would expect too and be in the next batch above the bottom six. I predicted 18th at the start, I'm quietly confident we may do a little better but not by much. I think the whole division will be closer than last season. Being beaten by a mediocre Brum side, not taking our chances and not defending well enough is no course for confidence - it seems a continuation of what we saw a lot of last season i.e/a hard luck story. Fair play though, we did dispatch of Barnsley with ease. There seems to be quite a bit of mis-guided (imv) optimism around, - I don't mind because it means I should clean up in the Prediction League I sincerely hope I'm wrong and would break your arm of for 14th!
spudski Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 15 minutes ago, Chivs said: If we get a decent holding central midfielder with an ounce of pace then we will finish in the top 6 easily. We won't. And we won't. I do think this is our main priority as well Chivs. Don't think it will necessary make us top 6 though, but I don't think Korey and O'neil are the answer over the whole of a season.
CheddarReds Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 46 minutes ago, spudski said: The difference between 17th and 14th and 12th last season, was 4 and 8 points. Less than 3 wins difference in a whole season. It's mad when you think about it. A few wins define a season, and whether a manager is any good or not. I'd like to think, we wouldn't go on a winless streak again. Are we a squad capable of 5 more wins than last season? If the answer is yes, then that would put us in comfortably in the top 10. Obviously a lot depends on injuries, form etc... but if we continue the way we are playing and creating chances, as well as tightening the defence...is 5 extra wins a reality? I think it possibly is. Good to see you back, Spud!
frenchred Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 49 minutes ago, Super said: We will be nearer the bottom 6 than the top. completely agree with you
Red Exile Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 We'll need to grind out some narrow wins to get in the top half of the table, let alone higher than that. So it's a no from me. At the moment I'd characterise our side as enthusiastic and - in LJs words - at times "naive"...needs the grit and determination that I was expecting that G O'N was going to add last season. I don't see that on or off the pitch. Perhaps it will come with experience.
Wanderingred Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Problem is, whilst the raw quality is there, we are nowhere near streetwise enough. And that goes for both the players and management. We are still naive, lacking in bite and nastiness. When we play well, we can blow away the opposition but its the even games that are the problem because we almost always end up losing them by the odd goal. Top six sides find a way to win those games when not playing well.. Mid table and bottom half sides find a way to lose after being the better side. We are still the latter at the moment but theres no reason why that can't change with a couple of additions and more experience from our younger players. This year though? Too soon.
1bristolcity Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Of course it is, what's the point in turning up if we have no ambition in promotion? OK we seem to be in a better place, but if we are to make the play offs we still have defensive issues that need to be sorted.
Sir Colby-Tit Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Top eight I reckon. Pessimistic bunch on here mind. We've got Bobby Reid FFS
Bar BS3 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 1 hour ago, reddogkev said: Yep, also my view; I am expecting one of the most unexpected, exciting seasons of shocks and twists we've seen for many a year. Should be true entertainment. I think what will be interesting also, is that whilst 1 or 2 clubs may fall adrift at the bottom, I can't see any team running away with the title and the promotion race, including all top 6 places, could be the closest for many seasons.
RUSSEL85 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I think we all have ambition for promotion but Im happy to see progress for now, if we end up 14th Id be happy with that. I dont see us as a top 6 team, in spells perhaps but on a consistent level I see us as a mid to lower half team.
Bar BS3 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 6 minutes ago, Shtanley said: We'll be in the bottom 18. We are better than that. We'll be in the top 18 I reckon.
BRISTOL86 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Possible yes. But about 18 other teams think so too. Of all those deriding - sure no one thought we could achieve it in 07/08 either. Likely .... I'd say not. I think we're 2 or 3 quality players away from being there and there are too many stronger teams. But we've shown before that on our day we can outplay the very best sides in the league. I just don't think we're yet at the point where we can have 'our day' consistently enough.
SteelCityRobin Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I'm putting at least 60 points as the benchmark for this season. I think it's a reasonable demand for the team.
ExiledAjax Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 12 minutes ago, SteelCityRobin said: I'm putting at least 60 points as the benchmark for this season. I think it's a reasonable demand for the team. I think 66 is possible. W17, D15, L14. Compared to last season's W15 D9 L22. 66 would leave us somewhere around 10th.
YGBjammy Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Top 12 would be excellent progress, anything worse than 15th would be a disappointment IMO. Championship is such an unpredictable League though so genuinely anything could happen. But that's why it's the best league!
cidered abroad Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Doubtful. No, I'll say it's not possible. Best we can hope for is not to be below 18th at end of April 2018. The lack of pace in central defence and midfield leaves too wide open and as FF seems to concede longer shots too often, I think it will be another up hill struggle. Hope I'm wrong.
citytop22 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I think we will probably be in a scrap at the bottom of the table rather than top 6. Not sure the squad on paper is much better than last season but here's hoping
Bar BS3 Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 28 minutes ago, Thatch35 said: You never know. But the squad is not stronger than last year....as of yet. New young players have arrived with no championship experience (or league one stars) this happend last season and what a struggle it turned out. Just got to wait now and see if the squad turns out to be stronger...that will be evident at the end im afraid. I also think the championship is stronger again. Just look at wolves...16mill on a midfielder...mental. Which players do you think we've signed this summer that we're League one stars and have no championship experience..? Baker= Championship experience Pisano=Serie A & B experience Famara=full international and already looks perfectly well equipped for Championship football. Eliasson= young & raw, granted, but was attracting interest from Lyon. Add to them, a host of younger players who now have championship experience from last season and I don't think we are looking weaker than last season. Far from it.
AppyDAZE Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Let's just take a step back and consider after about 46 games.
EnclosureSurge Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 1 hour ago, Shtanley said: We'll be in the bottom 18. 2 hours ago, You Do The Dziekanowski said: Realistic aim is top 21 I reckon we'll be in the middle 18.
EnclosureSurge Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 53 minutes ago, AppyDAZE said: Let's just take a step back and consider after about 46 games. I reckon we'll have a good idea after 45. Games. Not minutes.
EnclosureSurge Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 3 hours ago, Fat Cigar said: To be honest, with the players we've got (and some are good, some average, none excellent), we should be aiming for 12th-14th as a minimum. I'm interested that you don't see any of our players as 'excellent'. Of course, it's an entirely subjective concept - one man's excellence is another's average - but I would have said Korey Smith could plausibly be described as excellent by many people's standards. Perhaps excellence in this scenario could be seen as 'good enough to walk into most Champ teams'. I reckon Korey would be able to do that. Other than him, true, excellence is missing.
simon uk Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I cant see how we have improved from last season, and we all know what happened there. Diedhou wont get more than tammy, though he looks very promissing, and if anything happens to him we are royally screwed. Baker isnt an upgrade on flint, lj should have been fired last year, and against brum we blow a goal lead and cant get a goal against 10 men against a bottom half team. Barnsley we beat, but arguably they have sold their best players and are likely to be in deep relegation trouble. Our main chance of avoiding relegation is that there are 3 worse teams than us, maybe barnsley, millwall and burton? Sad but true imho.
the frampton balti Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 13 minutes ago, simon uk said: I cant see how we have improved from last season, and we all know what happened there. Diedhou wont get more than tammy, though he looks very promissing, and if anything happens to him we are royally screwed. Baker isnt an upgrade on flint, lj should have been fired last year, and against brum we blow a goal lead and cant get a goal against 10 men against a bottom half team. Barnsley we beat, but arguably they have sold their best players and are likely to be in deep relegation trouble. Our main chance of avoiding relegation is that there are 3 worse teams than us, maybe barnsley, millwall and burton? Sad but true imho. Crickey talk about galasaalfempity. NO......... Bobby Reid the Striker is a masterstroke........Top 6 no problem but would like to see flint or baker back in for brentford. we need that aerial presence at both ends of the pitch.
reddogkev Posted August 14, 2017 Author Posted August 14, 2017 4 hours ago, You Do The Dziekanowski said: Realistic aim is top 21 That is a terrible realistic aim!
weepywall Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I think Burton and Barnsley will go down this year and I reckon there are at least 10 teams stronger than us and some with a lot more money, mid table ish should be achievable, I would put us in a batch with the likes of Birmingham, Brentford, QPR, Preston maybe Ipswich and we have already lost to one of them and play another tomorrow, top 6 i would say no chance, quite happy to be proved wrong though.
Wolf Island Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 Need a few more games and the transfer window shut to be certain but at this stage I would say we are nailed on for top six with an outside chance of auto
Leveller Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 I'd be happy with a middle third finish (i.e. 9 - 16) provided that is where we spend most of the season, not creeping there at the end after six months in the bottom third. A full season in the bottom third (i.e. No progress) would be unsatisfactory. Top third (1 - 8) stills looks unlikely.
Davefevs Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 6 hours ago, spudski said: The difference between 17th and 14th and 12th last season, was 4 and 8 points. Less than 3 wins difference in a whole season. It's mad when you think about it. A few wins define a season, and whether a manager is any good or not. I'd like to think, we wouldn't go on a winless streak again. Are we a squad capable of 5 more wins than last season? If the answer is yes, then that would put us in comfortably in the top 10. Obviously a lot depends on injuries, form etc... but if we continue the way we are playing and creating chances, as well as tightening the defence...is 5 extra wins a reality? I think it possibly is. Like to see us turn 5 defeats into 5 draws....5 more points would be a big boost. We don't look like a side that knows how to take a point...not just Saturday v Brum (away), but home defeats like Brentford and PNE back to back were games when a point was there for the taking, but we tried to take all 3, and got none. That's where I want LJ to learn...and quickly. 4 hours ago, ExiledAjax said: I think 66 is possible. W17, D15, L14. Compared to last season's W15 D9 L22. 66 would leave us somewhere around 10th. If we only lose 14 (less than 1/3) I'll be very surprised. I don't see 8 of those defeats turning into 2 wins and 6 draws, but that would be great improvement. I hope we do. 4 hours ago, Bar BS3 said: Which players do you think we've signed this summer that we're League one stars and have no championship experience..? Baker= Championship experience Pisano=Serie A & B experience Famara=full international and already looks perfectly well equipped for Championship football. Eliasson= young & raw, granted, but was attracting interest from Lyon. Add to them, a host of younger players who now have championship experience from last season and I don't think we are looking weaker than last season. Far from it. I think our agent in France @Major Isewater hasn't found any real Lyon links, since the Lyon people were supposedly in Norkopping.
ExiledAjax Posted August 14, 2017 Posted August 14, 2017 18 minutes ago, Davefevs said: If we only lose 14 (less than 1/3) I'll be very surprised. I don't see 8 of those defeats turning into 2 wins and 6 draws, but that would be great improvement. I hope we do. As soon as I posted that made up record I thought exactly the same. I guess I'm optimistic atm. Ask me again after I see us play for the first time tomorrow night!
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