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Are we now serious play off contenders?


Top Robin

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Posted

Gotta be haven't we? Beaten Watford and Reading away. Drawn with a class Wolves side away scoring 3 goals and just stuffed and outclassed promotion hopefuls Derby.  Surely it written in the stars this season! 

Posted
7 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

Gotta be haven't we? Beaten Watford and Reading away. Drawn with a class Wolves side away scoring 3 goals and just stuffed and outclassed promotion hopefuls Derby.  Surely it written in the stars this season! 

Let's do this a few times more, maybe even away from home, then we'll see.

Posted

If we could float just below that dotted line with 4-5 games to go I'd be delighted. 

Serious play off contenders? Not just yet I wouldn't have thought. 

Posted

What we are is a side who have laid down a marker and that marker has to become the expected standard IMO, for us because of the past 2 seasons consistency is the key and at this moment in time we seem to have found that formula.

I will take a mid table finish flirting/teasing with a play off chance but nowhere near a relegation battle, establish ourselves as a proper championship team.

 

Posted

After our start last season I'm keeping my reservations, however it looks like its going to be an entertaining season as I imagine if we don't win games they'll mostly still be good. So sit back and (hopefully) enjoy the ride. 

Posted

We're showing serious promise but I always wait until other clubs supporters start talking about us as 'contenders'. I would imagine we won't be taken lightly by anyone though! 

Posted

No we're not.  And let's hope nobody starts talking about us in those terms for a long while yet.  Just keep stealthily playing well, lurking close enough and then turn it on for the last 6-8 games.  A long way to go yet, consistency is the holy grail.

Posted
4 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

Too early to say, very good so far though.

Funny how bi-polar this forum is over 90m though. If we'd lost 1-4 instead you can guarantee there'd be a thread about us being relegation candidates.

Isn't that football , the majority of us fans , and sport in general though !

Posted

Football fans are just so fickle. I didn't buy that we were relegation fodder when we played poorly a couple of times, and I don't buy that we are promotion prospects after a couple of good games. I remain happy that we just may be on course to squeeze into the top half.

Lets not get carried away at any particular point on the rollercoaster ride.

Posted

When our pressing game is on song, I think that we will roast a few teams.

The acid test will come when we are not quite on it and the opposition counters our style. If we can make ourselves difficult to beat in that type of game and grind put results ( Brentford and Reading) then we might surprise a few come the end of the season.

 

Posted

Love the optimism on here after todays result. Very early days at the moment but the difference for me compared to last season is that we are playing better with a good style of play.

Posted
14 minutes ago, BobBobSuperBob said:

Isn't that football , the majority of us fans , and sport in general though !

Yep! If we all gave new players a sensible amount of time bed in before making snap judgements and didn't get carried away over brilliant/poor form then the forum wouldn't be half as fun!

Posted

Think the Championship may be extra tight this year - 

Wolves to win it for m , but after that , not sure there are obvious contenders

Added to which IMHO there are a few sides who have started the season poorly but will get moving (Villa , Brentford e.g.) and s few who've started well but I don't think will continue at same pace (Ipswich ?) which will even out the final table in May

I can see a dozen or so sides in with a chance of a play off spot deep into the season

And at least a couple of surprise sides in them

Theres a definite opportunity  for a decent , organised side this season 

Us ?

Probably a season too soon 

I do get the feeling we have a happier squad and cover around the pitch and tbf to LJ & Co we are looking drilled / coached so stranger things have happened 

We look in better shape , and more stable than a lot of Clubs currently

Think confidence is massive in a young squad - On a confidence wave atm

Our reaction to a couple of defeats will be very telling 

Posted
28 minutes ago, JBFC II said:

Not yet, we saw this last season with our start

Need a couple of big performances against Norwich and Ipswich and then we'll see

Agree but what I will say is our performances have been much better over the 90 minutes than the beginning of last season. 

Posted
6 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

We're showing serious promise but I always wait until other clubs supporters start talking about us as 'contenders'. I would imagine we won't be taken lightly by anyone though! 

The last three results have shifted my mindset this about this season.

Like others I'm sure,  I wasn't optimistic about getting anything at Reading or Molinuex and would have been happy enough with a  point from six. Our record at both venues isn't that good so come away with 4 four points was surprising.

Then today - a really impressive display in which every area of the pitch was full of outstanding performances and Derby were just blown away. City reduced them to mediocrity. 

At one point during the second half in one of Derbys rare attacks the ball fell nicely to one of their blokes at the edge of box and he got a shot away but four City defenders threw themselves to block it.

Wow! I thought when I saw that.....that's real determination and dedication to the cause. I hadn't seen that type of commitment for ages.......and any pessimism I might have had just evaporated.

So yeah....if LJ can get the squad to maintain today's levels then City could well be in with a shout.

Posted
23 minutes ago, hodge said:

After our start last season I'm keeping my reservations, however it looks like its going to be an entertaining season as I imagine if we don't win games they'll mostly still be good. So sit back and (hopefully) enjoy the ride. 

I think the big difference between this season and last season is our playing style and work ethic. This year we are playing some beautiful stuff. 

Can we get in the play offs or even the top 2? Certainly we can but it's a long season and if all the stars align then anything is possible. Luck goes a long way over a season.

Posted
2 minutes ago, Sergio Georgini said:

We were 6th in October last season until we went on a 15 billion losing game run so lets not jinx it.

Yeh but things feel different this time

Posted
3 minutes ago, Top Robin said:

Yeh but things feel different this time

Yes they do but we could easily go on a few game losing streak and it could be in the back of the players minds. 

Posted

As @BigTone would say, settle down. We look good but it's early doors yet, if we can do this consistently til Christmas then we should be excited.

Posted
11 minutes ago, cityboy said:

Serious? No.

Outside shot? Yes; I'd say so.

I think that is fair enough.

Just got home and loved it today, loved it. If we play that well enough we have a chance. Equally, there are about a dozen teams will think that after the have just had a stormer.

I think prior to this game, 4 points from the last two games was hard earned and maybe a little flattering. Against that, whilst this was a high, it was at a higher level than I have seen for a while, and we seem to be improving and getting better. If things are going well, we will be in to the realms of injuries, and frankly can we hang on to the players we have in January?

If I was being super critical, we have actually been winning I think in 7 of our 8 league games, the exception being the 0-0. Teams that go up seem to be rarely pegged back when up.

Since we both came up,   I think Preston have been a year ahead of us in development, and might be their year to have a real go.

Just going to enjoy the football being played at the moment, and see where it takes us.

Posted
5 minutes ago, Sergio Georgini said:

Yes they do but we could easily go on a few game losing streak and it could be in the back of the players fans minds. 

I recon the players think they can win every game.....it's us lot who are edgy!

Posted
1 hour ago, JBFC II said:

Not yet, we saw this last season with our start

Need a couple of big performances against Norwich and Ipswich and then we'll see

performances were weak early last season. the results flattered us. We still have to prove Brentford was a blip. looking like it may have been however as the team gels and they reallly understand how to play to LJ's tactics.

Posted
1 hour ago, Top Robin said:

Gotta be haven't we? Beaten Watford and Reading away. Drawn with a class Wolves side away scoring 3 goals and just stuffed and outclassed promotion hopefuls Derby.  Surely it written in the stars this season! 

Hold ya horses

Posted
3 minutes ago, Major Isewater said:

If we maintain our form until Christmas ( or The spend  your money here festival) we will be in with a good chance .

We can dream of being humiliated by Man City on a Friday night I spose. 

I think the journey to the top league would be much more exciting than actually reaching the destination.

Posted
1 hour ago, Major Isewater said:

If we maintain our form until Christmas ( or The spend  your money here festival) we will be in with a good chance .

We can dream of being humiliated by Man City on a Friday night I spose. 

Funny you should say that. I was chatting to a Derby lad on the way back to the car and asked him if he enjoyed their season in the prem.

He said he hated most of it and just got sick to death of getting hammered every week. He said it`s much more fun in the championship and it wouldn`t bother him if they never went back up. 

Posted
2 hours ago, Top Robin said:

Gotta be haven't we? Beaten Watford and Reading away. Drawn with a class Wolves side away scoring 3 goals and just stuffed and outclassed promotion hopefuls Derby.  Surely it written in the stars this season! 

As others have hinted at. It's a long season. Don't get carried away just yet otherwise you're likely to end up disappointed. Plenty more games of ups and downs ahead yet.

Just enjoy the moment. 

Posted

Let us just do what the really great clubs and managers do.

Take one game at a time. Enjoy the wins, learn from the draws and defeats. 

Would we really want to go up this season? Just keep building teamwork, resilience, problem solving and how to grind out results when we aren't playing well.Amd see what comes our way. 

Initially, we don't get carried away by three good results in a week. The old adage "Pride comes before a fall" is never far away in the Championship because the better we do, the more every other side wants to knock us off our perch.

Guest Zider I up
Posted

Channel 5 say we are!

Maybe not serious contenders yet, but I'm enjoying seeming 'harder to beat' so far this season. 

Posted

No. It's too early. The earlier we get carried away the worse it'll be. Ask again after the January window.

Posted

Alukos comments Interesting on Ch 5 Championship Programme 

(For those  who didn't watch it , said how much Woodrow is enjoying it here with young squad , energetic squad and good squad spirit). 

Posted
13 hours ago, Thatch35 said:

Potentially. This season reminds me of last seasons start after that 3-1 win over villa. 10 Match not losing run would do nicely now. Norwich will be a real test but now winnable.

Yes, although that 3-1 papered over the cracks of some poor performances where we got results. 

Yesterday's result means 6 LEAGUE games unbeaten. The best of LJ's tenure (prev 2 sets of 5). 10 is a proper run.

The past two games tinkering of the starting eleven looked sensible (bit too many reactive moans on the match day thread) and you could see where LJ was going. Yesterday he picked the same side as I did...a rarity....with logic of Tuesday where some players cuptied!

Posted
15 hours ago, Robbored said:

 

At one point during the second half in one of Derbys rare attacks the ball fell nicely to one of their blokes at the edge of box and he got a shot away but four City defenders threw themselves to block it.

Wow! I thought when I saw that.....that's real determination and dedication to the cause. I hadn't seen that type of commitment for ages.......

 

Not since the good old days of Johnson snr 

Posted

It would be nice, but lets see how our form is the next 3 games after the international break. If, like each of the last two groups of 3 games, we can take another 7 pts from 9, then we can really start to believe...

Posted
5 minutes ago, old_eastender said:

It would be nice, but lets see how our form is the next 3 games after the international break. If, like each of the last two groups of 3 games, we can take another 7 pts from 9, then we can really start to believe...

Yes, but when we are actually allowed to start to believe?

After every good result somebody will say something along the lines of "yes, but let's wait until after X amount of games, then we can start to believe..."

Eventually we'll just have to admit that we're actually pretty good.

Posted

I think we are looking better after every game we play. That's what I think. Looking strong with every game. It's promising. 

Posted

There are some key differences to last season. 

First and foremost is the manner of the wins.  We have a clear identity whereas last season a few substitutions worked late on and we took advantage of a few other sides capitulating (Villa at home).  This year we look much more secure and the manager is tinkering far less.  I think we'll finish top 10 at least.

Posted

Biggest difference to last season is the lads are enjoying themselves, skill levels get better every game, team spirit is fantastic, looking at the bench it's full of players good enough to start any game at this level, how many clubs can match that?  

It is going to be a memorable season for the right reasons, let's hope we do make top 6, at least we will have a team that will not fear losing their jobs if we win the final playoff - that was a bad away day, can't wait to see the boys stuff Hull!

I only hope that whatever or whoever upset the team spirit last season is either gone or has learnt their lesson!

Posted

Just got back, and still buzzing.

Yes, why not. Or to give a longer answer, yes, why not, along with pretty much at this stage half the league.

The good news is that we are still in my mind improving and looking stronger game by game. In terms of teams that typically go up in auto, I think we still give the other side to much of a fighters chance quite often; case in point today, first half clearly the better side, but Ipswich could still have snuck a couple. Equally, that is at least in part because we are progressive, and I would much much rather watch exciting games than dull ones.

If we continue to play this well, the issue in January might be holding what we have rather than strengthening. We will see.

I think we are now looking a little better than comfortable mid table. Given average luck on injuries that kind of thing, then at the moment I fancy Wolves and Villa. Cardiff and Leeds look strong, but not unbeatable. Other teams who just have a really good season will finish in the top six. Why not us?

I also think we benefit at the moment that there no real pressure on us. Unlike say Wolves, no one really is expecting us to get in the top six, and I suspect mid table or better most of us fans will think deep down, yes a season of progress. The key may be not getting disappointed if that is what transpires.  Players look to be enjoying themselves rather than looking in any way stressed. Maybe that will change if we are in this position with ten to go. 

Dare to dream?

Posted

Its looking good but wouldnt say we are contenders yet, it maybe previous false dawns or expecting a team to figure us out keeping me from believing but I have no idea how any team can figure us out other than beating us at our own game.

Posted

A quarter of the season has gone and we are where we are. 5th in the league and 4 points from the top.  Do we deserve to be there? Absolutely.

We are playing with pace, skill and strengh. Chasing, closing down, blocking and working as a unit.  There also seems to be a togetherness about the team and right through the club at the moment.

We have someone who can fill every position when needed without weakening the team.  Add to this a 3 match unbeaten cup run with 2 premier scalps already and only have to beat a Palace side who have amassed zero points from their first 7 games to reach the quarter finals.

This is feeling like a promotion season and still with a chance of winning the league cup to secure a place in Europe for the first time in the clubs history.

Bring it on. COYR

Posted
25 minutes ago, Pezo said:

Its looking good but wouldnt say we are contenders yet, it maybe previous false dawns or expecting a team to figure us out keeping me from believing but I have no idea how any team can figure us out other than beating us at our own game.

Teams we have played so far would have had us scouted and fed our strengths and weaknesses back to their coaching team. So far aside from the Birmingham game that we dominated and should have got at least a point, no one has been able to beat us or play us at our own game. The only way I can see us losing is if teams try and flood the midfield and force us to play long. I think LJ wants Đurić as that option on the bench should that scenario happen and use him as a focal point of the attack to play off him as not many teams have a 6'6" CB. When Đurić is back we will have a squad that will be even more threatening to other teams

Posted
35 minutes ago, Pezo said:

Its looking good but wouldnt say we are contenders yet, it maybe previous false dawns or expecting a team to figure us out keeping me from believing but I have no idea how any team can figure us out other than beating us at our own game.

 

5 minutes ago, INCRED said:

Teams we have played so far would have had us scouted and fed our strengths and weaknesses back to their coaching team. So far aside from the Birmingham game that we dominated and should have got at least a point, no one has been able to beat us or play us at our own game. The only way I can see us losing is if teams try and flood the midfield and force us to play long. I think LJ wants Đurić as that option on the bench should that scenario happen and use him as a focal point of the attack to play off him as not many teams have a 6'6" CB. When Đurić is back we will have a squad that will be even more threatening to other teams

Didnt Norwich have us almost figured out? I thought they were unfortunate not to score.

Posted
10 minutes ago, BS4 on Tour... said:

I just hope we can keep hold of Flint....he is vital to our chances in my opinion...

I’d imagine Brum wished they’d met our valuation after today.

 

 

ha ha ha, ha ha, ha.  Chortle.

Posted
5 minutes ago, INCRED said:

Almost but they didn't and we weren't at our best that day but still got a point. For me that's a sign of a good team

I think it certainly shows how much better our defence has been so far this season really. Previous years would've seen an 88th min goal against us.

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