The Chasing Pack - GAME OVER AMIGOS

[Langers]

This is where I'm at. I find the argument that teams are on a good run so it can't last a strange one. If you take Fulham for example they have played what were the Top 5 in their last 5 games and won 4 and drawn one, why does that mean they aren't going to beat those further down the league?

I tend to agree with this bit - my stance is that there isn't anything we can do about Cardiff, Villa and Fulham's good runs. Unless we're playing them, obviously. But in the meantime, there's no point getting jumpy at other results as that's totally out of our hands. What is in our own hands are the games we still have left to play - we have the best squad in the league, we've a top class head coach, we've shown consistently throughout the whole season that we're the best side as we've been clear at the top for so long.

Part of Nuno's job is to ensure the squad is prepared and the nerves are kept at bay and there is no reason why we can't go on another excellent run to match those that Cardiff, Villa and Fulham are enjoying. And if we do, it doesn't matter what they do because they won't catch us.

Tonight is important - all the remaining games are. I really hope we get the right result but just as importantly put on a good performance to calm some fans' nerves going into Saturday. 4 points from these 2 games would be fantastic.

 

[Tyrannosaurus Dan]

For me, the nerves are definitely starting to kick in. Logic suggests that our poor run will end and the chasing pack will start to drop points but it's only natural to start having doubts while the gap gets smaller and smaller.

A win tonight will be a huge confidence booster. I think the players will be confident going into the match but if Leeds score first then the players could start to get nervous, they could begin to over think everything and mistakes could creep in. Hopefully, this wont be the case.

Having said that, as long as we sit at the top of the table then I'll be happy. I'd rather be in our position than anybody else's. If fucking Norwich hadn't scored with the last kick of the game then things would feel a lot better.

 

[Premier Quality]

apparently Cardiff have pretty bad injury problems at the moment, with Ralls having a groin scan, Madine missing the last two with a groin strain and Paterson coming off injured last night, along with the likes of Gunnarson, Peltier and Morrison being out.

Hopefully means they will drop a few points in the near future.

 

[GLASGOWOLF]

This is where I'm at. I find the argument that teams are on a good run so it can't last a strange one. If you take Fulham for example they have played what were the Top 5 in their last 5 games and won 4 and drawn one, why does that mean they aren't going to beat those further down the league? We have 4 away games we could easily lose which excludes this evening. We have 6 of the bottom 7 still to play, 5 of those at home, of course we should do it, but we don't know how the players will react under this type of pressure and there was already nervousness in the North Bank when we had a double figures lead at the top. We could smash Leeds tonight and then beat Villa and all is relaxed again, but a draw and a defeat aren't inconceivable that will really put the pressure on and the easier games all of a sudden become more pressurised.

I still believe we will do it, but aren't as confident as most seem to be any longer.

So do i,

I remember everyone saying Albion could not keep it up in 2003 and they did. not that I am comparing this team Versus the poor team of 2003
I expect Villa, Cardiff, and Fulham to keep there run going, however I expect us to bounce back and win V Leeds, and Villa, as I do not think either of them are good enough

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Just to point out - Fulham NEED 2.5ppg to reach 90 points
Villa NEED 2.18 PPG to reach 90 points
Cardiff NEED 1.82 PPG to reach 90 points

We NEED 1.42 PPG to reach 90 points

 

[Sniffer]

How could you forget Leon Clarke's winner there Glasgow?

 

[Penk Wolf]

Just to point out - Fulham NEED 2.5ppg to reach 90 points
Villa NEED 2.18 PPG to reach 90 points
Cardiff NEED 1.82 PPG to reach 90 points

We NEED 1.42 PPG to reach 90 points

I'd say if we win tonight and beat Villa on Saturday then we are out of reach of both Fulham and Villa.

 

[Johnny75]

So do i,

I remember everyone saying Albion could not keep it up in 2003 and they did. not that I am comparing this team Versus the poor team of 2003
I expect Villa, Cardiff, and Fulham to keep there run going, however I expect us to bounce back and win V Leeds, and Villa, as I do not think either of them are good enough

Those two things can't both happen it has to be either/ or.

 

[Carrotdude]

We’ve all been waiting for Cardiff to drop away since the first week of the season, it hasn’t happened and I don’t think it will to any dramatic extent now. As much as I hate him Warnock has done an incredible job.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I'd say if we win tonight and beat Villa on Saturday then we are out of reach of both Fulham and Villa.

If that were to be the case then we would effectively be up as Derby now need to win every single game to reach 90 points, and it is now out of reach for the rest of the table.

In other news everyone below QPR cannot catch us (QPR too effectively with goal difference). A win tonight and Forest can't catch us either.

 

[Parkins left foot]

Really no point worrying about the chasing pack (or the only 3 that have any chance of getting there) - do what we need to & there is nothing they can do about it anyway

 

[darlowolf64]

I remember the run in when we were in League One with 3 teams vying for the top two spots and the worry at the time from fans that the best team in that Division was going to mess it up. The other teams couldn't maintain the exceptional runs they were and we went away and won the League comfortably. Here's hoping for, expecting, the same outcome!

 

[playtheace]

I remember the run in when we were in League One with 3 teams vying for the top two spots and the worry at the time from fans that the best team in that Division was going to mess it up. The other teams couldn't maintain the exceptional runs they were and we went away and won the League comfortably. Here's hoping for, expecting, the same outcome!

6-4 against Villa then

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Looking at what has happened to the third team in that race in division 1 since, then Villa could be in some problems...

 

[PuntsWolf]

Seen here or twitter or somewhere that Cardiff have an easy run in. Away to Brentford, Derby, Villa, Sheff Utd, Norwich and Home to us. They’d do well to get 10 points out of them.

Should be all sorted before we even get to the game Vs them

 

[nimrod]

Seen here or twitter or somewhere that Cardiff have an easy run in. Away to Brentford, Derby, Villa, Sheff Utd, Norwich and Home to us. They’d do well to get 10 points out of them.

Should be all sorted before we even get to the game Vs them

funny, as I looked this up when I woke up but you beat me to it. they also have Hull away, last game I think.

 

[playtheace]

Wouldnt like to be Villa needing something on the last day at Millwall...eek!

 

[jd1981]

Pressure is all on Villa Saturday falls into must win category, chances are they’ll be 7 points behind Cardiff before kick off.
A draw isn’t a problem for us although we won’t play for one.

 

[lemonjelly]

Home games in bold:

Cardiff:
Bham City
Brentford
Derby
Burton
Sheff Utd
Wolves
A Villa
Norwich
N Forest
Hull

A Villa
Wolves
QPR
Bolton
Hull
Reading
Norwich
Cardiff
Leeds
Ipswich
Derby

Fulham
Preston
QPR
Norwich
Leeds
Sheff W
Reading
Brentford
Milwall
Sunderland

Derby
N Forest
Cardiff
Sunderland
Preston
Bolton
Wolves
Burton
Boro
Villa


Boro
Barnsley
Brentford
Wolves
Burton
N Forest
Sheff Utd
Bristol C
Derby
Milwall

 

[lemonjelly]

I think Boro are making a late charge, and Pulis is effective, if nothing else.
I think Bristol C/Preston/Sheff Utd are probably too inconsistent to gatecrash the party.
I'd be worried if I were a Derby fan, they're the only team in the top 6 not showing any form currently. They have some tough games coming up.
We should confirm a slot in the top 6 this month, and possibly a place in the top 2.