Today's games...

[flashinblade1889]

+ Game in hand over Boro (Reading Away) and still to play Boro BDTBL

This

 

[Belvedere Blade]

 

[Snowflake]

..... and they will be harder games than they looked before because... yep, both have strengthened

Really ? Where have any teams strengthened ? Most have added players, but that doesn’t mean they are stronger. It depends on how those players fit in and some of them are not great players.

 

[Keen Blade]

It is a sign of how poor our performances have been that folk on here keep reassuring themselves by looking at the statistical significance of the gap.
But it means nowt.
Look at 2007 , 2012 etc.
The players need to get the gap out of their heads and start performing as a promotion team

 

[wak1889]

Exactly

Boro are in good form but we ain't bad either certainly results wise.

We need to just focus on us.

17 games can we pick up 30 or 32 points?
Less might even be enough.

If we picked up 30 points to put us on 88, which could be 10 wins or 9 wins 3 draws 5 defeats etc.

Boro would have to get 41 points from a possible 48 to better it.

Not if one of our wins was Boro , they would then have to dig out 41 from 45

 

[LS16Blade]

The sense in which Middlesbrough could be the biggest threat is if they maintain 3rd position in the table, triggering Gibson to run off blabbing to the EFL about how unfair it is, an embargo isn’t sufficient punishment etc etc.

He has form. Indeed, it wouldn’t be surprising if he hasn’t already got his lawyers writing to the EFL demanding clarity over what is going on…

 

[UTB]

Beat Swansea and boro were pretty much done and dusted and up. We don’t get maximum point it will be an interesting run in, we have enough quality to get us over the line. Lots of players coming out of contract they know they need to step up if they want a big final premier league contract, i reckon they’ll be up for more than people think.

 

[Jan Age]

Maybe Middlesbrough and Luton chomping at our arse, might help us over the line. The huge gap might be making us complacent.

I hope so

 

[Jan Age]

How is the momentum with Boro when they have picked up less points than us in the last 3? As have every other team below us

Just in general where they were and where they are now over the last 10-15 games … we went out early like a horse in a race and momentum is now slowing going in to the final furlongs

 

[Roygbiv]

Just in general where they were and where they are now over the last 10-15 games … we went out early like a horse in a race and momentum is now slowing going in to the final furlongs

In the last 10 they've gained one more point than us. In the last 15 they've lost more games than us

 

[VictoryBlade]

Yes lets hope we fill the lane up to rafters

Won't be able to because of the Council!

 

[Frank the tank]

It is a sign of how poor our performances have been that folk on here keep reassuring themselves by looking at the statistical significance of the gap.
But it means nowt.
Look at 2007 , 2012 etc.
The players need to get the gap out of their heads and start performing as a promotion team

Yes they could try not losing in eleven games or losing one in 3 months or even opening up a ten point gap with a game in hand

 

[bakeblade]

We don’t all know that. I for one think it’s total bollocks. FFS we are 10 points ahead of them, with a game in hand, averaging two points a game.

Hope you're right mate

 

[Keen Blade]

Boro lost at Mackems - how confident are we of avoiding defeat there ?
Home game v Boro is huge - lose that and our cushion is vulnerable.
Forget trying to predict how our gap is enough.
Hope that we sort out our performances.

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Jeez, the number of wrist-slashers and bed-wetters on here, get a fukin grip will ya.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Ok, we had enough chances today to win the game 3 times over. But it’s the way we’re missing the chances that worries me. Our composure in front of goal is shocking. This inability to put poor teams to bed, will only encourage the chasing pack and put a huge target on our backs.

Did we? I don't think we created a great deal. We were unusually sloppy in the final third.
Ndiaye & Bogle tried to make things happen but were both guilty of overplaying and / or sloppy final touches. Norwood had a (rare) disappointing afternoon and Osborn isn't really capable of delivering in the big moments.

But I don't think we've been lucky at the same time. Only QPR you could say we got something we didn't deserve.

Boro got totally outplayed by Sunderland just 3 weeks ago. It's not like you have to look far back for their last poor performance

I'd agree with you. I think we've got what we've deserved from most games (inc. today).
But we've not been putting teams to bed enough and eventually that will catch up with you.

 

[HD8 Blades]

So few negatives this season yet people seem to be trying to unearth them. Enjoy the season - 10 points clear with game in hand.

 

[bakeblade]

Really ? Where have any teams strengthened ? Most have added players, but that doesn’t mean they are stronger. It depends on how those players fit in and some of them are not great players.

Boro have brought in Aaron Ramsey, Dan Barlaser and Cameron Archer. Thats 3 very good additions.

 

[Eric_Brooks]

Watford fucking up again in addition to Norwich losing hopefully limits our threat to just Boro

That home game against them is now the biggest of the season

Add West Brom to the mix. With Boro, West Brom and Watford to come at home and hopefully Burnley will know a few more off for us.
Just need McBurnie to get match fit and get that partnership with Ndiye going again like it was before the world cup.

If only we could play a settled side.

 

[Toronto Blade]

Boro have enough trouble staying ahead of Luton who have a game in hand on them

 

[Eric_Brooks]

Maybe Middlesbrough and Luton chomping at our arse, might help us over the line. The huge gap might be making us complacent.

Shouldn't do, we should be chasing Burnley

 

[Roygbiv]

It is a sign of how poor our performances have been that folk on here keep reassuring themselves by looking at the statistical significance of the gap.
But it means nowt.
Look at 2007 , 2012 etc.
The players need to get the gap out of their heads and start performing as a promotion team

It's a sign of how good our results have been that folk on here can only remain pessimistic
by pretending being ten points clear and being in form as good as our rivals means nothing.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Think we need 9 wins to be sure. Maybe less if two wins are against Luton and Middlesbrough.

 

[HD8 Blades]

Boro have brought in Aaron Ramsey, Dan Barlaser and Cameron Archer. Thats 3 very good additions.

Good additions. Our window was a good one too because we didn’t sell. We have the quality already

 

[ton-up]

The sense in which Middlesbrough could be the biggest threat is if they maintain 3rd position in the table, triggering Gibson to run off blabbing to the EFL about how unfair it is, an embargo isn’t sufficient punishment etc etc.

He has form. Indeed, it wouldn’t be surprising if he hasn’t already got his lawyers writing to the EFL demanding clarity over what is going on…

I doubt it yet, but I would hazard a guess that either him or his horrible club will have/be asking certain questions of the EFL on the QT.

 

[ton-up]

It's a sign of how good our results have been that folk on here can only remain pessimistic
by pretending being ten points clear and being in form as good as our rivals means nothing.

Keep playing like today, the 10 point gap will soon diminish.

 

[BettingBlade]

Keep playing like today, the 10 point gap will soon diminish.

Chill out we’ve been playing like that for ages.

We’ll do enough. Cannot tell you how relaxed I am about this season. We’ve played A LOT worse than that this season and won.

 

[HD8 Blades]

Keep playing like today, the 10 point gap will soon diminish.

I would give this up and support Man City and if they’re not doing so well there’s always Livepool

 

[Nelson1889]

Boro's run in to the end of the season is hardly ideal either. In the last 7 they've got Burnley, Norwich and Luton who will all have something to play for.

Rovrum away which we've found isn't an easy place to go, especially if they need points to stay up.

Hull and Bristol City who have both picked up recently.

The team they'll play that'll be "on the beach" is Coventry on the last match of the season when it could be all done and dusted anyway.

Contrast that with our last 7 and we've got 3 of the current bottom 4, brum who might be down there as well and mid table Preston.

If we get through February with the gap we've got now it's as good as done with.

 

[Roygbiv]

Keep playing like today, the 10 point gap will soon diminish.

Worry about it when it does not when Boro have only made up one point on us in the last 10.