Are we dark horses this season

[sportsmanblade]

When you look at the strength in depth we have when everyone is fit, we have a lot of pros who have played at a really high standard and some of the best youngsters in the league.
We are becoming a resilient team to beat.
We have the best keeper in the league.
A striker with highest conversion rate per shot.
We are flying under the radar of other clubs and could be underestimated which could work in our favour.
It reminds me abit of when we come up from league 1 and everyone was "having a off day" when playing us
I think our results looking at it have been good although performances haven't always been excellent
Its time some of you lot got down to the lane and start getting behind the team and being positive instead of acting entitled and praying on Wilder and team to fail
We win this weekend and we are in amongst it perfectly for some big games on the run up to christmas

Top of the pops for christmas

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

We won't be in the top half on Christmas Day.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

We won't be in the top half on Christmas Day.

i get why you're saying that mate, but we are a different team now to when we lost points to those above us.
We beat Wrexham comfortably and then they go and beat Middlesborough, which would indicate they are only a red hot striker different to us (with Lankshear out injured)
I wouldn't write us off just yet.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

i get why you're saying that mate, but we are a different team now to when we lost points to those above us.
We beat Wrexham comfortably and then they go and beat Middlesborough, which would indicate they are only a red hot striker different to us (with Lankshear out injured)
I wouldn't write us off just yet.

I still have serious doubts that we can compete with any half decent team in this league.

We haven't beaten anybody above 14th.

 

[Brian Deane]

Top of the flops for christmas

That's more like it, chin up ........

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

I still have serious doubts that we can compete with any half decent team in this league.

We haven't beaten anybody above 14th.

We have made progress since then and will be a different proposition to the other top half teams.
We looked dodgy at times on Tuesday, but with Kitching and Phillips back, I reckon we can give anyone in the league a game.

 

[Brian Deane]

i get why you're saying that mate, but we are a different team now to when we lost points to those above us.
We beat Wrexham comfortably and then they go and beat Middlesborough, which would indicate they are only a red hot striker different to us (with Lankshear out injured)
I wouldn't write us off just yet.

It's going to be a very tight league this season.

 

[raul]

With an 8th place finish offering a chance of promotion, dark horses wont exactly be thin on the ground.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

We have made progress since then and will be a different proposition to the other top half teams.
We looked dodgy at times on Tuesday, but with Kitching and Phillips back, I reckon we can give anyone in the league a game.

We'll pick up points against most of the teams in the bottom half and lose most of our games against the top teams.

That's what mid table teams usually do and that's what we are.

The bookies still have us to finish 10th to 14th which seems about right.

 

[Blademan89]

I still have serious doubts that we can compete with any half decent team in this league.

We haven't beaten anybody above 14th.

Your right the fact is we havent beat anyone above that but when you break it down, we've been incredibly unlucky not to pick up points.

Stoke - 2 worldie goals that wont happen twice in 1 match like that all season, should have been 3 points (albiet we was poor, they didnt look like scoring though).

Pompey - worldie goal and controversially down to 10 men for 70 mins (whatever time it was)

Wolves - last minute goal which we played well and matched them - should have been at least a point minimum in that game.

Birmingham - both shit, both matched each other and deservedly a bore draw

Swansea - matched them could have won but draw fair result.

Norwich - all over them for first 25 mins then when we just fell to bits. Didnt match in 2nd half.


Ultimately its all a load of what it's and should have could have etc and yes the fact is we havnt done it but we have matched teams and been a bit unlucky along the way and thats whilst we have been playing pretty shit football and looked a mess.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Your right the fact is we havent beat anyone above that but when you break it down, we've been incredibly unlucky not to pick up points.

Stoke - 2 worldie goals that wont happen twice in 1 match like that all season, should have been 3 points (albiet we was poor, they didnt look like scoring though).

Pompey - worldie goal and controversially down to 10 men for 70 mins (whatever time it was)

Wolves - last minute goal which we played well and managed them - should have been at least a point minimum in that game.

Birmingham - both shit, bith mstched each other and deservedly a bore draw

Swansea - matched them could have won but draw fair result.

Norwich - all over them for first 25 mins then when we just fell to bits. Didnt match in 2nd half.


Ultimately its all a load of what it's and should have could have etc and yes the fact is we havnt done it but we have matched teams and been a bit unlucky along the way and thats whilst we have been playing pretty shit football and looked a mess.

This is just a list of excuses and biased nonsense.

What ifs are great but they're not reality.

Wolves scored a late goal, so what?

We scored an even later winning goal against Bolton so does that not count as well?

I've never been impressed with trying to rewrite games of football on what should have happened in this alternate fantasy reality.

The table never lies.

 

[Blademan89]

This is just a list of excuses and biased nonsense.

What ifs are great but they're not reality.

Wolves scored a late goal, so what?

We scored an even later winning goal against Derby so does that not count as well?

I've never been impressed with trying to rewrite games of football on what should have happened in this alternate fantasy reality.

The table never lies.

Hardly excuses and biased. Ive mentioned that we matched those teams above and been unlucky regards to some late losses and some worldie goals to lose.

Your point was we cant compete vs team above 14th or what ever you said. Ive just made an account on why we have competed against them lol. Then you rubbish it to try keep your narrative.

On that basis of your argument your saying Bolton didnt match us and couldnt compete with us even though they were all over us and we got lucky with a win, we was far superior than them on the day just beacuse we got the W in end... its nonsense.

I signed it off with ultimately its what ifs and the fact is we still lost them.. again not showing biased or rewriting games or some fantasy lol.

Ill agree table never lies and we are 1 point from play offs so we are moving in right direction.

 

[Northyorksblade]

The table never lies

Just take a screen shot of today's table and check it against the end of season table.
Of course it lies. Every flipping week, until the season's over!

 

[mattbianco1]

I don't think we're a dark horse at all. I'll tell you who is a dark horse though... Black Beauty

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Hardly excuses and biased. Ive mentioned that we matched those teams above and been unlucky regards to some late losses and some worldie goals to lose.

Your point was we cant compete vs team above 14th or what ever you said. Ive just made an account on why we have competed against them lol. Then you rubbish it to try keep your narrative.

On that basis of your argument your saying Bolton didnt match us and couldnt compete with us even though they were all over us and we got lucky with a win, we was far superior than them on the day just beacuse we got the W in end... its nonsense.

I signed it off with ultimately its what ifs and the fact is we still lost them.. again not showing biased or rewriting games or some fantasy lol.

Ill agree table never lies and we are 1 point from play offs so we are moving in right direction.

I'll start getting excited when there's something to get excited about.

I've seen nothing so far.

People start getting way ahead of themselves like last season when we kept getting shoehorned into the play off race when we were never really in it.

If we get something at Charlton on Saturday and then go and beat Watford and Southampton then that would be genuine evidence of us looking like a serious team.

But we won't.

 

[S64 Blade]

I hope we are but I’m agreeing with PeterNdlovu081 at the moment. We’ll have a better feel for things come Xmas.

 

[BladeByChoice]

you only have to look at last nights results to see that anyone is a dark horse at the moment.

Cardiff put 3 past WHU in 45 minutes and come away with a draw.
Bristol holding Wolves to a draw until the last minute.
Wrexham beating brough.

We all know the top 2 will probably be 2 of 4 teams but the playoff places are up for grabs and will go to whoever strengthens in JTW, so that counts us out.

 

[jt64]

No. We've played maybe the easiest schedule of anyone and still aren't in the playoffs spots. Come back to us in the new year when we've played more than one or two of the good teams

 

[BladeByChoice]

Your right the fact is we havent beat anyone above that but when you break it down, we've been incredibly unlucky not to pick up points.

Stoke - 2 worldie goals that wont happen twice in 1 match like that all season, should have been 3 points (albiet we was poor, they didnt look like scoring though).

Pompey - worldie goal and controversially down to 10 men for 70 mins (whatever time it was)

Wolves - last minute goal which we played well and matched them - should have been at least a point minimum in that game.

Birmingham - both shit, both matched each other and deservedly a bore draw

Swansea - matched them could have won but draw fair result.

Norwich - all over them for first 25 mins then when we just fell to bits. Didnt match in 2nd half.


Ultimately its all a load of what it's and should have could have etc and yes the fact is we havnt done it but we have matched teams and been a bit unlucky along the way and thats whilst we have been playing pretty shit football and looked a mess.

Mostly agree but just to counter.

all the matches you mention we could have won but didn't take the chances, top teams in this league will always find a way to grind out 3 points in that situation.

 

[Blademan89]

I'll start getting excited when there's something to get excited about.

I've seen nothing so far.

People start getting way ahead of themselves like last season when we kept getting shoehorned into the play off race when we were never really in it.

If we get something at Charlton on Saturday and then go and beat Watford and Southampton then that would be genuine evidence of us looking like a serious team.

But we won't.

Dont get it wrong im not excited, far from it. I think we've been dire all season and put in 1 good performance (wrexham) was alright vs wolves and had some flashes tuesday night and obviously not too bad vs 10 men derby. Apart from that its been horrendous to watch.

I wasnt making a happy clappy point in my original reply or reasons to get giddy. I was just pointing out that we've matched them and have been in games vs those teams and been a tad unlucky (or they matched us and we dragged them down, which ever way you look at it).

Theres a lot of meh and shit teams. And we've played bad and in bottom for a lot of stats and still sat in 9th, as you say table doesnt lie.

I still dont think we are serious contenders but we've matched the teams we've played thus far.

Even if we do manage to get in play offs I dont think we beat anyone in them over 2 legs.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Dont get it wrong im not excited, far from it. I think we've been dire all season and put in 1 good performance (wrexham) was alright vs wolves and had some flashes tuesday night and obviously not too bad vs 10 men derby. Apart from that its been horrendous to watch.

I wasnt making a happy clappy point in my original reply or reasons to get giddy. I was just pointing out that we've matched them and have been in games vs those teams and been a tad unlucky (or they matched us and we dragged them down, which ever way you look at it).

Theres a lot of meh and shit teams. And we've played bad and in bottom for a lot of stats and still sat in 9th, as you say table doesnt lie.

I still dont think we are serious contenders but we've matched the teams we've played thus far.

Even if we do manage to get in play offs I dont think we beat anyone in them over 2 legs.

I'm more than happy with our start to the season so far.

We've picked up more points than I thought we would.

 

[Roygbiv]

We've currently flat track bullies. Usually picking off the worst teams and losing to the better ones. I'm more inclined to think there will be talk on here about getting sucked into a relegation battle by next year rather than promotion. The most realistic outcome is pure mid table nothingness though.

 

[Blademan89]

Mostly agree but just to counter.

all the matches you mention we could have won but didn't take the chances, top teams in this league will always find a way to grind out 3 points in that situation.

I agree.

Im not saying we should have nailed on won them, just tad unlucky and it was more the point we pretty much matched those teams in response to nuddy saying we cant compete vs them, which I think we have (even if we have been terrible to watch).

But to counter your counter, we did manage to grind out 3 points vs Bolton, Blackburn, Bristol and PNE .

 

[Blademan89]

I'm more than happy with our start to the season so far.

We've picked up more points than I thought we would.

Im mildly content with our league position after start and football we've been watching. But im far from happy with some of the performances and how poor we've been, with no game plan & how we keep conceding poor goals.

Although that said these last few games we have had a slightly bit more structure to the side and stability with KP playing more regular and more of a regular spine, I feel we can get stronger the more of a settled side, that hopefully starts to gain more confidence and starts playing with more momentum. If we win vs charlton, I feel it could be a turning point (would be a shame regarding international break, and the momentum).

 

[BladeByChoice]

We've currently flat track bullies. Usually picking off the worst teams and losing to the better ones. I'm more inclined to think there will be talk on here about getting sucked into a relegation battle by next year rather than promotion. The most realistic outcome is pure mid table nothingness though.

I wrote myself a predictor at the start of the season, just a bit of fun in Excel, surprisingly its only a couple of points out, had us down for a draw at Stoke.
not so surprising, its got us down to finish 9th on 68 and getting hammered away Southampton for a last day treat

 

[metalblade]

When you look at the strength in depth we have when everyone is fit, we have a lot of pros who have played at a really high standard and some of the best youngsters in the league.
We are becoming a resilient team to beat.
We have the best keeper in the league.
A striker with highest conversion rate per shot.
We are flying under the radar of other clubs and could be underestimated which could work in our favour.
It reminds me abit of when we come up from league 1 and everyone was "having a off day" when playing us
I think our results looking at it have been good although performances haven't always been excellent
Its time some of you lot got down to the lane and start getting behind the team and being positive instead of acting entitled and praying on Wilder and team to fail
We win this weekend and we are in amongst it perfectly for some big games on the run up to christmas

Top of the pops for christmas

Keep off the deludomol pal it is in short supply, any going spare is needed in S6.

 

[CPB]

I'm more of a positive looking fan. Or at least try and not to over react when we lose or have a negative performance.

However I'm not sure we are dark horses.... not yet.

We are currently in a spell of perceived easier fixtures and we are picking up points. And playing better. And thank goodness we are because if we were struggling to do so in this spell the air of negativity would be pretty bad. But as we are we are also closing the gap on the top 8.
I think until we start seeing positive performances and results happen against perceived tougher fixtures coming up I'll keep my optimism a bit reserved.

I do think we are capable of top 6 this season. That's how the championship is too.
But I struggle to see us challenge top 2. And I can also see it where we finish bottom half.

Thing is when I look at our squad, a first 11 might look good on paper. But I don't know If I have confidence in the squad as a whole quality wise. This could change if players perform well of course.
I've been happier with Chong generally this season. But I just don't feel like he has that sort of quality to push us high up the table. And who do we really have to compete?
Because we want Donovan in the side already. BBD out wide hasn't been too threatening and Seriki is really more a RWB.
Up front too, Bamford aside the other strikers are yet to find consistent form and goals. Although we should expect alot more from Campbell, Cannon and Diaz.
At the back I think Tanganga and Kitching are starting a good partnership and yet we can still end up getting caught out too easily.
Seriki needs to begin to start of Choudhury too soon.

This all said I think we are doing quite well in the face of adversity that this summer brought with off field news, and transfers in and out!
Long may it continue.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Im mildly content with our league position after start and football we've been watching. But im far from happy with some of the performances and how poor we've been, with no game plan & how we keep conceding poor goals.

Although that said these last few games we have had a slightly bit more structure to the side and stability with KP playing more regular and more of a regular spine, I feel we can get stronger the more of a settled side, that hopefully starts to gain more confidence and starts playing with more momentum. If we win vs charlton, I feel it could be a turning point (would be a shame regarding international break, and the momentum).

It all comes back to expectations.

I expected us to finish mid table before the season started and I haven't seen anything to change my mind on that.

We haven't improved from the inconsistent form we saw for the majority of last season.

Anybody talking about the play offs is just setting themselves up for disappointment again.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

It all comes back to expectations.

I expected us to finish mid table before the season started and I haven't seen anything to change my mind on that.

We haven't improved from the inconsistent form we saw for the majority of last season.

Anybody talking about the play offs is just setting themselves up for disappointment again.

We weren't inconsistent at the start of last season. We were incompetent. We did kinda recover from that and even had a sniff of the play offs at one point but we looked like relegation fodder under selles. With the extended play offs this year I wouldn't be surprised if we are in the hunt deep into the season.

Expectations after the summer window shut was that we would lack creativity and that's impossible to magic up from thin air unfortunately.

 

[71Blade]

When you look at the strength in depth we have when everyone is fit, we have a lot of pros who have played at a really high standard and some of the best youngsters in the league.
We are becoming a resilient team to beat.
We have the best keeper in the league.
A striker with highest conversion rate per shot.
We are flying under the radar of other clubs and could be underestimated which could work in our favour.
It reminds me abit of when we come up from league 1 and everyone was "having a off day" when playing us
I think our results looking at it have been good although performances haven't always been excellent
Its time some of you lot got down to the lane and start getting behind the team and being positive instead of acting entitled and praying on Wilder and team to fail
We win this weekend and we are in amongst it perfectly for some big games on the run up to christmas

Top of the pops for christmas

Im going to say No - i think that we have many tough tests upcoming in cannot see us beating West Ham, Southampton, Boro and a few others we struggle against the good sides, i have been impressed with some of the recent performances against teams we could / have come unstuck against in the past which gets us points on the board. I cannot see us competing with the better sides can see us getting a few spankings if i am honest.