Top 6 Predictions

[blader]

I think it's all up for debate, but what I would ask is: how are people justifying Bristol City not winning the league at this stage? I appreciate a lot of things 'could' happen, but they're currently sat top by 5 points and are unbeaten. It's difficult to see past them at this stage whichever way you look at it. Il think the 10 game rule is generally pretty accurate, and it seems the top 7 are as predicted pre-season (Rochdale aside). So Bristol + the other 5 in any order seems the most likely outcome based on the first 10.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

I think it's all up for debate, but what I would ask is: how are people justifying Bristol City not winning the league at this stage? I appreciate a lot of things 'could' happen, but they're currently sat top by 5 points and are unbeaten. It's difficult to see past them at this stage whichever way you look at it. Il think the 10 game rule is generally pretty accurate, and it seems the top 7 are as predicted pre-season (Rochdale aside). So Bristol + the other 5 in any order seems the most likely outcome based on the first 10.

In 2012-13 after 11 matches the top 3 teams were undefeated.

None of them went up.

One of them was us, the other two are now in League Two.

 

[blader]

In 2012-13 after 11 matches the top 3 teams were undefeated.

None of them went up.

One of them was us, the other two are now in League Two.

But that doesn't mean they are not the most likely to go up, does it? I guarantee if we were in their position our whole fan base (including myself) would expect to win the league after that start.

 

[blade too long]

Barnsley is a real bold prediction , , they cant defend, have a poor squad and liable to folding like a pack of cards

I have them among my 8 options to go down , and in the leading pack

 

[Kenilworth]

Barnsley is a real bold prediction , , they cant defend, have a poor squad and liable to folding like a pack of cards

I have them among my 8 options to go down , and in the leading pack

Barnsley

BARNSLEY!

Bwahahahahahahahahaha

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I think it's all up for debate, but what I would ask is: how are people justifying Bristol City not winning the league at this stage? I appreciate a lot of things 'could' happen, but they're currently sat top by 5 points and are unbeaten. It's difficult to see past them at this stage whichever way you look at it. Il think the 10 game rule is generally pretty accurate, and it seems the top 7 are as predicted pre-season (Rochdale aside). So Bristol + the other 5 in any order seems the most likely outcome based on the first 10.

I know we disagree on a lot of things blader and on this occasion I agree with you, I think they will win the league but.....

Have you actually ever followed any previous league seasons? How many times must a team have fallen away having flown out of the traps early doors? Must have been as often as we've seen teams stay top. Personally I think they will continue their good run, get very far in front and then hit a bad run which will erode their lead. Still think they will hang on in there though.

They show all the signs of a side that could fall apart after one defeat. Seen it many times before. The question for me is how much of a lead they can build up first.

 

[blade too long]

I think it's all up for debate, but what I would ask is: how are people justifying Bristol City not winning the league at this stage? I appreciate a lot of things 'could' happen, but they're currently sat top by 5 points and are unbeaten. It's difficult to see past them at this stage whichever way you look at it. Il think the 10 game rule is generally pretty accurate, and it seems the top 7 are as predicted pre-season (Rochdale aside). So Bristol + the other 5 in any order seems the most likely outcome based on the first 10.

A year ago today no one could see past Orient going up, 10 points clear of third
http://www.leytonorient-mad.co.uk/snapshot_tables/2013_2014/2/nov/leyton_orient/index.shtml

and rotherham who went up ,were 10th

 

[blader]

I know we disagree on a lot of things blader and on this occasion I agree with you, I think they will win the league but.....

Have you actually ever followed any previous league seasons? How many times must a team have fallen away having flown out of the traps early doors? Must have been as often as we've seen teams stay top. Personally I think they will continue their good run, get very far in front and then hit a bad run which will erode their lead. Still think they will hang on in there though.

They show all the signs of a side that could fall apart after one defeat. Seen it many times before. The question for me is how much of a lead they can build up first.

I'm not saying Bristol will win the league as fact. I'm just simply wondering how anyone can say they won't based on current evidence. I agree, as I said previously, there are plenty of variables, but based on them being currently top and unbeaten, what could make people think they won't win it?

 

[SandyMcBlade]

What's that much quoted saying -

IT'S A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT....

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I'm not saying Bristol will win the league as fact. I'm just simply wondering how anyone can say they won't based on current evidence. I agree, as I said previously, there are plenty of variables, but based on them being currently top and unbeaten, what could make people think they won't win it?

Some people take the view that their first 9 or 10 games don't guarantee their form will continue on the same. Making an assumption that they will maintain their form and stay top is essentially extrapolating their results. A lot can change between now and May.

My view on them is based on the general vibe I get and how sides in a similar position have done in the past. I get the feeling that they have some quality and having watched them a couple of times/read reports, they don't come across as a team that will roll everyone over. I think they have weaknesses but are full of confidence at the minute and have luck on their side. If they maintain that then you have to give them credit but I don't think they will over 46 games. Building up a big lead will be very important to them.

 

[blader]

Some people take the view that their first 9 or 10 games don't guarantee their form will continue on the same. Making an assumption that they will maintain their form and stay top is essentially extrapolating their results. A lot can change between now and May.

Again, I think we agree that a lot can change, but if you had to put your house on someone winning it now, surely it's Bristol City every time? First 9 or 10 guarantee nothing, but a team that has 20 odd goals to its name and unbeaten in 10 games is a good starting point. There is nothing that suggests another side is more likely than Bristol City to win it thus far, and that's all we have to go on.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Again, I think we agree that a lot can change, but if you had to put your house on someone winning it now, surely it's Bristol City every time? First 9 or 10 guarantee nothing, but a team that has 20 odd goals to its name and unbeaten in 10 games is a good starting point. There is nothing that suggests another side is more likely than Bristol City to win it thus far, and that's all we have to go on.

I wouldn't be confident of anyone based on what I've seen of this league. Orient were miles in front last year and lost the playoff final. Personally I think Bristol City will scrape the title but it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the playoffs either.

 

[blader]

I wouldn't be confident of anyone based on what I've seen of this league. Orient were miles in front last year and lost the playoff final. Personally I think Bristol City will scrape the title but it wouldn't surprise me to see them in the playoffs either.

So we've gone a long way about it, but we do agree! There are 5 teams all very similar, but BC are just that bit better than the rest, and I think that's a fair assessment of this league. I do think there's very little between the rest.

 

[Darthblade]

I know its early days but just interested to see people's predictions based on what we've seen so far. I reckon:-

1. Bristol City
2. Sheffield United
3. MK Dons
4. Barnsley
5. Preston
6. Peterborough

If we don't sort out a decent CB and a striker with pace and strength quite soon, then I would say ....

1. Bristol City
2. MK Dons
3. Preston
4. Peterborough
5. Swindon
6. Blades

And I'm not confident of playoffs ...... even now under Cloughie.
UTB & FTP

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

So we've gone a long way about it, but we do agree! There are 5 teams all very similar, but BC are just that bit better than the rest, and I think that's a fair assessment of this league. I do think there's very little between the rest.

In which case surely no reason to suggest we can't finish 2nd

Like you though, I want to see a couple of additions. I think an experienced defender and a forward would be enough. I really don't think we need much, tightening one screw to seal things up and a few extra goals.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

If we don't sort out a decent CB and a striker with pace and strength quite soon, then I would say ....

1. Bristol City
2. MK Dons
3. Preston
4. Peterborough
5. Swindon
6. Blades

And I'm not confident of playoffs ...... even now under Cloughie.
UTB & FTP

4th at least for me. I've seen nothing else in this league to suggest there are 4 sides better than us.

 

[Kenilworth]

Everyone is forgetting the Tripple D's - The Derby Day Dilemma we have this season that may very well affect our points total over the duration.

We have not played any of our local rivals yet - almost a quarter of the season gone and Chessy will be the first of 10 games against local teams this Saturday.
These are traditionally tight games with a lot of effort put in but low on quality. and you can be absolutely sure that Barnsley, Scunny, Donny, Chessy, and Bratfud will all be dead keen on putting one over on us. Being a team that doesn't score many goals means that these games could be tighter than ever.
I worry that we will be struggling to convert any periods of dominance into goals and end up on the wrong side of a few 1-0 games in this set of fixtures.

 

[blader]

In which case surely no reason to suggest we can't finish 2nd

Like you though, I want to see a couple of additions. I think an experienced defender and a forward would be enough. I really don't think we need much, tightening one screw to seal things up and a few extra goals.

I actually don't think we even need a defender, I really don't. Just someone to stick the ball in the net would be fine for me. Genuinely, one player would make all the difference IMO, I'd pool all our resources into a goal scorer. Our defence and reserves are fine for league 1.

 

[essexblade87]

I don't think you can predict the order but it will be these teams I think:

Blades
Preston
Bristol City
Peterborough
Doncaster
Coventry

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I actually don't think we even need a defender, I really don't. Just someone to stick the ball in the net would be fine for me. Genuinely, one player would make all the difference IMO, I'd pool all our resources into a goal scorer. Our defence and reserves are fine for league 1.

I have a nagging feeling that we need an experienced centre half to compete for a place with McGahey. Someone to push him because his place is fairly safe at the moment due to a lack of competition.

In most games the lad has played very well and shown the obvious talent/potential he has but his lack of experience has been found out in a couple of games and its a worry. The next step in his development would be to have an old head pushing him I think. Collins can't do that alone, he has his own job to do.

 

[blader]

I have a nagging feeling that we need an experienced centre half to compete for a place with McGahey. Someone to push him because his place is fairly safe at the moment due to a lack of competition.

In most games the lad has played very well and shown the obvious talent/potential he has but his lack of experience has been found out in a couple of games and its a worry. The next step in his development would be to have an old head pushing him I think. Collins can't do that alone, he has his own job to do.

Fair comment, but then where do we aim? Do we go for an experience centre half that's better than HM, therefore stalling his development? Or do we go for an experience centre half not quite as good as HM but just as competition? If so, what's the point? It's a tricky one. I like the young-old(er) combination we've had at centre half for the last few years.

 

[Kenilworth]

So, you are not going to go very far then are you, at that rate?

Out of interest, if that is the case, shouldn't you be called "ShakinBlade" as opposed to "BouncinBlade" ?

wizadry - thanks feller - I think that you were the only one that got it
Either that or it's just yet another one in a string of very shit jokes from me

 

[wizadry]

wizadry - thanks feller - I think that you were the only one that got it
Either that or it's just yet another one in a string of very shit jokes from me

No probs mate,it gave me a right good old chuckle to myself.I told our lass and even she was laughing her head off.

I wonder how far he digs to get his feet in

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Who knows but at a guess
1) United
2) Swindon
3) Preston
4) Bristol City
5) Notts County
6) Coventry City

Just to be optimistic I've put United top , I think its also Swindons season, as they have been a very good League one side for a while now.

 

[blade.i.am]

1 the blades
2 don't give a shit
3 don't give a shit
4 don't give a shit
5 don't give a shit
6 don't give a shit

7-24 ditto

this is our year. we have had the toughest start fixture wise but still in touch. the team is beginning to jell. Excellent manage and support and, despite many folks' misgivings, the board will provide funds to help cluffy. It's unthinkable that we could spend another season in the turd tier

 

[Glos Red]

Joining the debate late due to waiting registration.......

I'm obviously very happy with the first set of 10 games but have reservations about the defence and Cotterill's insistence on changing the style of play when a goal or two up with 30 minutes or so to go, it has led to 4 points being dropped and nearly another two last week at home to Franchise FC.

In alphabetical order

Bristol City
MK Dons
Peterboro
PNE
Sheffield United
Swindon Town

Outsiders Rochdale.

And onwards to a bit of a bogey ground and another meeting with our dear friends in the WMP.