Am I the only one that feels optimistic?

[Cyprus Blade]

Ched relaxing by the pool with a book and a mineral water keeping the electronic tag on his leg dry...

fixed it for you

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

So this goes back to my very first post. In what way are you 'optimistic'? If you are optimistic about our chances of top 6, then we have been in agreement all along!

Not really. My opinion is that we have a side capable of improving as the season goes along. I do not believe that top two is beyond the current squad, I simply feel that by adding a couple more players we stand a very good chance. I feel that we are already relatively strong and that some of our current players will improve and bring goals with that.

You were saying the current squad is way off being capable. I disagree. The one thing that confuses me is that you claimed earlier in the thread it was delusional to think we could make top two and that we will finish nowhere near. Later you have said one player will make it achievable.

 

[blader]

Not really. My opinion is that we have a side capable of improving as the season goes along. I do not believe that top two is beyond the current squad, I simply feel that by adding a couple more players we stand a very good chance. I feel that we are already relatively strong and that some of our current players will improve and bring goals with that.

You were saying the current squad is way off being capable. I disagree. The one thing that confuses me is that you claimed earlier in the thread it was delusional to think we could make top two and that we will finish nowhere near. Later you have said one player will make it achievable.

Ye because it is a striker we are missing. So yes, one striker could make all the difference. The current squad is nowhere near an automatic side, because we don't have goals. Add goals - hey presto! Promotion capable side. Simple really, but as I have saidnrepeatedly, this current squad does not have the 70+ goals in it to win automatic promotion.

Also the statement you make 'by adding a couple more we stand a good chance' says all you need to know about our current realistic ability.

 

[Bladesman]

I think bring in another striker and we should do well this season.

 

[cooperblade]

Can't see us finishing outside the top 4.

If we finish 3rd or 4th, we'll win the play-offs due to a combination of factors but mainly our ability to get results in tight away matches (Fulham, West Ham perfect examples of away leg Play Off type performances) and, crucially, a lot of the team have played at Wembley and will have no fears about doing so again.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Ye because it is a striker we are missing. So yes, one striker could make all the difference. The current squad is nowhere near an automatic side, because we don't have goals. Add goals - hey presto! Promotion capable side. Simple really, but as I have saidnrepeatedly, this current squad does not have the 70+ goals in it to win automatic promotion.

Also the statement you make 'by adding a couple more we stand a good chance' says all you need to know about our current realistic ability.

So you think one player can take a side from being nowhere close to being contenders?.....ok then.

Makes you wonder why they bother employing managers when there are so many experts on here. Words fail me.

 

[blader]

So you think one player can take a side from being nowhere close to being contenders?.....ok then.

Makes you wonder why they bother employing managers when there are so many experts on here. Words fail me.

Yes I do. Jordan Rhodes, Ched Evans, Scott hogan, Sam winnall, paddy madden, Craig davies, Joe garner just to name a few.... There is an overwhelming correlation between having a 20+ scorer and finishing high in the league. We don't have a 20+ scorer. Compare ours to say Bristol City: Agard, Wilbraham, freeman, Emmanuel-Thomas and there is an example as to why we won't score nearly as many goals as some other teams.

The ambiguity in your argument is slightly confusing though. So you're optimistic, I get that. However, if you had to stick your neck on the line now, where do you think this squad would finish? Personally, I'd go for 6th, but would I be right to assume (with no addtions) you believe this squad is capable of finishing top 2?

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Yes I do. Jordan Rhodes, Ched Evans, Scott hogan, Sam winnall, paddy madden, Craig davies, Joe garner just to name a few.... There is an overwhelming correlation between having a 20+ scorer and finishing high in the league. We don't have a 20+ scorer. Compare ours to say Bristol City: Agard, Wilbraham, freeman, Emmanuel-Thomas and there is an example as to why we won't score nearly as many goals as some other teams.

The ambiguity in your argument is slightly confusing though. So you're optimistic, I get that. However, if you had to stick your neck on the line now, where do you think this squad would finish? Personally, I'd go for 6th, but would I be right to assume (with no addtions) you believe this squad is capable of finishing top 2?

James Beattie 22 goals in 07-08, Sheffield United finished outside playoffs
Sam Baldock 23 goals in 13-14, Bristol City finished 12th
Troy Deeney 24 goals in 13-14, Watford finished 13th

It's not that overwhelming a correlation is it?

I think we will comfortably finish top four. An extra striker (as I said from the start) will make me very confident of top two. I think we're capable of it with or without another striker.

 

[blader]

James Beattie 22 goals in 07-08, Sheffield United finished outside playoffs
Sam Baldock 23 goals in 13-14, Bristol City finished 12th
Troy Deeney 24 goals in 13-14, Watford finished 13th

It's not that overwhelming a correlation is it?

I think we will comfortably finish top four. An extra striker (as I said from the start) will make me very confident of top two. I think we're capable of it with or without another striker.

Ok fair enough. We'll pick this back up in April!

 

[Revolution]

James Beattie 22 goals in 07-08, Sheffield United finished outside playoffs
Sam Baldock 23 goals in 13-14, Bristol City finished 12th
Troy Deeney 24 goals in 13-14, Watford finished 13th

It's not that overwhelming a correlation is it?

I think we will comfortably finish top four. An extra striker (as I said from the start) will make me very confident of top two. I think we're capable of it with or without another striker.

All this is true, but the average 2nd place team in the last 10 years has scored 76 goals. You think we have 76 goals in us?

You can go up without a 20 goal striker - but you need 3 10 plus goal strikers and a lot of goals from midfield. I do not see this from this squad

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

All this is true, but the average 2nd place team in the last 10 years has scored 76 goals. You think we have 76 goals in us?

You can go up without a 20 goal striker - but you need 3 10 plus goal strikers and a lot of goals from midfield. I do not see this from this squad

I'm guessing from that you don't think Jose Baxter, Jamie Murphy, Stefan Scougall, Marc McNulty and Michael Higdon have many goals in them?

It's worth reminding everyone that Michael Higdon scored 14 in 32 last season for a relegated side in the Eredivisie.

 

[Pierre's PC]

It's worth reminding everyone that Michael Higdon scored 14 in 32 last season for a relegated side in the Eredivisie.

A fact that keeps being overlooked when it doesn't fit an adgenda

 

[Revolution]

I'm guessing from that you don't think Jose Baxter, Jamie Murphy, Stefan Scougall, Marc McNulty and Michael Higdon have many goals in them?

It's worth reminding everyone that Michael Higdon scored 14 in 32 last season for a relegated side in the Eredivisie.

Higdon - yes (though I am worried about that prediction)

Baxter - yes

The other 3 - no, I don't. Murphy might get 7 or 8 but I have no faith in the other 2 to score regularly in league 1.

This squad does not have enough goals for promotion. 60 is it's ceiling. That's 7th or 8th again.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Ok fair enough. We'll pick this back up in April!

Differences of opinion are what make football interesting. Fair enough, I imagine we will debate this again well before the end of the season.

I agree with some of your opinions by the way. I was a bit harsh in an earlier post, apologies.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Higdon - yes (though I am worried about that prediction)

Baxter - yes

The other 3 - no, I don't. Murphy might get 7 or 8 but I have no faith in the other 2 to score regularly in league 1.

This squad does not have enough goals for promotion. 60 is it's ceiling. That's 7th or 8th again.

This gives me an idea for another thread.....

 

[SwissBlade]

Higdon - yes (though I am worried about that prediction)

Baxter - yes

The other 3 - no, I don't. Murphy might get 7 or 8 but I have no faith in the other 2 to score regularly in league 1.

This squad does not have enough goals for promotion. 60 is it's ceiling. That's 7th or 8th again.

I'll stick my neck out and say higdon will hit 20 goals, but as a caveat - he needs the supply like we had last season and he needs to hit fitness quick!

Baxter and murphy should hit 10 goals too.

Now for me it's Flynn or JCR down the right. Even between them they're going to hit 10 each

If we're assuming on current form that Baxter will keep the central slot, that leaves Scoogs plenty of options to slot in alongside higdon up front, last 20 for Baxter or basham, down the right... With Scoogs coming off the bench he'll get goals, as will McNulty (more likely poachers goals)

There are goals throughout this team, with one or two additions there could be more scorers added

The big IF I suppose is whether higdon can give us the potential he showed against Brizzle, I think he can