Lets start on the basic premise that my views are as valid as yours. Believe me, if we are going to compare pathetic internet signatures I think you give me some stiff competition. For the record I do not 'get out of argument' but I refuse to continue when the other person is just here to dig themselves deeper into an entrenched position, or to stroke their own fur in front of an assembled audience. I am not here to 'educate' anyone.
In answer to your questions. The teams in this league are broadly of a similar standard. With the possible exception of QPR and Cardiff, there isn't more than a 5% difference between the rest. The results show this to be the case, with anyone really being able to beat anyone on their day. A run of a few results would be enough for us, or anyone around us to get well up the table. Only 7 points between play-offs and relegation zone, but then we have only played 8 out of 46 games, not 38. Looking at last seasons table, was there any massive difference between us in 8th and Bristol City, Derby, Boro, Coventry, Preston, Watford, Ipswich, Barnsley, and other teams who finished in the mid table below us? I dont think there was. Peterborough was the team we could all nail as being 'poor' after selling their goal scorers, but this season no team stands out as being particularly poor, despite what you seemingly try to prove. You talk of Portsmouth, Leicester, Bristol City as if they are just about to hit form and streak past us, but you are blind to the possibility that we may also find form ourselves.
What evidence do you see that we will get worse? We've changed the style, not massively, but enough, and for spells in games we've looked a decent side, and a battling side. We haven't had the luck in front of goal, but it really is hyping it up to claim that we are a nailed on cert for relegation. We have improved in a few positions from last year. I know they are loans (season long) but Jordon and Calve are both better than what we had after Walker had gone back. I dont think we have quite worked out a formation where Britton and Ertle are used to their best effect, but they are both improvements too. Despite the lack of goals Boggy gives us three strikers in the squad who scored 15 goals a piece in the Championship last season. Are they shit, or are they struggling for form? I prefer to believe the latter. They've done it before.
Players who are 'Plenty Good enough' for a mid table Championship side? Simmondsen, Jordon, Bartley, Nos, Morgs, Monty, Britton, Ertle, Calve, Quinn S., Cresswell, Henderson (when fit), Boggy, Yeates, Williamson (when fit), Ward. Dont think I've missed one. I have question marks against Kozzy, not what he once was, Evans who I think mentally, the longer it goes on, the less likely that it will come good for him, and Taylor who shows flashes of a decent player but is undone too easily. I am not rating the likes of Lowton, Slew, Chappell and James as they are for next season and beyond. Thats 16 players who would fit into any other mid-table side and a few who would fit into a side with aspirations of play-offs and better. When we get a formation that they can deliver their best, and most importantly a bit of confidence in them, I can easily see us being comfortable.
Its down to Speedo and the coaches to get it right, and get us going. If they can't, then we may find outselves with a battle on to stay in the division. We all know its a possibility but there is no point in fretting about it at this stage with more than 80% of games still to be played...
