by Whistler » Thu Nov 23, 2017 9:22 am
Its interesting to note that since the start of the season we have all been saying that we will be lucky to get into the playoffs, by the end of September i think we had all revised our expectations and were starting the quietly say the playoffs were now the least we should achieve.
So here we are coming towards the end of November and its suddenly dawning on us that a a top two place is on the cards, but we are all saying "but there is a long way to go".
Lets look at our position. we have the best defence in the league(only 13 goals against) we are averaging just over 2 points per game which if repeated over the season would see us have 94 points which would gain us automatic promotion, I would state that we have the opportunity to have a good run of results up to Christmas with the matches we have to complete the first half of the season, but what of our rivals, who can knock us off our perch:
1. Wolves - they look the most impressive team in the division and will take some catching, unless they have a massive dip in form i dont think any one will catch them for the title.
2. Shef Utd - they are the surprise package, they are free scoring however they are taking some hits, losing matches they should be winning, they could be having an extended bounce from their promotion from last year, I think they could slip down to 5th or 7th
3. Villa - i think they represent one of the biggest challenges coming up behind us, they will push us all the way and could yet pip us for an automatic promotion place.
4. [Bristol - I think they will fall away and not achieve the play-offs.
5. Middlesboro - they are starting to come strong and have a very good squad for this division, they will certainly be in the playoffs, I dont think they have enough for the top two.
6. Derby - a good squad which will see them pushing for the playoffs but they have shown over previous years that they have a soft underbelly and could well blow up at some point in the second part of the season.
I dont think there will be much challenge outside of these clubs. as for us we will continue to grind out results and with key attacking player due back from injury I believe we can push on in the coming weeks, however our season could be defined in early April with successive matches against Shef Utd ( A), Wolves (H) and Aston Villa (A).
I THINK WE WILL TAKE 2nd