| Are we good enough to finish top 2? 13:17 - Feb 17 with 4791 views | Chrisd |
Forget who we have in our squad, do we feel confident that we can genuinely finish in the automatic places? I like to think we can, but I’m also not wholly convinced by us either. In one way, I think great we aren’t playing well and getting results, that’s something to be encouraged about there’s more to come. Then, there are times we make it bloody hard work, look pedestrian in the way we play, we can be excruciatingly painful to watch at times. I appreciate that the club is under enormous pressure to get promoted due to the potential funds we will miss out on if we fail to get back to the EPL and everyone must be feeling that from the management down to the players. It must have an impact? I feel I’m quite 50/50 about our chances. Thoughts? |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:24 - Feb 17 with 2877 views | NthQldITFC |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 with 2891 views | itfcjoe |
The start to the season was a shocker with the first 4 games yielding 3 points whilst we sorted squad out.
But since transfer window shut, we are the best team in the league points per game
Ipswich - 1.96
Coventry - 1.93
Hull - 1.85
Millwall - 1.79
Boro - 1.75
We look like we've got all our issues sorted (bar the number 9 position) so we should be in a better position to kick on from here; but it's kicking on from a position where we are already outstripping everyone |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 with 2864 views | jasondozzell |
Ignore the noise about us being dreadful to watch or not playing well. It's warping people's minds.
We are having an excellent season. The team has improved through the season as KM gets the coaching into the players and integrates them. To my mind, it's one of the most impressive periods of KM's time with us. Summer was a huge challenge, he's had to build a new side under pressure and with an eye on the long term development of the club and key players.
I would imagine both Boro and Coventry squads have spent 2-3 years building towards their success this season with many players having played together for some time. We've had to do it in weeks.
We are going to win the league. |  | | |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:31 - Feb 17 with 2831 views | Herbivore |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 by itfcjoe |
The start to the season was a shocker with the first 4 games yielding 3 points whilst we sorted squad out.
But since transfer window shut, we are the best team in the league points per game
Ipswich - 1.96
Coventry - 1.93
Hull - 1.85
Millwall - 1.79
Boro - 1.75
We look like we've got all our issues sorted (bar the number 9 position) so we should be in a better position to kick on from here; but it's kicking on from a position where we are already outstripping everyone |
This. And for all the talk that we move it too slowly and don't create enough, all the attacking stats suggest that's not really the case. And for all that people say we're winning without playing well, we dominate most of our games across most metrics. If anything we should have more points on the board than we do based off performances and underlying metrics. The fact we've been the best side in the division since the end of the summer window speaks for itself but people have a narrative about this season that they're reluctant to let go of for some reason. I think we'll go up as champions personally as I think we're the best team in the division and there's signs it's starting to click. If that continues I can see us ending the season in not dissimilar fashion to how we ended the League 1 promotion season. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:39 - Feb 17 with 2773 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 by itfcjoe |
The start to the season was a shocker with the first 4 games yielding 3 points whilst we sorted squad out.
But since transfer window shut, we are the best team in the league points per game
Ipswich - 1.96
Coventry - 1.93
Hull - 1.85
Millwall - 1.79
Boro - 1.75
We look like we've got all our issues sorted (bar the number 9 position) so we should be in a better position to kick on from here; but it's kicking on from a position where we are already outstripping everyone |
Season feels on a bit of a knife edge to me and is going to hinge on how we do away from home. We need more Coventry/Derby and less Blackburn/Leicester/Sheff Utd/Oxford. These two games against Wrexham and Watford are big. | | | |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:39 - Feb 17 with 2764 views | Kieran_Knows |
Comfortably. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:40 - Feb 17 with 2750 views | Kieran_Knows |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:31 - Feb 17 by Herbivore |
This. And for all the talk that we move it too slowly and don't create enough, all the attacking stats suggest that's not really the case. And for all that people say we're winning without playing well, we dominate most of our games across most metrics. If anything we should have more points on the board than we do based off performances and underlying metrics. The fact we've been the best side in the division since the end of the summer window speaks for itself but people have a narrative about this season that they're reluctant to let go of for some reason. I think we'll go up as champions personally as I think we're the best team in the division and there's signs it's starting to click. If that continues I can see us ending the season in not dissimilar fashion to how we ended the League 1 promotion season. |
We wouldn’t have this problem if we still had the 23/24 squad though…. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:42 - Feb 17 with 2732 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:31 - Feb 17 by Herbivore |
This. And for all the talk that we move it too slowly and don't create enough, all the attacking stats suggest that's not really the case. And for all that people say we're winning without playing well, we dominate most of our games across most metrics. If anything we should have more points on the board than we do based off performances and underlying metrics. The fact we've been the best side in the division since the end of the summer window speaks for itself but people have a narrative about this season that they're reluctant to let go of for some reason. I think we'll go up as champions personally as I think we're the best team in the division and there's signs it's starting to click. If that continues I can see us ending the season in not dissimilar fashion to how we ended the League 1 promotion season. |
We control ourselves in most games. Yes at times certain patterns could be better, finishing we know could be better, but the reason to some, and pretty much every non town fan who watches us, believe it's poor football, is because it's controlled football. In all games we've had golden chances to go ahead prior to conceding, that's been the ever so slight issue and the goals we've conceded i'd say are annoying rather than being cut open.
Because it's not fast fast fast for 90 minutes, it's viewed as poor football,
it's getting ready for the prem football. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:46 - Feb 17 with 2688 views | HighgateBlue |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 by itfcjoe |
The start to the season was a shocker with the first 4 games yielding 3 points whilst we sorted squad out.
But since transfer window shut, we are the best team in the league points per game
Ipswich - 1.96
Coventry - 1.93
Hull - 1.85
Millwall - 1.79
Boro - 1.75
We look like we've got all our issues sorted (bar the number 9 position) so we should be in a better position to kick on from here; but it's kicking on from a position where we are already outstripping everyone |
A positive post, and all the better for that.
You're right in what you say about the stats, and the past.
I hope you're right as regards what you say about the future.
I feel the number 9 caveat is a considerable one. It's really hard to get promoted automatically without a reasonably decent and effective Championship number 9. I keep saying it, but Norwich have three of them who are more effective than ours.
And the playoffs are enough of a lottery without having really quite poor away form. |  | | |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:47 - Feb 17 with 2684 views | BseaBlue |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:31 - Feb 17 by Herbivore |
This. And for all the talk that we move it too slowly and don't create enough, all the attacking stats suggest that's not really the case. And for all that people say we're winning without playing well, we dominate most of our games across most metrics. If anything we should have more points on the board than we do based off performances and underlying metrics. The fact we've been the best side in the division since the end of the summer window speaks for itself but people have a narrative about this season that they're reluctant to let go of for some reason. I think we'll go up as champions personally as I think we're the best team in the division and there's signs it's starting to click. If that continues I can see us ending the season in not dissimilar fashion to how we ended the League 1 promotion season. |
A bit like the 'shouldn't mess around with it at the back' scepticism being countered with the fact that we have the joint best defence in the league!
I'd really like us to get over the hoodoo of not winning after conceding first. I think that would help give everyone a bit of confidence and belief in the team. A Hirst or Azon goal at the weekend wouldn't go amiss either. |  | | |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:47 - Feb 17 with 2676 views | Herbivore |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:42 - Feb 17 by FrimleyBlue |
We control ourselves in most games. Yes at times certain patterns could be better, finishing we know could be better, but the reason to some, and pretty much every non town fan who watches us, believe it's poor football, is because it's controlled football. In all games we've had golden chances to go ahead prior to conceding, that's been the ever so slight issue and the goals we've conceded i'd say are annoying rather than being cut open.
Because it's not fast fast fast for 90 minutes, it's viewed as poor football,
it's getting ready for the prem football. |
This is boll0cks, Frimmers. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:47 - Feb 17 with 2679 views | tractorboy1978 |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:40 - Feb 17 by Kieran_Knows |
We wouldn’t have this problem if we still had the 23/24 squad though…. |
This squad needs to earn its corn over the next 16 games now. Last 16 games of 23/24 we W11, D3, L2. Lets see how the class of 25/26 do under pressure. | | | |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:47 - Feb 17 with 2677 views | WestStanderLaLaLa |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:40 - Feb 17 by Kieran_Knows |
We wouldn’t have this problem if we still had the 23/24 squad though…. |
We’ll never know how that squad would have coped with low blocks |  |
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| I think its going to depend as as much on Cov, than ourselves on 13:52 - Feb 17 with 2626 views | unstableblue |
I would say I'm not yet fully convinced we can make the top two.
McKenna, coaches and some of the squad are well versed in how to manage these kind of three way auto battles, taking it one game at a time and all that. But some factors seem different this season.
Ask me again after the next six games. I think we will KNOW how we're going to do based on how the three teams fare over the next six.
Derby away was really heartening (it was Coventry away but almost a tougher style); the return of Jaden and Nunez will improve us. I think Mehmeti is also very significant. Neil looked superb at Pride Park when he came on, less so at Wrexham (but does that game count).
But coming to my point, I think Boro have the players and systems/style to see this out and stay the distance. There was a piece of brilliance that opened them up for 1-0 last night, then they stretched themselves and crucially Wright found his shooting boots for the Sky Blues. Town remain just a little too inconsistent in performance for me, our strikers are just not hot at the moment (hopefully Clarke, Jaden, Mehmeti can fill the void), Egeli and McAteer signings haven't worked enough, and we need Burns.
And crucially Coventry had an incredible PPG record, that tailed off in their big dip, they found a formula last night and crucially Wright scored a hatrick - there next three of West Brom (a), Sheff Utd (a) and Stoke (h) could be season defining.. if they get circa 7 points and we don't match it (Wrexham (a), Watford (a) and Swansea (h))... i'd get concerned.
In summary of Coventry move back to 2+ PPG, we'll struggle to hit autos even with games in hand. BUT we have the quality in squad on paper to go on a serious run. BUT IT HAS TO START NOW, not in the next set of games. I'd love 7 from the next three. [Post edited 17 Feb 13:55]
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:54 - Feb 17 with 2588 views | PioneerBlue |
I am probably more with you Chris, rather than Joe on this one. I absolutely accept we have maintained great form over an extended period and im not suggesting it will evaporate but we need to be on the top end of that form to go up automatically. I really would like PR to play its part on the run in. I fully believe we now have the tools but we are so dependent on a number of things going our way to find ways to break teams down, including find new and novel ways that we have not managed at times so far. Jaden and Nunez need to be coming back and hitting the ground running, Mehmeti has to build on this excellent start and provide genuine assists and goals, a striker has to hit some form to make goal contributions when others cant or dont. Everything points to the end of season being very close run to May, what we have is the manager, coaches and some players with experience at this stage. It would help a bit if the fans were able to enjoy the process more at PR! IF we can refind that club unity it might be the extra 5% we need to push the chances in our favour. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:57 - Feb 17 with 2563 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Without doubt.
We are a tough watch at times but I think a lot of that is due to the fact that teams a lot of the time have 0 interest in playing a game against us. No other team in the league gets the same treatment we do. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:00 - Feb 17 with 2539 views | Radlett_blue |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:39 - Feb 17 by tractorboy1978 |
Season feels on a bit of a knife edge to me and is going to hinge on how we do away from home. We need more Coventry/Derby and less Blackburn/Leicester/Sheff Utd/Oxford. These two games against Wrexham and Watford are big. |
We're now averaging just over 2pts a game & continuing that over the rest of the season should do it, although it will be close. Get something from each of the next 2 tough away games and we'll be in a good position, with 3 home games in a row to follow. We have Boro, Hull & Millwall all to come to PR, but we have played Coventry twice, which looks good. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:01 - Feb 17 with 2529 views | hoppy |
Yes, we are.
Will we?
We have as good as chance as our main rivals, despite being behind them in points tallies at the moment. If we win the two games in hand, we would be, as we stand, just 2 points off the top. We still have to play one of the 2 teams above us, and you'd have to think that, over recent form both are just as capable of dropping points as us, so it becomes a case of who handles any pressure over the remainder of the season as to who finishes in those top two positions. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:02 - Feb 17 with 2503 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:47 - Feb 17 by Herbivore |
This is boll0cks, Frimmers. |
Why?
Do you not you feel we are more prepared for prem football than we were last time?
Ignoring individual talent, that's a different discussion.
Our style of play, the transitions and controlling the game aspects of our football is imo far superior to what we did last time round. When we've lost games it's that slight lack of control that's beaten us not by teams getting through us. Oxford - Was taylor as KM said pushing to much, lead to a break and a goal. Sheff Utd... we got out of shape etc, and lead to breaks etc.
Kinda backed by our stats in being 2nd top goal scorers, yet also 2nd best defensive figures. It's incredibly well balanced. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:05 - Feb 17 with 2480 views | blueoutlook |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 by jasondozzell |
Ignore the noise about us being dreadful to watch or not playing well. It's warping people's minds.
We are having an excellent season. The team has improved through the season as KM gets the coaching into the players and integrates them. To my mind, it's one of the most impressive periods of KM's time with us. Summer was a huge challenge, he's had to build a new side under pressure and with an eye on the long term development of the club and key players.
I would imagine both Boro and Coventry squads have spent 2-3 years building towards their success this season with many players having played together for some time. We've had to do it in weeks.
We are going to win the league. |
We have also had a ridiculous amount of money to throw at it unlike Coventry and Middlesbrough. So we should be walking this division. We aren’t though,because we are too predictable. Teams no exactly what to expect,just watch Wrexham this weekend. I fully see us bottling it there. |  | | |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:06 - Feb 17 with 2457 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:05 - Feb 17 by blueoutlook |
We have also had a ridiculous amount of money to throw at it unlike Coventry and Middlesbrough. So we should be walking this division. We aren’t though,because we are too predictable. Teams no exactly what to expect,just watch Wrexham this weekend. I fully see us bottling it there. |
Have to disagree, the only reason we are not top of the division is simply because we had a sht August. That's it. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:09 - Feb 17 with 2434 views | Herbivore |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:02 - Feb 17 by FrimleyBlue |
Why?
Do you not you feel we are more prepared for prem football than we were last time?
Ignoring individual talent, that's a different discussion.
Our style of play, the transitions and controlling the game aspects of our football is imo far superior to what we did last time round. When we've lost games it's that slight lack of control that's beaten us not by teams getting through us. Oxford - Was taylor as KM said pushing to much, lead to a break and a goal. Sheff Utd... we got out of shape etc, and lead to breaks etc.
Kinda backed by our stats in being 2nd top goal scorers, yet also 2nd best defensive figures. It's incredibly well balanced. |
"pretty much every non town fan who watches us, believe it's poor football" - this is just made up boll0cks.
"Because it's not fast fast fast for 90 minutes, it's viewed as poor football" - as above.
"It's getting ready for the prem football" - it's not, it's us playing basically how we've always played under McKenna with two key caveats. The first is that the players haven't had years of playing together and so aren't always as cohesive. The second is that teams stick ten men behind the ball against us and so we have to be more patient at times, we can't make it a basketball game like we sometimes did in 2023/24. If we go up we'll be adjusting how we play again, we'll look to play a lot more on the counter than we do currently and we'll not be dominating the ball as we do now. So again, boll0cks. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:12 - Feb 17 with 2418 views | Dubtractor |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:25 - Feb 17 by itfcjoe |
The start to the season was a shocker with the first 4 games yielding 3 points whilst we sorted squad out.
But since transfer window shut, we are the best team in the league points per game
Ipswich - 1.96
Coventry - 1.93
Hull - 1.85
Millwall - 1.79
Boro - 1.75
We look like we've got all our issues sorted (bar the number 9 position) so we should be in a better position to kick on from here; but it's kicking on from a position where we are already outstripping everyone |
It doesn't seem to matter how many variations of this sort of statistic are shared, some have made their minds up that we are not good enough, despite the clear evidence to the contrary.
That first 4 game struggle has left us playing catch up.
Does any of that mean we are guaranteed top 2? Of course not. Are we good enough? Without a doubt. |  |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:13 - Feb 17 with 2409 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 13:42 - Feb 17 by FrimleyBlue |
We control ourselves in most games. Yes at times certain patterns could be better, finishing we know could be better, but the reason to some, and pretty much every non town fan who watches us, believe it's poor football, is because it's controlled football. In all games we've had golden chances to go ahead prior to conceding, that's been the ever so slight issue and the goals we've conceded i'd say are annoying rather than being cut open.
Because it's not fast fast fast for 90 minutes, it's viewed as poor football,
it's getting ready for the prem football. |
If we were getting ready for Prem football I would habit a guess we would be trying to get used to playing without the ball a bit more.
We dominate games because were better than most of the teams in the league. | |
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| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:15 - Feb 17 with 2393 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| Are we good enough to finish top 2? on 14:05 - Feb 17 by blueoutlook |
We have also had a ridiculous amount of money to throw at it unlike Coventry and Middlesbrough. So we should be walking this division. We aren’t though,because we are too predictable. Teams no exactly what to expect,just watch Wrexham this weekend. I fully see us bottling it there. |
The amount of games we have dropped points in this season due to poor finishing is crazy, we miss so many good chances. If we took a few more of them we would be top of the league and we wouldn't be having this discussion.
Fine Margins. | |
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