Wondering about the long(ish) term ...

[earthworm]

The 1st months fixtures were a bastard, I think we'd all agree on that. The run up to Yuletide looks a lot less brutal, there's a lot of fixtures, but they don't look as evil to me.

Then you look at January and February. January looks like a re-run of last month, and Feb looks nasty too.

I was just thinking really, where do we need to be in the league for New Year? It'd be nice, to be in the play-offs spots, to give us a cushion for the struggle early next year, leaving us to drift a little to mid table, about where most people want/expect us to be.

Of course, being in the play-off spots next summer would be better still, but trying to wear my practical hat here

That's how I thought the season might pan out anyway, the key point is we need to pick up lots of points now after a bastard 1st month, in which we finished on a high!

 

[adam09]

This league is so tight, I agree we should be looking to be near the playoffs around Xmas time. Even then we could easily slip down the table over the next few months!

 

[Si Coe]

I don't think there are any 'easy' fixtures in this league. Possibly our 'easiest' game so far on paper was Watford at home, and that didn't work out too well.

One interesting thing I saw today in the Racing Post was the table for the final half of last season. It is fascinating IMO and gives a far greater insight into how we might do this season than the 46-game table, as it reflects our performance under BD more accurately.

Played 23

Sheff Utd 44 points
Doncaster 40
Preston 37
Wolves 37
Cardiff 37
Swansea 36
Burnley 36
Brum 36
Ipswich 35
Forest 35
Bristol C 33
Watford 32
Reading 31
Sheff Wed 28
QPR 28
Blackpool 28
Sheep 28
Barnsley 27
Cov 26
Norwich 23
Soton 23
Charlton 21
Palace 21
Plymouth 21

So, a point behind promoted Burnley and Birmingham.

Only nine points off the runaway leaders.

And we've got nine new players in (admittedly some not 'new') who we all think are good additions.

UTC, I don't think the play-offs are out of the question, but Forest being Forest, it may be a roller-coaster ride to get there.

 

[tricky_tree1982]

Lets be right, I don't think we should fear anyone in this league as anyone can beat each other. What is the worry is the fact that I can't remember the last time we picked up many points over Christmas and NY, we always seem to be rubbish around this period!

 

[sebs]

f*** me, look at donny. we certainly kick started their revival last year.

 

[Benchwarmer]

Lets be right, I don't think we should fear anyone in this league as anyone can beat each other. What is the worry is the fact that I can't remember the last time we picked up many points over Christmas and NY, we always seem to be rubbish around this period!

The only thing we need to fear is Joey Barton.

 

[cmw]

I've been looking at the fixtures and our run-in looks very favourable. If we're not near the bottom come easter we've got every chance of making the play-offs. I personally would rather not because I think it would be one step forward followed by two back, as long as we finish above the bin dippers and sheep i'll be happy. You reds.

 

[Bridgfordred79]

I reckon this season we should take one game at a time.

Not like last season, looking forward to the next 5 fixtures and getting downbeat about them.