Half way through the season, a very successful calendar year finished (just read we got 92 league points in 2023)… nail your colours to the mast, where will we finish this season?

None of this “depends what we and others do in the window” - there are always variables and that’s all too sensible.

I’m 100% convinced we go up, I’d like to think as champions (not only because I’ve got a decent amount on us at 8/1 to win the league) but I think Derby will push us all the way.

2nd for me, with Derby as Champions and then Barnsley through the play offs.

Just having a look at the table this time last year.

We are 11 points better off this season- that's a great effort.

The top 3 all got 50 points from the second 23 games.

Think we need to sustain our ppg rate, 96 + will get top 2.

Top

But i reckon 6 points covers top 3 or 4, so could just as easily be 4th

I think we’ll get automatic.

Evatt’s teams usually have a strong second half to the season and with a couple of decent additions this Jan there’s no reason why this can’t be another of those!

I’ve got a feeling Derby will continue their charge and take top spot but we’ll be in there in 2nd place, I’ll fucking take that.

Up the massive Whites! 

Derby have to face Peterborough (h), Stevenage (h), Barnsley (a), us (h), Blackpool (h), Portsmouth (a) amongst others.

2 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Derby have to face Peterborough (h), Stevenage (h), Barnsley (a), us (h), Blackpool (h), Portsmouth (a) amongst others.

We’ve got some tricky ones

derby a, Barnsley both, Blackpool a, Stevenage a, Portsmouth h & Peterborough a 

24th from bottom 

2 minutes ago, radcliffe white said:

We’ve got some tricky ones

derby a, Barnsley both, Blackpool a, Stevenage a, Portsmouth h & Peterborough a 

Aye, we all have some concerns about our fixtures away.

Just looking at Barnsley- they have some tough ones yet too.

As do Pompey.

Point being everyone could take points off each other. 

It does mean we have a good number of "winnable" homes though, so keep doing what we are and we perhaps should be a bit more confident.

1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Aye, we all have some concerns about our fixtures away.

Just looking at Barnsley- they have some tough ones yet too.

As do Pompey.

Point being everyone could take points off each other. 

It does mean we have a good number of "winnable" homes though, so keep doing what we are and we perhaps should be a bit more confident.

Feb/ march is gruelling and our strengthen depth will be called upon, hence why I bang the drum about the distraction of cup competitions 

Just now, radcliffe white said:

Feb/ march is gruelling and our strengthen depth will be called upon, hence why I bang the drum about the distraction of cup competitions 

Evatt talking about rotation today, and how players are OK with it.

Cup games can be a drain, but also the players won't want to drop out, and I reckon they'd quite fancy themselves to have another trip South for the efl trophy. 

Not east to make a case for us winning at Luton, so if we make a decent go of it and don't get battered, then they can still keep their heads high.

3 hours ago, Zulu said:

It all depends on two things. How good a transfer window will we have, in comparison to our competitors? Which club will embark on a good run over the next three months? That happens every season. No reason why it can’t be us. 
I reckon we’re on for automatic promotion. Not sure if we’ll top the table. 

Top.

Why are you asking.

btw. 'Zulu' in on C4, now. There's thousands of them apparently. 

18 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Top.

Why are you asking.

btw. 'Zulu' in on C4, now. There's thousands of them apparently. 

Men of Harlech...

1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Men of Harlech...

Yep.

Though in fact the Welsh regiment was largely from the West Midlands but the Welsh try to hide that fact.

I blame Ryan Reynolds ... & Mark Drakeford.

Evatt tends to start planning for the following season in January so hopefully a couple of championship quality players come in.

Ipswich did that last season and went bonkers Jan onwards

Just now, Biggish Dave said:

Evatt tends to start planning for the following season in January so hopefully a couple of championship quality players come in.

Ipswich did that last season and went bonkers Jan onwards

I see Portsmouth are looking at a defender from Ipswich, lost his place this season but played last season in that good run 

1 minute ago, radcliffe white said:

I see Portsmouth are looking at a defender from Ipswich, lost his place this season but played last season in that good run 

The sort we need to investigate ourselves

38 minutes ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Yep.

Though in fact the Welsh regiment was largely from the West Midlands but the Welsh try to hide that fact.

I blame Ryan Reynolds ... & Mark Drakeford.

Reckon the latter fought there!

 

1 hour ago, Dr. Feelgood said:

Top.

Why are you asking.

btw. 'Zulu' in on C4, now. There's thousands of them apparently. 

They don’t like it up ‘em!

29 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Reckon the latter fought there!

 

Only at 20mph though.

Top by 5 plus

To many people worrying about other teams.  No need, we do our thing, 2 or 3 possible 1st xi signings loan or perm and we,ll be reet.

Could be several who last the distance 

Derby, Posh and yes Stevenage all have managers who have successfully got teams promoted out of this league   
 
Experience could count for a lot 

I think it’s us and Derby for top two. I just think Pompey will fall away as usual, I don’t see Barnsley as strong enough and hopefully Posh will sell one or two. I don’t know about Stevenage they’re just pushing way above at the moment and really should come undone. That said it’s all about us and currently we’re in pole position.

12 hours ago, L/H White said:

3rd or 4th 

Constantly thinking Liverpool this bugger.

On this day last year we won 0-3 at Barnsley in the game when they had a player sent off early on.

Very interesting to contrast the league table next to this BBC match report exactly 12 months ago 

Barnsley 0-3 Bolton Wanderers - BBC Sport

We're 11 points worse off than we are now with the same amount of games played. Plymouth, Sheff W and Ipswich streets ahead. It's very a different league this year with more than three in contention for those top two slots!

Edited January 2, 20242 yr by paulhanley

We’re also a point better off than Ipswich with one less game played.

We'll finish the season in Peterborough.