[Albion] The Pressures Of Being Top

el punal said:

Having been top of the Championship pretty much since the start of the season, and unbeaten at that, has created a unique form of angst among Albion fans.

Some of us are now feeling the effects of football's altitude sickness, which is only prevalent to those in a similar position.

Some examples, a draw is now treated as if it were a defeat, a narrow victory by one goal is akin to draw, a post mortem is held if our strikers have failed to score in a match, it's an emergency if our midfield are not operating like a well oiled machine and if our defence should concede a goal . . . . !

So time to be realistic. We are where we are because we are good. Granted, we haven't given any side a tonking yet but then I don't think we've got into top gear - yet. Our league rivals are still four points (or more) adrift of us and are starting to look at us with respect, and not a little envy. Being top gives you that certain status that also gives you confidence and self belief.

The future? Maybe we'll slip up, have a couple of poor defeats or incur injuries to key players, but then that also applies to other teams as well. For the moment we are in the box seat, we are top, we are unbeaten, let's enjoy it!

Click to expand...

el punal said:

Having been top of the Championship pretty much since the start of the season, and unbeaten at that, has created a unique form of angst among Albion fans.

Some of us are now feeling the effects of football's altitude sickness, which is only prevalent to those in a similar position.

Some examples, a draw is now treated as if it were a defeat, a narrow victory by one goal is akin to draw, a post mortem is held if our strikers have failed to score in a match, it's an emergency if our midfield are not operating like a well oiled machine and if our defence should concede a goal . . . . !

So time to be realistic. We are where we are because we are good. Granted, we haven't given any side a tonking yet but then I don't think we've got into top gear - yet. Our league rivals are still four points (or more) adrift of us and are starting to look at us with respect, and not a little envy. Being top gives you that certain status that also gives you confidence and self belief.

The future? Maybe we'll slip up, have a couple of poor defeats or incur injuries to key players, but then that also applies to other teams as well. For the moment we are in the box seat, we are top, we are unbeaten, let's enjoy it!

Click to expand...

StonehamPark said:

The next 10 games (7 teams in the top 10) should define how good we actually are.

Click to expand...

el punal said:

Having been top of the Championship pretty much since the start of the season, and unbeaten at that, has created a unique form of angst among Albion fans.

Some of us are now feeling the effects of football's altitude sickness, which is only prevalent to those in a similar position

Some examples, a draw is now treated as if it were a defeat, a narrow victory by one goal is akin to draw, a post mortem is held if our strikers have failed to score in a match, it's an emergency if our midfield are not operating like a well oiled machine and if our defence should concede a goal . . . . !

So time to be realistic. We are where we are because we are good. Granted, we haven't given any side a tonking yet but then I don't think we've got into top gear - yet. Our league rivals are still four points (or more) adrift of us and are starting to look at us with respect, and not a little envy. Being top gives you that certain status that also gives you confidence and self belief.

The future? Maybe we'll slip up, have a couple of poor defeats or incur injuries to key players, but then that also applies to other teams as well. For the moment we are in the box seat, we are top, we are unbeaten, let's enjoy it!

Click to expand...

warmleyseagull said:

I am not sure pressure is the right word. I think part of the reason we have stayed undefeated is because we have generally played without seeming to be under pressure, which is credit to players and management and perhaps reflects the surprise factor that no-one really anticipated this.

Having said that, we have been fortunate in some games - just fallen the right side of the margin to quote CH - and the failure to win a single game by more than a goal is causing more draws than will be sustainable to achieve the mid 80s points normally required for top two. Undefeated for 13 League games (14 including 0-0 at Boro last season) is remarkable as Grayson graciously admitted yesterday but we have controlled none of those games.

One of two things has to happen soon: we win well or we lose. I thought we would turn over City or PNE but failed so the fixture list makes the latter possibility the more likely. Then it will be a test to see how we recover post defeat.

It is right to enjoy the run while it lasts because it can go wrong quickly. Should have done enough already to make a mid table performance from here sufficient to get a PO spot, and that. Is a significant achievement.

Click to expand...

el punal said:

Pretty much agree with everything you say, however I will add, that this is the Championship and to quote that well worn cliché : anyone get beat anyone and there are no easy games. You predict a nailed-on victory at your peril.

Click to expand...