So. Who can STOP us ?

[Easy 10]

I kind of share your thinking, except that Newcastle, however powerful, haven't won it yet...

Benitez could get poached by a struggling premiership side and take a handful of top NUFC players in the transfer window...

Not a chance. Why would Benitez ditch Newcastle now to start firefighting in a relegation battle ? He'll be on a MONSTER bonus to get them back up, and they're by far his likeliest ticket to be managing in the PL next season.

Newcastle are nailed on for top spot. They have the squad, the manager and the resources. We just need to hang on to their coat-tails, and they'll do us a few favours along the way.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

I kind of share your thinking, except that Newcastle, however powerful, haven't won it yet...

Benitez could get poached by a struggling premiership side and take a handful of top NUFC players in the transfer window...

He might but Newcastle would take some leaving,especially if they are really motoring.......

 

[Easy 10]

Just about everyone now Easy, you peanut.

Karma isn't mummy 10's Nissan Cherry.

Just an honest, subjective appraisal of our rivals. I'm not ASSUMING anything, because anything can happen in this league. But looking at us right now, and how the table stands, I think we're in with a decent shot.

 

[BensGrandad]

Benitez could get poached by a struggling premiership side and take a handful of top NUFC players in the transfer window...

Any team from Middlesbro down would be interested with possibly Sunderland or Stoke being the obvious but his ego will want a big club and Newcastle fit the image.

 

[Bry Nylon]

I have neither idea nor opinion worthy of note with regard to the question posed.

But any Opening Post that contains the beautifully-coined phrase "equally leaky" will always draw my admiration.

Equally leaky .... proof that the English language can always be both descriptive and delightful, all at the same time (Until it is killed by txting').

 

[Sheebo]

But they are 13 points back (14 if you look at the GD). Did you see them against Birmingham ? They were fortunate to get a point. Even if they did the double over us it'd be a stretch to make top 2 from that far back, they're going to have to go on an unbelievable run. And they're really not very good. Bruce would have to work an absolute miracle.

I agree they're a worry always with that quality in their squad but even at this stage, if they make up that ground on us we would surely have ourselves to blame or they've gone on a run hardly ever seen in football before and take like 42 points from 42 or something ridiculous...

I'm keeping a close eye on 2 things in particular this season. 1) Goal Difference - it's a good indicator and we're miles ahead of last season at the moment! 2) Number of defeats because if we lose 5 again there's no way we won't go up - last season was a freak and it was 105 years since someone's lost 5 in this div & not gone up. We've steadied the ship on that front and not lost since Newcastle - we are still slightly behind in that stat & heading for 6 defeats all season at the moment - which would probably still see us promoted though...

I may do some research into number of games drawn last season compared to this as we seem to be converting a number of potential draws into wins - the last 2 results are prime examples...

 

[Munchkin]

Fulham, Norwich, Sheff Wed, Villa, Derby..

Great start, but let's not get too carried away, it's a long old season and there will be lots of blips along the way.

 

[The Rattler]

Keep an eye on Fulham. They have been playing some good stuff without always getting the results. A new team starting to gel. Maybe a little way back at the moment but I know their fans are optimistic. Top two though ?

Fulham finishing above us would kill me. I feckin hate Fulham. On account of my missus has walked out on me for a Fulham fan. I hate him and I hate them.

 

[Durlston]

Leeds shouldn't be underestimated.

Garry Monk is starting to turn things around there. In the quarter-finals of the League Cup too. The obvious weakness is their mad Italian owner but if he just let's the manager get on with his job, they'll be in the play-offs at least. There's some good youngsters coming through and if they can make Elland Road into a fortress ON the pitch then I'd say they're my dark horse. Still hate most of their scummy fans though.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

Fulham finishing above us would kill me. I feckin hate Fulham. On account of my missus has walked out on me for a Fulham fan. I hate him and I hate them.

good luck matey.... feeling the pain..not long to hopefully put one over on them.

 

[Bry Nylon]

Hope this thread doesn't come back to bite us on the arse.

The clocks only went back today.

 

[Easy 10]

I agree they're a worry always with that quality in their squad but even at this stage, if they make up that ground on us we would surely have ourselves to blame or they've gone on a run hardly ever seen in football before and take like 42 points from 42 or something ridiculous...

I'm keeping a close eye on 2 things in particular this season. 1) Goal Difference - it's a good indicator and we're miles ahead of last season at the moment! 2) Number of defeats because if we lose 5 again there's no way we won't go up - last season was a freak and it was 105 years since someone's lost 5 in this div & not gone up. We've steadied the ship on that front and not lost since Newcastle - we are still slightly behind in that stat & heading for 6 defeats all season at the moment - which would probably still see us promoted though...

I may do some research into number of games drawn last season compared to this as we seem to be converting a number of potential draws into wins - the last 2 results are prime examples...

We HAVE lost since Newcastle...Brentford (#pedant)

But otherwise, agree with every word. We're stronger than we were last season, and I'm starting to think its not going to be a 3 horse race like last time, unless Narch really get their act together. I still think they are the main threat to us for 2nd.

 

[Perkino]

Newcastle are the prize, the cup final for a lot of clubs in this league. Most teams will try to park the bus and steal a goal against them and the interesting time will be when they don't win and how their fans and players respond

 

[Pavilionaire]

A bad injury to Murray and a decent replacement for Alex Neil like Big Sam would change things significantly.

 

[Easy 10]

Leeds shouldn't be underestimated.

Garry Monk is starting to turn things around there. In the quarter-finals of the League Cup too. The obvious weakness is their mad Italian owner but if he just let's the manager get on with his job, they'll be in the play-offs at least. There's some good youngsters coming through and if they can make Elland Road into a fortress ON the pitch then I'd say they're my dark horse. Still hate most of their scummy fans though.

Leeds are an appallingly run club. It'll be a miracle if they make top 6.

 

[GoldWithFalmer]

We HAVE lost since Newcastle...Brentford (#pedant)

That got me thinking as well,which way round those back to back defeats came.... [MENTION=457]sheebo[/MENTION] points stand and looking at the GD right now,that is going to do it for us this year,we may well end up losing a couple more to achieve it though.

 

[Durlston]

Fulham finishing above us would kill me. I feckin hate Fulham. On account of my missus has walked out on me for a Fulham fan. I hate him and I hate them.

Does he go to Craven Cottage? I'd plan something special for the New Year bank holiday. Maybe a few flares thrown into the stand he sits in? (only joking). What a tosser though.

 

[Plake]

Anyone mentioned Reading yet?

 

[Easy 10]

I have neither idea nor opinion worthy of note with regard to the question posed.

But any Opening Post that contains the beautifully-coined phrase "equally leaky" will always draw my admiration.

Equally leaky .... proof that the English language can always be both descriptive and delightful, all at the same time (Until it is killed by txting').

If I ever form a boy band, then thats the name right there

 

[Albion Dan]

A bad injury to Murray and a decent replacement for Alex Neil like Big Sam would change things significantly.

100% our biggest risk is lack of cover for Murray if he got injured. Would leave just Tomer and nothing much on the bench.