Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted February 17, 2017 I hope we win all our remaining games and get top two. However I don''t think either will happen.It''ll be a relief when the top two is confirmed so this absurdly optimistic thread can die. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 Its really not still on, at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,533 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="Hoola Han Solo"]I hope we win all our remaining games and get top two. However I don''t think either will happen.It''ll be a relief when the top two is confirmed so this absurdly optimistic thread can die.[/quote]If we don''t win our games, the thread will wither of it''s own accord. But if we keep winning........the target will still be in sight. Play offs or top two - it''s everything still to play for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 I smell a backtrack..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted February 17, 2017 I think we can all agree the playoffs are definitely achievable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greavsy 2,415 Posted February 17, 2017 All we can do is keep winning, yes we ''expected'' autos, or at least to be close but after our poor run we would accept playoffs, and hopefully going into them in form too.Who knows what might happen? But if we don''t do our part of the bargain we only have ourselves to blame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted February 17, 2017 Eminently sensible and realistic post from GreavsyLakey should be commended for playing these fellas so well.👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 Sorry, but we have exceeded the spoon limit in this thread.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted February 17, 2017 None so blind.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="VanWink"]None so blind....[/quote]Indeed, Spoony Mcspoonface....[URL=http://s869.photobucket.com/user/mortymccarthy/media/13305579-Couple-with-two-wooden-spoons-on-front-of-her-eyes-Stock-Photo_zpsblkqcqx1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab257/mortymccarthy/13305579-Couple-with-two-wooden-spoons-on-front-of-her-eyes-Stock-Photo_zpsblkqcqx1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greavsy 2,415 Posted February 17, 2017 Another one nicely on topic.Great work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,533 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="Hoola Han Solo"]I think we can all agree the playoffs are definitely achievable[/quote]Yes - but to do that we have to keep winning - and that is part of my point - keep winning. And if we keep winning to the end of the season you never know, 90-93 points might well be enough for second. Just looked at Huddersfield''s next few fixtures - Man City, cup distractionhome to Reading - not easyaway to Barnsley - def not easyaway to Wolves - not easyhome to Newcastle - far from easy followed by two away matches6 league games that could get them only 9 out of 18 points. Puts them on around 70 pointsReading''s next six fixtures - away to Huddersfield - draw would be good for usaway to brighton - draw would be goodhome to wolves - should be 3 pointshome to Newcastle - 1 pointaway to preston - 1-3 pointsaway to sheff wed - 1 point, maybeSo maybe 10 points out of 18Puts them on around 70 points Leeds next six fixtures - away to ipswich home to sheff wedaway to Brumaway at Fulhamhome to qprhome to brightonMaybe 9 points out of 18 there, no more than 12 imo. Puts them on around 70 points tooShef Wed next six fixtures -away to foresthome to brentfordaway to leedshome to norwichhome to burtonaway to villa Maybe 12 points there too (big game against us obviously)Puts them on around 67/68 points. So - the concertina effect is easy to see. Four clubs all around the same amount of points - with eight games to go. As for Brighton''s next six fixtures - away at Barnsley - 1 pointhome to Reading - draw, hopefully.home to Newcastle - newcastle win? away at forest - draw?away at Rotherham - win? home to Derby - winSay 10 - 12 points.Puts them on 75/77 pointsNewcastle - the most interesting fixtures - home villahome bristolaway brightonaway huddersfieldaway readinghome fulhamThat set of fixtures could go either way, but if they have a bad run with the pressure of those difficult away games, they could drop back.Say they only got 9-10 points there, that would put them on 76/77 points. Win our next six games - away to Burtonhome to Ipswichaway Shef Wedaway Bristol Cityhome Blackburn home Barnsley6 games that could - should - get us 15-16 out of 18, or even 18 out of 18.15 out of 18 puts us on 66 points. 18, obviously would put us on 69 points.With the gap closing as I predict - the concertina effect - with eight games to go, second club could be on 75-76 points. At that stage we could be as little as 6 or 7 points off second place. In that situation, week by week would be more and more interesting. Any faltering by any club in those last eight games gives the advantage to the others. With eight games left and if we win our matches, we could quite possibly be on the tails of second place by the last game or two of the season. Then it would be very interesting in the last two games. 90-93 points does it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Van wink 2,994 Posted February 17, 2017 Legitimate argument and well reasoned Lakey.I like the cut of your jib👍Which of the top two would be the more likely to start to crumble in your opinion? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ginja 26 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="lake district canary"]90-93 points does it.[/quote]We are not going to win 14 games in a row or win 13 of 14 games, but by all means please continue making yourself look like a complete and utter idiot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted February 17, 2017 With the greatest of respect you''ve ignored our fixtures, there''s some very tough ones in there too. Our away record has been inconsistent all season and the injuries are piling up. Getting the playoffs is a realistic achievement; top two would require a miraculous run and a lot of fixtures going in our favour. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 Why are just the next six fixtures relevent?Because it suits? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted February 17, 2017 I''m not sure why I keep reiterating the unlikeliness as 99% of this thread is saying the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="Hoola Han Solo"]I''m not sure why I keep reiterating the unlikeliness as 99% of this thread is saying the same.[/quote]Because, as usual, the OP won''t admit that he has maybe got it wrong? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoola Han Solo 448 Posted February 17, 2017 Teams at the top are there for a reason - because they''ve been consistently good over the season. Newcastle and Brighton aren''t suddenly going to collapse, especially with the experience of Benitez and Hughton, added to the fact that there a some very poor teams in the division still to play. And even if those two had a wobble, Leeds, Huddersfield, Wednesday and Reading would be there to sneak in. There''s no hope of the top five all suddenly having a collapse at the same time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="Hoola Han Solo"]Teams at the top are there for a reason - because they''ve been consistently good over the season. Newcastle and Brighton aren''t suddenly going to collapse, especially with the experience of Benitez and Hughton, added to the fact that there a some very poor teams in the division still to play. And even if those two had a wobble, Leeds, Huddersfield, Wednesday and Reading would be there to sneak in. There''s no hope of the top five all suddenly having a collapse at the same time.[/quote]The likeliest thing I can see is Huddersfield (currently top of the form table) sneaking into 2nd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,533 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="VanWink"]Legitimate argument and well reasoned Lakey.I like the cut of your jib👍Which of the top two would be the more likely to start to crumble in your opinion?[/quote]Newcastle have the toughest fixtures in the next few weeks, if they start to lose it, they could be in for the biggest fall. Brighton though could start to tighten up. It''s difficult to tell which may fall away, but it is in our interests imo, that one of them pulls away from the rest and the other falls back. If they both start to fall away, that wouldn''t necessarily help us, as it would probably mean the others in the top six have had better results against them, which wouldn''t help our cause.If both Brighton and Newcastle maintain form, that means they will have had good results against others in the top six. That helps us to a play off position, but wouldn''t help us get up to second, which is what of course I am still hoping for. However, it is all based on us putting an unprecedented run of victories together, which of course is the main issue - but in the end, imo, we will be a lot closer to second position than many might think at the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="lake district canary"][quote user="VanWink"]Legitimate argument and well reasoned Lakey.I like the cut of your jib👍Which of the top two would be the more likely to start to crumble in your opinion?[/quote]Newcastle have the toughest fixtures in the next few weeks, if they start to lose it, they could be in for the biggest fall. Brighton though could start to tighten up. It''s difficult to tell which may fall away, but it is in our interests imo, that one of them pulls away from the rest and the other falls back. If they both start to fall away, that wouldn''t necessarily help us, as it would probably mean the others in the top six have had better results against them, which wouldn''t help our cause.If both Brighton and Newcastle maintain form, that means they will have had good results against others in the top six. That helps us to a play off position, but wouldn''t help us get up to second, which is what of course I am still hoping for. However, it is all based on us putting an unprecedented run of victories together, which of course is the main issue - but in the end, imo, we will be a lot closer to second position than many might think at the moment. [/quote]But not actually in 2nd place.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagster 101 Posted February 17, 2017 Lol 14 pages later and we still have no chance;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Apples 1,320 Posted February 17, 2017 Don''t stop believin''.Apples Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Essjayess 307 Posted February 17, 2017 [quote user="lake district canary"][quote user="Hoola Han Solo"]I think we can all agree the playoffs are definitely achievable[/quote]Yes - but to do that we have to keep winning - and that is part of my point - keep winning. And if we keep winning to the end of the season you never know, 90-93 points might well be enough for second. Just looked at Huddersfield''s next few fixtures - Man City, cup distractionhome to Reading - not easyaway to Barnsley - def not easyaway to Wolves - not easyhome to Newcastle - far from easy followed by two away matches6 league games that could get them only 9 out of 18 points. Puts them on around 70 pointsReading''s next six fixtures - away to Huddersfield - draw would be good for usaway to brighton - draw would be goodhome to wolves - should be 3 pointshome to Newcastle - 1 pointaway to preston - 1-3 pointsaway to sheff wed - 1 point, maybeSo maybe 10 points out of 18Puts them on around 70 points Leeds next six fixtures - away to ipswich home to sheff wedaway to Brumaway at Fulhamhome to qprhome to brightonMaybe 9 points out of 18 there, no more than 12 imo. Puts them on around 70 points tooShef Wed next six fixtures -away to foresthome to brentfordaway to leedshome to norwichhome to burtonaway to villa Maybe 12 points there too (big game against us obviously)Puts them on around 67/68 points. So - the concertina effect is easy to see. Four clubs all around the same amount of points - with eight games to go. As for Brighton''s next six fixtures - away at Barnsley - 1 pointhome to Reading - draw, hopefully.home to Newcastle - newcastle win? away at forest - draw?away at Rotherham - win? home to Derby - winSay 10 - 12 points.Puts them on 75/77 pointsNewcastle - the most interesting fixtures - home villahome bristolaway brightonaway huddersfieldaway readinghome fulhamThat set of fixtures could go either way, but if they have a bad run with the pressure of those difficult away games, they could drop back.Say they only got 9-10 points there, that would put them on 76/77 points. Win our next six games - away to Burtonhome to Ipswichaway Shef Wedaway Bristol Cityhome Blackburn home Barnsley6 games that could - should - get us 15-16 out of 18, or even 18 out of 18.15 out of 18 puts us on 66 points. 18, obviously would put us on 69 points.With the gap closing as I predict - the concertina effect - with eight games to go, second club could be on 75-76 points. At that stage we could be as little as 6 or 7 points off second place. In that situation, week by week would be more and more interesting. Any faltering by any club in those last eight games gives the advantage to the others. With eight games left and if we win our matches, we could quite possibly be on the tails of second place by the last game or two of the season. Then it would be very interesting in the last two games. 90-93 points does it. [/quote]Well Lakey, looking at that little list, you have used the maybe route for all 6 clubs above us to grab between 9 to 12 points in all their next 6 games , yet somehow City could and should get 15 to 18 points. But be honest, do you REALLY think that is going to happen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,539 Posted February 17, 2017 If Villa and Steve Bruce can march into the play offs then we can still win the league with points to spare... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagster 101 Posted February 17, 2017 Fingers crossed eh Nigel, your pups are set to make a fortune;) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
