10 games in..

Shamefully stolen from a different forum...

The league table starts to take shape/significance after 10 games..

I suppose the relevant questions at this point are:
(1) Are you happy with your team's start to the season?
(2) Have you been surprised with anyone else's start to the season?
(3) Who do you think will go up/down?


1) After the result at Rotherham I was a little fearful about how this season would go (even though I'm ever the optimist) All in all, we're slightly above where I thought we'd be (the game in hand kinda helps a bit too).

2) Somewhat surprised by how bad Birmingham/Sunderland have been. Think due to the signature of Roberts and big name Redknapp as manager I expected them to be at least mid-table. Guessing it shows Harry probably isn't as good as he thinks he is. I expected Derby to be further up the table too.

Pains me to say it, but at the other end of the table Blunts obviously over-performing. The dwarf is over performing with Brizzle but when you throw so much money at a team then eventually they're gonna start doing something. Think Preston have done particularly well.

3) I think Wolves are a sure fire bet for promotion and Leeds are probably going to go up if they continue to progress. Villa seem to have kicked on and think they might be the ones who also go up. I can't see past Bolton for relegation and imagine Burton will also join them. I think Sunderland and Birmingham will probably do enough to get out of the battle - but could see Reading slipping into a relegation battle if they dont improve.

 

1) very happy given all circumstances around departures and the rebuilding of the squad. Compounded by injuries and the usual terrible officiating we are doing well. With massive room for improvement, which I believe is the key. Need to keep improving as other teams around us will also.

2) blades are a huge surprise. Their continued success will be whether they have room to improve. I think they'll drop to mid table by Christmas. Still an excellent achievement by Wilder. Ipswich, Cardiff and Preston all started like a train. Momentum may slow though. Villa, Hull and Boro I expect to be pushing for promotion end of the season.

3) Bolton, Burton, Sunderland look bang in trouble. But this league can turn on its head. Reading and Millwall both look like they may struggle without quick improvement

 

I think it says a lot about expectations when Millwall thought they only had to turn up and win. Why? Because they had won 3 games from 10, all at home.

I'd have been a bit happier had we taken a point at wolves and 3 against QPR. I think that would have been a decent return considering the amount of new players we've brought in.

As for Sheffield United, they have started very well. They have a good manager and players, but January could test them like it did us.

 

(1) Are you happy with your team's start to the season?
Answer - I'm not satisfied with how the club has performed off the field with regard to signing players i.e. slow getting players in and a lack of striker options.
As the players haven't had much time together - on the field the team has got more points at this stage than I thought they would have.

(2) Have you been surprised with anyone else's start to the season?
Answer - Blunts have had a good start but they could be found out - high energy football needs a squad of high energy players - I think they will drop away mid season.
Boro will come good at some point hopefully not against us.
Concerned that the start Leeds have had they would be pushing for promotion - but after watching them against Wendy then I'm not sure.

(3) Who do you think will go up/down?
Answer - We will do well to keep out of the bottom 6 this season. Mid table would be great.
With most of the team having a full season together - coupled with new owners - and a few tweaks in the team - I would expect Hecky to push for top 8 maybe top 6 next season.

 

1. Pretty much as expected.

2. Sheff Utd, but think they'll get found out.

3. Pass.

 

1. I am reasonably pleased with our start & hopefully we will improve as the season progresses
2. Cardiff
3. Bolton , Burton & Millwall

 

About 2 points better off than expected.
Birmingham & Sunderland have surprised me.
Us or Millwall Bolton and Burton

 

1. Was to be expected big turn around of players time to gel ect.

2. Sheff united and didn't expect Leeds to start so well either

3. Bolton look doomed already, Burton and millwall or Sunderland who seem terrible but I expect Grayson to go if things don't pick up and they will throw money at it in January and then it around.

 

1) I honestly thought we'd be a place or two higher. We finished 14th last season and would have hoped a top half finish would have been a realistic target this season. I think now we will be comfortable in staying up but I feel we haven't showed any signs of improvement from most of last season. Millwall was a cracking win last Saturday and if we play like that often away from home, we'll be back on track for a top half finish but I can't see that happening.

2) Cardiff have been quality. Neil Warnock doesn't play the best of football but he's a winner. They were bottom last season when he took over and now they look like challenging for a top half finish. Wolves have also been a slight surprise for me but in all fairness have spent a lot of money.

I knew Sunderland were in the **** but didn't realise how bad they actually were. When they appointed Simon Grayson, I didn't think they'd be anywhere near the bottom of the league. Also relatively surprised with how poor Hull have been.

3) Cardiff with Warnock and Wolves with the quality they've managed to bring in. Thinking Bristol City or Sheff United via play offs.

Bolton will go down for sure. There's a lot of issues at that club which is obviously affecting the players and staff. Birmingham and Sunderland look like two clubs in difficulty but Burton Albion also look piss poor. Heart might keep them up against the other two 'bigger sides' who don't seem to have any bottle.

 

1, I'm a little bit annoyed that we've let some cheap points slip. We are 3 points off where I thought we'd be if truth be told. Yet I think we've thrown away opportunities on 2 occasions to potentially get the Win at Oakwell alone. Whatever happening at half times isn't working that well when we can't just counter.
I do think we are a counter-attack team though and hopefully away from home we can dig it out for the first 60 then when the opposition look to take more risks we can just hit them like we did at the new den for example. Thiam Ugbo Barnes Isgrove Moncur are all about the counter. All extremely quick.

Some will point out that I've only seen Cameron Mcgeehan once from the start but I just want to see more of this guy. In a 3 or the 2-1 this guy priceless for Barnsley. Got it all for me. Get an attacking mid next to him. Get a Defensive Mid next to him and much like Drinkwater 5 years ago this guy will make us lethal.

2, Cardiff. Good luck to them. They aren't a team that spends a massive amount of money anymore and if Bluebird still reads this forum he maybe could tell us more. Mendez-Laing, was he a free?

3, up not a clue. Down, well I had Bolton Burton and Millwall before the season started. Am I wrong? We'll have to wait until May.

 

(1) Are you happy with your team's start to the season? Yep, pretty much. Could be better, could be worse. I'm expecting inconsistency for quite a while given the number of players coming in and the relatively young mix. We've played some in form teams too looking at the current table. Part of me sees us finishing 14th again, but harder work achieving it. And no shame in that, it'd be to the credit of the players we have and the coaching staff to achieve that. Whilst the team is nowhere near the level of this time last year, it's way ahead of that shower who got relegated and showing steady signs of improvement as we go along.
(2) Have you been surprised with anyone else's start to the season? Birmingham and Reading by how they've struggled so far. Warnock's teams generally competitive at this level, so no surprise, and I don't think Sheff Utd' s start is a surprise. Bit like us, the momentum is powerful, confidence sky high, and with my blinkers off, a good manager and good side. Potential play off spot for them.
(3) Who do you think will go up/down? Up - Wolves, Villa, and probably Cardiff. Fulham outsiders again.