Halfway stage.

23 games gone and 42 points on the board - only 4 points short of the magic 2 per game average.

8 points behind the automatic places with a game in hand. +17 goal difference and unbeaten at home.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say we can still go up automatically. I haven't given up on that possibility. Of course January will have a bearing on us and the other clubs in the frame, but I think we've still a great chance.

Next two games really give us an opportunity to put pressure on the top two, but regardless of that, a long long way to go and plenty of twists and turns to come.

 

Surely the magic total is more than 22 others?

 

No. 21 others would suffice.

 

I think Pompey will fall away. Looked poor against us and lost today.

Can’t see Luton’s run lasting until the end of the season either.

I think Sunderland will finish above us, but I think we could finish second.

 

Anything other than automatic promotion will be a failure.

 

So much football to play mate. As long as we keep on track we've a great chance.

Pompey, Donny and Charlton all lost today and top 6 has a different look about it.

Big if, but should we win on Saturday and Luton lose as Fleetwood, we would be only 5 behind them, with them to play, plus a game in hand.

 

I agree, I said exactly the same earlier today.

 

On football manager maybe, but in real life, I'd take a playoff win and wouldn't feel too disappointed.

 

I’ve given up on sentiment. Most weeks we turn out a squad with a sub who cost more than the entire opposition team.

 

And most weeks we don't lose. Besides that, money doesn't guarantee anything at this level. Sunderland have probably the most expensively assembled squad, but they're not certainties for automatic.

Just because other teams haven't as big a budget, it doesn't mean they haven't got good players. We're playing at a level where players are finding their feet, ours included.

Some clubs might lack investment, but have shrewd signings that have the experience we lack.

 

Said we'd get 90pts in the summer and Sunderland 100. I'm sticking to it, l honestly think Pompey will fall away.

 

It’s niave to think money doesn’t buy success in football. Spending on wages accounts for nearly 90 % of success on an ongoing basis and 70 odd in any specific season. It’s time certainly in L1 to drop the little Barnsley idea.

 

I said it doesn't guarantee success. Different thing altogether, and I haven't said anything about little Barnsley.

My original post is one of positivity and how I think we can still go up automatically. How is that belittling the club's chances?

 

I think it's a 4 way race for the top two.

Sunderland, I expect to strengthen in January & win at a canter. If we can add one or two & maybe move one or two on, (like Moncur, who is really not likely to feature much), I'd fancy us to overtake Pompey & Luton, especially if we can been Charlton & Luton in the next two.

After a bit of a disappointing spell, we do seem to be picking back up.

 

Sunderland fans seem to think they've no money. They like Moore but reckon they couldn't afford him.

 

A few championship sides are looking at their star man maja apparently.

 

We'd be mad to sell to a promotion rival for any money.

Only way I see Moore going is if a decent sized Championship club come in for him, offering top dollar (£3 million plus in my book).

 

Imagine Ipswich, Preston, Millwall will be sniffing around him.

Think this will be the transfer window That gives us a real clue about our new owners. January is tougher in a lot of ways to the summer window, both to keep hold of players as clubs throw more money around in desperation, and to sign players as prices tend to be inflated with less time for negotiation.

Looking forward to seeing what GG and the board deliver.

 

I'd say the reason that Moncur hasn't featured, even from the bench in the last few games. Because he's out the door in January..

 

Yes. With Bahre, who is DS's man, I don't see where he fits in.