How this year compares to 96/97

I never expected to be comparing our results this year with the heady days of 96/97, especially when we were managerless after a few games.

After 36 games we have 61 points, quite amazing given the start to the season. Back in 96/97 after the same number of games we had 63 points and sat in third place.

Roll forward another two fixtures and we stood at 67 points from 38 games.

We’ve got Wycombe away and Wednesday at home for our next two fixtures, win those and we are on exactly the same points as we were back then.

For obvious reasons it feels very different this time round but the success of recent months allows us to dream, or may be day dream...

 

We're definitely dreaming mate. We're smashing all the records this season - Most consecutive wins in 2nd Tier, Equal Most consecutive away wins, Most minutes without being behind - but last time we won the first 5 and were never outside the Top 3 all season.....

and I told mi Mam we'd go up if we Top at Christmas in 1996.....

We dare to dream....

Daydream Believers Part II

 

Just keep winning. I haven't given up on automatic looking at the fixtures of the other clubs in the mix. There will be a lot of points going begging.

 

Furthermore, the comparison to the 1999/2000 season - which is our best point total of 82 points - after 36 games we had 65 points. We won 5 drew 2 and lost 3 of the last 10.

So, we're currently 2 points behind the 1996/7 total and 4 points behind the 1999/2000 total

 

Games are won on the pitch and statistics are just statistics but if we recreated our last 10 results for the final 10 games we would end up with 87 points.

Since 3 points for a win only three teams have not gained automatic promotion with a points haul of 87 points or more.

 

We have to make up 11 points on Swansea to go above them. We’d have to win every game which won’t happen. Maybe if they hadn’t been gifted 5 points from referees last week...

 

Hourihane will cost us promotion. A sad irony.

 

It feels totally different to 96-97. We sagged quite badly in 96-97 after the fast start (wasn't it 6 draws in 7 games?). Val doesn't recognise draws - go hard or go home.

 

Yeah and in 99/00 we started off inconsistent but gained consistency then when the job was nearly done went on holiday until the play-offs.

 

Had a full season as well.

 

Yeah it's going to be really tough to catch Swansea and Watford, although they play eachother and both have a few really tough fixtures.

 

One game at a time. Many twists and turns. Much coulda shoulda woulda.

 

Yeah every game on it's merits. The last ten games have new pressure. We need to win games like before but we saw against Derby it's just as important not to lose now.

 

And remember Swansea are guaranteed a penalty every game!

 

Sorry to be pedantic but it should read never outside the top FOUR that season. Phenomenal performance from the start but nobody really believed we would keep it going until well into the second half of the season.

 

Based on %’s since VI took charge we should win 6, draw 1 and lose 3 of the final 10 games (I think I’ve worked it out correctly?)

That would leave us with 80 points which probably won’t be enough but ‍♂️

 

IF we win on Wednesday night Val will have accrued 60 points from 30 league games.

As has been said on here before he is no fluke or flash in the pan.

 

I wonder which opposition manager is going to have to cheer up this season.