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Post by march4 on Mar 16, 2014 14:11:39 GMT
Let's compare things with this time last year, as we are effectively at the same position at this stage of the season (last season it was 10th, 34pts and -8GD, whereas currently it is 11th, 34pts and -12GD). Last season, we managed 8 more pts to finish 13th. However, we were in the doldrums during March and were being sucked into a relegation battle. This time round, we are hitting a good bit of form and things are looking good. In conclusion, the very least we should expect is to match the last 8 games of last season. Just to add an extra dimension when feeling optimistic, our best finish was 11th with 47pts. That season, we had 36pts (12th) after 30 games. So, could we even post our best ever finish? Yes let's compare. This time last year we'd accrued five points since the turn of the year. This season we've amassed 13. So are you saying that if we only match last season, it would be abject failure and Hughes should be dismissed? If not how can you explain that statement? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 14:14:41 GMT
Yes let's compare. This time last year we'd accrued five points since the turn of the year. This season we've amassed 13. So are you saying that if we only match last season, it would be abject failure and Hughes should be dismissed? If not how can you explain that statement? I don't understand your point. Clearly I'm not saying that because again that would involve cretinous ignorance of this season's upheaval. I brought it up because you conveniently omitted it from your own comparison, which seems to involve matching the good bits from the second half of last season while making little mention of the vast desert of bad bits. |
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Post by march4 on Mar 16, 2014 14:19:29 GMT
So are you saying that if we only match last season, it would be abject failure and Hughes should be dismissed? If not how can you explain that statement? I don't understand your point. Clearly I'm not saying that because again that would involve cretinous ignorance of this season's upheaval. I brought it up because you conveniently omitted it from your own comparison, which seems to involve matching the good bits from the second half of last season while making little mention of the vast desert of bad bits. I don't think the last 8 were that brilliant last season were they? I know we steadied things last 5 games, but we were really in the mire by then (as you say). What I'm trying to say is that we were in a poor state at the backend of last season and still managed 8 pts in the last 8 games. We are doing well at the moment, so surely we can match the same pts total. I was also saying that we are only 2pts worse off than our best ever finish. Are we optimistic enough to think we could match that pts total? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 14:23:28 GMT
I don't understand your point. Clearly I'm not saying that because again that would involve cretinous ignorance of this season's upheaval. I brought it up because you conveniently omitted it from your own comparison, which seems to involve matching the good bits from the second half of last season while making little mention of the vast desert of bad bits. I don't think the last 8 were that brilliant last season were they? I know we steadied things last 5 games, but we were really in the mire by then (as you say). What I'm trying to say is that we were in a poor state at the backend of last season and still managed 8 pts in the last 8 games. We are doing well at the moment, so surely we can match the same pts total. I was also saying that we are only 2pts worse off than our best ever finish. Are we optimistic enough to think we could match that pts total? I just thought it was something that shouldn't be omitted. It took us until the end of April last season to get the number of post-new year wins we've already amassed this time round. That is cause for optimism in my book. As far as our best ever finish I'm happy with just staying up this time round. Hopefully we can get as many points on the board as we can. |
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Post by march4 on Mar 16, 2014 14:29:54 GMT
I don't think the last 8 were that brilliant last season were they? I know we steadied things last 5 games, but we were really in the mire by then (as you say). What I'm trying to say is that we were in a poor state at the backend of last season and still managed 8 pts in the last 8 games. We are doing well at the moment, so surely we can match the same pts total. I was also saying that we are only 2pts worse off than our best ever finish. Are we optimistic enough to think we could match that pts total? I just thought it was something that shouldn't be omitted. It took us until the end of April last season to get the number of post-new year wins we've already amassed this time round. That is cause for optimism in my book. As far as our best ever finish I'm happy with just staying up this time round. Hopefully we can get as many points on the board as we can. Agreed! It is odd though that this season's record after 30 games is so similar to last season when we have got there in such a different way. 12 months ago it was panic stations, now it is quiet optimism.  |
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 16, 2014 14:33:13 GMT
In the context of the change of manager, the changes in personnel and playing style and the lower transfer spend compared to previous seasons, 50 points would be a magnificent season and 42 points would be decent. In practice we'll almost certainly get something in between those totals.
The really important thing though is that we can now see that the team is evolving and progressing. Since Christmas there have been clear signs that, with a reasonable budget for next season, Hughes looks as though he will have a decent chance of achieving the golden combination of a top half finish combined with football which is attractive enough to fill the stadium on a regular basis.
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Post by march4 on Mar 16, 2014 14:40:41 GMT
In the context of the change of manager, the changes in personnel and playing style and the lower transfer spend compared to previous seasons, 50 points would be a magnificent season and 42 points would be decent. In practice we'll almost certainly get something in between those totals. The really important thing though is that we can now see that the team is evolving and progressing. Since Christmas there have been clear signs that, with a reasonable budget for next season, Hughes looks as though he will have a decent chance of achieving the golden combination of a top half finish combined with football which is attractive enough to fill the stadium on a regular basis. It's funny that we have reverted to 4-4-1-1 and yet we look completely different to the 4-4-1-1 from last season. My son had done some research on LMH at his previous clubs and has been consistently telling me that it is a Hughes trade mark for his teams to do well in the 2nd half of a season. |
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Post by jeycov on Mar 16, 2014 14:41:56 GMT
Is 45 pts our highest total so far in the prem? I think we could beat it this year with a good finish. I think we will win all our remaining home games. we finished with 47 points in the 09/10 season and 46 in the 10/11 season. we had 45 points in our first season, so no improvement 5 years later. Equalling or improving on our best total of 47 would be an excellent return at this stage. I hope that we get to 40 as quickly as possible and give a few of our fringe players to show how / if they fit into our plans. I would like MH to consider keeping / extending the loans of both Guidetti and Assaidi With increased confidence throughout the team, we can move on - yesterday, I was impressed with the way our players are getting used to playing together. The next game is always the most important one, I'm trying not to get carried away, but I really enjoyed yesterdays game and 9 shots on target (MOTD stats) with 3 goals is very encouraging |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 14:42:36 GMT
I still prefer 4-2-3-1, I think yesterday showed with the right personnel it's the best option. In my opinion anyway.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 16, 2014 14:46:17 GMT
In the context of the change of manager, the changes in personnel and playing style and the lower transfer spend compared to previous seasons, 50 points would be a magnificent season and 42 points would be decent. In practice we'll almost certainly get something in between those totals. The really important thing though is that we can now see that the team is evolving and progressing. Since Christmas there have been clear signs that, with a reasonable budget for next season, Hughes looks as though he will have a decent chance of achieving the golden combination of a top half finish combined with football which is attractive enough to fill the stadium on a regular basis. It's funny that we have reverted to 4-4-1-1 and yet we look completely different to the 4-4-1-1 from last season. My son had done some research on LMH at his previous clubs and has been consistently telling me that it is a Hughes trade mark for his teams to do well in the 2nd half of a season. Even Hughes says that his teams do better in the second half. As to our formation, I think we look different for two reasons. First the wide men are not wingers, they are skilful, pacy players willing to shoot and put in good passes but not really wingers. The crosses which we did so well when Ethers and Pennant were on top form are not a feature these days. By the same token our wide men are better than we had last season when Pennant was absent and Ethers was knackered. The other difference is that when Adam or Ireland are played behind the striker they both have a high level of skill which no previous "second striker/number 10" had in a TP side. |
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Post by scfcno1fan on Mar 16, 2014 14:47:55 GMT
Let's not get complacent yet.
Staying up is still the only objective for me and we are not safe yet!
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Post by partickpotter on Mar 16, 2014 16:05:09 GMT
Let's not get complacent yet. Staying up is still the only objective for me and we are not safe yet! This. We are still a relegation fight and must not forget it |
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Post by partickpotter on Mar 16, 2014 16:28:41 GMT
One thing I don't expect is any sense out of you Mr Nonsense. wow, 1700+ posts on here and that's the best you can come up with ?? come on man, try harder ! Consider this a wee gift - make a neat avatar for you...  |
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Post by podolipotter on Mar 16, 2014 16:47:27 GMT
For Likelyladglizmo - Is that an old photograph of "The Croft" at Springfields??
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Post by fca47 on Mar 16, 2014 17:05:15 GMT
I thought we were pushing on, if we don't better other seasons how can we have pushed on? We will have equalled or done worse.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 17:07:00 GMT
I thought we were pushing on, if we don't better other seasons how can we have pushed on? We will have equalled or done worse. How often does that happen overnight? |
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Post by fca47 on Mar 16, 2014 17:11:29 GMT
I thought we were pushing on, if we don't better other seasons how can we have pushed on? We will have equalled or done worse. How often does that happen overnight? True, but I think people are getting a bit overexcited on the back of a great last 20 minutes yesterday. Much too early to say we have pushed on. I hope we do, but ignoring all the crap results against the other teams around us isn't realistic. |
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Post by PerCyfilth ....Captains Log on Mar 16, 2014 17:13:49 GMT
I think 12 or 13 but would settle for 9or 10.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2014 17:14:06 GMT
How often does that happen overnight? True, but I think people are getting a bit overexcited on the back of a great last 20 minutes yesterday. Much too early to say we have pushed on. I hope we do, but ignoring all the crap results against the other teams around us isn't realistic. I agree and agree that there was a fair bit about yesterday that was iffy. Also think it's unfair to say it was only one good game when we've been generally playing pretty well recently. |
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Mar 16, 2014 17:29:21 GMT
Everybody said we'd do better? On what planet? Numerous pundits tipped us for the drop. There were and are clear gaps in the squad and problems that had to be addressed. We're a long way from there yet, but we're doing ok. You were expecting, after a decade of playing a certain way and the side finishing with its lowest points haul since promotion, a new man to walk in, spend a fraction of previous seasons and challenge for 8th? I was expecting 50 points, where ever that put us in the league. 50 points this season with precious little investment was always pie in the sky. If we can get to 45 with the scalps in the bag we already have it will have been a very good effort and offers a great platform to build on next season. |
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Post by oatgeek on Mar 17, 2014 11:15:16 GMT
I've got us nailed on 10th with 50 points:
1 Man City 88
2 Chelsea 85
3 Arsenal 85
4 Liverpool 80
5 Tottenham 70
6 Man Utd 65
7 Everton 60
8 Southampton 53
9 Newcastle 53
10 Stoke 50
11 Aston Villa 44
12 West Ham 43
13 Fulham 41
14 Swansea 40
15 Hull City 37
16 Crystal Pal 37
17 Norwich 33
18 West Brom 32
19 Sunderland 31
20 Cardiff 29
with these being our predicted results:
AVL 1 - 2 STK
STK 2 - 1 HUL
CHE 2 - 0 STK
STK 1 - 0 NEW
CAR 1 - 2 STK
STK 1 - 3 TOT
STK 2 - 2 FUL
WBA 1 - 3 STK
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Post by mrcholmondleywarner on Mar 17, 2014 13:23:11 GMT
As far as this season goes, I shall be satisfied to have avoided relegation after 37 games.
We can all head off to The Hawthorns for the last game and thoroughly enjoy ourselves, content in the knowledge that we are safe whatever the result.
I'm not sure where The Baggies will be, but they might just be needing a result, which will add a little spice to the fixture........
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Post by superscfc on Mar 17, 2014 16:08:03 GMT
We will get at least 10 points IMO. Tottenham will beat us I think as will Chelsea. Couple of draws too but I hope we go to West Brom with them still being in a scrap at the bottom, I'd love for us to somehow send them down with another win, perfect end to the season
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Post by stokerambler on Mar 17, 2014 17:00:41 GMT
First and foremost let's get to 40 points! ..Although I think 38 points will be enough.
But I'll guess 10 pts. We have a decent run in to be fair and could easily gather more but it doesn't usually happen that way for mid table teams! The Chelsea game is the only one where you'd be pretty nailed on to get zero points. The rest are all winnable but given our inability to win away from home and a likely upset at home I'll be conservative.
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Post by sjohank on Mar 17, 2014 18:25:31 GMT
Aston Villa v Stoke 1 Stoke v Hull 3 Chelsea v Stoke 0 Stoke v Newcastle 3 Cardiff v Stoke 1 Stoke v Tottenham 1 Stoke v Fulham 3 West Brom v Stoke 1 13 points I reckon…..10th…….or could we sneak 9th? We're vEry strong at the Brit. 13 points makes sense. Summa summarum 47 points, 45 goals(?) and 10th/11th coming May! |
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Post by DannyStokie on Mar 17, 2014 18:33:13 GMT
Is 45 pts our highest total so far in the prem? I think we could beat it this year with a good finish. I think we will win all our remaining home games. we finished with 47 points in the 09/10 season and 46 in the 10/11 season. we had 45 points in our first season, so no improvement 5 years later. And 42 last season? But we haven't finished yet, so you can't judge anything We could win every game and finish on 58 |
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