Defeats by auto promoted teams

[Davef]

Looking at league tables over the past six or seven years, it's very rare for automatically promoted teams to lose 10 or more games in a season. Reading only lost 2 in their Championship season, but they were something else weren't they?

So far, both West Bottlers Albion and Charlton have lost 10 matches with 13 and 14 matches left respectively, while The Mighty Mighty Rip Roaring Potters are on 6, Bristol City are on 7 and Watford are on 8.

Can we count Brazil and Charlton out then? They're probably going to have to go the rest of the season unbeaten, and with Brazil in particular having other distractions, I can't see that happening.

Our next five fixtures are crucial IMO. If we can come out of those fixtures in the automatic places then I think we will do it.

All credit to the lads and TP for the last three games. I honestly thought that we'd drop points with playing three homes games on the bounce, so to win them all is a tremendous achievement.

Deepdale here we come.

[daverichards]

stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/D1/runin.html

[soicowboy]

Under Alan Durban we managed 3 home and 3 away defeats coming 3rd. Went down to the wire


Remember us losing home to Sunderland and Blackburn but not the rest.


Think we can manage 2 more and be ok- not losing to Watford or Bristol very important.

[apb1]

Davef I think the points total for promoted teams will be less so we can't rule those two teams out yet. Charlton are teetering though - those balmy summer days and billiard table surfaces can't come quick enough.

[mark71]

It really is going to be nip and tuck until the end of the season.
When you look at our form especially the goals scored and now the strength of the squad there has never been a better time for us to finish in the top 2.
It really is going to be squeaky bum time. As you say if were in the top 2 after the next 5 games we'll get one of those automatic promotion places come may.