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Post by ted1965 on Feb 28, 2008 11:59:15 GMT
It seems everyone was on a downer after Tuesday night, of course we have become used to not losing this season and having won 5 in a row it seems some thought it would just be a breeze to remain unbeaten till May.
Though on a more cheerful note, having looked at the fixtures for Saturday we could still be smiling brightly after they are played. I mean Hull have shown already that they are more than capable of getting a result at Bristol city and with their poor goal difference they have to get one more point than us to take control at the top. Then Watford, yes they have a good away record but Burnley are still harbouring hopes of a play off place themselves and any repeat of the last two meetings between the two at Turf Moor would be very welcome. The only other side who are still really in the hunt at this time are Brazil and even they don’t have an easy game, Plymouth are going well under Sturrock and if they can come away with even a point it puts them under immense pressure.
So while it’s not been a good day or two looking at those fixtures, it’s hardly cut and dried that we’ll be out of top spot by Saturday. I have said all along, points on the board are fact, what may happen in other games is mere speculation, yes we had a set back but now the smoke has settled we still have to be over taken and that might not be so easy as our rivals may now believe.
The loss may have been a good thing, it took the wind out of our sails but may be the grounding we needed to push on again.
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Post by FullerMagic on Feb 28, 2008 12:02:27 GMT
True -but so have we.......
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Post by **** Pulling Himself Off on Feb 28, 2008 12:24:16 GMT
You would expect that of the last 12/13 games each of the top 4 are likely to lose at least 3. We've had one of ours already.
Watford & Brizzle matches could be key.
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Post by Alvechurch Assassin on Feb 28, 2008 12:42:05 GMT
it all depends on how we react against QPR. A winnable game, although they are much improved. If we lose it would be a bit of a downer, however a win would really put the wind back in our sails and guarrantee us being top of the table again.
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Post by soicowboy on Feb 28, 2008 12:42:25 GMT
Would rather be playing QPR than Plymouth, Burnley or Hull
Fact is we have to pick up points ourselves and if the others falter all well and good- don't see the fuss re QPR- we're a far better side as the table shows. Sure they've spent money but not well IMHO
Should go there looking for nothing less than 3 points
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Post by ted1965 on Feb 28, 2008 13:07:27 GMT
I agree Soicowboy, this is no harder than games we have won already, certainly don't see anything to fear, their season is effectively over, they will pick enough points to be safe but other than that I don't think it's a really tough examination. Preston had shown much improved form over the last month at home, Rangers have one win, one draw and a drubbing by Burnley. I am not saying we should go there and walk all over them but to me it's not as tough as the three games our nearest rivals face, seems people equate their new found wealth with form, which has been actually patchy, some good some bad.
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Post by The Toxic Avenger on Feb 28, 2008 13:09:12 GMT
I'd rather be playing Burnley or Plymouth than QPR. We rarely get anything there, they've spent a lot of money and the only way for them is up. One of the hardest remaining games for us IMO.
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Post by fromafar07 on Feb 28, 2008 13:14:18 GMT
at this point in the season and Stoke in the position they are in, scoreboard watching is an obvious thing to do. However, Stoke need to concentrate on themselves, not what another team is doing !!!!
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Post by y_oh_y_delilah on Feb 28, 2008 13:20:06 GMT
I think that you can put any interpretation you like on it.
- playing a 'top' side - difficult game against a fellow rival
- playing a 'bottom' club - they'll be fighting for their lives
- playing a 'mid-table' club - they'll be relaxed with nothing to play for.
As has been said, it's what we do that really matters, the rest will take care of itself.
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Post by Dr Oetcake on Feb 28, 2008 14:19:35 GMT
we have the team to beat anyone, home or away, we just need them to turn up on the day, no such thing as an easy game from now on it etc etc etc
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Post by soicowboy on Feb 28, 2008 14:30:50 GMT
'We rarely get anything there'
Sorry but what does that matter re Sunday?
For the record we drew there last season and won the season before.
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eccystokey
Academy Starlet
Look at the tits on this!
Posts: 211
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Post by eccystokey on Feb 28, 2008 15:06:52 GMT
I think its fair to say there are no easy games left this season for any of the clubs.
The form book for the Championship has been turned upside down all season and there are just no guarantees about any result.
I thought City had a hatful of chances on Tuesday and on another night would have won 6-2, and that was with the whole team under performing.
Just be happy that there creating chances and are top of the league with a 10 point gap to 6th place, every other team in the league would take that.
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Post by lordb on Feb 28, 2008 15:09:54 GMT
the closer the end of the season gets the more you want to be playing midtable sides like QPR.
score 1st on Sunday & we will get 4.
Fuller,Shawcross in the goals again
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Post by surreystokie on Feb 28, 2008 15:33:38 GMT
Ted, keep your chin up as some of them have a tough time ahead, on Tuesday, as well, when all (except us adn Scunny) are due to play. Charlton will play Brizzle and Watford have in-form Norwich City, though I'm hoping that Wednesday take a few energising pills before taking on our friends from the Hawthorns.  |
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Post by somersetstokie on Feb 28, 2008 16:30:05 GMT
We have a good team as most will admit, but unfortunately Tone has his preferred first XI and seems very reluctant to change it, even when he has an opportunity.
For example, there are other current threads suggesting, quite rightly, that Gally should be given a chance in preference to Cresswell.
The whole team should be under pressure for their place, and not be assuming they are an automatic choice. It would even be better in my view for Fuller to start on the bench and come on as a potential match winner later.
Hopefully a couple of good loan players will achieve the desired effect. Not Happy at missing out on Sinclair especially.
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Post by soicowboy on Feb 28, 2008 16:33:07 GMT
We won 5 in a row- lost one and folk are asking for changes- doesn't make great sense to me.
Agree a couple of loan players would be nice but this team got us to the top of the table and credit to them.
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Post by lancer on Feb 28, 2008 18:31:23 GMT
Lot of good posts re the QPR game.
We have to make sure after the Preston downer, we don't convince ourselves we're in for a bad spell. This attitude could get through to the players.
QPR are a decent side, nothing more. True the same could be said about Preston, but I'm sure the lads will take that game as a wake up call, and get their shoulders to the wheel.
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Post by oneteaminbristol on Feb 28, 2008 18:41:10 GMT
Every game is tough in this division as you found out on Tuesday but I far rather be playing Hull at home than QPR away.
They beat us 3-0 four weeks ago and killed us in the first 30 minutes.
Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vine were good on that day so I say it will be tougher than the PNE match.
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Post by BraveSirRobin on Feb 28, 2008 19:15:10 GMT
Yeah but youre toss!*
*In the first 30 mins.
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Post by scfclifer on Feb 28, 2008 21:26:00 GMT
Charlton will play Brizzle and Watford have in-form Norwich City, though I'm hoping that Wednesday take a few energising pills before taking on our friends from the Hawthorns. i think wendys are some sort of bogie team for brasil could work out well ;D |
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