7 wins from 9 probably needed to go up now

[ted1965]

It has been a disappointing few weeks, it’s no point in hiding the fact we lost two points today. I was delighted with a point in the end considering it looked like we were going to suffer a third straight defeat but we needed to win our remaining home matches.

The games that may decide where we finish could be Watford and Bristol city, if we could take 6 points from those games we would surely be in a strong position to head towards that last few games of the season in contention.

I really hope we have a striker lined up, whether it’s Nugent or whoever we need extra firepower. The need for someone who can just take that half chance when it comes along like Stein or Sheron used to. It’s those tight games where you need that type of player.

I also hope we change a few other positions, sorry but Salif has to be consigned to the reserves, he needs match practice and lots of it, he also needs a full summer of pre season training. At the moment he looks a pale imitation of the player who broke up so many attacks last season and set our own attacks in motion. That is a distant memory, for now he needs to dropped and we need someone there who is match fit and ready to play for 90 minutes.

The defence at least seemed a little more solid today, Riggot looked commanding in the air which was good to see though time will tell whether he can actually stamp himself on those around him in the way a Premiership defender should at this level. We didn’t really look troubled apart for the first 20 minutes, there will be far tougher examinations of whether we have turned the corner defensively, lets hope we have.

The other issue is Paul Gallagher, he really needs to get more game time he can’t be effective 15 minutes here or 20 minutes there. It’s time to play him for a full 90 minutes and find out whether he can make a difference to our attacking play. I know our attacking game is built around Mamma at the moment and while I can’t see that changing, it really needs to be looked at. The opposition are beginning to work us out, when that happens it’s down to the manager to change the style and direction of our play. Gallagher could just give us that something different on the left over the next 9 games that could possibly change our momentum and still bring us automatic promotion.

So yes I am disappointed, it was a game we could of won and one beforehand we should really have been looking to win. Though considering we were losing as we came towards the final minute a draw seems almost like a win. Though realistically we can’t afford to drop another point at home now, plus we need three wins out of five away. It’s not easy or in our current form likely but that’s what makes supporting Stoke so uncertain, they never do what you expect them to do so for that reason alone I still believe we can defy the odds.

Though we are second again, always say points in the bag are real and everything else is conjecture it does seem more than likely after everyone has played catch up we may find ourselves outside the automatic places. Though with everyone struggling for consistency maybe not to far outside of them. I for one would take that now, if we were still in with a chance of automatic promotion on the last day at home to Leicester.

[mumf14]

Mmmmm...You could be right...however I can't see past 5 wins at best at the moment.

It's very frustrating ...our form has dipped and like many have said we are too predictable in our approach.
We will get left behind and end up in the play-offs unless Pulis changes things around.
It's not the end of the road...It's when we stand up and be counted.
Diao,Sidibe need to be dropped I'm afraid.

[Lakeland Potter]

Other teams around and just below us are also starting to drop points - although if Watford and the baggies win their games in hand they will be in a strong position.

Interestingly, the football365 "run in" table still has us in second place on predicted points if current form is maintained. This is because, surprisingly, we still average 2 points per game from our last 8 games

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

[westlandsstokie]

Long way to go yet....the games against Bristol & Watford will be huge....and the results against these two will decide whether it's auto promotion or plays offs.Lose and the players confidence will drop....win and we are almost there...almost !! The other big factor will be whether or not Tony has the bottle to "shuffle the pack" a little ? Diao,mama out ? Gally a.n other striker in ? We'll see over the next 9 games !!!

[nonameface]

Ted, whilst I fully agree with you that Diao needs to be dropped until he has regained form and that Sidibe hasn't been playing as well as what he can do. I don't see why you have come to the conclusion that we need to win 7out of 9 games to go up automatically. We have the BEST run in out of the 3 teams nearest to us. The hardest run in has to Watfords! I think if we win 5/6 of our remaining games and 1/2 draws then we will be looking at automatic promotion. This season is different to others in that EVERYONE not only can, but ARE beating everyone.

If we beat Bristol City and draw with Watford then we will be in with a very very good shot!

[apb1]

6 wins if we beat Bristol and Watford will be fine. I am now beginning to worry about playoffs but surely we will get the 3 or 4 needed to secure that? ???

[vincentperiwinkle]

im sure we will at least secure a playoff place which at the beginning of the season most of us what have been happy with! automatic wud have me over the moon....next few weeks....we will see