The Promotion Chasing Thread

[SUTSS]

It wasn't really in the latter stages though, we had three strikers on for the last half an hour.

 

[Munkiki]

Left that a bit late. So ridiculously close at the top. In an automatic promotion place after 42 games and still not guaranteed promotion even if we won all four of our remaining games. Going to be heart-breaking for whichever two of us, Watford and Middlesbrough miss out.

Norwich - Leeds (a) Middlesbrough (h) Rotherham (a) Fulham (h)
Watford - Nottm Forest (a) Birmingham (h) Brighton (a) Sheff Wed (h)
Middlesbrough - Wolves (h) Norwich (a) Fulham (a) Brighton (h)

If Watford beat Forest, it'll be them joining Bournemouth - I'd expect them to win their final three. If they lose/draw, opens the door for the winner of us and Middlesbrough on Friday. Though even if we won that game it might not be enough considering the inevitable defeat to Fulham in our last game.

 

[Hooray]

That's latter enough

 

[SUTSS]

Bournemouth aren't there yet. Anyone can beat anyone in this division as we see every year. I think everyone in that top 4 will drop points before the end of the season.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Was thinking at least Norwich dropping 2 points gives a little more room to breath. Wasn't to be though, so as you were gents.

 

[Mansfield_Ram]

My only hope is the disappointment of missing out of automatic promotion gives a massive drop in confidence to whoever.

Prefer we don't finish now in the top 6. It's going to end in dissapointment whether semi or final.

 

[LondonOrn]

Actually Derby are the team I fear most should we end up in the play-offs. You don't find yourself in the top two for much of the season without being a very good team, and despite more dropped points today, I'd be surprised if Derby don't come into the play-offs having found a bit of form on a nice unbeaten run with all their key players finally fit and raring to go.

I just get this nagging feeling that they'll be one of those teams that finishes 5th/6th but then win promotion despite not playing well for large parts of the season a la West Ham/QPR (perhaps I should add Palace to that, given how well they've done in the Premier League since Ian Holloway left, and I'm quite sure under a better manager they'd have got auto promotion two years ago).

 

[Mr Elmo]

I'm just not sure how it'll go. Last year after the final defeat I said we'll be better off next year when we're prepared better - Yet we have not hit close to the standards set last year. Sure our defence would concede, but there was that confidence we would score plenty of times and that isn't happening now.

 

[Luke_1884]

Hopefully we can find a bit of rhythm and put out a settled team for the remainder of the season, the showings vs Norwich, Boro and today against Brentford haven't filled me with confidence mind. We've barely mustered a shot on target in 270+ minutes of football against teams we will likely face if we make the Play Offs. Then there's the 2-0 defeat to Wolves despite us playing ok and throwing a lead away Vs 10 man Watford... we just aren't in very good nick at all, as McClaren says.

Expectations have dropped off now so I'm just going to go with the flow, if we make the Play Offs then great, it's still good having something to play for with 4 games remaining. Clinging onto some faint hope we can do what QPR did to us last year but I've got to say 1 win in 9 is doing it's best to nullify and confidence I have left. Onto Tuesday...

 

[dedwardp]

Why does everyone think Bournemouth are home and hosed? One loss and they could slip to fourth, still a long way to go.

 

[Rammy]

Why does everyone think Bournemouth are home and hosed? One loss and they could slip to fourth, still a long way to go.

I don't. I think they will go up, but they certainly aren't there yet.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Why does everyone think Bournemouth are home and hosed? One loss and they could slip to fourth, still a long way to go.

Indeed.

I don't fancy having to win at Charlton on the last day when all those around as have easier fixtures.

 

[Munkiki]

Obviously not guaranteed but I just can't see them not getting at least 10 points from their last 4. Reading (1 win in 9), Wednesday (1 win in 6), Bolton (1 win in 5) and Charlton have dropped off since their 7 wins in 9 pulled them away from the relegation battle (ie 0 wins in 3 vs Millwall/Fulham/Wednesday).

They only need two of the three to drop points. We play Middlesbrough and Fulham. Middlesbrough play us and Wolves. The game between us means at least one of us will drop points. Then we're guaranteed to drop points against Fulham (never beaten them in my lifetime) while it's not unreasonable to suggest Middlesbrough might drop points against us or Wolves.

If Watford beat Forest on Tuesday night, personally I think the automatic race is over. It'll be between them and Borunemouth for the title. Just my opinion though.

 

[Rammy]

Only because you're convinced you're losing to Fulham, when you're not!

 

[Bobbin']

Indeed.

I don't fancy having to win at Charlton on the last day when all those around as have easier fixtures.

Wouldn't worry too much mate, as Munkiki points out above, we're playing like a side already thinking about their holidays.

 

[Munkiki]

Only because you're convinced you're losing to Fulham, when you're not!

We might not lose... since we're playing them at home I'd say there's probably about a 35% chance of us drawing, 65% of us losing.

 

[Magic]

Can't see Norwich dropping points at our place on Tuesday. Too hard to call, though. Looking at those fixtures, I agree with Munkiki, Watford have a few handy games at the end.

 

[SUTSS]

You've had a pretty good record against the top 8 haven't you?

 

[Magic]

You've had a pretty good record against the top 8 haven't you?

Yeah we do but season's dying out now. Lost our last three. More trouble at the mill and more rumours of splits in the camp. Limp defeat to a poor Cardiff side...nothing to play for, hmmm, I'm just not confident tbh.

 

[SUTSS]

That sounds like exactly the sort of side we'd lose to.

 

[Magic]

You Norwich fans

I'm actually going to the game so hope we're competitive. Obviously on our day we can look fairly competent but I think a lot of the players are already on their summer holidays to be honest.

 

[Rammy]

I think a lot of the players are already on their summer holidays to be honest.

I think we are too...

 

[mistermagic]

Still reckon Bournemouth and Norwich will be the top 2. Wouldn't mind Middlesbrough or Watford up mind.

Would like somone like Ipswich to win the play-offs. Have we ever had a East Anglia derby in the Prem? Exactly.

 

[Super_horns]

In the mid 90s?

 

[SUTSS]

You see, I'm 100% confident that we'll beat Boro but Leeds, Rotherham and Fulham I'm nervous about. It seems to have been this way for ages, we just play better against better teams.

 

[Munkiki]

You raise a good point.

Table vs top half:

Table vs bottom half:

Flat-track bullies like Watford and Bournemouth should be deducted points or something...

 

[Super_horns]

We have been a bit unlucky at times against the too side but then been well beaten by you guys for example.

 

[Tom_ITFC]

The tables there prove our defence gets complacent against the bottom half!

 

[Rammy]

League tables are depressing.

 

[Hooray]

The negativity and apprehension from some Norwich fans simply staggers me I'd fancy us against half the sides in the Premier League at the moment, let alone teams like Leeds and Fulham.

Yes, our record against Fulham over the years is beyond poor, but if they turn up to Carrow Road on May 2nd with us needing a result to seal the title and/or promotion, with the ground rocking, the players bouncing off it, they will not be able to handle us. Fulham will have nothing to play for whatsoever. They are not gonna fancy a pounding from us for 90 minutes. We'll batter them.