January Fixtures

We've no reason to fear Barnsley on our current form.

 

Another 10 points from those games and I’d be very happy. We now need to show title winning form until at least March and then take stock from there

 

The topsy-turvy nature of this bottom 4, picking up points like this weekend, means we MUST keep going. Even a draw and a defeat would see us sucked in and potentially further a drift of those above us. There isn’t a moments chance for complacency. Given yesterday’s performance it seems that Hopkin has got this well drilled into the team.

 

The problem we have faced is the teams around have also picked up form recently. Oxford appear to have been on a good run until Christmas Bristol have won 3 in 3 and even Wimbledon and Plymouth have been picking up points. Looking at those fixtures though NYD is our chance to pull ourselves closer/above these teams. A Pompey & Peterborough win and the other 2 draws would be the perfect scenario imo

 

Agree. Two of those fixtures also mean that is guaranteed teams around us will gain at least one point. Draws in both the Bristol and Oxford games would be ideal.

 

Anything from 7 points upwards this month, will keep the momentum going on avoiding relegation.

Even at 7 points, that would take us to 31 points from 30 games. I believe 52 points will be sufficient to avoid relegation, so across our final 16 games, we would require a further 21 points, which would equate as 5 wins, 6 draws, 5 defeats or 6 wins, 3 draws or 7 defeats and so on.

With our increased confidence, form, pressing, commitment to play on the floor et al, coupled with a positive January transfer window, I believe this is very doable.

But, and there is one, despite an excellent December, there will be knock backs and events that we do know off yet. Injuries/suspensions to key players, defeats that are not expected.

 

Potentially losing big players in the transfer window

 

Not sure that's needed or realistic.

I've had a quick look at some numbers. 54 points is pretty much guaranteed to ensure survival. To reach that Mark we need an average of 1.5 points per game.

60 points, is typical mid-table fare. Over a season thats about 1.3 points per game.

Playoff form is about 1.7 points per game.

So we need the form of roughly an 8-10th placed side between now and the end of the season to stay up without too much drama. Strong Playoff form would get us into a mid table spot.

Anyone dreaming of us doing a Plymouth and pushing for a playoff spot can forget it. We'd need about 2.3 points per game which is title winning form - and then some.

Our form since Gillingham works out at 1.55 points per game. If we keep doing what we're doing we'll be fine.

 

We played well against Sunderland and it could have gone another way. Should have atleast been a draw. Chicksen made a few mistakes, maybe if wood was playing he would have risen to the occasion.

We have to keep going and win the next 4-5 games

 

Long story short:

1. We need mid-table form between now and the end of the season to stay up
2. Since the Gillingham debacle our form is slightly better than mid table standard. That covers 9 league games which also include games against 4 of the top 5.

If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll be fine.

 

Southend are similar to us, in that results so far tend to end in win or defeat (not many draws). So form would suggest it’s 3 points or Zero!

 

Give the Chicken/Wood thing a rest. Our recent form has been with Chicksen in the team. If we need to “keep going” as you say, are you suggesting bringing Wood in to be the answer?

 

Is Wood becoming one of those players that gets better the more he doesn’t play

 

Going off subject slightly but related to Tuesdays game does anyone know what time the club close turnstiles? as I'm working till three (but will be sneaking off at 245 all been well;-) ) and will definitely be missing kick off. Hopefully at ground no later than 315

 

Your right. Wood is obviously doing something that is not good enough in training or whatever

Hopefully Tyrell Robinson will come back and play left back for us

 

Cheers Rod. Had never read that before. Don't normally miss kick off these days (unlike alcohol related missed kick offs a plenty in my eighties hey day!!)