Halfway mark

[Kenneth E End]

Most teams have now played every other team once now - it looks like it's going to be a real tussle for those top 2 automatic promotion places with three teams going at better than 2 points per game, which is pretty remarkable. Proving that Sunderland are not going to have it all their own way despite having significantly more resources than every other team.

Luton are doing remarkably well despite just being promoted from League Two. I don't think any supporter would've expected a 47 point return from the first half of the season; even more so having just 1 point from the first 3 games. Since Steve Rutter has come in as Paul Hart's replacement, Luton have won 10 from 12 in the League.

I noted at the start of the season that Peterborough were highlighted as fallers away despite a good start - they've drawn 4 out of their last 5 and 6 points off the automatics. Charlton have had somewhat of a recent revival. Barnsley have also fallen away somewhat with just 5 points from their last 5 games. In that race for the play offs, there does seem to be a gap emerging between the top 7 and the rest - 5 points between Doncaster and Blackpool.

Accrington's form has also taken a nosedive of late, although a win yesterday has stopped the rot. Alongside them is Wycombe who are also exceeding expectations despite a surprise home defeat against bottom of the table AFC Wimbledon. The other promotee Coventry have also tanked of late, both on and off the pitch, and now lost 4 in a row - I expected them to do better than what they are. Someone mention that Chaplin cost £500,000?

Oxford and Bradford have now started to turn around their early season woes and now find themselves out of the relegation places. That said, that is minimal expectations with their resources.

Scunthorpe and Bristol Rovers are in terrible form, despite the latter winning yesterday. The former have not won a match in over a month away at Rovers.

 

[Bar Carousel]

At the start of the season (and especially coming out the ground having just stolen 3 points off Luton) I'd have never put us where we are now. In a season and a half, Jackett has completely overhauled us from Cook's tippy-happy possession based side, to a gritty, no frills, direct, hard to beat bunch of shithouses.

Very few opposition fans rate us, and generally see us as unspectacular and a bit lucky against them on the whole. A disappointment from a top of the table side.

In our seventh year in the 'lower-leagues' we have now mastered the gamesmanship, streetwise side prevalent in div 4, that we initially watched open mouthed happen against us time and time again. I think Sunderland, still relatively fresh out of the premier league must be agog at the tactics at times, but it is what it is, and we're now as good as anyone at it. Much to the disdain of the opposition.

Without spending a bundle of cash, and with an apparent unspectacular wage bill at this level, Jackett has built a side based on his Millwall team which ground out promotion several years ago.

Can we keep it up? No reason why not, and the expectation level is that we'd be blowing it now if we don't go up.

For me, the key is little Ben Thompson. Only on loan from Millwall, he has been the final piece of the jigsaw since arriving a few games in to the season. Big rumours that he will be recalled in January. If that happens, it could hit us hard. If he goes, then i fear those scrappy wins, could become draws, and those lucky draws, a defeat. Without a like-for-like replacement who hits the ground running, i would predict a dip in the second half of the season and play-offs.

Overall I'd have to rate the first half of the season as a shocking and unbelievable 9/10.

 

[CCFC_Charlie]

I think Portsmouth and Luton will end up going automatically from what I’ve seen with one of Charlton or Sunderland winning the play-offs.

Scunthorpe, Plymouth and then two of Coventry, Gillingham, Wimbledon, Bristol Rovers or Rochdale to go down.

 

[Bobbin']

It’s written in the stars for a Charlton vs Sunderland play-off final 20 years after the epic in 1998 (I know it will be 21 years come May).

Got to be happy at the half-way stage as a Charlton fan, Lee Bowyer is working magic given the restraints he’s under and the amount of injuries he’s had to deal with. Our problem is still our owner, with a bit of backing and strengthening we are more than capable of finishing in the automatics, we’ve beat the majority of the top half teams and the only two we’ve lost have been in the dying minutes.
Unfortunately, we’re more likely to lose players and have the side dismantled as is usually the case whilst those around us will likely make additions which would be crushing this year as we are on the cusp of something good on the field. Won’t think too much about promotion until I see what state Roland he left us in at the end of January.

Luton the best I’ve seen against us so far with the worst maybe being Gillingham yesterday (wasn’t at the Wimbledon game but most Charlton fans seem to think they are the worst).

Think Portsmouth will definitley finish in the top 2, I said before they remind me of us in 2012 in the way they just get the job done without blowing anyone away. They will likely have a blip but after the defeat to us they followed it up with 4 points from two tough opponents, signs of a side heading for promotion. Second place could one of about 4 or 5 I think. Luton, Sunderland, Barnsley or ourselves most likely at this stage.

Wimbledon and Scunthorpe to go down not sure who with yet. Possibly Plymouth as they don’t seem as if they’re going to go on a run similar to last year.

Merry Christmas everyone, looking forward to the second half of the season.

 

[Bartonyellow]

I couldn’t give a shit about how we do now - I have a
Big cigar as we are in the league cup semi final. That’s made my season.
As long as we don’t go down I’m ok with it.
Top two will be Pompey and Sunderland and play off final will be Luton v charlton and toss a coin on that one.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Yeah we should easily win the playoffs from here.

 

[joethegill]

I'm finding it quite hard to call at the moment, particularly at the top end of the league. Pompey are top and deservedly so - only proper teams have been able to beat them this season, along with Charlton - but you could make a case for 3 or 4 joining them in the top 2. Luton are on a ridiculous run which you feel must come to an end at some point (if it doesn't then fair bloody play) so they may slip a little as Barnsley have done after their roaring start. Peterborough draw too many but they're very much in the mix as you'd imagine Evans will go and sign a few more forward players in the window. Sunderland of course are right on the shoulders of Luton with a couple of games in hand, and again you'd expect them to strengthen in January. Charlton have impressively come up on the rails, while for me the surprise of the season is Doncaster who keep grinding out results.

I think if I was to predict it now, then I'd have a Pompey/Sunderland top 2, with Peterborough winning out in the play-offs ahead of Charlton, Barnsley and Luton.

At the bottom, I can't really see a way back for either Scunthorpe or Plymouth. They're by no means cut adrift at this stage but they just can't stop conceding goals - 49 and 44 respectively so far. Wimbledon have half a chance with the new manager bounce, while Bradford appear to rumbling into life. For us, a lot will depend on Eaves replacement if he goes, and Bristol Rovers also have issues in the goalscoring department - decent defensively though.

Again, hard to call, but I'd go for Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers to join Scunny and Plymouth in the bottom 4. Can't pick us, can I.

 

[T.A]

It’s written in the stars for a Charlton vs Sunderland play-off final 20 years after the epic in 1998 (I know it will be 21 years come May).

Got to be happy at the half-way stage as a Charlton fan, Lee Bowyer is working magic given the restraints he’s under and the amount of injuries he’s had to deal with. Our problem is still our owner, with a bit of backing and strengthening we are more than capable of finishing in the automatics, we’ve beat the majority of the top half teams and the only two we’ve lost have been in the dying minutes.
Unfortunately, we’re more likely to lose players and have the side dismantled as is usually the case whilst those around us will likely make additions which would be crushing this year as we are on the cusp of something good on the field. Won’t think too much about promotion until I see what state Roland he left us in at the end of January.

Luton the best I’ve seen against us so far with the worst maybe being Gillingham yesterday (wasn’t at the Wimbledon game but most Charlton fans seem to think they are the worst).

Think Portsmouth will definitley finish in the top 2, I said before they remind me of us in 2012 in the way they just get the job done without blowing anyone away. They will likely have a blip but after the defeat to us they followed it up with 4 points from two tough opponents, signs of a side heading for promotion. Second place could one of about 4 or 5 I think. Luton, Sunderland, Barnsley or ourselves most likely at this stage.

Wimbledon and Scunthorpe to go down not sure who with yet. Possibly Plymouth as they don’t seem as if they’re going to go on a run similar to last year.

Merry Christmas everyone, looking forward to the second half of the season.

If we can get a 4-4 again and decent shoot out then I’m all for it. One of my first favourite non-Bury football moments.

 

[Bobbin']

If we can get a 4-4 again and decent shoot out then I’m all for it. One of my first favourite non-Bury football moments.

No thanks, my heart is 21 years older and probably won’t hack it.

A comfortable 3-0 will do me.

 

[Poyntersbill]

Apologies beforehand. Another Luton fan, dribbling on about how well we're doing!
Well we are and I'm bloody well gonna enjoy it! After all the crap we've been dragged through the good times are here!
The chemistry is great with management, players and fans all together! Older fans know how you go through phases with your club, on the up for a few years, but also the downward years...the conference for us. If your team has been there, then you know the horror I speak of!!!!!!!
Portsmouth and Sunderland look very good and consistent, just hope we can keep up and maybe something wonderful will happen!!!!! COYH!

 

[oakroader]

Oh no...
Not another Lutoner on here!!!
Just what this forum needed.
If you listen carefully you can hear the sounds of palms hitting foreheads from Plymouth up to Carlisle...
Welcome aboard the train Poyntersbill...choo choo

 

[LS Bantam]

All I want for Christmas is more posts about Luton, you just never hear from those guys.

 

[oakroader]

All I want for Christmas is more posts about Luton, you just never hear from those guys.

Ho ho fucking ho....

 

[Bosox]

All I want for Christmas is more posts about Luton, you just never hear from those guys.

 

[mowgli]

I'm stunned we're 9th at this stage of the season i thought we'd struggle all season to be fair,Ainsworth took a while to sort out his best starting XI and formation but he's turned it around brilliantly with Dom Gape our best player so far.

 

[Craig]

Yeah we should easily win the playoffs from here.

Don't see why not. It's been done before...

 

[thewwfc]

yup, would never have believed we'd be as high as mid-table at this stage, so this season has to be considered a great success unless we go on to absolutely tank from here on in. Plenty of games left to go though...

 

[Maple Hatter]

Ask any Luton fan pre season then top half probably with a slight chance of making the play offs. Not sure if our first half of the season success depends on the players improving, our style being more suited to league one or the diamond shape now fully functional. I'm sure its a combo of all of these plus the fact that the general standard of league one isn't as high as we thought it would be. Confirmed perhaps by the fact that all the promoted team are more than holding there own.
As with all team we will have a bad patch and lose a few games but our continued success will depend how we react.

 

[ccfctommy]

I think we will finish mid table. Were too good to be sucked in to a relegation battle but not good enough to challenge for playoffs.