Promotion this year

[Veggie Legs]

Remember when the top 5 were going to break away from the rest of the league and there was only playoff place to play for?

 

[Luke_1884]

Boro doing what they do best last night, they'll run away with it at this rate. Two hard games for them and they've passed with flying colours, not a goal conceded. Sounds like they had a bit of luck last night but when you get that and stay in the game there's always a chance they'll nick the game.
Can't see them screwing it up.

After our best ever start to a league season we've hit a rocky patch, 5/12 isn't great. Hull could go second tonight with a win over Cardiff so need them to do us a favour. Burnley coming on strong, Brighton can't buy a game and Ipswich and Wednesday also closing in. Interesting few weeks ahead.

 

[SF_]

Remember when people wondered how Brighton would respond once they lost a game?

Answer: badly.

No wins in 7 for them, 4 of them defeats. Haven't scored in 6 consecutive games...

 

[Walkley_Owl]

106 - Champions 2006
105
104
103
102 - Champions 2010, 2014
100
99
98
97
96
95
94 - Champions 2005
93 - Promoted 2014 - PREDICTED CHAMPIONS
92
91 - Promoted 2010
90 - Champions 2009, 2015; Promoted 2006
89 - Champions 2012; Promoted 2015
88 - Champions 2007, 2011; Promoted 2012
87 - Champions 2013; Promoted 2005
86 - Promoted 2007
85
84 - Promoted 2011
83 - Promoted 2009
82 - PREDICTED PROMOTION
81 - Champions 2008;
80
79 - Promoted 2008, 2013
78 - Play offs 2015
77
76
75 - Playoffs 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012
74 - Playoffs 2009
73 - Playoffs 2005
72 - Playoffs 2014 - PREDICTED PLAY OFFS
71
70 - Playoffs 2008, 2010
69
68 - Playoffs 2013
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55 - Middlesbrough (25); Safety 2013
54
53 - Safety 2008
52
51 - Safety 2009
50 - Hull Safety 2005, 2006
49 - Derby; Safety 2007, 2010
48 - Safety 2011, 2012
47
46
45 - Burnley; PREDICTED SAFETY
44 - Ipswich, Brighton; Safety 2014
43
42 - Wednesday; Safety 2015
41
40 - Birmingham
39
38
37 - Cardiff, Wolves
36 - Brentford
35
34 - Reading, Preston
33
32 - Nottingham Forest, Leeds
31 - Huddersfield, QPR
30
29 - Blackburn (25)
28
27 - Fulham
26
25
24 - Rotherham
23 - MK Dons
22
21 - Bristol City
20 - Charlton
19
18
17 - Bolton

 

[MagpieBee]

106 - Champions 2006
105
104
103
102 - Champions 2010, 2014
100
99
98
97
96
95
94 - Champions 2005
93 - Promoted 2014 - PREDICTED CHAMPIONS
92
91 - Promoted 2010
90 - Champions 2009, 2015; Promoted 2006
89 - Champions 2012; Promoted 2015
88 - Champions 2007, 2011; Promoted 2012
87 - Champions 2013; Promoted 2005
86 - Promoted 2007
85
84 - Promoted 2011
83 - Promoted 2009
82 - PREDICTED PROMOTION
81 - Champions 2008;
80
79 - Promoted 2008, 2013
78 - Play offs 2015
77
76
75 - Playoffs 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012
74 - Playoffs 2009
73 - Playoffs 2005
72 - Playoffs 2014 - PREDICTED PLAY OFFS
71
70 - Playoffs 2008, 2010
69
68 - Playoffs 2013
67
66
65
64
63
62
61
60
59
58
57
56
55 - Middlesbrough (25); Safety 2013
54
53 - Safety 2008
52
51 - Safety 2009
50 - Safety 2005, 2006
49 - Derby; Safety 2007, 2010
48 - Safety 2011, 2012
47 - Hull (25)
46 - PREDICTED SAFETY
45 - Burnley
44 - Ipswich, Brighton; Safety 2014
43
42 - Wednesday
41
40 - Birmingham
39
38
37 - Cardiff (25), Wolves
36 - Brentford
35
34 - Reading, Preston
33
32 - Nottingham Forest, Leeds
31 - Huddersfield, QPR
30
29 - Blackburn (25)
28
27 - Fulham
26
25
24 - Rotherham
23 - MK Dons
22
21 - Bristol City
20 - Charlton
19
18
17 - Bolton

Will be happy when we hit 55. Think we've got an outside chance at play offs, but more likely a bit of consolidation between now and the end of the season, go hard next year.

 

[Madejski]

I still think we have a chance of the playoffs but 10 points is a lot to make up. Have to say based on what i've seen this season i'd be annoyed if we don't. Still waiting to see a top team that I can categorically say is better than us.

I think January will decide if we have any hope. MK Dons on Saturday and then later in the month we have two teams we need to catchup with (Sheff Weds and Ipswich). Fail to get 7 points from them and I think we'll be too far behind.

 

[Luke_1884]

I still think we have a chance of the playoffs but 10 points is a lot to make up. Have to say based on what i've seen this season i'd be annoyed if we don't. Still waiting to see a top team that I can categorically say is better than us.

I think January will decide if we have any hope. MK Dons on Saturday and then later in the month we have two teams we need to catchup with (Sheff Weds and Ipswich). Fail to get 7 points from them and I think we'll be too far behind.

Seen a lot of this.. to me it sounds as if you need to be better than those in midtable and below you, that's what you should be worried about. It's alright playing against us and fellow top teams but if you're being bettered by Wolves, PNE, QPR etc whats the point?

 

[Madejski]

Seen a lot of this.. to me it sounds as if you need to be better than those in midtable and below you, that's what you should be worried about. It's alright playing against us and fellow top teams but if you're being bettered by Wolves, PNE, QPR etc whats the point?

I have no idea how we lost to Wolves (and I don't think their fans have any idea how they won either) but yes I get your point. We are absolutely woeful against the mid table sides. Top teams we average almost 2 points a game from, but the middle 11 we average less than 1.

Exactly the same happened last year, we finished 19th but IIRC had the second best record against the top 6 from everyone in the league. I'm sure I posted the exact stats somewhen in the Summer. Pretty sure it's a mentality thing that Brian is trying to sort out now. We turn up for the big games getting results and generally have enough for the weaker opponents. But when we play those who you can't just expect to rollover, in what you wouldn't consider a big game, they just never turned up.

We also need a striker who can put the balls in the back of the net. Hopefully this is where the Blackman money will go. Vydra has been much better recently, good performances, but still not scoring. We've had more shots and shots on target than anyone else in the league but we aren't that great at scoring. Leaves us relying more heavily on our defence which does have a mistake in it at times.

Perhaps too little too late this season. Problem is that as it stands we're losing a lot of our current squad over the Summer (Vydra, Piazon, John, Gunter, Robson-Kanu, Ferdinand). If we could keep the same squad I wouldn't feel so bad knowing that there's always next season..

 

[SF_]

From what i've seen of Reading this season, if they can grab 6th, then so can we.

We won't.

 

[Madejski]

From what i've seen of Reading this season, if they can grab 6th, then so can we.

We won't.

I'm probably not confident enough to put a bet on, but it's not that farfetched. If you're basing off our game against you than maybe, but that was when we were in a terrible run, caretaker manager, and we still could have got something from that game.

I can comfortably say that man for man our team is better than the team that won the league in 2011/12. The football we play when we're on form is great. Bad teams don't go up to Hull and score goals Barca would be proud of (https://twitter.com/TalkReading/status/677221011201400832) . Or comfortably beat Middlesbrough, put five past Ipswich, score three at Griffin Park..

If we had a decent manager like McDermott in all season we would be top 6. I have no doubts about that.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Defend the Glory of Reading!

 

[big mean bunny]

We beat you because we are class, do you even have a football museum? What would you put in it if you do? A cinema so people can see your stupid music video?...


Love this tracker thread, glad to see it back.

 

[M Dogg]

Wheels might be coming off a bit earlier at the farm down the road.

I don't ever recall Fawaz going into the changing room to shout at anyone after the match...

 

[Luke_1884]

Think this is a bit crafty, it was well documented last night that PC and a few senior players had some stern words for everyone involved, Richard Keogh even came out in his interview and said so. Nicko's tweet doesn't actually say Mel was in the dressing room, just that he was unhappy. It could well be true, last night was unacceptable by a long stretch but I've still got reservations about this claim.

The bottle job mission could well be starting a few months early this year though.

Let's not compare Fawaz to Mel ever please Mark.

 

[Nuttall]

Didn't think Derby would capitulate this season as the strength of their squad (on paper) is far above most in the league, that said it will be interesting to see how they respond at the weekend to what had been said midweek

 

[AFCB_Mark]

A long way to go and a lot further for the pressure to crank up just yet.

 

[Rammy]

Bit early to say we're capitulating

Every team has a bad spell, this is clearly ours. As for the rumours, funny how people believe Alan Nixon when they want to...

 

[markwwfc1992]

I don't even know who Alan Nixon is but people keep mentioning him. Is the the oracle to Championship football transfers?

 

[Luke_1884]

Training camp in Dubai next week has been cancelled, time to get your heads down and work boys.

 

[Luke_1884]

I don't even know who Alan Nixon is but people keep mentioning him. Is the the oracle to Championship football transfers?

Get's the odd one right. I'd say 80% of claims he's made for us have been bollocks over the past year or so.

 

[M Dogg]

I think from the outside looking in, you can see where the problems may end up occurring at Derby.

1. A coach/manager who may be tactically astute, but seems to me to be a slightly meek character
2. Some BIG personalities in the dressing room, on big wages, who probably feel they should be playing each and every minute.
3. The 'old guard' who have been performing well for a couple of years who now find themselves in the cold
4. Clearly a large wage disparity. God knows what Ince/Johnson/Bent are on, but I bet it's a damn sight more than Hendrick/Bryson/Keogh

There is plenty of scope for disaster there.

On the flip side, there is still way too much quality in that team. Derby *should* go up.

 

[Rammy]

Bryson is on the same level as the big earners, after he signed his five year contract. He's been poor or injured ever since.

 

[Veggie Legs]

It would be hilarious if Derby collapsed like they did last season, although I don't expect it to happen.

 

[M Dogg]

Bryson is on the same level as the big earners, after he signed his five year contract. He's been poor or injured ever since.

Fair enough

Point stands. Can't imagine Buxton is chuffed at losing his spot. Or Keogh's new partner being on twice as much as him. These things make a difference, people will talk and cliques will emerge.

Look at Bent. A largely pointless signing and one that *apparently* Clement didn't want to make. He's sitting there on legit big cheese, probably seriously pissing off the rest of the squad and maybe even Clement.

It happened at Forest. Player power is very strong nowadays.

 

[Nuttall]

Not saying Derby are capitulating yet, just that there is potential for it with whats happened this week and the things M Dogg has mentioned

 

[Luke_1884]

I think from the outside looking in, you can see where the problems may end up occurring at Derby.

1. A coach/manager who may be tactically astute, but seems to me to be a slightly meek character
2. Some BIG personalities in the dressing room, on big wages, who probably feel they should be playing each and every minute.
3. The 'old guard' who have been performing well for a couple of years who now find themselves in the cold
4. Clearly a large wage disparity. God knows what Ince/Johnson/Bent are on, but I bet it's a damn sight more than Hendrick/Bryson/Keogh

There is plenty of scope for disaster there.

On the flip side, there is still way too much quality in that team. Derby *should* go up.

Obviously with a slightly biased opinion I can and can't see where you are coming from. There are no signs so far any of the above is rife in our squad, of course the potential is always there with big players.

What makes you think PC is a meek character though Mark? I'd struggle to believe, after dealing with some of the worlds greatest players over the past few years, that he can't keep Jake Buxton and co. in check. Not that he'd need to which I'll touch on a bit later. I understand that he might come across as quiet from the odd interview, which I agreed with at first, but after seeing a lot of him this season he's certainly changed my mind. The "problem" he has is he's probably too proffesional, too graceful and honest. I've got no problem with him and I'm pretty confident he won't have any problems with the squad or certain individuals. On the sidelines he can be static but not all managers in football are controversional, at the same time he has displayed lots of passion and emotion in games - away at Ipswich and MK Dons spring to mind straight away.

Plenty of big personalities and plenty of high end wages knocking about, there's no denying that. I don't think the "old guard" will have any problems at all currently. Bryson, Buxton, Forsyth and Russell have all had injury problems since PC's arrival. Buxton and Bryson only returning to fitness in the past week or so. Fozzy's out for the season and the rest are all heavily involved.
As if we needed anymore proof Jake Buxton is DCFC through and through he sat down in an interview last week and said he knows he's got some work to do to get in the squad nevermind the first 11, said he's thought about moving to other clubs for football but instead wants to stay and be part of whats happening here - playing or not.
To be fair to Darren Bent he's been very patient here, he spoke out at Villa about the lack of game time many times so I see no reason why he wouldn't here. Everytime he's been called upon he's applied himself proffessionally too. I imagine he'll get a run in the team now Chris Martin's form has tailed right off.

I don't think any of the above will be happening anytime soon but I could well be wrong. The harmony the club has shown until Tuesdays awful performance has been really good.

The problem IMO that we have is we've gone from one extreme to the other this season. A team set up to play to our forwards' strengths who went, sometimes, all out on the attack last year under McClaren. Obviously we know how that finished last season because we couldn't defend for toffee and failed dramatically. PC has come in with his own approach and whilst we've lost the least games in the league it's not anywhere near the finished article. Defensively, up until the last 2 weeks, we have been brilliant and it's been the base on what we've built on to pick up points. That's a big swing of approach in less than 6 months to adhere to. Going forward we look really tame which is surprising due to the personel we have on paper but that's down to how we're playing. We need a bit of cohesion and money will never solve that, time does. Unfortunately when you spend the money we have people aren't going to allow time. I hope we do, even if we fuck things up this year. We *should* go up but there's a few other teams that are having a say in that at the moment.

Karanka's had a few years at Boro now and they've not had a straight forward journey either but it finally looks like they've found the right balance. Wouldn't be suprised if we need the same.

Disappointed about the leak and it had to be Nicko that breaks the news, the c***. Not doing our season any good at all. He still doesn't want to confirm Mel was in the dressing room mind.. wonder why.

Sorry about the essay, seems I've got carried away on my lunch break.

 

[M Dogg]

Will type up a proper reply a bit later, but appreciate your points.

Niko has confirmed he went in the dressing room and laid into the squad. And then into Clement. Apparently.

However much he has spent, that is not his job. You can't undermine your manager in front of his squad.

 

[Luke_1884]

Hmmm, we've confirmed that Mel was in the dressing room but not to rant, to confirm the Dubai trip was cancelled. Make of that what you will.Tell tales somewhere.
And then this just from PC's afternoon presser...

Paul Clement says it is not true that Mel Morris ranted at him in the dressing room on Tuesday, as has been reported elsewhere. #dcfcfans

— BBC Derby Sport (@BBCDerbySport) January 14, 2016

 

[StevieEvansRedNWhiteArmy]

Boro, Burnley and Wednesday are your 3 you heard it here first.

 

[MagpieBee]

Boro, Burnley and Wednesday are your 3 you heard it here first.

My money would be on the current Top 3. Best 3 squads in the league. Don't think Burnley will make it (though they'll be close).