rubberman

So on the one hand I think we will need to break our record (from the 1880's) for consecutive league wins which seems unlikely. On the other hand we are facing teams that are, on form over last 6 games, in: 10th (a), 3rd (h), 13th (a), 22nd (h), 20th (a), 5th (h). We're 2nd and also have the best goal difference over that time - though not enough to overhaul Wednesday, PNE or Fulham at the current rate. I'm pretty sure QPR were 2nd in the form table before the game yesterday. Wednesday play 3 teams above them on form, 3 below, though 2 are just below and one of those is away. Same for Fulham. Preston and Derby play 4 teams in worse form and everyone is in better form than Norwich. If all goes to form we'll lose out on GD of 2 goals to Wednesday.

Possession out!

About 30% positive.

And one that tragically implodes (I'm looking at you, Derby).

Tricky lot of fixtures to call tonight I reckon... Name Home Team Away Team Guess Villa 2 0 QPR Villa Barnsley 1 1 Cardiff Draw Brentford 1 2 Leeds Leeds Brighton 2 0 Birmingham Brighton Derby 1 1 Fulham Draw Ipswich 1 0 Wigan Ipswich Preston 1 0 Bristol Preston Rotherham 0 2 Wednesday Wednesday Wolves 1 0 Forest Wolves Reading 2 0 Blackburn Reading Huddersfield 1 1 Norwich Draw Newcastle 2 0 Burton Newcastle rubberman

So...If I'm up to speed, we need attractive, possession-based, winning football or its Bruce out, right?

Codger Jedi Albert Perhaps harsh on the defenders, but they have to work as a unit to be successful so hard to single them out. We've struggled to score enough this season but the artful Kodjia is, out of all the options we've tried this season, the one who's nailed it. Jedi's held it all together and protected the back while allow us to have a functioning midfield as well. And Adomah's provided the assists - what a swap deal that was.

I know...I was joking. Even Gabby would have maybe scored one or two. Possibly.

I don't imagine any team is looking forward to playing us - even when they're at home. Players will be beginning to think 'We'll take a draw against this lot' and the mental balance will be tipped in our favour for the first time in years.

Not if it was Gabby.

Another win tomorrow and it'll start getting very interesting. Still massively unlikely, but just keep winning, especially by a couple of goals and who knows. It's good to be excited at the pointy end of the season, rather than filled with dread.

Don't worry, 90% of the post for the last dozen pages have been the same on one side or the other.

It feels like we haven't had any kind of match in months.

Completely understand that view and the fact that if we did go up, there would likely be another bigger re-build and another period of bedding in players. But...it would also be such a remarkable achievement - first making the playoffs and then winning them (lol) - that the momentum and team spirit going into the new season would be incredible. Plus the $$$$$. But yeah - I'd be OK with finishing strongly and having the season of winning in the championship that I'd hoped for this time out.

So... Derby lose to QPR tonight, Barnsley beat Wednesday by one goal, PNE lose to Forest, Fulham manage to get turned over by Rotherham and we beat Norwich by 2 and it's on.

Johnstone has said that it took him a while to get up to speed with getting regular game time. Training is not the same as match time and he wasn't ready. I think his current form is a better indicator of his level - hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season. I'm on the fence really, but assuming we do have the option to buy him, there's a lot to be said for sticking with him if we finish the season well. With Bunn's contract finishing we could bring in someone with more experience as a back-up / competition.

I'm sure it won't be many, but there may also be an element of playing down our wishes so we don't get our trousers pulled down in negotiations. If more targets come available at the right price / decent offers come in for players down the pecking order, I could see us buying a couple more than that.

According to transfermarkt - Hutton, Bunn, Kozak and Johnstone. Next year Gabby.

Name Home Team Away Team Guess Derby 1 0 QPR Derby Barnsley 1 1 Wednesday Draw Villa 2 1 Norwich Villa Brentford 2 1 Bristol Brentford Brighton 2 0 Blackburn Brighton Huddersfield 2 0 Burton Huddersfield Ipswich 1 1 Birmingham Draw Newcastle 2 0 Wigan Newcastle Preston 1 0 Forest Preston Rotherham 0 2 Fulham Fulham Wolves 1 1 Cardiff Draw Reading 1 1 Leeds Draw rubberman

Alternatively, on form we are top and facing 16th, 2nd, 14th, 15th, 10th, 20th, 5th and 11th. With the most in form teams being QPR at home and Blackburn away. Looks a bit more optimistic.

And you know what. After the last few seasons it's nice to be getting to the sharp end of the season and having a bit of hope (even if it is a tiny, tiny bit) , instead of growing horror. So I don't care that the chances of reaching the playoffs are infinitesimally small. I don't care that we really aren't ready to go back up. I don't care that we would almost certainly not get through the playoffs. I do love us creeping back up the table and the gap getting smaller. And until the time when we get beat again, or everyone above us wins a few, I'm going to let that delicate flame of hope flicker away and enjoy it. Because it's been a while.

I agree. Whilst results are looking up, he's obviously still not satisfied with performances, and should be open to criticism. There are always improvements to be made. But for me, he started with the side that won the previous game - however odd it was - which is fair enough. Good to show faith in them. It wasn't working so he brought on the players coming back from injury - presumably more his first choice players anyway - and the changes turned it round and we won again. Good management all round there.

Exactly. Last season there was a stat about the number of games they had without a shot on target and it was ridiculous - 10+ games IIRC. Turgid football, but it kept them safe and they've been able to build on that for what is an incredibly impressive season. We have (for now) stopped letting goals in. We're starting to score a few. Wins breed confidence and a reasonably settled side breeds understanding. With both of these comes 'better' football. I love Codger scoring, but I'm even happier to see other names getting on the scoresheet. Having a threat from forwards, set pieces and midfielders is key. Maybe one day we'll score from a direct free kick...who knows.

This is more like i was expecting it to be in the championship.