rubberman

I think I'll come back to this thread after another half dozen games when we'll have a proper idea of where we. Too much nonsense currently.

We're also ranked 5th on whoscored across all their stats. I know stats can prove anything blah blah, but it does show our current position is not a true indication of our performances to date.

I would hope 6 in 12 will cut it with Dr X as that would mean we've won 5 of our next 6 games and I think most of us would be happy with that.

Yeah - this is the comparison I've been thinking about. It was the start of the run that took them through last season. Just hope we don't leave it till March!

Name Home Team Away Team Guess Brighton 1 0 Huddersfield Brighton Derby 1 1 Ipswich Draw Fulham 2 1 Burton Fulham Leeds 0 0 Blackburn Draw Norwich 2 0 Wigan Norwich Preston 1 1 Cardiff Draw QPR 1 1 Newcastle Draw Wednesday 2 1 Bristol Wednesday Wolves 1 1 Barnsley Draw Reading 1 0 Birmingham Reading Villa 3 1 Brentford Villa Rotherham 1 1 Forest Draw rubberman

^ Punchy prediction for us there Rodders!

Whatever the result I imagine Tony and most fans would give RDM more than 2 games with his new squad.

Thanks @VILLAMARV Just had a look and seems it was unlucky with the weather - the car parks look a nightmare - though not for the first time. I've been to Portmeirion a few times (non festival) so know it should be an amazing venue. With the family in tow, we are more at the Gin & Tonic end of the festival-going spectrum, though not £70 breakfast end - so it looks like one to think about next year. Would have loved to see Hot Chip.

Looking really good so far. I think in some way, missing the U21s game tonight will give him more drive to continue to impress and avoid any thoughts that he's made it creeping in again. I do fear that some of the more agricultural teams will target him for some 'treatment' though so it'll be tough to avoid injuries through the season.

Unless we win 2-0...then 11th, 4-0...up to 8th.

OT - I've always fancied going to No6 - how was it?

We need to kick on now. 10pts from September would be a reasonable return and will hopefully start to close the gap to the top. By end of October I'd expect to be up and challenging. Let's see consistent 90 minute performances and the results should follow.

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

You said we have a lot more building to do. We've just bought 90% of a team, have new management, owner and senior backroom staff. What more building do you expect to be done? Time to gel - sure. Things might not all go smoothly - sure. But what more building do you expect?

Buy another team as well?

Yes - I agree with that absolutely. Bennett I was fine with. #banter can be easily misconstrued in 140 characters - it's a tricky path to tread. And everyone will have their own threshold for the misguided part , but as I said the good far outweighs the bad for me.

I think this is spot on. Back in the day there was plenty of criticism dished out - suggesting players move on, get themselves fit, etc but it was mostly indirect and put out in the press. Fergie in particular was always at it. I think Tony's at the forefront of what we will see more and more over the next few years, it's just that 'football people' are (massive and sweeping generalisation) pretty luddite. I'm generally in favour - the good outweighs the bad by some margin. For me the Holloway spat was a bit low rent and the Gabby one unnecessary, but Villa is his new baby and he's heavily invested in it so he's bound to be a bit touchy about things. I imagine in a year's time he'll be a little more circumspect - but I hope not too much.

I find it slightly disturbing to be odds on favourites to win this. Florists are 4/1 - might have to have a piece of that to hedge against any disappointment.

First things first - let's get up. But on that assumption, we will have many players that have achieved multiple promotions and given the cash from parachute payments, the clubs we replace will pay significantly for that experience if / when we need to upgrade. I imagine some will make the step up, some will stay as back up and others will move on. If we go back up first time it means we haven't go too many turkeys to shift.

^ that's the spirit.

I don't think I can handle the wave of optimism. 1 or 2 of our new signings won't be great. We will have injuries and suspensions. There's ACON - more injury possibilities. Expectations are so high that it will transmit tension into the team, we'll tie up in games and drop points. It's a long season and will be tough. There's ample opportunity for us to screw this up.

Well that does seem to be how we'll set up. A season of Sherwood-style Notts County games awaits!

I'm already worried about the playoffs. I think it's likely where we'll be and don't think I could bear the stress.

This is what I think our first choice will be. Adomah will be impact sub depending how Jack and Jordan are playing / or rotation when we've got 3 day fixtures. Rudy on to change things up front.

I hope a big win looms too.