Warnock at Cardiff, Bruce at Villa and now McClaren at Derby. In all probability, this will mean that these teams will rise above the relegation zone. That leaves Blackburn, Wigan and us filling the bottom spots but Wigan now seem to be putting some decent results together. So what does this mean? If we are to avoid relegation we obviously need to put some good results together. But there is also a need for one, or possibly two clubs to deteriorate and drop below us. Looking at current form Forest, Fulham and Ipswich appear the most vulnerable but all these clubs have the finances to combat a decline. I know it's early in the season but the task of avoiding relegation appears immense and to a large extent, out of our hands already!
I agree Glen but I think you are putting forward a description that we knew before a ball was kicked.
Villa , Cardiff and derby were never really relegation candidates so I dont think much has changed.
We remember that each season we have just survived.
At the moment we look odds on to go down.
you are right in saying we need clubs to trip up as much as we need a pick up in form.
I cant see us avoiding relegation this year but I am proud of the players efforts in the last few games and we do have the ability to win games so there is some hope.
You could argue Ian, well I could argue that our previous 4th bottom finishes were more to do with other clubs imploding than us actually earning the right. Yes the miracle of NW last season you could contradict that argument, but before that 11 game run we looked just as nailed on as we do now, this is more worrying however as its only inside the 1st 2 months of the season!
I remain hopeful that Huddersfield and Toon is a turning point and not another Forest. The emergence of Broady and every increasing fitness of Joe Newell could be vital, as for Blackstock not too sure about that one yet
Indeed Imamiller, until the figures say otherwise, we have a chance, like every other team, how many times have Brighton been tipped for the premier league then implode after leading for so long.
PMA is whats needed, be optimistic not pessimistic.
Also dont forget everybody thought it was doom and gloom after the Bolton and Charlton results, 6 points adrift and all that.
For goodness sake, even if we win on Saturday we arent out of the bottom 3 but at least we will have won, and the gap could be smaller, therefore giving us a chance.
If you were a player, would you be in the dressing room on matchday thinking how we are all thinking, i dont think so.
Every player when they get up for match day beleive they are going to win or at least not lose.
This is what i love about our club, we have attracted so many people to the club way beyond my expectations, and this in turn means that the assumption is that we will continue the rise.
But the fact is, and i have been pulled up for this on other forums is that we are seabed, not Class A Predator, we will always get the scrappy wins and the odd draw, nick odd points here and there and of course never lose at Wendys place, but the old chestnut of money talks is whats holding us back.
Blackstock is a bit of an enigma, 3 year deal for a proven but frequently crocked striker is a gamble, but the gamble should have been on a 1 year deal for somebody younger and more robust to at least give us a chance.
If Ward continues to score, albeit we may lose more than we win, then he will be off in the January Window.