Thinking the unthinkable

[Simster]

On December 31st, we were in 16th place, some FIFTEEN points behind leaders Southampton. Speaking to a couple of chums at the time, the concensus was that it was time to look down rather than wonder about play-offs and beyond.

Fast forward six weeks later and we've beaten a team contending for the Champions League, taken 4 wins and a draw from our last 5 league games, are back up to nearly a full compliment of players and even made three shrewd additions to the squad in Vokes, Reyes and Mattock.

Anyone now thinking we haven't got a chance of the play-offs is being a bit silly IMO, as we are now just two points outside them. But what about beyond that? Given the strength in depth we now have, is automatic promotion a possibility? Southampton in 2nd are only 7 points in front now. Win at Leeds and home to Millwall and surely we can dare to dream...

 

[Common as Mook]

Reading that just gave me a boner.

BELIEVE.

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

I refuse to believe. If you don't expect anything, you can't be disappointed, but you can still be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Mellotron]

Win the next two and we are on a MAJOR roll. Doable.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

It is, bit DRAMATIC with FIFTEEN behind 1st then move goalposts to 2nd being ok...how many were we behind 2nd on 31st?

 

[Icy Gull]

This was discussed yesterday and the naysayers (who did speak sense I admit) put the kybosh on autopromotion. I say we CAN dream and overhauling the Saints would be good enough for me at the moment.

 

[Mellotron]

I'd love to finish above Saints.

 

[larus]

I refuse to believe. If you don't expect anything, you can't be disappointed, but you can still be pleasantly surprised.

That, IMO, is the view of negative people. People who will always moan about their lack of luck or success; why, because the fear of failure stops them ever taking a risk or believing.

Just my opinion like....

 

[Simster]

It is, bit DRAMATIC with FIFTEEN behind 1st then move goalposts to 2nd being ok...how many were we behind 2nd on 31st?

This just gets better:

THIRTEEN, behind Middlesbrough, who we are now TWO points behind.

 

[Pavilionaire]

This division always seems to throw up a team who comes from nowhere then has a great last 15 matches and sneaks into the play-offs.

Personally I still think we're looking at 8th - 11th because our discipline is still abysmal and we're not scoring enough goals away from home. The X Factor is Vicente, in particular whether he can get goals / assists on the road.

 

[Deleted member 18477]

Reading, blackpool and birmingham are also on great runs. we have a chance but thats it. saints are wobbling for sure.

 

[Chris001]

Imagine if we end up facing Southampton in the play offs! A few weeks ago this seemed unlikely. Looking at it now, it could be on.

 

[fataddick]

I'm amazed you're 125-1 at the bookies to win the division, whereas the likes of Birmingham and Cardiff are 8s. I think 25-1 would be more fitting. It would only take two wins on the trot to chuck you in the middle of the play-off places. And whose to say you can't win it? I think you should try to. And not just because I took Brighton, Charlton and Swindon on a £5 accumulator in the summer at 2,500-1 (and could go on a two month round-the-world trip if it came in), oh no.

 

[Tooting Gull]

It's all very promising. As for Southampton, THIS process has started, and I can see it getting worse (or better, depending on your viewpoint of course...)

 

[Simster]

This division always seems to throw up a team who comes from nowhere then has a great last 15 matches and sneaks into the play-offs.

Personally I still think we're looking at 8th - 11th because our discipline is still abysmal and we're not scoring enough goals away from home. The X Factor is Vicente, in particular whether he can get goals / assists on the road.

Your discipline point is a good one, BUT look at our squad now! Fit, versatile and strong. Spot on with regards to Vicente. Unlike CMS, Noone and Buckley who have all enjoyed unbelievable purple patches this season, Vicente could be the real deal for the entire final third of the season. If he is, we could well be looking at the top two again.

 

[seagull_special]

This is a phenomenal league, we are unbeaten this year but still outside the play-offs! I think we can certainly dream but I don't think we should talk about it until April, we have peaked and troughed all season long and I am just enjoying this terrific run.

 

[Giraffe]

Saturday is a huge litmus test for me. Win that one and I will start to believe too.

 

[Simster]

This is a phenomenal league, we are unbeaten this year but still outside the play-offs! I think we can certainly dream but I don't think we should talk about it until April, we have peaked and troughed all season long and I am just enjoying this terrific run.

We have, but the difference with this "peak" is that we have a full squad to pick from. That hasn't been the case all season.

 

[marshy68]

Isnt promotion a very scary thought this year??

 

[Easy 10]

The first half of the season for the most part we've had to do without Buckley, El Abd, Reyes, Vicente and Mattock (who looks top class). Now we've added Vokes into the mix, plus the emergence of JFC and Agdestein, and a re-invigorated Sparrow. We are FAR stronger now than we were 2-3 months ago, we have so many options.

If most of them stay fit and available (still a massive IF with some of them obviously), then I now see no reason why top 6 is beyond us. Top 2 will be a stretch too far, but on current form, I can see us making the Playoffs.