Who's the competition?

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:28 pm

Think most of us believe this could well be the season we finally get relegated but who are the teams you think we are up against?

For me we have to come ahead of Fulham and West Brom as these are the only teams we are better than

Sheff Utd have got off to a shaky start and although they play some good football I could see Brighton being this seasons Bournemouth so scraping ahead of one of these seems to be our glimmer of hope

Newcastle never fill me with confidence but I think they are too good for us this year and we are a fair way behind every other team in the division

What do you think and how confident are you we will get 17th or better?

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:37 pm

I still think Palace are gonna struggle. Any injury to Zaha and they're in trouble.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:39 pm

It's going to be a tough season without a doubt. The competition definitely looks stronger but 36/37 points will still likely see a team stay up. So in some ways it doesn't really matter who we're up against, we just have to do our job.

As well as the clubs you've mentioned you can add West Ham to the list of teams that I wouldn't be surprised to see down there. I definitely wouldn't regard Newcastle as being too good for us either.

Belial · Post by **Belial** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:47 pm

Palace have improved slightly, Brighton have looked half decent since the end of last season imo, Newcastle are stronger with their new signings, Leeds have momentum and a good boss

For me, the 'competition' would be Fulham and West Brom who don't look string enough. West Ham have had a good run, but imo they soon lapse into their usual underwhelming selves, the other for me is Southampton. I've seen them a few times this season and they e dragged results out without ever looking any good. If Ings gets injured then they're dropping

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:49 pm

Fulham
Albion
Sheff Utd
Brighton.

taio · Post by **taio** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:51 pm

Very early days but wouldn't be surprised to see the current bottom five in the bottom five at the end of the season.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:55 pm

Do you think Sheffield United losing Henderson back to Man U could make them a lot weaker? He seemed to do some Worldies for them last season.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:59 pm

It's early days to think that Sheff Utd will be down there. But last season they were a big surprise. Their squad was, and is, very average and their unique system caused teams a lot of problems. It's quite possible that they've been worked out to some extent but time will tell.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:02 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:55 pm
Do you think Sheffield United losing Henderson back to Man U could make them a lot weaker? He seemed to do some Worldies for them last season.

Sheffield United got away with not scoring many goals last season. It might not happen again.

Conroysleftfoot · Post by **Conroysleftfoot** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:21 pm

Rileybobs wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 5:39 pm
It's going to be a tough season without a doubt. The competition definitely looks stronger but 36/37 points will still likely see a team stay up. So in some ways it doesn't really matter who we're up against, we just have to do our job.

As well as the clubs you've mentioned you can add West Ham to the list of teams that I wouldn't be surprised to see down there. I definitely wouldn't regard Newcastle as being too good for us either.

I don't think Newcastle will be involved. How they managed to get points at Spurs and Wolves is beyond me but shows that they will do enough to ensure survival.

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:25 pm

Conroysleftfoot wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:21 pm
I don't think Newcastle will be involved. How they managed to get points at Spurs and Wolves is beyond me but shows that they will do enough to ensure survival.

They look pretty poor to me. I'd like to think we have enough about us to finish above them again.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:31 pm

Another doom thread. How on earth you can conclude we are the 3rd worst team after 4 games is beyond me. We get the same nonsense on here every season. The competition is every team other than the big 6 as was the case last season and the previous season and the previous season.....

Every Autumn the likes of Brighton are so much better than us and end up finishing below us. Just relax and enjoy the ride...

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:33 pm

Conroysleftfoot wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:21 pm
I don't think Newcastle will be involved. How they managed to get points at Spurs and Wolves is beyond me but shows that they will do enough to ensure survival.

I'd forgotten Spurs, that was more daylight robbery than today.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:38 pm

A lot of the usual contenders have strengthened and are starting to look good especially Palace and Southampton

I think we need one of West Ham, Newcastle, Sheff U or Brighton to implode

At the same time we need everyone fit and to get to 36 pts which at present looks very tough

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:47 pm

We'll need to get 10 wins and some draws to avoid relegation
which at present looks decidedly difficult.

Think the current bottom 5 will still be there so Brighton, Fulham, West Brom,
Sheffield United and ourselves.
Anyone of those might string together a few good results and get themselves out of the
the bottom 3. Hope it's us.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:00 pm

Palace have pretty much the same team that got 1 point from 24 post lockdown. It’s far too early to write anyone off or blow smoke up their backsides....particularly the likes of Leeds and Villa for the smoke....

bodge · Post by **bodge** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:10 pm

Palace and Newcastle plus the current bottom 5 teams.

It can change with any injuries to key players like Ings/Antonio but Southampton and West Ham look like not being involved. West Ham have got impressive results in a tough run and Soton looked more than decent today.

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:12 pm

I wish we had Wilson, Saint Maximam, Almiron, Fraser in our squad . Some on here would add Hendrick.
While I think it’s idle chat to start an OP like this , Newcastle have a good squad and the only thing we have that they are missing is a good manager.

bodge · Post by **bodge** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:15 pm

If Saint Maximin had played like that in our game we would have got something, thought he was dreadful against Wolves.

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:17 pm

If he played like he played against us every game he’d be playing in a better league than the Premier League

HunterST_BFC · Post by **HunterST_BFC** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:19 pm

Squad strength / injuries will play a huge part as will Covid availability.

We are thread bare.
Other teams can't function without one or two of their best.

So it is a bit early to say.

We could start one point from nine and I still think we can pull it back.
Keep the faith.

We'll be OK
15th

CleggHall · Post by **CleggHall** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 7:40 pm

Home defeat to Southampton does not look quite as bad following their deserved victory today against Everton. However dropping 6 points against them and Newcastle is a poor start which was not helped by Dyche’s continual moaning and Tarkowski’s sore toe!

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:05 pm

Southampton?
Teams that tend to rely on the performance of one specific player can be derailed if that player loses form or gets an unfortunate injury.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:32 pm

Tarks' next sore toe scheduled for about 15 Jan 2021.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:34 pm

Ahh Southampton...the team that lost 9 - 0 at home this time last season....and stayed up comfortably....anything can happen

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:47 pm

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:02 pm
Sheffield United got away with not scoring many goals last season. It might not happen again.

That's why they were my tip to go down before the season kicked off.

They may play pretty football here and there, but there's not many (if any) of their players who would get in our side.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:47 pm

West Ham look decent so far this season, and Palace will be fine, Hodgson is shrewd enough and they have enough quality to keep well clear of trouble.
For what its worth as long as the likes of McNeil and Wood stay fit I think we'll just about stay up, but it won't be pretty.

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:38 pm

I thought when we had Southampton, Newcastle and WBA in early games we could get at least 5 points and be above them all at this stage
A lot of are closest rivals have started reasonably well albeit after 5/6 games
Brighton have lost but to teams fancied this season (yes, including Everton)
The bottom 4 have yet to win a game between them and I don't see us getting anything from the next two especially with Mee and Cork out
So I really do fear for us this season as I think it will be three out of the current bottom 4

Red Fox Rocks Socks · Post by **Red Fox Rocks Socks** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:51 pm

Bin Ont Turf wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 8:47 pm
That's why they were my tip to go down before the season kicked off.

They may play pretty football here and there, but there's not many (if any) of their players who would get in our side.

I read this and found myself agreeing but also thought if we flipped it round I bet not many of ours would get in theirs. Different styles of play. Which I suppose is why we enjoy the game so much

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:03 pm

jojomk1 wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:38 pm
I thought when we had Southampton, Newcastle and WBA in early games we could get at least 5 points and be above them all at this stage
A lot of are closest rivals have started reasonably well albeit after 5/6 games
Brighton have lost but to teams fancied this season (yes, including Everton)
The bottom 4 have yet to win a game between them and I don't see us getting anything from the next two especially with Mee and Cork out
So I really do fear for us this season as I think it will be three out of the current bottom 4

West Brom stuck three past Chelsea so it shows they'll concede plenty.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:06 pm

Realistically it's looking at this early stage we're in a mini-league of 5, Brighton, West Brom, Us, Sheff Utd & Fulham, now others could get drawn in, Newcastle & Palace are the most likely suspects, but with Bruce and Hodgson at the helm I think both will be OK, so we somehow need to finish above 3 of Brighton, Fulham, Sheff Utd & West Brom, that shouldn't be impossible by any means, but we do need our 1st teamers fit to five us a better chance.

The worry is last season we clocked up 18 points against the bottom 3, and already we have drawn at West Brom, if we're going to finish above the trap door, we'll need to rack up a fair few wins in our games vs those 4 teams that are likely to be our direct rivals, win a few of the 6 pointers, and our life will be much easier.

I think we'll just have enough to survive, but it won't come easily, 15/16th is my hunch.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:08 pm

And we can go on a very bad run and still survive. Two season's ago we went 12 matches, only winning one game. We'd got 7 points from the first 7 matches, but then went a further 12 matches, only getting 5 more points. That left us on 12 points after 19 games.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:13 pm

Red Fox Rocks Socks wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:51 pm
I read this and found myself agreeing but also thought if we flipped it round I bet not many of ours would get in theirs. Different styles of play. Which I suppose is why we enjoy the game so much

It's a fair shout, but I do think it would only be a right back, a midfielder and a forward of ours who would have to be dropped for their style.

what_no_pies · Post by **what_no_pies** » Sun Oct 25, 2020 11:21 pm

We've still not played a game with our leader and most important player. Once he's back, with Brownhill and JBG we're arguably stronger than last year when we finished 10th.

We've not suddenly become a poor side. Sure, we might not get the breaks and ultimately get relegated but the negativity is stinking the whole place up.

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 6:47 am

ClaretTony wrote: ↑
Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:02 pm
Sheffield United got away with not scoring many goals last season. It might not happen again.

Over a 38 game season they only scored 4 goals less than us ?

superdimitri · Post by **superdimitri** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:43 am

It can only take 1 or 2 games and suddenly those who look great look in trouble. I personally don't read into results too much this early. Everyone will have a rough patch and it's how you bounce back that counts.

It's the best time of the season for us to have a bad run too. Plenty of time to address it. Those who think they're okay and then get hit with a bad run closer to the line will have more worry than us.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:36 pm

Brighton looked poor at times and struggled to kill West Brom off.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Mon Oct 26, 2020 7:52 pm

Yes I keep hearing that Brighton have improved this season, but I can't see much sign of that, both those teams should be well within our capabilities to finish above, and obviously Fulham are looking out of their depth again, so despite our slow start I certainly wouldn't write the season off yet.

BabylonClaret · Post by **BabylonClaret** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:03 am

There are a lot of teams that can be down in the bottom. Even Villa who started well got tubbed by Leeds so it will be more of the same in terms of Palace Southampton Brighton Newcastle Us plus Fulham and West Brom and likely also Sheffield and West ham. Maybe also Villa. Leeds look like this seasons Sheffield

Billy Balfour · Post by **Billy Balfour** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:14 am

West Brom
Fulham
Brighton
Sheffield Utd

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:52 am

The season will be tough for at least 10 of the 20 Clubs. I don't believe 'most people' think anything like the op.

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:25 am

We did OK last night without really looking like scoring, however, I think the bottom 5 will be made up of:

Burnley
Fulham
West Brom
Sheffield United
Brighton

I just hope we have enough to finish top of that lot.

Nonayforever · Post by **Nonayforever** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:34 pm

I'm going to add Villa to the above mentioned teams.
They have had a good start but i don't think it will last.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:40 pm

JohnMac wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:52 am
The season will be tough for at least 10 of the 20 Clubs. I don't believe 'most people' think anything like the op.

Agree...nonsense to say we are 3rd worst after finishing top 10...usual trolling from the op.

Let’s see how many teams restrict Spurs to one shot on target this season.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:01 pm

Hibsclaret wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:40 pm
Agree...nonsense to say we are 3rd worst after finishing top 10...usual trolling from the op.

Let’s see how many teams restrict Spurs to one shot on target this season.

Aye, not many will that's for certain.

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 3:03 pm

Hibsclaret wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 27, 2020 12:40 pm
Agree...nonsense to say we are 3rd worst after finishing top 10...usual trolling from the op.

Let’s see how many teams restrict Spurs to one shot on target this season.

Have expectations got so low that's what we're celebrating now? Doesn't matter how many shots we restricted them to, we got zero points.

Hibsclaret · Post by **Hibsclaret** » Tue Oct 27, 2020 3:09 pm

jrgbfc wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 27, 2020 3:03 pm
Have expectations got so low that's what we're celebrating now? Doesn't matter how many shots we restricted them to, we got zero points.

You have zero points and yet you continue to spout garbage on here....let’s see where we are when we have played everyone. This will be a very strange season but for certain there are more than 3 teams worse than us..

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed Oct 28, 2020 10:45 am

As we now play games behind closed doors I'm just using the post lockdown games for the following comparison, just in case someone mentions about a full season.

Interestingly whilst there is a concern over our lack of goals we scored just nine goals in the nine matches after lockdown last season, yet scoring just one goal per game got us 15 points from those games.

However, we managed to keep four clean sheets which I think will be key again this season.

jojomk1 · Post by **jojomk1** » Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:02 am

BurnleyFC wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:25 am
We did OK last night without really looking like scoring, however, I think the bottom 5 will be made up of:

Burnley
Fulham
West Brom
Sheffield United
Brighton

I just hope we have enough to finish top of that lot.

Don't disagree with that

I just hope we see the final positions as you have put them

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:06 am

I'd add Newcastle as well