Top 6 Challengers

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KateR
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Top 6 Challengers

Post by KateR » Wed Feb 01, 2023 1:58 pm

Do you see any of the chasing pack having made a serious window, where they can make a significant run from here to threaten the top 2?

Personally I don't but thought I'd ask the Oracle to see if I missed anything significant?

Greenmile
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Greenmile » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:16 pm

West Brom seem to have had a good window, imo, but it’s far too late for them to threaten the top two, barring a catastrophic collapse in form from Sheffield United.

Ric_C
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Ric_C » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:22 pm

Boro have made some good signings as well. If I was a Sheff Utd fan I'd be slightly worried as they've been grinding out results recently, and they've not strengthened due to their embargo.

TheFamilyCat
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by TheFamilyCat » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:29 pm

No threat to the top 2 IMO but I think Bastards' chances of staying in the top 6 have been reduced. Which is nice.
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RVclaret
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by RVclaret » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:29 pm

Boro have made some smart signings. Cameron Archer on loan from Villa will make a real difference (was superb at the weekend v Watford), while Dan Barlaser from Rotherham suits Carrick’s system in midfield.

Watford fans are mixed on their window, seemingly signed some very promising young players but haven’t addressed a key area which Bilic wanted.

Not sure West Brom should be celebrating so much with an old Albrighton and injury prone Chalobah.

kentonclaret
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by kentonclaret » Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:39 pm

Ric_C wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:22 pm
Boro have made some good signings as well. If I was a Sheff Utd fan I'd be slightly worried as they've been grinding out results recently, and they've not strengthened due to their embargo.
Whilst they are under a transfer embargo it was crucial for Sheffield United in that they held on to key assets in Ndiaye and Berger, despite the efforts of Everton and Newcastle to prise them away.

Middle-agedClaret
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Middle-agedClaret » Wed Feb 01, 2023 4:47 pm

kentonclaret wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:39 pm
Whilst they are under a transfer embargo it was crucial for Sheffield United in that they held on to key assets in Ndiaye and Berger, despite the efforts of Everton and Newcastle to prise them away.
Very good point.

Firthy
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Firthy » Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:10 pm

Don't think anyone will catch us or SU. 4 teams for the play offs will be Boro, W Brom, Watford and Norwich IMO
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northeastclaret
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by northeastclaret » Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:32 pm

Fortunately Boro, West Brom and Norwich only appointed the managers they have got now in the last couple of months.

If they had done it earlier obviously it would be a lot tighter at the top , but fortunately the fight for the play offs won’t involve us and will be interesting to watch from a distance.

Greenmile
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Greenmile » Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:47 pm

RVclaret wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 2:29 pm
...Not sure West Brom should be celebrating so much with an old Albrighton and injury prone Chalobah.
To clarify, when I mentioned WBA as having had a good window, I meant in the context of (the rest of) this season only. I wouldn’t be over the moon with the window if I was a WBA fan, but those are two decent players, who know the division and are likely to hit the ground running, imo. No major outgoings either (unless I missed anything). I fancy them to go up via the playoffs.

NRC
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by NRC » Wed Feb 01, 2023 6:12 pm

I'm waiting for the "blip" to happen.... I can't help it, it's due to come.... and I have it in my head it starts this coming Saturday..... and then the rot starts to set in :(

ClaretLoup
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by ClaretLoup » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:06 pm

Samaritans Number is 116123 ring any time 24/7

HitchinClaret
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by HitchinClaret » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:11 pm

I'm sure there will be a blip, always is. I'm comforted by the fact we have been so much better than the majority of the sides we have played that it will only be a blip - its not like Rovers false position earlier in the season.

equinox
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by equinox » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:15 pm

The 'chasing pack' well for the play-off places, goes all the way down to 16th if not further, they're all as sh1t as each other, I'm not joking Wrexham, against Sheff Utd, looked miles better than most of the Championship teams this year

Roosterbooster
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Roosterbooster » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:19 pm

Firthy wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 5:10 pm
Don't think anyone will catch us or SU. 4 teams for the play offs will be Boro, W Brom, Watford and Norwich IMO
2 weeks ago I was fairly certain this would be the case

Now, however, I can see some of the others maybe sneaking in.
Sunderland, Luton and Millwall are definitely in with a shot. And I'd even go as far as Hull having a chance. They are on a decent run, and it only take 3 or 4 games to close the gap

Spijed
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Spijed » Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:28 pm

Roosterbooster wrote:
Wed Feb 01, 2023 7:19 pm
2 weeks ago I was fairly certain this would be the case

Now, however, I can see some of the others maybe sneaking in.
Sunderland, Luton and Millwall are definitely in with a shot. And I'd even go as far as Hull having a chance. They are on a decent run, and it only take 3 or 4 games to close the gap
With 18 matches left to go I looked at the previous table after ten games were played (18 matches ago) and Sheff Utd were 13 points clear of the play-off places at that point.

Remarkably clubs have only made up 1 point in all that time.

It does happen, but 12 points is still a sizable gap.

Roosterbooster
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Roosterbooster » Wed Feb 01, 2023 8:29 pm

Sorry. I agree. Can't see anyone catching automatic places.

I meant the playoff places were very much up for grabs

Lubanski
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Re: Top 6 Challengers

Post by Lubanski » Wed Feb 01, 2023 8:41 pm

I had a look on Rovers message board as directed for a laugh, by 11am today I found myself getting anxious as to whether someone called O'Brien and the lad from Rochdale had or hadn't signed, all in all a very traditional window experience.

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