After 25 matches...

[BillyStubbsTears]

...in 2007/08, we had 41 points.

Discuss.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We're handily placed no doubt. Be interesting to see how the new additions add value.

Much can change between now and the end of the season especially when we get to the run in proper with 10 games to go. It becomes a mental battle as much as anything and form can be upset as we'll see some strange results here and there.

There's a fair chance the top 6/7 can squeeze up in terms of the points gap. Wouldn't it be great if we could reverse things and gain a promotion spot in the last game instead of the final day disappointnent at Cheltenham!

There's a long way to go so it would be foolish to make any predictions at this stage. Let's enjoy the ride.

[Campsall rover]

Unless we go on a formidable run of results 2 of the current top 3 will need to have a considerable slump in form for us to have a realistic chance of finishing in the auto promotion places.
4th, 5th & 6th are up for grabs and i am quietly confident we will achieve one of those places.
As mentioned in a previous thread i have a gut feeling a trip to Wembley is our destination.

[Alan Southstand]

We had some great players that season, Billy and, interestingly, we were 4th going into the New Year (we are 7th right now).

We obviously ended up blowing it for the auto’s, but that gave us that wonderful spectacle at Wembley.

Contrast that with the present and, personally, I think it’s going to depend what we do in January. Sadlier & 1 loanee already secured looks positive but with Anderson going back we have room for another (better and stronger) midfield 3 player. I hope there are plans in place to strengthen further, as we will need those extra bodies if we end up having to go into the play-off’s.

Of those above us, I think Peterborough and Charlton can be caught and although Luton look strong, I wonder if they can last the course.

[eastender]

Here's  a comparison
2007/8



2018/9




The teams in the automatic spots at Christmas both went up in those positions.
Our play off team Southend were down in 13th with 33pts at this stage.

[Campsall rover]

We had some great players that season, Billy and, interestingly, we were 4th going into the New Year (we are 7th right now).

We obviously ended up blowing it for the auto’s, but that gave us that wonderful spectacle at Wembley.

Contrast that with the present and, personally, I think it’s going to depend what we do in January. Sadlier & 1 loanee already seacured looks positive but with Anderson going back we have room for another (better and stronger) midfield 3 player. I hope there are plans in place to strengthen further, as we will need those extra bodies if we end up having to go into the play-off’s.

Of those above us, I think Peterborough and Charlton can be caught and although Luton look strong, I wonder if they can last the course.

Agreed Peterborough and Charlton are the two who i think we are most likely to finish above.
Luton i think are the most likely of the top 3 to implode. They have done very well but can they last the pace. Time will tell.

[Superspy]

Interesting that so many more teams are above the 40 point mark this time around. You'd expect 1 or maybe 2 teams to have a slump in the second half, let's hope we aren't one of them.

[BillyStubbsTears]

It is looking like an exceptionally high points scoring season at the topic this division.

Most seasons, no one averages 2 PPG. Currently, the top three are all averaging more than 2ppg.

Perspective. When we won this division in 12/13, we averaged just over 1.82ppg. That's about what Peterborough are currently averaging.

[Copps is Magic]

Let's not forget Leeds were docked 15 points. It irons out the differences slightly.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Eh?

[Copps is Magic]

The comparison further up the thread.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Oh aye. Sorry. I thought you were referring to my post just before.

[tyke1962]

Just a point or two about Peterborough and Charlton who we have just played in back to back home games .

Peterborough in my opinion look the team who could end up out of the top 6 if we accept looking at the table it's any 7 clubs from 6 .

It's not a happy club either , talking to a few Posh fans pre match in the pub boxing day they were very critical of Evans and the owner and reminded me they always fall away during the second half of the season  , they aren't capable of grinding results out when not at their best .

Charlton were slightly better yesterday with far more spirit about them , they were run ragged for large parts of the game but never stopped running and working and eventually made the game a bit of a contest in the second half .

We go to Luton on new year's day for a real line in the sand game , if and do say if we can win the game it gives us a real opportunity at the automatic spots , we play all the bottom half teams after the Luton game until March when Sunderland come to Oakwell , it's very much in our hands if we can really get some pressure on Luton and beat them on the first day of the year .

I still maintain the best side to visit Oakwell this season were you guys and I fully expect to see you in the play offs , minimum .

Interesting second half of the season to come , to say the least .

All the best for the new year and let's hope we can both make it back to the championship .

[Campsall rover]

Just a point or two about Peterborough and Charlton who we have just played in back to back home games .

Peterborough in my opinion look the team who could end up out of the top 6 if we accept looking at the table it's any 7 clubs from 6 .

It's not a happy club either , talking to a few Posh fans pre match in the pub boxing day they were very critical of Evans and the owner and reminded me they always fall away during the second half of the season  , they aren't capable of grinding results out when not at their best .

Charlton were slightly better yesterday with far more spirit about them , they were run ragged for large parts of the game but never stopped running and working and eventually made the game a bit of a contest in the second half .

We go to Luton on new year's day for a real line in the sand game , if and do say if we can win the game it gives us a real opportunity at the automatic spots , we play all the bottom half teams after the Luton game until March when Sunderland come to Oakwell , it's very much in our hands if we can really get some pressure on Luton and beat them on the first day of the year .

I still maintain the best side to visit Oakwell this season were you guys and I fully expect to see you in the play offs , minimum .

Interesting second half of the season to come , to say the least .

All the best for the new year and let's hope we can both make it back to the championship .

Don’t think either of us will make the top 2 so see you at Wembley in the play off final.
May the best team win. Well as long as it is us of course.
All the best, happy new year.

[tyke1962]

Just a point or two about Peterborough and Charlton who we have just played in back to back home games .

Peterborough in my opinion look the team who could end up out of the top 6 if we accept looking at the table it's any 7 clubs from 6 .

It's not a happy club either , talking to a few Posh fans pre match in the pub boxing day they were very critical of Evans and the owner and reminded me they always fall away during the second half of the season  , they aren't capable of grinding results out when not at their best .

Charlton were slightly better yesterday with far more spirit about them , they were run ragged for large parts of the game but never stopped running and working and eventually made the game a bit of a contest in the second half .

We go to Luton on new year's day for a real line in the sand game , if and do say if we can win the game it gives us a real opportunity at the automatic spots , we play all the bottom half teams after the Luton game until March when Sunderland come to Oakwell , it's very much in our hands if we can really get some pressure on Luton and beat them on the first day of the year .

I still maintain the best side to visit Oakwell this season were you guys and I fully expect to see you in the play offs , minimum .

Interesting second half of the season to come , to say the least .

All the best for the new year and let's hope we can both make it back to the championship .

Don’t think either of us will make the top 2 so see you at Wembley in the play off final.
May the best team win. Well as long as it is us of course.
All the best, happy new year.

I would have agreed with you before the festive period mate but fate has delivered us something quite a few of us have suspected for a while now .

Despite his goals we are a far more effective and balanced side with Kieffer Moore out of the picture .

With Woodrow up top on his own the focus is to play a passing game with runners arriving from deep , the last two home games were an absolute joy to watch against decent opposition , we look totally transformed .

When Moore is in the side the tendency is to hoof it more and we are far more predictable to play against .

It's given me optimism and I'm not convinced Luton can last the pace .

Time will tell I guess .

[Campsall rover]

Just a point or two about Peterborough and Charlton who we have just played in back to back home games .

Peterborough in my opinion look the team who could end up out of the top 6 if we accept looking at the table it's any 7 clubs from 6 .

It's not a happy club either , talking to a few Posh fans pre match in the pub boxing day they were very critical of Evans and the owner and reminded me they always fall away during the second half of the season  , they aren't capable of grinding results out when not at their best .

Charlton were slightly better yesterday with far more spirit about them , they were run ragged for large parts of the game but never stopped running and working and eventually made the game a bit of a contest in the second half .

We go to Luton on new year's day for a real line in the sand game , if and do say if we can win the game it gives us a real opportunity at the automatic spots , we play all the bottom half teams after the Luton game until March when Sunderland come to Oakwell , it's very much in our hands if we can really get some pressure on Luton and beat them on the first day of the year .

I still maintain the best side to visit Oakwell this season were you guys and I fully expect to see you in the play offs , minimum .

Interesting second half of the season to come , to say the least .

All the best for the new year and let's hope we can both make it back to the championship .

Don’t think either of us will make the top 2 so see you at Wembley in the play off final.
May the best team win. Well as long as it is us of course.
All the best, happy new year.

I would have agreed with you before the festive period mate but fate has delivered us something quite a few of us have suspected for a while now .

Despite his goals we are a far more effective and balanced side with Kieffer Moore out of the picture .

With Woodrow up top on his own the focus is to play a passing game with runners arriving from deep , the last two home games were an absolute joy to watch against decent opposition , we look totally transformed .

When Moore is in the side the tendency is to hoof it more and we are far more predictable to play against .

It's given me optimism and I'm not convinced Luton can last the pace .

Time will tell I guess .

I think you will finish 3rd behind Portsmouth & Sunderland so I agree with you Luton might not last the pace. I think you you will get at least a draw against Luton on New Year’s Day.
Before the season started I had you 2nd behind Sunderland with Portsmouth 3rd.  I think Portsmouth will finish in the top 2 now. They look very strong both defensively and offensively which is always a recipe for success.

[Colemans Left Hook]

Unless we go on a formidable run of results 2 of the current top 3 will need to have a considerable slump in form for us to have a realistic chance of finishing in the auto promotion places.
4th, 5th & 6th are up for grabs and i am quietly confident we will achieve one of those places.
As mentioned in a previous thread i have a gut feeling a trip to Wembley is our destination.

Rovers have played all the top six once
the 4th 5th & 6th all have to come here Barnsley Peterbru & Charlton plus Portsmouth

just 2 away matches Luton & Sunderland (no points there ?  )

obviously this is a hell of an advantage got to hope Charlton don't get taken over -one of their fans on the radio recently said they had no money which after the eleven million they got for Lookman (2 years ago ?) I find hard to believe.

The gap to 8th will only get bigger as the others are a "whose turn is it to win brigade"

[RedRover45]

Unless we go on a formidable run of results 2 of the current top 3 will need to have a considerable slump in form for us to have a realistic chance of finishing in the auto promotion places.
4th, 5th & 6th are up for grabs and i am quietly confident we will achieve one of those places.
As mentioned in a previous thread i have a gut feeling a trip to Wembley is our destination.

Rovers have played all the top six once
the 4th 5th & 6th all have to come here Barnsley Peterbru & Charlton plus Portsmouth

just 2 away matches Luton & Sunderland (no points there ?  )

obviously this is a hell of an advantage got to hope Charlton don't get taken over -one of their fans on the radio recently said they had no money which after the eleven million they got for Lookman (2 years ago ?) I find hard to believe.

The gap to 8th will only get bigger as the others are a "whose turn is it to win brigade"

Three away games. We have to visit Portsmouth.

[Campsall rover]

Unless we go on a formidable run of results 2 of the current top 3 will need to have a considerable slump in form for us to have a realistic chance of finishing in the auto promotion places.
4th, 5th & 6th are up for grabs and i am quietly confident we will achieve one of those places.
As mentioned in a previous thread i have a gut feeling a trip to Wembley is our destination.

Rovers have played all the top six once
the 4th 5th & 6th all have to come here Barnsley Peterbru & Charlton plus Portsmouth

just 2 away matches Luton & Sunderland (no points there ?  )

obviously this is a hell of an advantage got to hope Charlton don't get taken over -one of their fans on the radio recently said they had no money which after the eleven million they got for Lookman (2 years ago ?) I find hard to believe.

The gap to 8th will only get bigger as the others are a "whose turn is it to win brigade"

You can’t say no points away at Sunderland and Luton. If you can say that with certainty then there would not be any point in turning up. Football does not provide certainty thank goodness.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Luton and Sunderland are the only two away matches we have left against sides currently in the top half.

We must have the easiest run in.

[Campsall rover]

Luton and Sunderland are the only two away matches we have left against sides currently in the top half.

We must have the easiest run in.

And Portsmouth BST

[BillyStubbsTears]

D'oh. Aye.

That's us b*llocksed then.

[Campsall rover]

D'oh. Aye.

That's us b*llocksed then.

What about Blackpool !!!
Doomed we are Doomed I tell you.

[drfchound]

Well apparently we never win at Gillingham either.

[Campsall rover]

Well apparently we never win at Gillingham either.

Exactly hound 

[BillyStubbsTears]

D'oh. Aye.

That's us b*llocksed then.

What about Blackpool !!!
Doomed we are Doomed I tell you.

Aye well. I'll do my homework next time...

[eastender]

D'oh. Aye.

That's us b*llocksed then.

We've won 2 and drawn 1 of our last 3 visits to Pompey, not too shabby

[RedJ]

And if we'd not been shite scared to shoot on the draw, we'd have probably won - they had an outfield player in goal at the end.