Still a tad worried about the defence and think 1 more forward to back up Charlie would have helped ( God forbid anything should happen to him! ), but optimistically changed my view from 8th or 9th to a play-off place.
We now have a good team with back-up on the bench. We have a dynamic style of play. I hope that new defensive acquistions will bolstered the defence (and they should!) As a result, I believe we could be now looking for a top six finish. There are not many squads that look better than ours on paper. But it will not be easy. I just hope that there will not "too many expecations" and unnecessary "pressure" on the team and management. We are a fickle bunch of supporters. It is a long season. We have started well and we should improve. It is all very promising and I am already looking forward to watching the Forest match (unfortunately only on tv).
Went for second. I feel that we really have a good enough squad and many players that can win matches.
Said Play Offs originally and now in the way the transfer window panned out it would be disappointed only to make the play Offs, we should really be looking at automatic promotion...... God that makes me sound like one of the plastics from the Kings Road or London Manc fanswho are upset when they don't win by 3 or 4 goals........ Stick with Play Offs as realistic and anything better is a huge bonus......
I predicted the play off's and I'm sticking to it Still don't think we're 'ready' to be promoted and have a reasonable chance to stay in the Prem though.
I said sad to miss the play-offs last time... but now I would be. I am really pulled now. I thought we should consolidate....but for one reason or another we have been handed 2 good players (Austin, Phillips) until at least January....and if we are "well-in it" then, perhaps until May. I am worried, this puts too much expectation onto this team, that needs to grow into its skin. In August ...we expected to struggle...so the run of success was gratefully received...now we expect, so any downturns, and there will be some, and we will have (our own) wolves on our backs again. I am not going to vote....
I don't see any stand-out teams in the Championship. Anyone can beat anyone. But now that we've a settled squad (until January anyway) I think we'll improve. I'll stick my neck out and say Champions, even though a lot of water will pass under a lot of bridges before it's settled.
If the defence doesn't get markedly better then we might not even make the play-offs. All the draws could be losses and 1-0 wins become draws.
5th to 8th now, there will be at least four teams more organised and settled than ourselves (Boro, Ipswich, Brighton, Burnley) - plus Derby who have spent alot - but we should hit the play-offs.
Will still be happy with mid table & improving on & off the pitch. I think the team is nearer to premier level than the club is. Mind you, we ain't half improved as a club in 2015!
I've not been Ramsey's greatest fan but he and Les have had a very good transfer window. They've not been panicked into selling the family silver for less than it's worth and they've made some excellent buys, with Luongo and Chery already looking very good value. January's window could disrupt things but my hopes of mid-table have been upgraded to a place in the play-offs, which can be a bit of a lottery. As individuals, the defence doesn't look bad but, as a unit, they under-perform: by the end of the season, Ramsey's much-vaunted coaching ability could be judged on their much-needed improvement, or lack thereof.