The season 2020 - 2021.

So as of now there's only one team that's averaged 2 points per game and it's us.

Need to keep doing what we're doing and make sure we don't get complacent, as today yet again shows that in the Championship any team can beat any other team.

 

Our remaining four games this month against teams in the bottom 5, who have a goal difference of -60 between them.

 

Which, in time honoured NCFC tradition, screams the words Banana. and Skin.

 

COYY

 

Coventry safely negotiated Cromer.

 

Just noticed Watfords' run in. Last 4 games, us away, Millwall home, Brentford away and Swansea home. Wow, but for any of us three teams who haven't secured automatic, they could cause a major shift of fortunes.

 

Just a week ago we were preparing for the Stoke game having completed 4 consecutive scoreless performances culminating in defeat to one of our closest rivals and then being knocked down to second by Brentford's midweek win. They were on a 21 game unbeaten streak and we were 4 games without a win. One week later two wins for us, two losses for them have pushed us out to a 4 point lead and as Cromer says, we're the only team averaging more than 2 points a game. Yes, Swansea could overtake us if they win both their games in hand, but that is by no means a given in this league and the extra two matches will place physical demands in the run in. According to the BBC, they weren't that convincing last night:

"Swansea City climbed back to third in the Championship after Connor Roberts' late header gave them a fortuitous victory over Nottingham Forest. Forest were the better side and would have felt hard done by had the game ended in a goalless draw."

 

Good spot. An interesting point - I suppose it also emphasises for them that they need to be in a very strong position before going into that run, because if they are not then they will be relying on winning those tougher matches. I wouldn’t fancy it. And we all know how important momentum is going into the play-offs.

 

To be honest, you could extend that to their last 7.

Middlesbrough (A), Reading (H), Luton (A), Norwich (A), Millwall (H), Brentford (A), Swansea (H)

So they play the rest of the current top 5, and 8th, and we know Luton can be a tricky place to visit too.

 

Since Xisco took over, Watford have averaged 2 points a game. Keep that up and they would finish with 86 points, enough to secure automatic promotion in 3 out of the last 4 seasons. IMO they are quite capable of bettering that, making them serious contenders for a top 2 finish.

 

They have earned 11 points from the last 6 games, same as us.

Out of their games in February they have won 2, drew 1 (0-0 to coventry) & lost to QPR 2 - 1. They struggled to beat Preston 1 - nil and has a great win against Bristol City 6 - 0. They have earn 7 points from 4 games.

After a good initial bounce they seem to be on a slight down slope.

 

Watford certainly have a chance of a top two finish, but they must be fourth favourite at the moment. As Robbie says, if they can average 2 points per game they'll finish on 86 points, but if the teams above them do the same, Watford will finish fourth, as they are now. Their chance depends on two others above them doing worse in the run in from here, which may well happen, or not, as the case may be. By comparison, our chance of promotion seems far better, especially as all of our remaining games against the top sides are at home. If we continue to average at least 2 points per game we'll finish on 93 points, which should be more than enough to secure promotion.

 

Can we just step back a minute to the beginning of the season. If someone stated that after 30 games we would be 4 points clear of the second Club, 5 points clear of the third Club and 18 points clear of the 7th Club would they have been treated seriously? After 70 years supporting NCFC I have got used to being seriously let down but can you really see DF and the current squad letting this slip? Swansea have 2 games in hand to fit in an already punishing schedule and are probably due a dip in form and unless we start slipping up Watford should be too far back to cause concern. Both Brentford and Watford have got to come to Carrow Road so matters are in our own hands. I am probably going to regret saying this but I think we have less to worry about than the rest especially as senior players like Hanly, Krul and McLean are taking charge on the pitch.

 

Considering the run of form to finish last season, and all the talk of a hangover and needing to change the mentality - the transistion has been remarkable. From the team last night, 8/11 starters (13 of the squad) were with us during that losing run. By November, we were in the play-off positions, and haven't left the top two since 24th November. Credit to Farke and the team for turning that around, and managing to hold on to key players and keep them happy.

Our next three opponents are all in/around the relegation zone, then a big game against Brentford, then 7 games against teams 12th or lower in the league. We're going to drop points before the run-in discussed above, but we've got the fixtures beforehand to completely take the pressure off those games against close rivals.

 

I think we’ve finished every match top of the league since 21 November

 

Deeny now sidelined with an Achilles injury. He will have another scan in two weeks. That really hurts them.

 

He's not got any open play goals since 8th December, and they've got plenty of strikers. Not getting my hopes up too much for a downturn!

 

I see what you're saying, DH. They have Sarr and Pedro (and Andre Gray who's not having a great season.) Still, Watford went 3-2-2 without Deeney earlier in the season. And that was not against the best competition in the league.

 

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Stiepermann, Martin, Sitti, Mumba involved for the U23s game which just kicked off.

 

HT now and it's being shown live here:

https://www.pinkun.com/sport/norwic...united-watch-marco-stiepermann-return-7565580