So today, what about we talk about our rivals for promotion as things stand?
Theres some good sides in the league, but they all have flaws, like us.
Sheffield United- Same as last season, great start from the Blades, pretty solid defensively, and offensively, play a really fluid style where its not uncommon for the cbs to appear as strikers. However, there squad isnt the deepest, as last season showed the loss of a key player or two may totally derail them.
WBA- The best attacking side in the league, Barnes, Gayle and Rodriguez scoring for fun, there a threat going forward and are blowing teams away with goals. But, defensively they are poor, you always have chances against them, and the loss of there front 3 could see them fall away.
Boro- Just think of every Pulis team, thats Boro now, defensively rock solid, very hard to break down, dangerous from set pieces, but not scoring much, that may be there down fall, if they cant nick a goal and hold on then they offer little going forward from open play.
Forest-Pretty similar to us actually, play out from the back, look for overloads etc, just hadnt really got it to click until recently. Only 1 defeat like us, to many draws, like us. Solid defensively, decent going forward, but can be wasteful and seem over reliant on Lewis Grabban, injury to him and then they may struggle.
Sheffield Weds- Wednesday are a bit like WBA, score quite well, play some decent football, got some good players, but they cant defend and even when they take the lead you always feel it isnt secure. If they can sort there defending out they may have a chance.
Thats our current playoff compatriots, there are other teams of course who you would think will be in the mix.
Brentford- Gave us a scare, similar to us, overloads, pressing, passing out from the back, break when possible. They very well could be top 6, but thats said most seasons, they seem to always fall just short, maybe this is there year.
Derby-Pretty decent Derby, play some good stuff, got some good players, but very inconsistent, 5 wins, 3 draws, 4 defeats, cant make there mind up.
Then theres other of course, Norwich, Blackburn, Swansea, Bristol City, teams who have been in good form and faded a bit, but never know.
And the 2 big spenders in the league.
Aston Villa- Depends on who they get as manager, can he organise that Villa defence, which is frankly awful. FFP pressures are still lingering, nobody is entirely sure how Villa can get out of it without Promotion, but nobody really knows.
Stoke-No fan of Gary Rowett, think he is pretty overrated, one of a long list of overrated young English Managers, but he has a hell of a good squad, if he can turn it around, or if they get a decent manager in then they could come strong.
So what do we think?
Are there any teams to fear, any teams who i havent included who you think may come good, any teams who you think will fade away?
