Football League 15/16

[Gingerfinch]

Derby are dropping off again, just like last season.

[sussexpob]

Automatic is a bridge too far for me. Middlesbrough were the best non promoted team in the league last year and spent big money in January. They have momentarily stuttered as they bed in their new signings, but they could go on a big run with that team. Hull and Burnley have by far the leagues best squads, and after the initial poor starts that happens to a lot of relegated clubs they are kicking in now. In 15 matches worth of games (5 each) the top 3 have lost only 1.... they are clearly now going up a gear.

I cant see us doing it. We started really well and were the last team in England unbeaten for weeks..... we then lost about 4 games in 5 around December/January and crashed, and now find our form picking up (10 points from a possible 15 - scored a lot of goals in this time too).

[sussexpob]

In fact I just looked... went 9 games without a win at the end of year, into the New Year. Either side of that they have done well, and the 0-0 draw away to Hull sandwiched between a 3-1 win, 4-0 win and 4-0 win proves the form is picking up. The Cardiff game stands out after we were hammered, but that seems the nature of this team. Just a little bit of quality on either end of the pitch away from the others.

[sussexpob]

Derby are dropping off again, just like last season.

Derby have hugely underachieved considering the money spent to add to an already very capable team. They seem to lack patience and a bit of leadership in the team because as soon as the automatic race has got to business time in the last few years, they have started to crumble, then lose interest.... and last season they didnt even make the playoffs because of it. I remember watching a few games last year against the top teams second half of the year, and Norwich/Middlesbrough and Bournemouth all out played them off the park even if they didnt all win.

Sacking the manager when he was a win away from top wont help though

[Gingerfinch]

McClaren telling his players he was leaving may not have helped last season.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Alot of scars from last season at Derby after the McLaren debacle.

I'm still hoping he can work his magic on Newcastle!

[sussexpob]

McClaren telling his players he was leaving may not have helped last season.

Im not sure thats an excuse for the players, surely playing in the Premier League is adequate incentive to go out and do your best?

[Aidan11]

Thought Evans might have been sacked this morning.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Thought Evans might have been sacked this morning.

Perhaps by drawing the second half he has won a stay of execution.

I see the owner left at half time giving him strict instructions not to speak to the press after the game. Not encouraging for his future as manager.

[Alviro Patterson]

Thought Evans might have been sacked this morning.

Perhaps by drawing the second half he has won a stay of execution.

I see the owner left at half time giving him strict instructions not to speak to the press after the game. Not encouraging for his future as manager.

It would be daft for Cellino to get rid of Evans at this stage, unlikely to finish 6th but has enough about him to keep Leeds in the Championship.

[Alviro Patterson]

Business as usual for Bradford after losing 2-1 to bottom of the league Colchester United, who ended a streak of 19 games without a win. Fortunately other results didn't go against City and are still 1pt behind the playoffs.

Be typical of Bradford to go and beat Burton Albion on Tuesday, such as the unpredictable nature of League One.

[The Professor]

Completely forgot about the existence of Wigan. Gary Caldwell seems to be doing good things

[Aidan11]

Great win for us yesterday.

[Alviro Patterson]

A goal-less draw away to Bury, suppose a point is better than none but the gap to 6th spot widens by 3pts making the Burton game on Tuesday a must win.

[Alviro Patterson]

and Walsall have decided to sack manager Steve O'Driscoll after 16 games, influenced by going 6 games without a win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/walsall

Another club with ideas above their stations. Even with the 6 game winless streak Walsall are firmly in the playoffs, 5pts off 2nd with a game in hand. Their fixture run-in is kind with games against struggling Chesterfield, Fleetwood, Colchester and an out of form Gillingham. Go on a 4 match unbeaten there and Walsall are right back in the automatic promotion hunt.