The Next 8 games - Make or Break Time

[Stranded]

Looking at the fixture list and it seems pretty clear to me that the next 8 games will define if we are likely to stay up or go down. Starting with the Bolton game on the 29th our fixtures are as follows:

Bolton (a) 22nd place
Villa (H) 12th
Weds (a) 16th
Blackburn (H) 10th
Sheff Utd (a) 3rd
Rotherham (H) 21st
Ipswich (a) 24th
Wigan (H) 20th

So we play all 4 teams currently around us (2H, 2A) and have 2 winnable home games in Blackburn and Villa. Of the 2 trips to Sheffield, you would probably only write off the trip to United as a game where points are not likely. The last 3 games could be the most vital run we've had in a few seasons - 7-9 points there and we can breathe a lot easier.

It is this run that will tell us if Gomes' vision for the way the team should play is just pretty or effective too. The bedding in period is done, this is now or never time. Take each game as it comes but if can pick up say 14/24 points here that will go a long way to securing safety - anything less than 10 (Esp if we lose 2 of the last 3) and that may well be too much left to do.

[Old Man Andrews]

Looking at the fixture list and it seems pretty clear to me that the next 8 games will define if we are likely to stay up or go down. Starting with the Bolton game on the 29th our fixtures are as follows:

Bolton (a) 22nd place
Villa (H) 12th
Weds (a) 16th
Blackburn (H) 10th
Sheff Utd (a) 3rd
Rotherham (H) 21st
Ipswich (a) 24th
Wigan (H) 20th

So we play all 4 teams currently around us (2H, 2A) and have 2 winnable home games in Blackburn and Villa. Of the 2 trips to Sheffield, you would probably only write off the trip to United as a game where points are not likely. The last 3 games could be the most vital run we've had in a few seasons - 7-9 points there and we can breathe a lot easier.

It is this run that will tell us if Gomes' vision for the way the team should play is just pretty or effective too. The bedding in period is done, this is now or never time. Take each game as it comes but if can pick up say 14/24 points here that will go a long way to securing safety - anything less than 10 (Esp if we lose 2 of the last 3) and that may well be too much left to do.

Think we can get something out of all of them bar the Sheffield United game. We are in a position now where as long as we beat the teams that are between 15th-24th in the league we will be ok. I can only see Bolton getting worse and Rotherham will not pick up many points either. We just need to primarily better their results and we stay up. We are more than capable.

[stealthpapes]

That really is quite the run of games, isn't it.

Beat the 4 teams in the 20s, get some points from half the remainder. 14 points from 8 games and maybe looking rosier.

[Wycombe Royal]

I am going for an optimistic 16 points from those games. And I'm a half glass empty type of person......

[Pepe the Horseman]

Bolton (a) - W
Villa (H) - D
Weds (a) - L
Blackburn (H) - W
Sheff Utd (a) - L
Rotherham (H) - W
Ipswich (a) - D
Wigan (H) - W

[Gunny Fishcake]

Bearing in mind my appalling prediction record ......

Bolton (a) D
Villa (H) L
Weds (a) L
Blackburn (H) W
Sheff Utd (a) L
Rotherham (H) D
Ipswich (a) D
Wigan (H) W

Still think we'll probably go down but if we do escape it will be by the skin of our teeth, maybe our goal difference.

[Hendo]

Bolton (a) - W
Villa (H) - D
Weds (a) - L
Blackburn (H) - W
Sheff Utd (a) - L
Rotherham (H) - W
Ipswich (a) - W
Wigan (H) - W

16 points, hopefully...

[windermereROYAL]

Think we need to be looking at 12-15 points from that lot, anything less and it`s very likely bye bye. anything more and will probably survive.

[Old Man Andrews]

Think we need to be looking at 12-15 points from that lot, anything less and it`s very likely bye bye. anything more and will probably survive.

It isn't. As long as we beat the teams below and the 2 above us we will be ok. Where are Ipswich, Bolton and Rotherham getting their points from?

[Duffy]

We're getting 0.82 points per game, so we're on course to get 37/38 points. That's relegation.

[Theroyalbox]

It does appear we have the easiest run in of the lot

[andrew1957]

Looking at the fixture list and it seems pretty clear to me that the next 8 games will define if we are likely to stay up or go down. Starting with the Bolton game on the 29th our fixtures are as follows:

Bolton (a) 22nd place
Villa (H) 12th
Weds (a) 16th
Blackburn (H) 10th
Sheff Utd (a) 3rd
Rotherham (H) 21st
Ipswich (a) 24th
Wigan (H) 20th

So we play all 4 teams currently around us (2H, 2A) and have 2 winnable home games in Blackburn and Villa. Of the 2 trips to Sheffield, you would probably only write off the trip to United as a game where points are not likely. The last 3 games could be the most vital run we've had in a few seasons - 7-9 points there and we can breathe a lot easier.

It is this run that will tell us if Gomes' vision for the way the team should play is just pretty or effective too. The bedding in period is done, this is now or never time. Take each game as it comes but if can pick up say 14/24 points here that will go a long way to securing safety - anything less than 10 (Esp if we lose 2 of the last 3) and that may well be too much left to do.

I was going to post up something all but identical to your one. The next 8 games will almost certainly decide RFC's fate. IMO anything less than 5 wins (or 4 wins and 3 draws) from this 8 and I think we will be down. The last 10 games look very difficult indeed and unless our form turns round completely it is hard to see many points coming there and so we desperate;y need the momentum that at least 15 points from the next 8 will bring.

Failing that and we can only hope that the form of the other three at the bottom continues to be just as terrible as ours and that we sneak over the line in 21st place.

[Duffy]

Final projected table (bottom 6)

Millwall 47 points
Wigan 47 points
Rotherham 41 points
___________________________
Reading 38 points
Bolton 38 points
Ipswich 29 points

[Stranded]

Final projected table (bottom 6)

Millwall 47 points
Wigan 47 points
Rotherham 41 points
___________________________
Reading 38 points
Bolton 38 points
Ipswich 29 points

Assuming that is based on current PPG?

[Old Man Andrews]

Final projected table (bottom 6)

Millwall 47 points
Wigan 47 points
Rotherham 41 points
___________________________
Reading 38 points
Bolton 38 points
Ipswich 29 points

We are quite clearly going to have a better 2nd half of the season where as Rotherham and Bolton are going backwards. Your ridiculous scaremongering is pointless, we clearly will do enough. Would go as far to say we will end up above Millwall and Wigan.

[Duffy]

Final projected table (bottom 6)

Millwall 47 points
Wigan 47 points
Rotherham 41 points
___________________________
Reading 38 points
Bolton 38 points
Ipswich 29 points

We are quite clearly going to have a better 2nd half of the season where as Rotherham and Bolton are going backwards. Your ridiculous scaremongering is pointless, we clearly will do enough. Would go as far to say we will end up above Millwall and Wigan.

Gomes currently has a win % of 16.67%. Better performances don't always equate to wins.

[Mr Optimist]

I'm not sure if it was clever reverse psychology when Paul Lambert advised he ŵould stay on as manager even if Ipswich are relegated. Or just plain stupid as it sends completely the wrong, and a defeatist message.

Unless Bolton can find a new owner soon they are destined for administration and a points deduction over the next month or so which will seal their fate.

We are then left with a scramble to get out of the lower reaches with Wigan, Rotherham, and Millwall. You usually also get a mistake side go on a poor run and we could be joined in the dogfight by Brentford and/or Sheffield Wednesday too.

I think it would be typical of Reading to win away at Sheffield United but lose at home to Rotherham!

[Brum Royal]

Bolton (a) - W
Villa (H) - D
Weds (a) - D
Blackburn (H) - L
Sheff Utd (a) - L
Rotherham (H) - W
Ipswich (a) - W
Wigan (H) - W

14/24

[Maneki Neko]

Bolton (a) D
Villa (H) D
Weds (a) L
Blackburn (H) W
Sheff Utd (a) L
Rotherham (H) W
Ipswich (a) W
Wigan (H) W

[Old Man Andrews]

Bolton (a) - W
Villa (H) - W
Weds (a) - W
Blackburn (H) - W
Sheff Utd (a) - D
Rotherham (H) - W
Ipswich (a) - W
Wigan (H) - W

And no I am not joking.