History Tells Us We Need 9 Points From Our First 10 Matches

Today will see the start of a journey which let's face it many of the older fans, like myself, probably thought was never going to happen. But like the vast majority of fans I don't want us just to compete in this division I'm looking for us to impose ourselves, where that is realistic, on our opponents and secure our position at footballs top table for season 2014/15 at least.

In reality our results against Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea & Arsenal will mean little in the big scheme of our survival, although any points gained would be a big boost. Below these Liverpool, Everton, Spurs will be clubs we should target getting results against but in all likelyhood our survival will depend on us getting the points required for survival from the rest. So how many points will that be and what points totals does PL history say we need after say 10, 20 & 30 games.

Well over the last 10 seasons the teams that eventually finished bottom of the PL have on average collected only 6 of the first 30 points on offer, the 2nd bottom has collected only 7 and the third bottom only 8. The lowest points collected by relegated clubs in the last 10 season was 4 by both QPR last season and Portsmouth in 2009/10 whilst the highest points collected was 13 by Blackpool in season 2010/11 & Middlesbrough in season 2008/09. However only 20% of teams eventually relegated collected more than 8 points afer 10 games.

So history tells us we need a minimum of 9 points from our first 10 games, 3 wins, it doesn't seem that difficult when you say it like that but one fact is that 66% of club who failed to collect at least 8 points were eventually relegated. So clearly it isn't easy.

One thing we ALL know and that is no MM team will ever give up in any game but as a new promoted club we will have the "Underdog" tag in lot's of games. In my opinion that's where Cardiff fans come into thier own and where this season we ALL need to support our manager and team in the very finest traditions of Bluebirds fans.

Passion, Pride and Intensity on and off the pitch.

Spot on. I have basically been saying this on the other thread and met with hostility.

you really need to average a point per game (slightly more). So fail to win today then you face the uphill task of trying to take something off Man City and then you could quite easily be going into the Everton game needing a win to be on track.

This league is mental as 40% of the teams are unplayable at times so 40 points is a tricky ask. Games like today are the kind of games newly promoted sides need to get something, anything, from. its the harsh reality of the top table.

Agree with both posts,well said.

I agree the 'mini-league' is where the important points are to be gained.

That said this will be an odd season with 3 of the top 4 having managerial changes and Arsenal have almost the same squad which didn't really set the PL alight last season. Spurs with or without Gareth Bale will be a very tough fixture, but you have to fancy our chances against the next layer of teams Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland and Newcastle, especially at home.

The PL in recent seasons hasn't been the elite league we always envisaged whilst in the Championship, hence Swansea's success (unfortunately ) but on the upside it is now our turn to exploit that.

I agree the 'mini-league' is where the important points are to be gained.

That said this will be an odd season with 3 of the top 4 having managerial changes and Arsenal have almost the same squad which didn't really set the PL alight last season. Spurs with or without Gareth Bale will be a very tough fixture, but you have to fancy our chances against the next layer of teams Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland and Newcastle, especially at home.

The PL in recent seasons hasn't been the elite league we always envisaged whilst in the Championship, hence Swansea's success (unfortunately ) but on the upside it is now our turn to exploit that.

In my opinion you guys only said that because we were in it. it will be interesting if you still hold that opinion come seasons end.

time to back it up and ill certainly be watching...

I agree the 'mini-league' is where the important points are to be gained.

That said this will be an odd season with 3 of the top 4 having managerial changes and Arsenal have almost the same squad which didn't really set the PL alight last season. Spurs with or without Gareth Bale will be a very tough fixture, but you have to fancy our chances against the next layer of teams Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland and Newcastle, especially at home.

The PL in recent seasons hasn't been the elite league we always envisaged whilst in the Championship, hence Swansea's success (unfortunately ) but on the upside it is now our turn to exploit that.

In my opinion you guys only said that because we were in it. it will be interesting if you still hold that opinion come seasons end.

time to back it up and ill certainly be watching...

May be your right, hands up I f**king hate Swansea with a passion I will never deny that.

However, I/we could also have a very good point as you have spent very little over the past 2 seasons yet survived with ease. OK good management, efficient scouting system, fervent crowd and managerial changes can take you so far, but when you look at your squad an element of luck had to be involved and part of that luck was how bad the PL has been since you got there.

That said the PL has got rid of a lot of its natural wastage i.e. Blackburn, Bolton, Wigan, Wolves so it might not be as poor as it has been, but having said that Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland might be the next to fall away.

Will Swansea be one also? All I can say is I f**king bloody well hope so

Its who you spend on, not what you spend. for example, Michu is a £25-30m player, it doesn't matter how much we got him for.

apart from Caulker I honestly don't think you have spent well.

Its who you spend on, not what you spend. for example, Michu is a £25-30m player, it doesn't matter how much we got him for.

apart from Caulker I honestly don't think you have spent well.

I wouldn't expect you to say anything else, as I said I hope you get f**king relegated and my dream is the mighty CCFC deliver the fatal blow at the Liberty in April

Its who you spend on, not what you spend. for example, Michu is a £25-30m player, it doesn't matter how much we got him for.

apart from Caulker I honestly don't think you have spent well.

I wouldn't expect you to say anything else, as I said I hope you get f**king relegated and my dream is the mighty CCFC deliver the fatal blow at the Liberty in April

Im always as honest as ever when it comes to football talk. I genuinely feel your squad is weak. I have absolutely no qualms in saying otherwise if I truly felt it.

I agree the 'mini-league' is where the important points are to be gained.

That said this will be an odd season with 3 of the top 4 having managerial changes and Arsenal have almost the same squad which didn't really set the PL alight last season. Spurs with or without Gareth Bale will be a very tough fixture, but you have to fancy our chances against the next layer of teams Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland and Newcastle, especially at home.

The PL in recent seasons hasn't been the elite league we always envisaged whilst in the Championship, hence Swansea's success (unfortunately ) but on the upside it is now our turn to exploit that.

I think we have 7 games from our first 10 where we need to be gaining points, only Man City & Chelsea are likely right offs, and the very last thing we need to be doing is playing catch up. We both know that our biggest strength since MM has been our manager has been we are so hard to beat, ask Liverpool, and last seasons Championship clubs.

We have spent a great deal of money this summer and those additions to the squad we had last season makes me think we will surprise one or two this season. But confidence built up last season can quickly evaporate so in my opinion a strong start is so important.

you are by far the most sensible Cardiff fan that has posted today.

spot on again.