" We Are In A Fantastic Position After 28 Games "

And despite drawing again from a winning position the draw was against the team many consider to be the best footballing side in the division, against the team with the best home record in the division and against the team who have scored the most goals at home in the division. There are a couple of football cliches that come to mind ,any point away from home is a good point ,and if you can't win then don't lose. Well last night we got a great point away from home and despite a strong 2nd half performance by the saints our lads got the point their efforts deserved. And lets not forget that was the 7th game in January and still our lads had the legs and mental strength to dog out a result.

Last night we also hit our first target for the season as 50 points will mean we will at least be in the Championship again next season, to put that in some sort of perspective reaching 50 points after only 28 games is our best performance since our return to the Championship. We are 2 points better than our previous best position at this stage and 20 points better than our worse, all this on the back of reaching the Carling Cup Final for the first time in our history. Best of all we have 10 games at home between now and the end of the season.

This time last season we had lost 8 matches had 48 points and were 5th in the League this season we hae lost only 4 games, hae 50 points and are 3rd in the table and if we can maintain both our home and away form we will pass the 80 point mark and this season that may well be enough for automatic promotion.

We have tried our best to sign players during the window and no one should doubt the support our owners hae given MM, for one reason or another it hasn't happened but it wasn't for the want of trying. The loan window will open in just 7 days and now there will be PL players, albiet fringe players at their clubs, available for loan and I for one trust MM to get some and for those players to be the right ones for our club.

Carl wrote an excellent article in the SWE last Saturday in which he talked about each game being our biggest of the season, well on Saturday Blackpool at home IS our biggest game of the season and we as supporters need to be there packing the stadium and getting 100% behind our fantastic manager and this great squad of players.

Last night proved to me the players have not been distracted by the League Cup Final and I truely believe that this group can and will deliver all our dreams.

Excellent post mate,

It's nice to read something positive this morning, unlike a lot of the other threads I've seen.

We're in a fantastic position and football is funny in the sense that all this 'In Malky We Trust' has become 'why did he wait so long', 'why didn't he just increase the offer', 'why didn't he go for Maynard'.

I still firmly believe that Malky knows what he is doing and whatever he does, I will trust. He is in a far better position to make judgement than me.

As someone posted earlier, I'm sure he'll have a plan B and as bold as this statement might be, I believe in two weeks time (or less), people will be saying 'what a shrewd guy MM is, he didn't waste our money on overpriced players and got in some cracking loans as a result'.

It's onwards and upwards, whichever way we look at it.

PS on the 'Carl Update' side of things, if he hadn't passed on what he was told, I think it would have been a very boring transfer day deadline for me. Although we didn't get anyone, which is a shame (as it's always nice to sign new players) it made for an exciting day, even if I didn't get much work done.

I, for one, will still look forward to seeing Carl's updates and even though deals he says might not come off, they give me far more of an insight into the club (and what they are trying to acheive) than I would ever have without the updates.

Cheers.

Excellent post mate,

It's nice to read something positive this morning, unlike a lot of the other threads I've seen.

We're in a fantastic position and football is funny in the sense that all this 'In Malky We Trust' has become 'why did he wait so long', 'why didn't he just increase the offer', 'why didn't he go for Maynard'.

I still firmly believe that Malky knows what he is doing and whatever he does, I will trust. He is in a far better position to make judgement than me.

As someone posted earlier, I'm sure he'll have a plan B and as bold as this statement might be, I believe in two weeks time (or less), people will be saying 'what a shrewd guy MM is, he didn't waste our money on overpriced players and got in some cracking loans as a result'.

It's onwards and upwards, whichever way we look at it.

PS on the 'Carl Update' side of things, if he hadn't passed on what he was told, I think it would have been a very boring transfer day deadline for me. Although we didn't get anyone, which is a shame (as it's always nice to sign new players) it made for an exciting day, even if I didn't get much work done.

I, for one, will still look forward to seeing Carl's updates and even though deals he says might not come off, they give me far more of an insight into the club (and what they are trying to acheive) than I would ever have without the updates.

Cheers.

Thanks I agree about Carl he is 100% genuine and only passes on information he has been given and yet again he was spot on about Craig Noone. Whatever the reasons that deal didn't come off it has nothing to do with the accuracy of what Carl posted and let's face it without the info it was have been a really boring day yeaterday.

Great post Castleblue !

We should be enjoying this season !

I started going "down the City" with my dad in 1970-71 season then on my own when he stopped @1975 and since then we have had so many ups and downs but are now an establshed top 6 team in championship and off for our 4th YES 4th visit to Wembley
This team battle and are A TEAM not 11 individuals,we have a bright young manager so let's do our bit and support !

Great post that man, its great to see we've only lost four times this season. Just shows how hard we are as a team to beat and shows the determination this team has. We just need to convert a few draws into wins on the road and we wont be far away. Blackpool will certainly be a tough game this Sat, but if we play like we did against them away from home i have no doubt we will get a result.

Great post that man, its great to see we've only lost four times this season. Just shows how hard we are as a team to beat and shows the determination this team has. We just need to convert a few draws into wins on the road and we wont be far away. Blackpool will certainly be a tough game this Sat, but if we play like we did against them away from home i have no doubt we will get a result.

If we play like we played at Bloomfield Road but this time put our chances away we will put 5 on them

I'm glad somebody has put it into perspective. Long gone are the big names and we finally have the team who are prepared to knuckle down and get the job done.

Malky is proving that you don't need to spend big to gain success and im actually pleased with the team we have. With all the Premier League clubs doing their business on the final day, there will bound to be a few decent loan signings available for us to capitalise on.

As for points, Norwich were promoted with 84 points last season. So as Castle Blue mentioned, if we win all our remaining home games and pick up the odd point on the road, the Premier League is easily achievable.

There is only one way for us at the moment at thats up

Like many others I followed transfer chat and wanted to hear about us signing a new player or two - but that was yesterday; here we are today, and we still have our budget intact unlike previous seasons where we have spent good money after what has turned out to be bad rubbish. We go again in the loan window (sorry to use that phrase!)

I don't doubt that the club did everything to secure what they believed to be the right additions to the squad. It is a disappointment when expectations are not met, but very little of those expectations were fuelled by the club, they were fuelled by us, the fans, and the media.

I am really impressed with Mackay - he is exactly what we need. I love the way that just a minute or so after kick-off he is virtually in the oppo dugout, like the big Scottish fella he is, giving it large for his team. I love the way he has connected with us, the fans, it is a real tonic after the previous incumbent couldn't even do his tie up properly or take his hands out of his pockets!

I was at the game last night - Southampton pretty much hammered us second half, and a draw was a decent result. That said, we did have a few chances, and on another day King Kenny would have had one. Both Gunner and Cowie had decent chances too.

I know it is our lot as fans to want the world for our club, and want it yesterday - I for one am enjoying the City, despite this.

My Dad was a season-ticket holder as a boy in 1921 . Sadly he missed the Cup Final in 2008 as he passed away two years earlier, and his older brother had his ticket off him in 1927; but he will be with me again at Wembley at the end of this month . He would have loved the way this side has got guts and just sticks at it.

That's what we've got to do boys, just stick at it. Never give in.

City till I die.

Fantastic positive post at last.

Steady on lads there are to many in agreement here.

It appears that people who support MM are groupies, Do they get an extra ticket for Wembley.

And despite drawing again from a winning position the draw was against the team many consider to be the best footballing side in the division, against the team with the best home record in the division and against the team who have scored the most goals at home in the division. There are a couple of football cliches that come to mind ,any point away from home is a good point ,and if you can't win then don't lose. Well last night we got a great point away from home and despite a strong 2nd half performance by the saints our lads got the point their efforts deserved. And lets not forget that was the 7th game in January and still our lads had the legs and mental strength to dog out a result.

Last night we also hit our first target for the season as 50 points will mean we will at least be in the Championship again next season, to put that in some sort of perspective reaching 50 points after only 28 games is our best performance since our return to the Championship. We are 2 points better than our previous best position at this stage and 20 points better than our worse, all this on the back of reaching the Carling Cup Final for the first time in our history. Best of all we have 10 games at home between now and the end of the season.

This time last season we had lost 8 matches had 48 points and were 5th in the League this season we hae lost only 4 games, hae 50 points and are 3rd in the table and if we can maintain both our home and away form we will pass the 80 point mark and this season that may well be enough for automatic promotion.

We have tried our best to sign players during the window and no one should doubt the support our owners hae given MM, for one reason or another it hasn't happened but it wasn't for the want of trying. The loan window will open in just 7 days and now there will be PL players, albiet fringe players at their clubs, available for loan and I for one trust MM to get some and for those players to be the right ones for our club.

Carl wrote an excellent article in the SWE last Saturday in which he talked about each game being our biggest of the season, well on Saturday Blackpool at home IS our biggest game of the season and we as supporters need to be there packing the stadium and getting 100% behind our fantastic manager and this great squad of players.

Last night proved to me the players have not been distracted by the League Cup Final and I truely believe that this group can and will deliver all our dreams.

Gary! fantastic post - very positive, the stats speak for themselves and this certainly dispels all the negativity and doubters on the board over the last 2 days! Keep it mate!

And despite drawing again from a winning position the draw was against the team many consider to be the best footballing side in the division, against the team with the best home record in the division and against the team who have scored the most goals at home in the division. There are a couple of football cliches that come to mind ,any point away from home is a good point ,and if you can't win then don't lose. Well last night we got a great point away from home and despite a strong 2nd half performance by the saints our lads got the point their efforts deserved. And lets not forget that was the 7th game in January and still our lads had the legs and mental strength to dog out a result.

Last night we also hit our first target for the season as 50 points will mean we will at least be in the Championship again next season, to put that in some sort of perspective reaching 50 points after only 28 games is our best performance since our return to the Championship. We are 2 points better than our previous best position at this stage and 20 points better than our worse, all this on the back of reaching the Carling Cup Final for the first time in our history. Best of all we have 10 games at home between now and the end of the season.

This time last season we had lost 8 matches had 48 points and were 5th in the League this season we hae lost only 4 games, hae 50 points and are 3rd in the table and if we can maintain both our home and away form we will pass the 80 point mark and this season that may well be enough for automatic promotion.

We have tried our best to sign players during the window and no one should doubt the support our owners hae given MM, for one reason or another it hasn't happened but it wasn't for the want of trying. The loan window will open in just 7 days and now there will be PL players, albiet fringe players at their clubs, available for loan and I for one trust MM to get some and for those players to be the right ones for our club.

Carl wrote an excellent article in the SWE last Saturday in which he talked about each game being our biggest of the season, well on Saturday Blackpool at home IS our biggest game of the season and we as supporters need to be there packing the stadium and getting 100% behind our fantastic manager and this great squad of players.

Last night proved to me the players have not been distracted by the League Cup Final and I truely believe that this group can and will deliver all our dreams.

Yes. As usual you are the voice of reason

Great positive post!!!
True words my friend,

If 80 points is an auto spot then we are well on our way

Gary as usual I love your posts, but I am very worried that we never strengthened and believe this could come back and haunt us. I fear that Birmingham and Reading, plus quite a few other teams will be right up there come May. Also I have always said if we did not strengthen come January, I feel we will start to struggle, I really hope I am wrong.
I did say originally we would end up 10th/12th. I will go for 6th place now and thats where we might end up doing well again and end up back at Wembley. Only my opinion as a City fan.

i was there last night totaly agree with you , imo this is one of the best written threads for some time, well done

Gary as usual I love your posts, but I am very worried that we never strengthened and believe this could come back and haunt us. I fear that Birmingham and Reading, plus quite a few other teams will be right up there come May. Also I have always said if we did not strengthen come January, I feel we will start to struggle, I really hope I am wrong.
I did say originally we would end up 10th/12th. I will go for 6th place now and thats where we might end up doing well again and end up back at Wembley. Only my opinion as a City fan.

Thanks Annis of the two teams you mention Reading are the team I respect most of all because of all the teams in the Championship they have only dropped two points from a winning position this season. We have dropped 18 points from a winning position whilst Birmingham have dropped 15 points from a wining position. Reading are like Southampton once they get their noses in front they are very very resolute and thats what gets you promoted.

Birmingham on the other hand have sold Ridgewell and Bauselour this transfer window and signed no one, imaging how you would feel if we had sold say Whitts and MacNaughton and signed no one.

I'm glad you are coming around to my way of thinking because if you remember I said I thought we would make the playoffs in my halfway review of the season, 5 games on I'm even more convinced that it's the playoffs at least for us.

This time however we are far better placed because of Malkay Mackay who won promotion from the Championship with Norwich, West Ham and Watford, been there, done it bought the tee shirt.

This is our season and bring on anyone in the playoffs Malkay will have the team ready.

Good Post Castleblue, but Southamptons form is not even mediocre!
They have only taken 8 pts from a possible 18 in their last 6 home games.
And taken 7 pts from their last 6 away games. Thats 15 pts from a possible 36 !

We shouldn't be worried about the Saints but the threat is coming from Birmingham

Good Post Castleblue, but Southamptons form is not even mediocre!
They have only taken 8 pts from a possible 18 in their last 6 home games.
And taken 7 pts from their last 6 away games. Thats 15 pts from a possible 36 !

We shouldn't be worried about the Saints but the threat is coming from Birmingham

Birmingham and watch Reading as well, I reckon any of the current top 8/10 could get promoted.

Birmingham is the Dark horse, our position depends on injuries. if we can keep the spine of the time off the injury table (Huds, Turner, Whits, Gunner, Miller) we have an excellent chance of promotion.

One or two decent loan signings would be nice.....

Good Post Castleblue, but Southamptons form is not even mediocre!
They have only taken 8 pts from a possible 18 in their last 6 home games.
And taken 7 pts from their last 6 away games. Thats 15 pts from a possible 36 !

We shouldn't be worried about the Saints but the threat is coming from Birmingham

I agree that Southampton are having a difficult time at the moment but in their first 10 home games they took 30 out of 30 points available. Sadly for them they still have another 4 difficult games to come starting with Birmingham away on Saturday.

Whatever their current form it still is a fact that Southampton have the best home record in the Championship.

Castle blue great post as ever and spot on keep them coming

Good Post Castleblue, but Southamptons form is not even mediocre!
They have only taken 8 pts from a possible 18 in their last 6 home games.
And taken 7 pts from their last 6 away games. Thats 15 pts from a possible 36 !

We shouldn't be worried about the Saints but the threat is coming from Birmingham

Birmingham and watch Reading as well, I reckon any of the current top 8/10 could get promoted.

Yes Annis , actually Reading have taken 24 pts from their last 12 games (6 home + away)
Which is "auto promotion" form . Birmingham and ourselves are closely behind them on 23pts.
You got love this league ...there's no easy games

Great post

Good Post Castleblue, but Southamptons form is not even mediocre!
They have only taken 8 pts from a possible 18 in their last 6 home games.
And taken 7 pts from their last 6 away games. Thats 15 pts from a possible 36 !

We shouldn't be worried about the Saints but the threat is coming from Birmingham

I agree that Southampton are having a difficult time at the moment but in their first 10 home games they took 30 out of 30 points available. Sadly for them they still have another 4 difficult games to come starting with Birmingham away on Saturday.

Whatever their current form it still is a fact that Southampton have the best home record in the Championship.

Yes but if the Saints continue on their present form they will hit around 73 pts and will be lucky to get in the playoffs.

And despite drawing again from a winning position the draw was against the team many consider to be the best footballing side in the division, against the team with the best home record in the division and against the team who have scored the most goals at home in the division. There are a couple of football cliches that come to mind ,any point away from home is a good point ,and if you can't win then don't lose. Well last night we got a great point away from home and despite a strong 2nd half performance by the saints our lads got the point their efforts deserved. And lets not forget that was the 7th game in January and still our lads had the legs and mental strength to dog out a result.

Last night we also hit our first target for the season as 50 points will mean we will at least be in the Championship again next season, to put that in some sort of perspective reaching 50 points after only 28 games is our best performance since our return to the Championship. We are 2 points better than our previous best position at this stage and 20 points better than our worse, all this on the back of reaching the Carling Cup Final for the first time in our history. Best of all we have 10 games at home between now and the end of the season.

This time last season we had lost 8 matches had 48 points and were 5th in the League this season we hae lost only 4 games, hae 50 points and are 3rd in the table and if we can maintain both our home and away form we will pass the 80 point mark and this season that may well be enough for automatic promotion.

We have tried our best to sign players during the window and no one should doubt the support our owners hae given MM, for one reason or another it hasn't happened but it wasn't for the want of trying. The loan window will open in just 7 days and now there will be PL players, albiet fringe players at their clubs, available for loan and I for one trust MM to get some and for those players to be the right ones for our club.

Carl wrote an excellent article in the SWE last Saturday in which he talked about each game being our biggest of the season, well on Saturday Blackpool at home IS our biggest game of the season and we as supporters need to be there packing the stadium and getting 100% behind our fantastic manager and this great squad of players.

Last night proved to me the players have not been distracted by the League Cup Final and I truely believe that this group can and will deliver all our dreams.

Good Post Castleblue, but Southamptons form is not even mediocre!
They have only taken 8 pts from a possible 18 in their last 6 home games.
And taken 7 pts from their last 6 away games. Thats 15 pts from a possible 36 !

We shouldn't be worried about the Saints but the threat is coming from Birmingham

Birmingham and watch Reading as well, I reckon any of the current top 8/10 could get promoted.

I am not as worried as most about Birmingham. Firstly I was not that impressed by them against us recently (very one dimentional). Also they have played an extra 8 games during qualifying and in the group stages of the Europa Cup this will certainly have a huge effect on them come the end of the season. I am confident they will run out of steam. I agree Reading are dangers to us but I think we will surpass any points they achieve. I still think it's between us and West Ham and Southampton and I fancy us to do it simply because of our never say die attitude.

Cheers Gary once again for a great post.