NickG

didn't read all of that as so long! But obviously spent time on it so will believe you!

didn't convince me that we should write it off! Bit lacking in details!

Facts to help having realistic view; Form over October / November / December / January (period chosen as after team got settled, signings came in, Pardew had backroom staff - and deliberately as when form improved) Played 16 Won 10 Drawn 3 Lost 3 points 33 21 games left. This form, repeated, would give us just over 43 points and a total of 72 points looking back over last 10 years that total would put us on previous years either in play offs or very close. We will continue this form? Who knows, could easily drop, particularly if Lambert/Lallana get injured or lose the form they had in this period. Can we match it or improve on it? Again who knows with Fonte, new RB and maybe even bigger signings in the window an improvement is certainly feasible. The facts show we are likely to be within reach of play offs. Would be interested in any fairly reasoned argument to show it is totally unrealistic to consider it!

Form over October / November / December / January (period chosen as after team got settled, signings came in, Pardew had backroom staff - and deliberately as when form improved) Played 16 Won 10 Drawn 3 Lost 3 points 33 21 games left. This form, repeated, would give us just over 43 points and a total of 72 points looking back over last 10 years that total would put us on previous years either in play offs or very close. We will continue this form? Who knows, could easily drop, particularly if Lambert/Lallana get injured or lose the form they had in this period. Can we match it or improve on it? Again who knows with Fonte, new RB and maybe even bigger signings in the window an improvement is certainly feasible. The facts show we are likely to be within reach of play offs. Would be interested in any fairly reasoned argument to show it is totally unrealistic to consider it!

put the figures on the "16 wins out of 21 thread" but basically we have 21 games left, if we get the same return over next 21 games as we did the last (why should it be any worse?) we would finish with 66 points, probably about 9th and about 6 to 10 points off 6th. The first 21 games started with 3 draws, but also included a really good run. If we repeat that run we had of something like 12 wins in 15 games we will be getting close. Very realistic that we could. A lot to do, and that can go wrong, before we could say it is realistic that it will happen

those last 21 games started with 3 draws - 3 wins and we are well ahead of the stat! Who knows!

21 games to go, last 21 games; Won 10 Drawn 7 Lost 4 points 37 If we match that we would give us a total of 66 points. That would have been about 9th for last couple of seasons. most of the draws in the early part of those 21 games.

Fonte was reported as a lot less than £1m on some sites for initial fee.

Claus started off very well, but always felt he needed a leader (Richards/Svensson) type to perform, think Svensson would have looked good whoever he partnered.

think the unlucky to drop was referring to fact that there were seconds to go, and we were winning

what is it?

but Svensson was better;)

zaki to hull (rivals for relegation!) wasn't he quoted on here as being one of their saviours?

7-1 to go up;) still far far from impossible

they have spoken about 5 year plan to prem - so how that 5 years is spent is open to interpretation

Not sure Pardew has said that, he only said target was to over come -10, then out of relegation zone, and think latest was to be within 9 points of play offs by the end of January.

one job of the manager is to choose and recruit staff - including his asst.

good link -will be interested to see that in about 4 -5 games.

not unlikely assessment

all a bit random - WGS has killed form at M'borough!

next four results (not performances!) will tell a lot!

the last 6 months with WGS we got worse. Lallana looks much better than under the previous 3 managers. Schneiderlin has changed his game and improved. Lambert says he has hugely improved his fitness and game under Pardew.

can't remember seeing him play but seems well thought of. Player of season in CCC side last year. Vastly? Not sure of that.

is that the echo/solent reports or something since? is he a quick player?

so, in summary, how likely they think, as of today, we will either go up automatically or win play offs - a fair chance