Goal difference may be the difference for us this Season

[RalphCoatesComb]

With the likes of Norwich (-26), Newcastle (-23) and Leeds (-18) shipping goals for fun, our tight defence should be worth a point to us at the end of the Season.

Although we have lost out on playing three games since the end of November, I'm feeling much more positive about our chances of staying up.

[KRBFC]

at this rate, games in hand could be crucial, ups our points per game.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Yes - our games not played have been good, because everyone around us has lost badly and it gives us the chance to give it a go whenever we can play again with (hopefully) a full squad and maybe even some January additions.

[taio]

at this rate, games in hand could be crucial, ups our points per game.

Yes the position is improving without us even playing.

[gtclaret]

We have got to win games, games in hand and goal difference is all well and good, but will mean nothing unless we start winning

[Milltown1882]

We have to actually win games of football for our goal difference to see any benefit. We’re proving to be not very good at that in 2021.

[Bosscat]

We have to actually win games of football for our goal difference to see any benefit. We’re proving to be not very good at that in 2021.

Well we can only hope 2022 will be an improvement then

[KRBFC]

Yes the position is improving without us even playing.

I welcome these games being called off, give us time to recruit a few in January. Hopefully Newcastle keep playing (and losing).

[Johma]

If we get 1 point per game over the season will 38 keep us up?

[Spijed]

If we get 1 point per game over the season will 38 keep us up?

Yes, with a few points to spare.

[Tribesmen]

Winning is everything

[boatshed bill]

I welcome these games being called off, give us time to recruit a few in January. Hopefully Newcastle keep playing (and losing).

you are right, if we recruit.

[Johma]

you are right, if we recruit.

They will recruit better than us though
Already hearing Trippier is a done deal

[boatshed bill]

They will recruit better than us though
Already hearing Trippier is a done deal

They need to, they are crap.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Already hearing Trippier is a done deal

Good. It'll be great to see him in Claret & Blue again

[jdrobbo]

I think one key point that is being missed here, that could prove very beneficial, if played correctly, is the fact that we have the opportunity to play three or four games on the other side of Christmas, that we should have already played, with potential new additions to the squad.

I think this year, more than any, despite the January window being terribly difficult to bring in good additions at a fair price, it’s an important year for us strengthening further. If we are not right, then those games in hand could prove very useful indeed, especially if played towards the end of the season, when some teams are already on the proverbial beach.

[KRBFC]

I think one key point that is being missed here, that could prove very beneficial, if played correctly, is the fact that we have the opportunity to play three or four games on the other side of Christmas, that we should have already played, with potential new additions to the squad.

I think this year, more than any, despite the January window being terribly difficult to bring in good additions at a fair price, it’s an important year for us strengthening further. If we are not right, then those games in hand could prove very useful indeed, especially if played towards the end of the season, when some teams are already on the proverbial beach.

I also think some of our players could do with a rest/reset, Wood being the main one.

[jurek]

Goal difference may well be the difference but only IF we manage to
win a few more games. Probably at least 7 more wins which is as much as we've
managed in the whole of 2021.
So one in three wins is what we will probably need.
That's a fairly tall order but not unachievable.

[elwaclaret]

Trips may well be looking at any offer from Newcastle in a very different light by Christmas. I hoped that Howe would lack the toughness to get the best out of a losing side, for the most part I’ve seen nothing to suggest that hope was ill-founded.

Think it’s is nailed on we will be looking to recruit in January this year, not that anyone is panicking, but I expect they will want to start preparing for the next few years and bedding in some new faces.

[KRBFC]

with the way we were playing, I was 2/10 on our survival chances. After these games postponed, I think our chances improve quite dramatically.

[Vegas Claret]

we need to start scoring, i'm hoping this little break has given them all a chance to work on things

[tiger76]

Yes - our games not played have been good, because everyone around us has lost badly and it gives us the chance to give it a go whenever we can play again with (hopefully) a full squad and maybe even some January additions.

The 3 cancellations when we'd have been without Cornet can't do us any harm, and although SD and the players will no doubt say they don't keep an eye on other teams results, it must give them a boost when our relegation rivals fail to register points.

[RalphCoatesComb]

It must give them a boost when our relegation rivals fail to register points.

Let's hope we can take points from our games in hand and keep our goal difference well ahead of our rivals

[Lowbankclaret]

I love the positive vibes.
Not wanting to bust them bubbles, but will end up playing 6 games in 14 days.
Not exactly ideal when other teams don’t have too.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Not wanting to bust them bubbles, but will end up playing 6 games in 14 days

Is this how we came 2nd to Ipswich in 1962? Genuine question as I was too young.

[NewClaret]

The one major positive of this season is that we are not looking like getting turned over by anyone, which does give me hope.

[Lowbankclaret]

Is this how we came 2nd to Ipswich in 1962? Genuine question as I was too young.

I guess you know, I wasn’t born.

[Spijed]

Not wanting to bust them bubbles, but will end up playing 6 games in 14 days.

how do you know that?

[Lowbankclaret]

how do you know that?

So you think the PL will spread them out for our benefit, think not!!

[Spijed]

So you think the PL will spread them out for our benefit, think not!!

But Watford, Villa & Spurs would all have to agree to have the games played around the same time which there is no guarantee of that.

[Lowbankclaret]

But Watford, Villa & Spurs would all have to agree to have the games played around the same time which there is no guarantee of that.

Let’s see how it pans out, I will remind you if it pans out as I suggest.

[warksclaret]

Think Eddie is finding it tougher than he thought at Newcastle. He seems to be tinkering with a lot of players, which can create unrest. This could be further aggravated by bringing in a number of new faces in January (if they can get them). He could do with a better No 2 than Tindall. Still bugs me they beat us. They are however soon to embark on a set of relatively easier fixtures

[Lowbankclaret]

But Watford, Villa & Spurs would all have to agree to have the games played around the same time which there is no guarantee of that.

Bear in mind all Boxing Day fixtures are likely to be cancelled as well, then it will all have to be crammed in for the WC.

[Spijed]

Let’s see how it pans out, I will remind you if it pans out as I suggest.

You won't need to as I'll see the fixtures as they are announced.

[Bullabill]

Think it’s is nailed on we will be looking to recruit in January this year, .....

It's a bit late for that

[elwaclaret]

It's a bit late for that

Hardy bloody har…

[ShakyLee]

Is this how we came 2nd to Ipswich in 1962? Genuine question as I was too young.

We played 10 league games in April ‘62 + an FA cup semi final replay, winning just one of the league fixtures.

[RalphCoatesComb]

We played 10 league games in April ‘62 + an FA cup semi final replay, winning just one of the league fixtures.

I kinda remember that it was a tough run-in, not from being there but from what I've read since. No wonder we ended up 2nd in both competitions

[tiger76]

Bumping this in light of Norwich's 5 goal mauling this afternoon.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Bumping this in light of Norwich's 5 goal mauling this afternoon.

Norwich look down already. Their point at t'Turf was a farce with Krul trying to take Vydra's head off

[Spijed]

Our form is holding up well and had it not been for our poor start we'd be in a much better place.

Over recent matches it's still OK.

[Spijed]

And it's worth noting that as we've suddenly tightened up the defence our goal difference has improved by a considerable margin. Leeds have shipped 14 goals in the same period that we've shipped one, for example.

Basically, keep clean sheets and everything else will most likely look after itself.