one game per three days

[mdd2]

If we beat Ipswich we will have to play 9 matches from Feb 4th to March 4th as the 5th round is scheduled for Wednesday March 1st. That is a hard schedule for us.

[andyh]

If only we had a big squad of great players

[mdd2]

If only we had a big squad of great players

Agree Andy but it is still a tough task

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

I think we're in a position where we can almost put out two very good stating 11s
With the expectation of defensive midfielder.

This is not something I think I've ever felt before

[mdd2]

I think it was 12 games in 31 days in 1962, with an excellent second 11 in those days, that snuffed out our second First Division title in 3 years and maybe a Cup Final win-granted no subs in those days

[andyh]

Not much in terms of rotation or sports science in those days. Maybe it is failures like ours that ultimately meant it is approached differently these days.

[evensteadiereddie]

If we beat Ipswich we will have to play 9 matches from Feb 4th to March 4th as the 5th round is scheduled for Wednesday March 1st. That is a hard schedule for us.

And, by the end of that run of games, we will know precisely how many wins we'll need to win promotion.

[fatboy47]

If only we had a bit of a cushion at the top.

[jrgbfc]

I'm sure we'll cope. I don't think there's any reason to panic with a 17 point cushion to 3rd place.

[RVclaret]

I'm sure we'll cope. I don't think there's any reason to panic with a 17 point cushion to 3rd place.

* with a game in hand

[Croydon Claret]

At this stage of proceedings the focus should be on the title, not winning promotion.

3 games in 7 doesn't help when trying to out compete Sheffield United

[Buxtonclaret]

We've Norwich, Watford, Luton & Millwall coming up. All sides interested in getting promotion.
Looking forward to next months games.

[evensteadiereddie]

At this stage of proceedings the focus should be on the title, not winning promotion.

3 games in 7 doesn't help when trying to out compete Sheffield United

We continue getting the results we have or as near as possible and gain promotion.
The title should follow but promotion must be the absolute priority.

[Big Vinny K]

We are in a much better position to cope with a heavy schedule than Sheff Utd - or any other team in the division.
Sheff U still to play in cup so might have a replay themselves.

[ClaretTony]

I think it was 12 games in 31 days in 1962, with an excellent second 11 in those days, that snuffed out our second First Division title in 3 years and maybe a Cup Final win-granted no subs in those days

The second 11 were never used back then unless it was absolutely necessary. It was virtually the same eleven players game after game.

[Croydon Claret]

We continue getting the results we have or as near as possible and gain promotion.
The title should follow but promotion must be the absolute priority.

Using that logic we are still not certain of avoiding relegation

[Goody1975]

The bigger issue with playing midweek games us not having the time on the training ground with the new signings, Cork is back from suspension after the Norwich game and every week sees another step towards, Gudmundsson, Benson and Harwood-Bellis returning.

[dsr]

If we beat Ipswich we will have to play 9 matches from Feb 4th to March 4th as the 5th round is scheduled for Wednesday March 1st. That is a hard schedule for us.

So from today to 10th March we might have to play 9 matches, in 41 days? How can they possibly cope. You sound rather like those people that say playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday is playing three games every week. It really isn't.

We might have to play 4 midweek games in a row. There's no need to dress it up with bogus stats (because even 9 in 29 days doesn't come to one game every 3 days, even after you've cooked the start and finish times). Four consecutinve midweek games, the same as a lot of top level clubs play.

[tiger76]

We'll be fine stop worrying, plenty of players available to rotate now also.

[NRC]

I think our form is going to revert into how it was for the first 10 games of the season - just a sense I have from the last two games. here’s obviously no science behind that, and I hope we don’t - it’s just a feeling I’ve got. Mind you, when I get a feeling about a stock and buy it, the thing goes into reverse, so I should probably stop typing now

[evensteadiereddie]

Using that logic we are still not certain of avoiding relegation

And it's true, we're not.
Keep an eye on the Magic Numbers thread...

[mdd2]

The second 11 were never used back then unless it was absolutely necessary. It was virtually the same eleven players game after game.

And some would say that was Potts undoing in so far as he should have used some of the second eleven
They had shown their metal in the 60-61 season albeit one 4-4 draw with Chelsea

[Big Vinny K]

You sound rather like those people that say playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday is playing three games every week. It really isn't.

Tbf it’s not far off - it’s 3 games in 1.14 weeks.

[ClaretTony]

And some would say that was Potts undoing in so far as he should have used some of the second eleven
They had shown their metal in the 60-61 season albeit one 4-4 draw with Chelsea

No teams did though at that time. You rarely saw team changes.

[mdd2]

No teams did though at that time. You rarely saw team changes.

And when we did and got a great result against Chelsea-we got a hefty fine.

[Royboyclaret]

No teams did though at that time. You rarely saw team changes.

Have a hazy memory of the last league game that season, on the Monday of Wembley week, of Potts starting all of Talbut, Joyce, Meredith, Simpson and Lochhead from the Reserves. We lost 0-4.

[Targetman]

Tbf it’s not far off - it’s 3 games in 1.14 weeks.

So you would include that 2nd Saturday in the following week's fixtures as well?

[chekhov]

Tbf it’s not far off - it’s 3 games in 1.14 weeks.

Aye, and by that logic the following week has 1 match in 6/7th of a week!

[Vegas Claret]

Our manager spent the vast majority of his career doing that type of schedule, there's a good reason for maxing out the squad - he's not daft, we'll be fine

[Big Vinny K]

So you would include that 2nd Saturday in the following week's fixtures as well?

Over complicating it !!
As long as we continue to have midweek and weekend fixtures it’s going to be 3 games every 1.14 weeks.
Or in the way normal people speak “about 3 games a week”

But strictly by the definition of a week the only times it will be 3 games a week is if we play Saturday, Tuesday and Friday (and even then based on kick off times it’s just over a week……unless it’s Easter Friday and we ko at 3pm !!!!)

But yet it’s 2 games a week in consecutive weeks

Hope that’s cleared everything up !!!

[Big Vinny K]

Aye, and by that logic the following week has 1 match in 6/7th of a week!

That’s correct !

[Targetman]

Over complicating it !!
As long as we continue to have midweek and weekend fixtures it’s going to be 3 games every 1.14 weeks.
Or in the way normal people speak “about 3 games a week”

But strictly by the definition of a week the only times it will be 3 games a week is if we play Saturday, Tuesday and Friday (and even then based on kick off times it’s just over a week……unless it’s Easter Friday and we ko at 3pm !!!!)

But yet it’s 2 games a week in consecutive weeks

Hope that’s cleared everything up !!!

I understand what you are saying however playing Saturday and Tuesday is only 2 games a week, you can't include the following Saturday because that pairs up with Tuesday in the following week.

Its been stated higher up the thread that despite what some people think Saturday - Tuesday - Saturday is not 3 games a week.

Yes we will be playing Saturday and midweek for quite a few weeks especially if we progress in the FA Cup, 2 games a week!

[Big Vinny K]

I understand what you are saying however playing Saturday and Tuesday is only 2 games a week, you can't include the following Saturday because that pairs up with Tuesday in the following week.

Its been stated higher up the thread that despite what some people think Saturday - Tuesday - Saturday is not 3 games a week.

Yes we will be playing Saturday and midweek for quite a few weeks especially if we progress in the FA Cup, 2 games a week!

I know that

It’s the equivalent of a mathematical illusion though !!

Think about it as Burnley only have a 3 game season.
We play Saturday, then the following Tuesday and then the following Saturday.
Have we not just played 3 games in 8 days / 1.14 weeks ?…..ie 3 games in just over a week !!

[Targetman]

I know that

It’s the equivalent of a mathematical illusion though !!

Think about it as Burnley only have a 3 game season.
We play Saturday, then the following Tuesday and then the following Saturday.
Have we not just played 3 games in 8 days / 1.14 weeks ?…..ie 3 games in just over a week !!

Of course we have, 3 games in 1.14 weeks, that is correct.
However if we have 8 games to play in 4 weeks, similar to what was mentioned earlier, saying that we have to play 3 times a week is not quite correct in anyones maths.

It's not an illusion in my humble opinion, its just people making false assumptions.

[IanMcL]

I understand what you are saying however playing Saturday and Tuesday is only 2 games a week, you can't include the following Saturday because that pairs up with Tuesday in the following week.

Its been stated higher up the thread that despite what some people think Saturday - Tuesday - Saturday is not 3 games a week.

Yes we will be playing Saturday and midweek for quite a few weeks especially if we progress in the FA Cup, 2 games a week!

Agree!
There is only one Saturday in each week.

[Big Vinny K]

Agree!
There is only one Saturday in each week.

There certainly is.
But 2 Saturdays in 1.14 weeks !!

[Jimmymaccer]

We've Norwich, Watford, Luton & Millwall coming up. All sides interested in getting promotion.
Looking forward to next months games.

A really tough run BC but come through those relatively unscathed - I’d throw in the North End as another one which will test the nerves!

Sheff Utd have an equally tough run tho……

Exciting times!

[Bordeauxclaret]

If we beat Ipswich is it just two midweeks off before we are due to play Rovers?

Brilliant as fans. Bring it on.

[mdd2]

Rovers game is mid-March I think

[dibraidio]

For the moment we've got one extra Tuesday night game where we may well make 5 or 6 changes. The players will have enough time to recover by the following Saturday. Thing is playing Saturday Tuesday is the way that the championship works and the playing field is level because nobody has time to recover. We even have an advantage over the others in that we've got a decent squad and can rest and rotate. Enjoy it, if we get promoted we'll be back to once a week and far fewer Tuesday nights under the floodlights.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Rovers game is mid-March I think

Sorry I mean just two mid week breaks before that fixture, if it’s on.

[ClaretTony]

Have a hazy memory of the last league game that season, on the Monday of Wembley week, of Potts starting all of Talbut, Joyce, Meredith, Simpson and Lochhead from the Reserves. We lost 0-4.

Only because the league title was lost by then and we were days from Wembley.

[SouthLondonexile]

We have shown resilience to come back and won from losing positions.
From what I have seen we are the fittest team in the Championship.
Having made some recent additions to the squad we now have more than enough cover for sickness and injuries.
We have yet to see the best of Twine and my dark horse - Churlinov.
We also have the talisman Ashley Barnes .
So one game every three days is something we can manage comfortably.

[Buxtonclaret]

A really tough run BC but come through those relatively unscathed - I’d throw in the North End as another one which will test the nerves!

Sheff Utd have an equally tough run tho……

Exciting times!

Really am actually looking forward to 'tougher games/runs' these days, after those feelings being pretty much absent for a long time.
Your right about Preston too.

[Roosterbooster]

Lot of games to play, but we essentially have 2 people for every position, so I'm not too worried

[mdd2]

Preston are an interesting team this season as they are pretty bobbins at home but have one of the best away records in the league