Our strength in depth will win the Championship

[Dark Cloud]

I still think we'll miss out and probably finish third. We're relying on the top 2 having at least a couple of slip ups and also on us basically having none. The series of goaless draws, especially the home ones, are going to be crucial I feel. The odd one is ok, but we've had too many against poor teams and with only 15 games left and us playing catch up, it probably isn't enough for us to undo that damage. However, IF we can still be in this position when Sheffield U come to town, then that match COULD suddenly put us in the driving seat with the finishing line in sight, but it's a fair way off yet.

[Spijed]

I think second is much more realistic. We've got the squad to get over 90 points and if we do there's every chance that one of the top two drop more points than you'd expect, I just don't see both of them doing so, or us going on a long winning run.

Last season Leeds had 86 points after 40 matches and looked a sure bet to get automatically promoted, but for some reason they collapsed and only got 4 points from their last 6 matches and eventualy missed out on promotion.

Under Farke, teams generally do well in the Championship - Norwich getting 97 points.

Why did Leeds totally capitulate at the end of last season?

Was it injuries or just the pressure?

[bfcmik]

If we match Sheff Utd in every game other than the match-up between us and beat them in that we get promoted. Of course that's assuming both of us continue to do at least as well as Sunderland. It would be nice to be Champions again, but the prize is promotion.

[Georgiaclaret]

Going to be royal on here Wednesday night after another 0-0!!

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Going to be royal on here Wednesday night after another 0-0!!

That’s the spirit

[jojomk1]

If we match Sheff Utd in every game other than the match-up between us and beat them in that we get promoted. Of course that's assuming both of us continue to do at least as well as Sunderland. It would be nice to be Champions again, but the prize is promotion.

As others have said, the draws are making it very hard to gain automatic promotion
Just in the last six games we have dropped 6 points, Sheff Utd 3 and Leeds 4

[Bosscat]

As others have said, the draws are making it very hard to gain automatic promotion
Just in the last six games we have dropped 6 points, Sheff Utd 3 and Leeds 4

Yet we are still 3rd ... and improving with players coming back ... yes it will be a tough ask but I think we have the strength in depth to get it over the line.

[Clive 1960]

We have got strength in depth bar strikers which is why i said someone like Armstrong on loan at WBA would in my view guaranteed promotion on the basis of his goal scoring record in the Championship, just hope we don't regret not getting a decent striker...

[JR1882]

We have got strength in depth bar strikers which is why i said someone like Armstrong on loan at WBA would in my view guaranteed promotion on the basis of his goal scoring record in the Championship, just hope we don't regret not getting a decent striker...

I’d tend to agree - this is why “Parkerball” has got results before as he had Mitrovic & Solanke bagging every week. Any sniff of a 20 goal striker and we win this league at a canter.

[ClaretOfMancunia]

Is it lack of strikers, or lack of chances created? Maybe someone with the stats can tell us how much we're creating compared to other teams...

[dibraidio]

According to WhoScored we are 12th on goals scored. 10th on shots per game. 20th on xg. 22 on xg per shot.
So you'd think that means that we don't create many decent chances and we've pretty good at putting them away. We have quite a high percentage of shots from distance and the lowest % of shots from within the 6 yard box in the division.

[jojomk1]

According to WhoScored we are 12th on goals scored. 10th on shots per game. 20th on xg. 22 on xg per shot.
So you'd think that means that we don't create many decent chances and we've pretty good at putting them away. We have quite a high percentage of shots from distance and the lowest % of shots from within the 6 yard box in the division.

Maybe a good summary of our performances re lack of goals
A lone striker (who is really a No 10) getting little support through the middle
Wide men who rarely go past their markers to pull the ball back into the area - Anthony and Foster
Too slow in general build up play allows opposition to set up tightly in front of us before we get over the halfway line
Hopefully the new signings plus the likes of Benson and Redmond coming back can improve some of these areas but we must speed up the general play from back to front

[Goliath]

Maybe a good summary of our performances re lack of goals
A lone striker (who is really a No 10) getting little support through the middle
Wide men who rarely go past their markers to pull the ball back into the area - Anthony and Foster
Too slow in general build up play allows opposition to set up tightly in front of us before we get over the halfway line
Hopefully the new signings plus the likes of Benson and Redmond coming back can improve some of these areas but we must speed up the general play from back to front

More like widemen who haven't been getting into the positions to score goals. Sarmiento, Anthony and Koleosho in particular.

That's changed a bit with Foster and hopefully Edwards/Benson as well

[CoolClaret]

Pretty crazy to read some of the opinions on Jaidon Anthony.

I'd hate to think where we'd be if he hadn't have been fit and available for selection all year.

Look at the number of touches he makes a game - he is quite literally always available for a pass, always in space, never goes hiding and keeps the ball moving.

Compare his number of touches vs anyone else who has played in the attacking positions for us this year, and you will be shocked.

All signs of a good player with high footballing IQ.

[billyhamilton82]

Anthony is very underrated and definitely unappreciated by some of our fan base, especially on here.

[rexe78202]

Pretty crazy to read some of the opinions on Jaidon Anthony.

I'd hate to think where we'd be if he hadn't have been fit and available for selection all year.

Look at the number of touches he makes a game - he is quite literally always available for a pass, always in space, never goes hiding and keeps the ball moving.

Compare his number of touches vs anyone else who has played in the attacking positions for us this year, and you will be shocked.

All signs of a good player with high footballing IQ.

I think he's got better as the season has progressed.

[CoolClaret]

Anthony is very underrated and definitely unappreciated by some of our fan base, especially on here.

Good litmus test really, I'd like to see the correlation betwenn those that don't rate Anthony and those that thought Chris Wood was crap... I'd imagine it's pretty strong.