Tweet
Now I understand most aren't concerned with talk of relegation but it wasn't that long ago that we were facing exactly that. After 25 games last season we were 11th and just about to start our 5 game losing streak and a long way off top spot. It took 41 matches last season to accumulate the same number of points as we have done this season. I know we all want success and we all would love to gain promotion but I believe it's important to remember how far we've come.
Anyway, what's this got to do with The Owls? Well last season they were relegated with 47 points and we've already achieved that this season. Again I understand most will say big deal but for those who were at Selhurst Park last April I hope they'll realise just how much things have changed. Before that match you, me and everyone else believed we were doomed.
So how are we emulating Birmingham? Now I've not looked through the history of every team who has ever played in this division but the Birmingham side of a couple of seasons ago remind me of our current situation. Not losing many, not conceding a lot and struggled in front of goal. Although actually we aren't - with 21 matches to go we only need another 10 goals to score as many as they did for the whole season. Yep that's right they scored just 54 in 46 matches and actually were only the 12th highest scorers in the division but they lost just 9 all year and conceded just 37.
After 24 matches they too had 47 points the only difference is they won their 25th game and we drew ours. Similar points at the same stage but they had scored 10 fewer and had conceded 6 goals more. Wolves were above them and finished above them but in terms of what they had and what the other teams around them had it is quite a similar season to the way this one is going. Instead of in other years two teams beating everyone and the overall points total being exceptionally high we have a situation where everyone is beating everyone and the points needed to finish in the top two will be lower than when Fulham and Reading ran away with the titles which disorts the averages in my signature. Birmingham finished with 83 points or 33 from their remaining 21 games. 7th in terms of form over those matches and just 20 goals scored but just 14 conceded. Once again SAF's saying that defenders win titles is very true (they didn't win the title but you get the jist).
Hopefully the above will put some minds at rest about goal scoring - even Wolves struggled in the back end of that season (9th in form) but managed to go up. We've come a long way in a short space of time and although their isn't an immediate sign of reinforcements we don't IMO need 90+ points to go up. Of course the title would be nice but finishing above 3rd should be all that matters. Of the 21 games more than half (12) are against teams currently in the bottom half and just 5 against teams in the top half away from home. This is our time we've beaten Wednesday and if we can match Brum then come May we will all be smiling.
Anyway, what's this got to do with The Owls? Well last season they were relegated with 47 points and we've already achieved that this season. Again I understand most will say big deal but for those who were at Selhurst Park last April I hope they'll realise just how much things have changed. Before that match you, me and everyone else believed we were doomed.
So how are we emulating Birmingham? Now I've not looked through the history of every team who has ever played in this division but the Birmingham side of a couple of seasons ago remind me of our current situation. Not losing many, not conceding a lot and struggled in front of goal. Although actually we aren't - with 21 matches to go we only need another 10 goals to score as many as they did for the whole season. Yep that's right they scored just 54 in 46 matches and actually were only the 12th highest scorers in the division but they lost just 9 all year and conceded just 37.
After 24 matches they too had 47 points the only difference is they won their 25th game and we drew ours. Similar points at the same stage but they had scored 10 fewer and had conceded 6 goals more. Wolves were above them and finished above them but in terms of what they had and what the other teams around them had it is quite a similar season to the way this one is going. Instead of in other years two teams beating everyone and the overall points total being exceptionally high we have a situation where everyone is beating everyone and the points needed to finish in the top two will be lower than when Fulham and Reading ran away with the titles which disorts the averages in my signature. Birmingham finished with 83 points or 33 from their remaining 21 games. 7th in terms of form over those matches and just 20 goals scored but just 14 conceded. Once again SAF's saying that defenders win titles is very true (they didn't win the title but you get the jist).
Hopefully the above will put some minds at rest about goal scoring - even Wolves struggled in the back end of that season (9th in form) but managed to go up. We've come a long way in a short space of time and although their isn't an immediate sign of reinforcements we don't IMO need 90+ points to go up. Of course the title would be nice but finishing above 3rd should be all that matters. Of the 21 games more than half (12) are against teams currently in the bottom half and just 5 against teams in the top half away from home. This is our time we've beaten Wednesday and if we can match Brum then come May we will all be smiling.
Seriously. Good post.
Comment