89 Points?

[Southbank Old Boy]

No it doesnt, not in a league as competitive as the Championship at least

A win is a win, and they are all worth 3 points

Being on a run of wins like City are, against ANY sides, is great for their confidence and just being that consitent at closing out games and getting the wins against any team is great for any team

[glass half full]

The thing that makes form important is that its the recent performances and results that gives that team the confidence and momentum for the next game

It doesnt really matter who the wins are against, they have won 5 on the spin and so are now in the habit of winning games and will go into any game feeling they can win it

It DOES matter who the wins are against.

Yes, of course they will be growing in confidence, any win does that
but I think it's called "a reality check" when a side that has been picking
up wins against inferior opposition suddenly has to play a good side

Winning runs are there to be broken.

[Schards#2]

It's not - Reading's only two wins in their last eight games have been against two teams in poor form.

Simple

EXCEPT WE HAVE WON THREE ERRRR..........NO


1 H 1-1 Cardiff City
2 A 1-1 Southampton
3 A 0-2 Cardiff
4 H 4-0 Watford WIN
5 A 0-2 Swansea City
6 H 1-0 Wolves WIN
7 A 0-0 QPR
8 H 0-0 Preston

Played 8

W2 D4 L2

Both wins against sides struggling for form.

[Snowball]

I ignore our cup games, have said so 99 times.

They are Mickey-Mouse

When Coppell treats them seriously, then I will

I have been totally consistent. I am talking our LEAGUE results

[Schards#2]

I ignore our cup games, have said so 99 times.

They are Mickey-Mouse

When Coppell treats them seriously, then I will

I have been totally consistent. I am talking our LEAGUE results

Except when you were using the championship sides results against premiership sides in the cup as evidence that the championship isn't a poor standard.

As you will see if you check, I specifically said last eight games as opposed to last eight league games. Poor attention to detail from a stat fettishist.

[Ian Royal]

Snowball, does your argument that Bristol aren't that good because of who they've beaten in the last 5 invalidate 4 our wins in the 5 game winning streak? Those were against:

Coventry - 14th
Barnsley - 21st
Blackpool - 15th
Norwich - 20th

Oh look an inconsistant argument with flawed statistics from the senile one once again.

[CMRoyal]

I think Bristol C were on a bit of a run last time we beat them, weren't they?

You can only take this analysis to paralysis "side in/out of form" thing so far* - if you don't, you'll end up redicting that Bristol City will win all the rest of their games and Wolves will only just scrape into the playoffs. Form is an undulating curve - City might be on an upward trend right to the end of the season, but they'll still lose matches along the way. It's up to our boys to make sure they are one of the teams to beat them.

*Speaking of which, updated top 6 based on an average of points so far and an extrapolation of last 6 matches:-

1. Cardiff - 86
2. Reading - 85
3. Brum - 84
4. Wolves - 81
5. Bristol C - 80
6. Swansea - 77

[CMRoyal]

I think Bristol C were on a bit of a run last time we beat them, weren't they?

You can only take this analysis to paralysis "side in/out of form" thing so far* - if you don't, you'll end up redicting that Bristol City will win all the rest of their games and Wolves will only just scrape into the playoffs. Form is an undulating curve - City might be on an upward trend right to the end of the season, but they'll still lose matches along the way. It's up to our boys to make sure they are one of the teams to beat them.

*Speaking of which, updated top 6 based on an average of points so far and an extrapolation of last 6 matches:-

1. Cardiff - 86
2. Reading - 85
3. Brum - 84
4. Wolves - 81
5. Bristol C - 80
6. Swansea - 77

PS Stating the obvious a bit, but Cardiff might be in a "false position" due to games in hand. I think their match against Wolves next weekend will really put some heat under both sides' prospects (good or bad) for the rest of the season.

[Snowball]

I ignore our cup games, have said so 99 times.

They are Mickey-Mouse When Coppell treats them seriously, then I will
I have been totally consistent. I am talking our LEAGUE results

Except when you were using the championship sides results against premiership sides in the cup as evidence that the championship isn't a poor standard.
As you will see if you check, I specifically said last eight games as opposed to last eight league games. Poor attention to detail from a stat fettishist.

Nope, wrong again. I ignore READING's cup matches because to me they
are meaningless. If other sides field serious first-11 sides
(and Swansea, Cardiff, Burnley DO)
then their results are meaningful

Except when you were using the championship sides results against premiership sides in the cup as evidence that the championship isn't a poor standard.

No, I was arguing (at the time) that the championship was quality

Then later, when I checked, I found that the number of wins Champ over Prem WASN'T that exceptional


and I said so.


(do keep up)

[Snowball]

Snowball, does your argument that Bristol aren't that good because of who they've beaten in the last 5 invalidate 4 our wins in the 5 game winning streak? Those were against:

Coventry - 14th
Barnsley - 21st
Blackpool - 15th
Norwich - 20th

Oh look an inconsistant argument with flawed statistics from the senile one once again.

Yes it WOULD but you conveniently OMIT an away win at Birmingham and a superb 2-2 at Cardiff
where we played 60 minutes with 10 men

that little run W5 D1 12-4 contains TWO bottom sides, two TOP sides and two mid-table sides

in other words, a totally natural spread of opposition-ability


Bristol's little run contains 1 mid-table side and six BOTTOM sides

in other words 6/7 crap sides

[cmonurz]

Of course using your logic Snowball, City beating these teams has contributed to the opposition being in the position that they are in.

7 wins in 8 matches for City, they are on a terrific run, the division's form team.

You ignore the standard of opposition when it suits you, you ignore cup games when it suits you. Time to grow a pair and put some meat behind your numbers I think.

[Hoop Blah]

Time to grow a pair and put some meat behind your numbers I think.

Stats can only show so much though so he can't put any real meat behind his numbers.

The only thing that counts is the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two teams on the day and how those two teams perform.

Stats might help you gauge what the result/performances/game might have in store, but it can't tell you half as much as people make out or the sport wouldn't be as interesting as it is.

[Skyline]

Interesting that according to Snowball when comparing teams and the runs they are on it is important to go beyond the bare statistics and look at the quality of the opposition, but when stating that Shane Long is a good football player the only thing that matters are the raw stats of goals scored per game, and we should ignore the fact he traps a ball further than most of us can kick it, or any other of the faults in his game.

[Sun Tzu]

7 wins in 8 matches for City, they are on a terrific run, the division's form team.

.

Is 'form team' the most devalued footballing cliche of the season ?

In recent days I've seen Swansea, Cardiff, Preston, Forest, Burnley, QPR and now Bristol described as being the 'form' team. In the case of some of those their form is pretty ordinary yet still the phrase gets trotted out.

[RobRoyal]

No, I was arguing (at the time) that the championship was quality

Then later, when I checked, I found that the number of wins Champ over Prem WASN'T that exceptional

Awesome, so you admit your argument was fatally flawed on that one then?

Surely only a matter of time before you admit the same about all the rest...

[CMRoyal]

7 wins in 8 matches for City, they are on a terrific run, the division's form team.

.

Is 'form team' the most devalued footballing cliche of the season ?

In recent days I've seen Swansea, Cardiff, Preston, Forest, Burnley, QPR and now Bristol described as being the 'form' team. In the case of some of those their form is pretty ordinary yet still the phrase gets trotted out.

Can't believe you missed Doncaster. Fact is, quite a few teams have been going on mini-runs all season - up then down - which is why Bristol City can win five on the trot and still not be in the playoff positions, and Wolves can lose three out of their last 6 and still be top. These undulating form-lines are set to continue, but the underlying trends are more fascinating, with the top 3 stalling to varying degrees and the next half dozen gaining momentum. Still a long, long way to go yet, and to paraprase the bald old coot Brian Mooro, it's up for grabs now for anyone who can go on an extended winning run. Easier said than done in an evenly contested division. All makes for an exciting scenario - come on, this is what football's all about, isn't it?

[loyalroyal4life]

said from the beginning wolves would buckle!! if we cant take advantage then we dont deserve to be promoted

[Snowball]

No, I was arguing (at the time) that the championship was quality

Then later, when I checked, I found that the number of wins Champ over Prem WASN'T that exceptional

Awesome, so you admit your argument was fatally flawed on that one then?

Unlike 80% of the numpties on here, I actually am able to change my mind when evidence presents itself.

And when i argue, I use my eyeballs but ALSO stats. The other way of arguing here is called "Nah, Nah, Nah, No it isn't!"

HOWEVER, I was comparing wins/draws this season SO FAR with wins/draws in the TOTAL season for other seasons


Since then we've had Coventry unlucky not to win at Blackburn, Sheffield drawing with Hull, Swansea drawing with Fulham
and cardiff still to play at The Emirates so this season is starting to look like a very hoy one for Championsip sides

[cmonurz]

Interesting that according to Snowball when comparing teams and the runs they are on it is important to go beyond the bare statistics and look at the quality of the opposition, but when stating that Shane Long is a good football player the only thing that matters are the raw stats of goals scored per game, and we should ignore the fact he traps a ball further than most of us can kick it, or any other of the faults in his game.

This is the best post on this thread. How surprised am I that Snowball ignored it?

[PlasticRoyale]

I can't make my mind up whether Snowball is for real or a WUM with his amateur statistics