Where do we expect us to finish?

[blue nige]

If the board and Wood have already got targets for the transfer window, I expect us to finish if not in, very close to the play-offs. If they haven't got targets, bottom 6

Paul Hornby said we were sorting stuff for the next two windows. Let’s see how that turns out.

This January one is make or break, we really have to get it right but easier said than done!

[Rushy]

29 games to go and 46 points might see us stay up so we need an average of 1.2 points per game to survive.
Current form would suggest that is not achievable.

[April1972]

Although current form is very worrying I just don’t see us going down. Bottom half finish around 15th for me which would certainly not constitute progress since parting ways with Wild.
We have turned back into that team that we were in our first 2 years back - not playing bad football, but a team that turns 3 points into 1 and 1 point into nothing. Which is a recipe for a struggle.

[Hadrian]

Current form has not been all season to date.

There is no reason to assume current form will remain for the remainder of the season.

I would be disappointed to see us in the play-offs. Top three must be the target.

[Rushy]

I like your optimism. Let's hope it turns into reality.

[Wintergreen]

Current form has not been all season to date.

There is no reason to assume current form will remain for the remainder of the season.

I would be disappointed to see us in the play-offs. Top three must be the target.

I'll have what he's having - cheers!

[Bingo]

29 games to go and 46 points might see us stay up so we need an average of 1.2 points per game to survive.
Current form would suggest that is not achievable.

Guess maths not your strong point to get to 46 points this season we need 24 more points from 29 games.

[spirit of 1990]

Half a new team, new manager & new style of play….if we end up above 12th I’ll see that as a solid season.

Even though we just missed out last season, I’m hoping the football will be more enjoyable to watch.

I’ll stick to what I said in the summer.

It’s hard to see where a win will come from at the moment….but it will, & when it does arrive there’s nothing to say that we won’t kick on from there.

Still be happy with 12th.

[Suffolk Blue]

29 games to go and 46 points might see us stay up so we need an average of 1.2 points per game to survive.
Current form would suggest that is not achievable.

Don't think your arithmetic is correct. If we have 29 games to go and 46 points to get that would mean that we need another 24 points. That would require an average ppg of 0.83. Thats quite a bit less than a point per game. And frankly if that is really not achievable then dont bother turning up because we deserve to go down. If we were to average just a single point from the remaining 29 games, that would give us 51 points and you wont get relegated on that. Conversely the bottom three Morecambe, Carlisle and Swindon would need an additional 33 points from their 29 games or 1.14 ppg and for at least two of them would have to pull back a decent goal advantage. So probably 1.2 ppg. Easily doable. But what about Swindon's wretched performances makes anyone think they can currently put together a decent run? Morecambe are usually first on the scoresheet when they play but still lose most of their matches (except when they play us of course). Carlisle I expect to pull away but who knows. Both Colchester and Harrogate got those all important (if occasional) wins at the weekend so may seem to have pulled away from trouble but haven't really The performances of Gillingham and Newport and Tranmere and Accrington and Salford are up and down like a yo-yo and on average mediocre.

What this does show you is that the difference between the decent and the indecent in this League this season is marginal (at the moment). This means that wins make situations look much better than usual and losses much worse. But it also suggests that whilst margins remain tight a target of 46 points might actually be on the high side. Chances are that the bottom third could end the season in a clump with a few points difference.

I do feel quite a bit of self-pity and not a little frustration as a BAFC supporter with this ridiculous and incessant run of last minute concessions and it tends to charge the atmosphere and emotion on the forum. Understandable. But it's so in keeping with being a BAFC supporter for the last 50 odd years. The first thought I had when we emerged at Stamford Bridge in front of nearly 40000 people to the chants of "We are top of the League" was that there will probably be a heck of a price to pay for this and just as Sunday follows Saturday so it came to pass. It's almost feels as if the club is punishing itself for daring to embrace success.

I'm not one for calling for heads to roll. There are aspects of our play now that are far better than under Wild and you wont convince me that Clemence is not a better equipped manager. However, I do think his position is becoming quite difficult. Firstly because its a results based business irrespective of whether a manager is lucky or unlucky. Second because if the club do have plans to recruit in the January window they may have to face the issue, should this run continue of whether to trust Clemence into the New Year. In that respect, there is a couple of particularly negative factors in play right now. One is obvious - the poverty of our attacking options. A problem that Clemence inherited and did not create. However neither one that he done much to change or improve. The second is more immediate and that relates to the current behaviour and frailty of the team on the pitch. The repeated nature of these capitulations is now clearly beyond mere coincidence and indicates a collective psychological weakness. And that's his job to correct. Some say he lacks a plan B. I'm not sure about that. He has shown himself capable of adapting systems of play. But he is not currently demonstrating a close connection with his team or an ability to change or re-enforce the way they think at key points in the game.

[SayitagainSam]

29 games to go and 46 points might see us stay up so we need an average of 1.2 points per game to survive.
Current form would suggest that is not achievable.

Don't think your arithmetic is correct. If we have 29 games to go and 46 points to get that would mean that we need another 24 points. That would require an average ppg of 0.83. Thats quite a bit less than a point per game. And frankly if that is really not achievable then dont bother turning up because we deserve to go down. If we were to average just a single point from the remaining 29 games, that would give us 51 points and you wont get relegated on that. Conversely the bottom three Morecambe, Carlisle and Swindon would need an additional 33 points from their 29 games or 1.14 ppg and for at least two of them would have to pull back a decent goal advantage. So probably 1.2 ppg. Easily doable. But what about Swindon's wretched performances makes anyone think they can currently put together a decent run? Morecambe are usually first on the scoresheet when they play but still lose most of their matches (except when they play us of course). Carlisle I expect to pull away but who knows. Both Colchester and Harrogate got those all important (if occasional) wins at the weekend so may seem to have pulled away from trouble but haven't really The performances of Gillingham and Newport and Tranmere and Accrington and Salford are up and down like a yo-yo and on average mediocre.

What this does show you is that the difference between the decent and the indecent in this League this season is marginal (at the moment). This means that wins make situations look much better than usual and losses much worse. But it also suggests that whilst margins remain tight a target of 46 points might actually be on the high side. Chances are that the bottom third could end the season in a clump with a few points difference.

I do feel quite a bit of self-pity and not a little frustration as a BAFC supporter with this ridiculous and incessant run of last minute concessions and it tends to charge the atmosphere and emotion on the forum. Understandable. But it's so in keeping with being a BAFC supporter for the last 50 odd years. The first thought I had when we emerged at Stamford Bridge in front of nearly 40000 people to the chants of "We are top of the League" was that there will probably be a heck of a price to pay for this and just as Sunday follows Saturday so it came to pass. It's almost feels as if the club is punishing itself for daring to embrace success.

I'm not one for calling for heads to roll. There are aspects of our play now that are far better than under Wild and you wont convince me that Clemence is not a better equipped manager. However, I do think his position is becoming quite difficult. Firstly because its a results based business irrespective of whether a manager is lucky or unlucky. Second because if the club do have plans to recruit in the January window they may have to face the issue, should this run continue of whether to trust Clemence into the New Year. In that respect, there is a couple of particularly negative factors in play right now. One is obvious - the poverty of our attacking options. A problem that Clemence inherited and did not create. However neither one that he done much to change or improve. The second is more immediate and that relates to the current behaviour and frailty of the team on the pitch. The repeated nature of these capitulations is now clearly beyond mere coincidence and indicates a collective psychological weakness. And that's his job to correct. Some say he lacks a plan B. I'm not sure about that. He has shown himself capable of adapting systems of play. But he is not currently demonstrating a close connection with his team or an ability to change or re-enforce the way they think at key points in the game.

I'd take this post for my one piece of reading material on Desert Island Discs.

[Jim]

It's almost feels as if the club is punishing itself for daring to embrace success.

It could be the gypsy curse that snatches success from us whenever it is within grasp (except the gypsy was layng low during the Covid outbreak, thus enabling us to be granted promotion before anything went wrong)

[behind the goals]

Long way to go yet but which 6 Clubs do people think won't be in league 2 next season.

[StephenD]

If it isn't unduly pessimistic to mention results below us were relatively kind today, the only teams winning playing other teams below us.

[Craigthered]

14th

[Suffolk Blue]

So first season under Wild, over-performed first half, under- performed second-half.

Second season over-performed first half, under performed second half.

First season under Clemence, over-performed first quarter, under performing second quarter.

Who’s for a boring mid-table finish then?