Nothing Changed

Our record from January this year (virtually the same squad) has been nothing short of a revelation in my opinion. Keeping the solid home form is really important this season, if we keep this consistency going 4th or 5th place may look like a real possibility

I must admit I thought we had done better than that in 2012 away from home, don't get me wrong; a point is no disgrace, but if we want to achieve things we have to turn some of those draws into wins.

Having said that, 19 home wins and 19 away draws would give us 76 points which isn't a bad tally.

From the games played this season we should have 9 points from our home fixtures and 5 points away, equalling 14 points so we are 1 point to the good.

The top 3 teams City, United and Chelsea, always seem to maintain a 2.2 - 2.4 ratio of points throughout the season, which sadly we are unlikely to get close to.

Newcastle and Wigan I think are obvious, and QPR is subjective but I feel very strongly that without Pienaar being sent off we win that game.

Lets say you win 12 home games and draw 4 losing 3. Thats 40 points.

I did look back once and cant quite remember, but broadly speaking I think you need mid to high 60's for Champions League 4th place.

Obviously with a thin squad and being reliant on Jela up top, as for me he provides the quality to lift us, its not going to be easy. As we are all realising, a holding player is vital.

But a 2/3 draws into wins can do it if we maintain our form.

Been alot of talk about a certain cutting edgd providing American on these pages lately. If we cant do a 2/3 year cheapish deal, lets have another loan.

Can you imagine him providing for Jelavic and Fellaini?

We aint far off with our first 13/14/15 players, we just need some depth& options.

If we got him in I would be much more optimistic about having a dart at it.

Since I kicked it off with stats, I thought I'd continue in this mode and be the statistician..

4th place since 2004-2005

69, 68, 70, 72, 76, 78, 67, 61 = 70pts (average) required to get into the coveted places.

I also totally agree with your comments re Donovan. I'd have him back in a flash. Be it for 4 games or 4 seasons.

That means we need to add roughly 15 points on recent seasons, but the home form is already much better.

I think if we can get players back, stay amongst it and maintain the home form then we can get to Jan and try to boost the squad with a couple of players for the 2nd half of the season. It would lift the players as well.

As it stands I think its abit too much for our squad, we need a miracle with injuries, Gibbo seems fragile for one. If we boost things in Jan though we could have a go.