Its not really that much of a surprise!

[walworthyid]

I know this has probably been done but in the light of all of us being "surprised" about our early form and our prospects for the rest of the season I have looked at our results since Harry came and also in 2009 as a whole!

Since Harry took over we have played 33 league games;

17 wins=51 pts
7 draws=7 pts
9 defeats=0 pts

58 pts in total=1.75 pts per game

Since January 1st we have played 21 games;

12 wins=36 pts
4 draws=4 pts
5 defeats=0 pts

40 pts in total=1.9 pts per game

So on our form under Harry overall we would have 66.5 pts in a full season, since January we would have 72.2 pts. I'm not usually a stats fan but I'm bored and I think that taken over almost an entire league season something can be read into them. Of course there are other factors like injuries and losses of form that can and probably will affect our peformances and any predictions derived from statistic alone but on the other hand we have brought in Palacios and and the return of Defoe as well as having played together that bit longer and of course gained the confidence from our form over this period and particularly from our start to this season.

Obviously it is a long season and we are spurs, we can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory like no other team, but there are reasons for optimism over and above the annual August euphoria that comes with a new season, we have a good team, a decent manager and form over a prolonged period that suggest we could be in for a very interesting season.

 

[Dougal]

Big difference between 1.75 and 1.9 compared to 3 points per game But I think the main surprise is we didn't immediately fall flat on our face at the starting gun. As much as we have the potential to do well we can always seem to underperform against the odds. That's the refreshing part to this season's start.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

Let's hope it continues!

 

[Kendall]

Big difference between 1.75 and 1.9 compared to 3 points per game But I think the main surprise is we didn't immediately fall flat on our face at the starting gun. As much as we have the potential to do well we can always seem to underperform against the odds. That's the refreshing part to this season's start.

Indeedy. Generally, even if we'd tonked Liverpool 4-0 on the opening day, you could put your house on us drawing or losing at Hull a few days later.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Good old stats

I think we need to be a good 10 or 12 games into the season before dreaming of which lofty position we may finish in, lets face it, we were going down after only 8 games last season

68 points just might get 4th this season, then again you might need 78 or even 80

Long long way to go but i'll keep my powder dry until mid October

 

[walworthyid]

Indeedy. Generally, even if we'd tonked Liverpool 4-0 on the opening day, you could put your house on us drawing or losing at Hull a few days later.

Spot on! But that's my point, we haven't been doing that for quite a while now.

 

[Bing]

Considering for the past 17 years we have got similar pre-season analysis/expectations only to be followed by sub-par/disappointing performances it bloody well is a surprise.:grin:

 

[tommo84]

Spot on! But that's my point, we haven't been doing that for quite a while now.

Hmmm, not sure I agree with you there. Our away form was patchy at best throughout last season. The fact we've won our first 2 away games IS a nice surprise, even though they are 2 fixtures we won last season.

 

[EmperorKabir]

as was touched on in my contraversial other thread. we haven't just won 3 games, we won 3 over a week, which to me is a nice surprise.

 

[BPR_U16]

Hmmm, not sure I agree with you there. Our away form was patchy at best throughout last season. The fact we've won our first 2 away games IS a nice surprise, even though they are 2 fixtures we won last season.

Lets just hope we are still surprised after 6 matches - having got the same results as last season plus a win against Brum. Think most of us would be happy with that - would mean we were still above teams like Liverpool even tho played 3 of big 4.

Consistency has never been associated with us, which is why the opening week has been a bonus but long may it continue

 

[Krafty]

I think Harry has got the team believeing they could achieve something very special this season, but has got them media savvy enough not to come out and say top 4 here we come. Probably also helps that the players are not new to the Prem anymore and especially the English media.

We all know the team can beat anyone on their day, problem is they havent beaten enough teams when it isnt their day.

What will be key is how the players who have not yet played perform when called upon. Its all very well and good the first choice eleven doing the job now, but will they be able to adapt if Crouch comes in for Keane, or Bentley for Lennon? Are they intelligent enough to mould their style to best suit conditions?

The signs are good, and its great to get points on the board, in the bag or wherever else you want to put them. If we go about our business quietly but effectively, who knows what might be happen, but its still very early days.

 

[gibbs131]

There was no surprise because people looked at my sig before the season kicked off.

GTOG

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Winnings a habit

I hope the boys that come in tonight put on a good performance, show the hunger to get picked in the league and keep our run going