- Sep 20, 2005
- 9,955
- 2,498
Welcome to the first 667 report of the season, and as you can imagine, it doesn’t make for pretty reading. Still, you shouldn’t have got on the rollercoaster if you can’t stand the ride.
How It Works
Ignoring the old cliche of taking it one game at a time, I look at the season in two lots of 6, 6 and 7 games. At the end of each batch I compare this season's results with the same games last season. The promoted teams are paired with last season's relegated teams. Now read on...
Part 1: The First Six Games
With four points from our first six games some are saying “That’s what we had last season, we’re in the same position”. The 667 approach shows this isn’t true; we’re worse off.
We matched the first five results from last season. We lost away at Sheffield United (Sunderland), then lost to Everton and beat Watford (Derby) at home last season, just like this one. We followed that up with an away loss to Man U and an away draw at Fulham. But last season’s draw at home to Arsenal was replaced with a loss this season.
So from a poor 5 points from the equivalent first six games last season we ended up with only four points this season. And the bad news is that it doesn’t get any easier.
The Next Six Games
Our next six games are Bolton (A), Aston Villa (H), Liverpool (A), Newcastle United (A), Blackburn (H) and Middlesboro (A). Last season we picked up only 7 points from that lot, wins at home to Villa and away at Boro and a home draw with Blackburn.
Again, we may struggle to match last season’s total. With Bolton struggling, it’s imperative we come away from The Reebook with something next weekend. Liverpool and Toon away don’t offer much hope, and Blackburn are still unbeaten this term. Villa have improved and will look to be party poopers at our 125th anniversary game on October 1. A win at Boro would be as massive as it is now essential this season.
The Rolling Form Guide
Take a piece of paper. Draw a line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. That’s our form, that is. Having ended last season with 12 points from 6 games – which is Champions League form – we’ve started this season with 4 points from the first possible 18. We needed 2 more to struggle up to relegation form.
When the fixtures came out in June I could see immediately that it would be a really tough start. We got 12 points from the same 12 games last season, with three of the big four plus trips to Newcastle and Bolton. It was never going to be easy and always a question of holding our nerve. So fasten your safety harness, we’re not past the worst yet.
How It Works
Ignoring the old cliche of taking it one game at a time, I look at the season in two lots of 6, 6 and 7 games. At the end of each batch I compare this season's results with the same games last season. The promoted teams are paired with last season's relegated teams. Now read on...
Part 1: The First Six Games
With four points from our first six games some are saying “That’s what we had last season, we’re in the same position”. The 667 approach shows this isn’t true; we’re worse off.
We matched the first five results from last season. We lost away at Sheffield United (Sunderland), then lost to Everton and beat Watford (Derby) at home last season, just like this one. We followed that up with an away loss to Man U and an away draw at Fulham. But last season’s draw at home to Arsenal was replaced with a loss this season.
So from a poor 5 points from the equivalent first six games last season we ended up with only four points this season. And the bad news is that it doesn’t get any easier.
The Next Six Games
Our next six games are Bolton (A), Aston Villa (H), Liverpool (A), Newcastle United (A), Blackburn (H) and Middlesboro (A). Last season we picked up only 7 points from that lot, wins at home to Villa and away at Boro and a home draw with Blackburn.
Again, we may struggle to match last season’s total. With Bolton struggling, it’s imperative we come away from The Reebook with something next weekend. Liverpool and Toon away don’t offer much hope, and Blackburn are still unbeaten this term. Villa have improved and will look to be party poopers at our 125th anniversary game on October 1. A win at Boro would be as massive as it is now essential this season.
The Rolling Form Guide
Take a piece of paper. Draw a line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. That’s our form, that is. Having ended last season with 12 points from 6 games – which is Champions League form – we’ve started this season with 4 points from the first possible 18. We needed 2 more to struggle up to relegation form.
When the fixtures came out in June I could see immediately that it would be a really tough start. We got 12 points from the same 12 games last season, with three of the big four plus trips to Newcastle and Bolton. It was never going to be easy and always a question of holding our nerve. So fasten your safety harness, we’re not past the worst yet.