Shaping up nicely

[simon81]

So a few games in and 6 unbeaten despite our miserable start. We’ve now played 2 of the teams that I full expect to be at the top end of the table in Sheff Utd and West Brom. We’ve come through these tests very well and better than most people expected, yesterday was a very proud performance against a combative outfit with premier league experience littered all over the pitch.
The reason for my post is to make the point that maybe we are all set for a memorable season and a play off space isnt out of the question from what we’ve seen. I do feel Bauer needs to stay fit to achieve anything and maybe a cb will need to be looked at in the christmas window.
Earl, Storey, Hughes, VDB have all been exceptional with BFG the leader, this settled team is reaping the rewards. If Maguire can start putting in the odd goal which he deserves it will take the pressure off Riis. Felt proud coming off last night, the only disappointment was how subdued our fans were in comparison to the WBA fans who were very loud, so glad our performance silenced them a bit in the 2nd half.

 

[MrHodgeheg123]

So a few games in and 6 unbeaten despite our miserable start. We’ve now played 2 of the teams that I full expect to be at the top end of the table in Sheff Utd and West Brom. We’ve come through these tests very well and better than most people expected, yesterday was a very proud performance against a combative outfit with premier league experience littered all over the pitch.
The reason for my post is to make the point that maybe we are all set for a memorable season and a play off space isnt out of the question from what we’ve seen. I do feel Bauer needs to stay fit to achieve anything and maybe a cb will need to be looked at in the christmas window.
Earl, Storey, Hughes, VDB have all been exceptional with BFG the leader, this settled team is reaping the rewards. If Maguire can start putting in the odd goal which he deserves it will take the pressure off Riis. Felt proud coming off last night, the only disappointment was how subdued our fans were in comparison to the WBA fans who were very loud, so glad our performance silenced them a bit in the 2nd half.

Agree with all that.
Just one minor comment in that a large away following will usually make more noise than the home fans.

 

[jgriff2296]

So a few games in and 6 unbeaten despite our miserable start. We’ve now played 2 of the teams that I full expect to be at the top end of the table in Sheff Utd and West Brom. We’ve come through these tests very well and better than most people expected, yesterday was a very proud performance against a combative outfit with premier league experience littered all over the pitch.
The reason for my post is to make the point that maybe we are all set for a memorable season and a play off space isnt out of the question from what we’ve seen. I do feel Bauer needs to stay fit to achieve anything and maybe a cb will need to be looked at in the christmas window.
Earl, Storey, Hughes, VDB have all been exceptional with BFG the leader, this settled team is reaping the rewards. If Maguire can start putting in the odd goal which he deserves it will take the pressure off Riis. Felt proud coming off last night, the only disappointment was how subdued our fans were in comparison to the WBA fans who were very loud, so glad our performance silenced them a bit in the 2nd half.

I agree with all of that except perhaps the play offs which I think might be asking a bit too much (never say never though). Like you I walked away from the ground a proud PNE supporter.

 

[MrBoomBoom]

We’ll be nowhere near the play-offs.

Some good solids results recently, but draws don’t equal playoffs.

The lack of depth in the squad will show over the course of the season.

 

[europne]

We’ll be nowhere near the play-offs.

Some good solids results recently, but draws don’t equal playoffs.

The lack of depth in the squad will show over the course of the season.

WBA fans aren’t happy with their squad either, as are fans at most clubs, it’s an excuse used by fans to cover their frustrations.

 

[daddyman16]

Early days, but credit where it's due with the last two games because I thought West Brom were going to win very comfortably.

I've got a few matches wrong on the prediction league, but still sticking to my guns on where Preston will finish in the table. Play-off might be a stretch, but who knows.

 

[TomPNEFC]

We’ll be nowhere near the play-offs.

Some good solids results recently, but draws don’t equal playoffs.

The lack of depth in the squad will show over the course of the season.

I’d say we have a decent amount of depth. The bench yesterday was as strong as I can remember in a long while, without Sinclair, Barky, Browne, Evans and Olosunde. If Bauer was too get injured though I think we would be in trouble so it’s somewhere I’d like us to improve in January.

 

[Thracia]

So a few games in and 6 unbeaten despite our miserable start. We’ve now played 2 of the teams that I full expect to be at the top end of the table in Sheff Utd and West Brom. We’ve come through these tests very well and better than most people expected, yesterday was a very proud performance against a combative outfit with premier league experience littered all over the pitch.
The reason for my post is to make the point that maybe we are all set for a memorable season and a play off space isnt out of the question from what we’ve seen. I do feel Bauer needs to stay fit to achieve anything and maybe a cb will need to be looked at in the christmas window.
Earl, Storey, Hughes, VDB have all been exceptional with BFG the leader, this settled team is reaping the rewards. If Maguire can start putting in the odd goal which he deserves it will take the pressure off Riis. Felt proud coming off last night, the only disappointment was how subdued our fans were in comparison to the WBA fans who were very loud, so glad our performance silenced them a bit in the 2nd half.

It's 5 unbeaten in the league, but 3 of those were draws.

To get play-offs, you need more wins than that.

We've done well to get those draws, and the style of football we're playing is way better than the crap we saw at the start of the season, but let's not pretend we're suddenly mounting a top-6 challenge.

 

[JK]

WBA fans aren’t happy with their squad either, as are fans at most clubs, it’s an excuse used by fans to cover their frustrations.

Their squad is quality at this level.

The style of football being used with those players is absymal and something John Beck would be proud of.

I think they will probably and should get promoted but not sure if that will be with their current manager.

 

[Joanpne]

So a few games in and 6 unbeaten despite our miserable start. We’ve now played 2 of the teams that I full expect to be at the top end of the table in Sheff Utd and West Brom. We’ve come through these tests very well and better than most people expected, yesterday was a very proud performance against a combative outfit with premier league experience littered all over the pitch.
The reason for my post is to make the point that maybe we are all set for a memorable season and a play off space isnt out of the question from what we’ve seen. I do feel Bauer needs to stay fit to achieve anything and maybe a cb will need to be looked at in the christmas window.
Earl, Storey, Hughes, VDB have all been exceptional with BFG the leader, this settled team is reaping the rewards. If Maguire can start putting in the odd goal which he deserves it will take the pressure off Riis. Felt proud coming off last night, the only disappointment was how subdued our fans were in comparison to the WBA fans who were very loud, so glad our performance silenced them a bit in the 2nd half.

To be fair our fans were so incensed with the officiating that most of the shouting was at the ref and linesmen.

 

[Lee Trundle]

There are definitely a lot more positives to be excited about than after the first few games. The big plusses for me have been the defence. SVDB has been playing out of his mind, although probably wasnt quite as good yesterday. Hughes and Earl is a tremendous partnership down the left and we really dont concede many chances at all from that side.

Bauer is playing at the same level of his first 6 months and with all those around him performing, Storey had his best game yesterday against some tough opposition. I thought he stood up to Diangana really well a couple of times and won some towering headers that in years past he'd have shied away from. Still a long way to go for him, but the signs are very encouraging

Ledson and Whiteman are looking a decent partnership. Ledson's vision is excellent and Whiteman does a good job distributing from deep, which is a weakness in Ledson's game. Whiteman is also better defensively than I expected him to be, which is necessary to partner Ledson who still isnt great defensively.

The problems remain up front. Fans have been somewhat delusional when it comes to our current strike force. Comparing Maguire and Riis to Heskey and Owen at one stage. Between the two of them, theyve managed 3 goals in 15 championship appearances.

Riis' pace remains a major threat, and he should be starting most games, but I dont think he is technically good enough to be relied upon as a regular goal scorer. Although I thought he had his best game of the season yesterday, his goals have masked some fairly rancid performances.

Depth is also a concern, seeing Lindsay warming up is a constant worry

 

[pnenycx]

We’ll be nowhere near the play-offs.

Some good solids results recently, but draws don’t equal playoffs.

The lack of depth in the squad will show over the course of the season.

I'll be surprised if we make the playoffs but the last few games have given me hope that it's possible.

Depth is the best for a while which I think Frankie deserves credit for with some astute signings and getting players motivated and playing positive attacking football with everyone putting in a strong shift.

Unbeaten runs = playoffs. The last 3 league results have been good considering the opposition and if the team continues putting in similar performances we'll see way more than 1 point per game.

 

[Naughton's moustache]

We’ll be nowhere near the play-offs.

Some good solids results recently, but draws don’t equal playoffs.

The lack of depth in the squad will show over the course of the season.

Well if West Brom an Sheff Utd are classed as to be amongst the favourites then I think we've absolutely nothing to fear. It's a competitive division, it always is but we always say in every close season that it will get more difficult. Not for me, I've yet to see a stand out club. Whoever outside the fancied teams can keep their key players fit an show some consistency, has every chance of being in the mix

 

[simon81]

Well if West Brom an Sheff Utd are classed as to be amongst the favourites then I think we've absolutely nothing to fear. It's a competitive division, it always is but we always say in every close season that it will get more difficult. Not for me, I've yet to see a stand out club. Whoever outside the fancied teams can keep their key players fit an show some consistency, has every chance of being in the mix

My thoughts exactly and as another poster pointed out we still have a few out which will give us greater strength in depth. We maybe drawing games but at least they are finely poised against the divisions best teams. We are progressing all the time!

 

[MrHodgeheg123]

My thoughts exactly and as another poster pointed out we still have a few out which will give us greater strength in depth. We maybeWe drawing games but at least they are finely poised against the divisions best teams. We are progressing all the time!

This.
I don't think anyone particularly relishes playing us.
We're turning into a very solid Championship team which with a bit of good fortune might just see us flirting with the Play offs.

Luton are doing ok, Coventry, Plastics, Huddersfield currently in top seven. I know it's very early days but don't tell me we're not AT LEAST as good as them.

Anyone can beat anyone which makes it such an exciting division and despite what I thought at the start of the season, I don't think Fulham or WBA will be walking back into the Premier league.

 

[beagleman]

I was a bit pissed off this morning to see we are 17th and only 2 points off the relegation places..

 

[Vinylman]

Got to say in the second half I totally switched off from the hoof ball employed by both teams.A draw was a fair result but the game seemed to consist of long throws(Wimbledon style back in vogue)petty free kicks.I thought WBA were awful and PNE a team of grafters.Mid table for us can’t see them going up .

 

[MrHodgeheg123]

I was a bit pissed off this morning to see we are 17th and only 2 points off the relegation places..

I mentioned this in the matchday thread.
Tbf, we're only 4 points from 6th.

 

[Vinylman]

I was a bit pissed off this morning to see we are 17th and only 2 points off the relegation places..

You shouldn’t be last 3 games points available 9 points obtained 3 is actually relegation form.You need wins

 

[beagleman]

You are right pal but for some reason i thought we were about 13...a win takes us right up there. Early days yet but need to get a few wins together.