Was just perusing my Twitter feed this afternoon, and stumbled across a retweet which led me to an article in which Aitor Karanka describes Derby as the 'best team in the championship':
"For me the main thing is ourselves," said Aitor. "If we play the way we played on Saturday it doesn’t matter who is the opponent."
"Derby are the best team in the league in my opinion, and after that game we have Ipswich. They will be difficult games."
This then led me to a Facebook post upon which Boro fans were invited to discuss who they considered to be the best team in the league. Below I have chosen a selection of the best of their comments:
- "Even though we aren't top of the league, the way in which we tap the ball around and utilise our possession means we look head and shoulders above other teams in the Championship - once we get to the top, I don't foresee any problems with us staying there all season. Derby and Bournemouth are no doubt good teams, but compared to us they're football tends to look scrappy, whereas ours does look polished."
- "They may have the best boro manager but bar some great cup runs and the odd exciting league game his football was mind numbing id rather have karanka anytime up the boro fingers crossed for Saturday"
- "Boro followed by Bournemouth but reckon Derby look like a decent team"
- " Do derby still hold the worst ever premier league standings ? sure they finished with about 8 points one season LOL!! If we take into account we were robbed in at least 3 games by blindsmen and referees, we could be about 6 -8 Pts clear at the top. Derby have clearly had it lucky and if the ref isnt licking their ar$e on saturday them 3 Pts are ours to take."
(I particularly enjoyed this one, as the poster appears to use the football we played 6 seasons ago as a reliable barometer for how we play now. Additionally, he got the points total wrong, gawd)
- "I'd agree if it wasn't for wrong refereeing decisions Leeds and Blackburn we would be sitting pretty at the top now so yeah boro are the best team in championship but refereeing decisions have cost us points"
Sounds to me like Boro have a similar confidence to that which we had when we were at our best last season. Nothing wrong with confidence, but have any of you actually watched them much this season? Are they as good as they all seem to think they are, or is it because they're comparing with some pretty forgettable seasons prior to this one?
For the record, I think we're the best team in the division this year (surprise, surprise), but I think the biggest threats are Norwich and Watford, rather than Boro.
*I've left the questionable grammar in because as sad as I am, I'm not that sad
**Yes, I know this is a bit sad but in my defence, I was enduring a particularly boring lecture at the time.
So, Boro fans are confident...
posted on 11/12/14
I don't see Ipswich as a threat at all, I don't think they'll even make top six
I see autos between us, Boro and Norwich if they get going with Watford, Bournemouth and Blackburn making up the top six
IMO four out of five of those will pull away a little by February
posted on 11/12/14
Boro, Bournemouth and Blackburn may find the FFP prevents them strengthening in January.
Of the clubs we have played the best footballing side was Bournemouth but they aren't strong over 90 minutes.
We will find out a bit more about our credentials for an automatic place on Saturday. We don't need to win this game but a win would send out a huge message to the rest of the Championship.
posted on 11/12/14
Ramps I think they're contenders for promotion don't think they're nailed on title winners as Strett was suggesting.
Also, agree with Spart that this is a very good game to win but not the end of the world if we don't. SM apparently was quite defensive at Boro which is why I think some are a bit negative towards him, but then he went to Nezcherlandszzch and learned the joy of attacking. Hopefully, they get a good introduction to the new and improved Macca.
posted on 12/12/14
I think a draw would be great and a win at Boro would be a huge result signifying our right to be at the top.
Strett knows we are favourites to get an automatic place but he just can't admit it to himself or to us. But I have to give him credit for his consistent support of The Reds even though they have caused him a lot of anguish in the last decade. Even now he KNOWS their season is finished but he still harbours hope.
posted on 12/12/14
Our season is far from finished.
posted on 12/12/14
Who gives a flying fück what strett thinks...twàt.
posted on 12/12/14
Strett, Well of course you'll have to finish your fixtures but the chances of any meaningful success are gone even with the flouting of FFP rules and vast millions mis-spent by Pearce and others.
Your hope is that Pearce will earn the patience of Frawazi and the fans and re-build the team Nigel Clough style.
Sorry, but that's the way it is.
posted on 12/12/14
"Our season is far from finished."
Same old same old from Forest. Starts off with "we are fantastic, strongest squad ever, everyone pulling in the same direction, etc", then after a few games it's "we'd be fine but for the injuries, no team could cope with losing it's fattest player, etc", then finally "this year was always a rebuilding one, need to get rid of the deadwood and push on next season with a new manager, etc". Most Forest fans are at Stage 2 but some are realising that owd Mr Psycho just ain't up to the job. He's doing no better than Sean O'Driscoll, despite shelling out on the world's most expensive pub striker. Some Forest fans may be taken in by the "straight-talking" and the idea that he's "Forest through and through"(like that matters), but what they actually need is a decent manager and an owner who isn't a clueless buffoon.
Going nowhere, as per.
posted on 12/12/14
We've got a relegation battle don't you know.
posted on 12/12/14
Not out of the question, but unduly pessimistic this season strett. I think 2015-2016 could be the one though, if things continue the way we want.