Impressive

[Rabbit]

Hi Bees fans. Posted on here after the cup tie ( Leicester ) and said then that you would be a welcome addition to the prem.
I have to say I am impressed, very impressed, the team has got goals in them, play some real bright attacking football. Its a real good watch.
Followed the Bees progress since hoping you would get promoted last season, and that experience looks like serving you well.
Obviously I don't see the Bees play regularly, but what I do see reminds me a lot of Bournemouth in their promotion season. That's no bad thing, because if you get promoted you already have a team. The wrong thing to do would be to spend fortunes on trying to stay in the Prem.
A bit of smart affordable recruitment and I don't see any reason why Brentford couldn't give it a good go.
Anyway I shall have a keen interest on your remaining fixtures. Hold on to your hats and nerves, exciting times are ahead.
Just to say I am also a happy chappy tonight, after our disappointment against Leeds, I feared the worst against Fulham with 4 or 5 key players missing, but the boys done good.
Anyway onwards and upwards and hopefully an outsider here cheering you on to the Premier League.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Hi Bees fans. Posted on here after the cup tie ( Leicester ) and said then that you would be a welcome addition to the prem.
I have to say I am impressed, very impressed, the team has got goals in them, play some real bright attacking football. Its a real good watch.
Followed the Bees progress since hoping you would get promoted last season, and that experience looks like serving you well.
Obviously I don't see the Bees play regularly, but what I do see reminds me a lot of Bournemouth in their promotion season. That's no bad thing, because if you get promoted you already have a team. The wrong thing to do would be to spend fortunes on trying to stay in the Prem.
A bit of smart affordable recruitment and I don't see any reason why Brentford couldn't give it a good go.
Anyway I shall have a keen interest on your remaining fixtures. Hold on to your hats and nerves, exciting times are ahead.
Just to say I am also a happy chappy tonight, after our disappointment against Leeds, I feared the worst against Fulham with 4 or 5 key players missing, but the boys done good.
Anyway onwards and upwards and hopefully an outsider here cheering you on to the Premier League.

Bloody 'ell. You got more rabbit than Sainsbury's.

 

[badgerbee]

Hi Bees fans. Posted on here after the cup tie ( Leicester ) and said then that you would be a welcome addition to the prem.
I have to say I am impressed, very impressed, the team has got goals in them, play some real bright attacking football. Its a real good watch.
Followed the Bees progress since hoping you would get promoted last season, and that experience looks like serving you well.
Obviously I don't see the Bees play regularly, but what I do see reminds me a lot of Bournemouth in their promotion season. That's no bad thing, because if you get promoted you already have a team. The wrong thing to do would be to spend fortunes on trying to stay in the Prem.
A bit of smart affordable recruitment and I don't see any reason why Brentford couldn't give it a good go.
Anyway I shall have a keen interest on your remaining fixtures. Hold on to your hats and nerves, exciting times are ahead.
Just to say I am also a happy chappy tonight, after our disappointment against Leeds, I feared the worst against Fulham with 4 or 5 key players missing, but the boys done good.
Anyway onwards and upwards and hopefully an outsider here cheering you on to the Premier League.

Cheers!!
And for beating the s**t from down the road tonight......?

 

[Rabbit]

Bloody 'ell. You got more rabbit than Sainsbury's.

You should see me after having half a pint of shandy?

 

[Invipai]

Anyway I shall have a keen interest on your remaining fixtures. Hold on to your hats and nerves, exciting times are ahead.
Just to say I am also a happy chappy tonight, after our disappointment against Leeds, I feared the worst against Fulham with 4 or 5 key players missing, but the boys done good.
Anyway onwards and upwards and hopefully an outsider here cheering you on to the Premier League.

The company I work for has very close ties with King Power, and I've met Susan Whelan on multiple occasions. Anyway they invited a few of us at work up to the King Power Stadium for your game Vs Yeovil in the Championship. You had about 6 games left of the season and were about 9 points clear, and everyone in the boardroom was like 'if we lose the next 3 and they win the next 3, team X will overtake us'. It was quite odd how wary everyone was given it was the boardroom. One person had done the research on the percentage of teams who stay up who finish second as opposed to first, and that the former may be more preferable! But I think that's just nerves and people assuming the worst. Obviously you did make it, as did we that season out of League One.

Last year was more hope, given how far we were behind. Now it's erring more toward expectation. We're in a very good position, and hopefully we can take advantage. We are good enough to.

Being able to watch our teams play with our first XI would be pretty cool given how the last two fixtures have seen rotated lineups from us! Hopefully we can go up and meet you guys in the Prem.

 

[wibs]

Hi Bees fans. Posted on here after the cup tie ( Leicester ) and said then that you would be a welcome addition to the prem.
I have to say I am impressed, very impressed, the team has got goals in them, play some real bright attacking football. Its a real good watch.
Followed the Bees progress since hoping you would get promoted last season, and that experience looks like serving you well.
Obviously I don't see the Bees play regularly, but what I do see reminds me a lot of Bournemouth in their promotion season. That's no bad thing, because if you get promoted you already have a team. The wrong thing to do would be to spend fortunes on trying to stay in the Prem.
A bit of smart affordable recruitment and I don't see any reason why Brentford couldn't give it a good go.
Anyway I shall have a keen interest on your remaining fixtures. Hold on to your hats and nerves, exciting times are ahead.
Just to say I am also a happy chappy tonight, after our disappointment against Leeds, I feared the worst against Fulham with 4 or 5 key players missing, but the boys done good.
Anyway onwards and upwards and hopefully an outsider here cheering you on to the Premier League.

Thanks for the advice on recruitment and how best to run the club. I think we're OK on that front.

 

[Rabbit]

Thanks for the advice on recruitment and how best to run the club. I think we're OK on that front.

It wasn't advice, it was just my opinion.
The Premier League is a beast, unforgiving, the easy thing is to think when you get there that you need to spend fortunes to stay.
The problem then is the pressure on your club is cranked up to the highest level.
You break the bank, you play players wages beyond the club's means, you get RELEGATED, the parachute payment, and then ultimately 2 seasons to get back or face ruination.
Leeds 20 years ago, Portsmouth, Forest, Derby Sheff We'd, Wigan, Blackburn, Sunderland, Charlton, Wimbledon, are all examples of clubs who got their fingers burned. Some big clubs that have diced with their own existence by over stretching themselves.
On the other side of the coin, I think Leeds so far, Burnley, Norwich , Bournemouth, Palace, Brighton are examples of clubs that have not gone beyond their means. Okay Bournemouth and Norwich went down but they don't look like spending the next 20 years fighting for their lives.
As I said, not advice but just my thoughts.

 

[wibs]

It wasn't advice, it was just my opinion.
The Premier League is a beast, unforgiving, the easy thing is to think when you get there that you need to spend fortunes to stay.
The problem then is the pressure on your club is cranked up to the highest level.
You break the bank, you play players wages beyond the club's means, you get RELEGATED, the parachute payment, and then ultimately 2 seasons to get back or face ruination.
Leeds 20 years ago, Portsmouth, Forest, Derby Sheff We'd, Wigan, Blackburn, Sunderland, Charlton, Wimbledon, are all examples of clubs who got their fingers burned. Some big clubs that have diced with their own existence by over stretching themselves.
On the other side of the coin, I think Leeds so far, Burnley, Norwich , Bournemouth, Palace, Brighton are examples of clubs that have not gone beyond their means. Okay Bournemouth and Norwich went down but they don't look like spending the next 20 years fighting for their lives.
As I said, not advice but just my thoughts.

All of what you say is true

What is also true is our owner and directors are about as likely to make unsubstantiated risks leading to financial ruin, as you are likely to buy a Bristol Rovers top.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

All of what you say is true

What is also true is our owner and directors are about as likely to make unsubstantiated risks leading to financial ruin, as you are likely to buy a Bristol Rovers top.

Especially as he is a Leicester fan.

 

[wibs]

Especially as he is a Leicester fan.

very good point!!! Im still thinking about last night

DO they even have a rival? Forest? Derby? Leicester reserves?

 

[Rabbit]

The company I work for has very close ties with King Power, and I've met Susan Whelan on multiple occasions. Anyway they invited a few of us at work up to the King Power Stadium for your game Vs Yeovil in the Championship. You had about 6 games left of the season and were about 9 points clear, and everyone in the boardroom was like 'if we lose the next 3 and they win the next 3, team X will overtake us'. It was quite odd how wary everyone was given it was the boardroom. One person had done the research on the percentage of teams who stay up who finish second as opposed to first, and that the former may be more preferable! But I think that's just nerves and people assuming the worst. Obviously you did make it, as did we that season out of League One.

Last year was more hope, given how far we were behind. Now it's erring more toward expectation. We're in a very good position, and hopefully we can take advantage. We are good enough to.

Being able to watch our teams play with our first XI would be pretty cool given how the last two fixtures have seen rotated lineups from us! Hopefully we can go up and meet you guys in the Prem.

Susan Whelan is highly regarded at Leicester. Runs the club extremely well and takes great credit for how they managed the death our owner Vichai.
Funny actually that you was at the Yeovil game. If I recall we were pants, but salvaged it right at the end.
As you say it would be good to lock horns in the Prem. I feel Brentford have been building for this moment for a while. From what I have seen you look ready to make that step, you just need to see it home.
New stadium, good team, I doubt that things have looked much better for most Bees fans.
The prospects of fans coming back, and Man City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and others rocking up, well it must set the pulses racing.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

very good point!!! Im still thinking about last night

DO they even have a rival? Forest? Derby? Leicester reserves?

Shepshed Dynamo, I think.

 

[wibs]

Susan Whelan is highly regarded at Leicester. Runs the club extremely well and takes great credit for how they managed the death our owner Vichai.
Funny actually that you was at the Yeovil game. If I recall we were pants, but salvaged it right at the end.
As you say it would be good to lock horns in the Prem. I feel Brentford have been building for this moment for a while. From what I have seen you look ready to make that step, you just need to see it home.
New stadium, good team, I doubt that things have looked much better for most Bees fans.
The prospects of fans coming back, and Man City, United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and others rocking up, well it must set the pulses racing.

more importantly, from a fantasy league point of view when all three are fit who will play out of Justin, Castagne and Ricardo Perreira

 

[Rabbit]

very good point!!! Im still thinking about last night

DO they even have a rival? Forest? Derby? Leicester reserves?

Interesting question. Derby and Forest are bitter rivals, we are probably 3rd party to that squabble. They both claim that we are irrelevant, but you wouldn't be so sure when we have played each other in the past.
Its fiery, intense and they are always games that both sets of fans want to win.
Forest were on a different planet to us for most of my childhood. We looked up the motorway with a jealous envy of how good they were under Brian Clough.
That's long gone and such is their demise we have barely played them over the last 20 years.
There is also another game that as seen lots of trouble in the past. Coventry are geographically our nearest opponents, so playing them is usually a bitter affair.
Rivalry means more to people depending where in the county you live. North of Leicester, it's Derby and Forest. South it's Coventry.
Funny actually that the fans have revelled in us being top dogs in our patch for quite a while, but deep down we have not played a top flight fixture against them for about 2 decades, and secretly I would say our supporters want those games back.

 

[readingbee]

Looking at the form table we are currently top in. The Last 6, The Last 10, Home and Away. Amazing stats, I’m not sure we’ve ever been top in all 4.

 

[Rabbit]

more importantly, from a fantasy league point of view when all three are fit who will play out of Justin, Castagne and Ricardo Perreira

It's why I am glad I am not the manager.
Ricardo was fantastic last season, but the 2 others really have given a selection headache.
One thing I can say is that all 3 are better than Chilwell who we fleeced Chelsea for £50M.
Its not gone unnoticed back here that after Franky boys sacking, the new Chelsea gaffer dropped Chilwell straight the way.

 

[Rabbit]

Looking at the form table we are currently top in. The Last 6, The Last 10, Home and Away. Amazing stats, I’m not sure we’ve ever been top in all 4.

Looks like you are in battle with 3 clubs for automatic, but I believe you can win the title.

 

[Ealing Bee]

Interesting question. Derby and Forest are bitter rivals, we are probably 3rd party to that squabble. They both claim that we are irrelevant, but you wouldn't be so sure when we have played each other in the past.
Its fiery, intense and they are always games that both sets of fans want to win.
Forest were on a different planet to us for most of my childhood. We looked up the motorway with a jealous envy of how good they were under Brian Clough.
That's long gone and such is their demise we have barely played them over the last 20 years.
There is also another game that as seen lots of trouble in the past. Coventry are geographically our nearest opponents, so playing them is usually a bitter affair.
Rivalry means more to people depending where in the county you live. North of Leicester, it's Derby and Forest. South it's Coventry.
Funny actually that the fans have revelled in us being top dogs in our patch for quite a while, but deep down we have not played a top flight fixture against them for about 2 decades, and secretly I would say our supporters want those games back.

What do Foxes fans think of Leicester Tigers?

Rivals? Friends? Support both?

Or maybe you don't think of them at all?

 

[AB]

I find the Leicester perspective interesting as they look like a very well run smaller PL club, much like Southampton. Both much bigger than us, obviously, but both showing that you can take a sensible long term view and bring players through with a consistent strategy.

While most would laugh at the idea of us winning the PL (much as a decade ago the idea we would be where we are now would have looked a bit pie in the sky), Leicester have shown what can be done, and almost more impressively have continued to develop and grow as a club since winning the league. It wasn’t a freak blip (albeit a surprise to themselves!) but a first taste of a transformation of a club that would otherwise be always seen as a possible relegation candidate (as they were until 10 or so games before the end of the season before their triumph).

 

[Rabbit]

What do Foxes fans think of Leicester Tigers?

Rivals? Friends? Support both?

Or maybe you don't think of them at all?

That's a real interesting question which throws up a can of worms.
Many football fans don't publicly like the Tigers fans, but secretly support the team.
Vivaversa the rugby fans look down at the football fans. Thugs and lowlifes.
Its like a class thing. If your rugby then you probably vote Tory, drive a range rover,live in the County and shop in Sainsbury's. If your football the majority vote for anything but Tory, drive a Fiesta, live in the suburbs and shop in Aldi, Lidl or Asda.
I have been down both grounds and have heard both fans laughing when they announce the other team as lost.
There are course people like me who will just follow any team that represents my birthplace

 

[Humblebee]

I find the Leicester perspective interesting as they look like a very well run smaller PL club, much like Southampton. Both much bigger than us, obviously, but both showing that you can take a sensible long term view and bring players through with a consistent strategy.

Coupled with the odd shrewd purchase eg Maddison.

 

[Ealing Bee]

That's a real interesting question which throws up a can of worms.
Many football fans don't publicly like the Tigers fans, but secretly support the team.
Vivaversa the rugby fans look down at the football fans. Thugs and lowlifes.
Its like a class thing. If your rugby then you probably vote Tory, drive a range rover,live in the County and shop in Sainsbury's. If your football the majority vote for anything but Tory, drive a Fiesta, live in the suburbs and shop in Aldi, Lidl or Asda.
I have been down both grounds and have heard both fans laughing when they announce the other team as lost.
There are course people like me who will just follow any team that represents my birthplace

On this class business, might that be because fee-paying or grammar schools play rugby, whereas state schools play football, as in some other parts of the country? (I'm sorry to say I don't know much about the Midlands)

 

[Ealing Bee]

Coupled with the odd shrewd purchase eg Maddison.

More than just the "odd" one eg Fofana, Ndidi, Evans, Justin, and before that Kante, Mahrez and of course Vardy. I'm sure there are others I've overlooked.
And getting Rodgers from Celtic was pretty shrewd, following some other decent managerial appointments.

 

[AB]

Coupled with the odd shrewd purchase eg Maddison.

Also previously Vardy, Kante and Mahrez, all of whom look very much like the sorts of purchases we’ve made, along with the patience to develop them.

 

[JANORAK]

There are course people like me who will just follow any team that represents my birthplace

Do you know the origins of Ratby? (Not detailed on Wiki.)
Sounds like there’s a tale to tell....

 

[Rabbit]

On this class business, might that be because fee-paying or grammar schools play rugby, whereas state schools play football, as in some other parts of the country? (I'm sorry to say I don't know much about the Midlands)

I think football as always been the working man's sport. When you see where the majority of old football grounds were located, a lot of them were in industrial or working class areas of their towns or cities

 

[Sandybee]

I think football as always been the working man's sport. When you see where the majority of old football grounds were located, a lot of them were in industrial or working class areas of their towns or cities

My Nan used to say that rugby is a ruffian’s game played by gentlemen, and football is a gentlemen’s game played by ruffians. I think it’s a quotation from someone.

 

[Invipai]

Leicester had a long term plan, and were planning on playing in Europe from the moment they bought the club (they just didn't say it.) Leicester recruit analytically though. Us, Liverpool and them are probably the three biggest success stories of the data driven approach at the moment.

Long term planning rather than short term fixing is what smaller clubs need in order to grow. I do genuinely believe we can be regular top 10 sides in the Prem if we get our system rolling there as well. We'll just need to sell our approach to bigger and better young players, as opposed to EFL ones who are all fully aware. That will happen in time, but as with any model, we need to demonstrate a few success stories of players moving onto the top 6 clubs for the next batch to see what we can do for them.

 

[Rabbit]

Do you know the origins of Ratby? (Not detailed on Wiki.)
Sounds like there’s a tale to tell....

Ratby....... first known settlement was in the Iron Age 3000 years ago. Apparently the Romans adapted it to use as a fort.
The church was being built sometime in the 1200 's and I live little more than a stone's throw from it.
Love it here, it's close to some very nice and historic areas. Anyone visiting the area should take a stroll through Bradgate Park.
Former home of Lady Jane Grey. Queen for 9 days before being executed in 1553 In the Tower of London. She didn't want to be queen and rival factions made sure she made way.
Also up the road is Bosworth where Henry 7th defeated Richard the 3rd in 1485 to end the Plantagenet dynasty and begin the Tudors reign.
Throw in Charnwood forest and Swithland woods and you have a part of Leicestershire that is very scenic and not particularly well known outside the Midlands.

Anyway sorry for my drivel, I am sure Bees fans would sooner talk about football rather than my local history knowledge.
I am probably outstaying my welcome

 

[Bigbee]

My Nan used to say that rugby is a ruffian’s game played by gentlemen, and football is a gentlemen’s game played by ruffians. I think it’s a quotation from someone.

i think it was your nan

 

[Bungy Bee]

Watched Leicester beat Spurs at WHL...during their double season....3-2 I think.....a few years ago now...Frank McClintock was playing for you as well...
Thanks for your interest in the Bees,,,,,You Reds....

 

[AB]

Ratby....... first known settlement was in the Iron Age 3000 years ago. Apparently the Romans adapted it to use as a fort.
The church was being built sometime in the 1200 's and I live little more than a stone's throw from it.
Love it here, it's close to some very nice and historic areas. Anyone visiting the area should take a stroll through Bradgate Park.
Former home of Lady Jane Grey. Queen for 9 days before being executed in 1553 In the Tower of London. She didn't want to be queen and rival factions made sure she made way.
Also up the road is Bosworth where Henry 7th defeated Richard the 3rd in 1485 to end the Plantagenet dynasty and begin the Tudors reign.
Throw in Charnwood forest and Swithland woods and you have a part of Leicestershire that is very scenic and not particularly well known outside the Midlands.

Anyway sorry for my drivel, I am sure Bees fans would sooner talk about football rather than my local history knowledge.
I am probably outstaying my welcome

We’re generally in favour of fans of other teams who come here and are interesting. If you search for Opinion5U you’ll see an Oldham fan who was a long time visitor many were very fond of and gutted to hear the death of even though it was years since we’d played his team.

Also, any place name here ending -by is likely to have Viking background and that’s always a plus for a club like ours with so much of a Danish connection!

 

[Rabbit]

Watched Leicester beat Spurs at WHL...during their double season....3-2 I think.....a few years ago now...Frank McClintock was playing for you as well...
Thanks for your interest in the Bees,,,,,You Reds....

Wow, 1961 ?

Frank McClintock became manager about 77/78 . It was one of the worst seasons we had, absolutely hopeless. He signed a few old Arsenal boys that were at the end of careers. Sold club legend Frank Worthington, and paid £250 k ( a large amount at that time ) for Roger Davies. To this day Roger Davies is always quoted in anything to do with Leicester's worse signings

 

[Rabbit]

We’re generally in favour of fans of other teams who come here and are interesting. If you search for Opinion5U you’ll see an Oldham fan who was a long time visitor many were very fond of and gutted to hear the death of even though it was years since we’d played his team.

Also, any place name here ending -by is likely to have Viking background and that’s always a plus for a club like ours with so much of a Danish connection!

Leicestershire has got I believe at least 40 villages ending by. You have educated me I didn't know the Viking connection.

 

[Ealing Bee]

Leicester had a long term plan, and were planning on playing in Europe from the moment they bought the club (they just didn't say it.) Leicester recruit analytically though. Us, Liverpool and them are probably the three biggest success stories of the data driven approach at the moment.

And part of that long-term planning shows in their new £100m(!) Training Centre:


LEICESTER CITY have unveiled their stunning new £100million training complex which looks set to rival the best in the country.

Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has delivered the legacy promised by his late father Vichai, who first had the vision to transform a former golf course in Leicestershire into a state-of-the-art futuristic facility.

Nine of those 18 holes have been kept intact with Jamie Vardy and co free to test their skills once 'Top' can fly over to complete the first tee-off.

The Foxes’ new lair also boasts 21 training areas, 14 full-size training pitches and a 499-seater pitch for youth team matches.
Inside Leicester's new £100m training ground with 14 pitches and nine-hole course

 

[Ealing Bee]

Frank McClintock became manager about 77/78 . It was one of the worst seasons we had, absolutely hopeless. He signed a few old Arsenal boys that were at the end of careers. Sold club legend Frank Worthington, and paid £250 k ( a large amount at that time ) for Roger Davies. To this day Roger Davies is always quoted in anything to do with Leicester's worse signings

When football-obsessed youngsters from a certain vintage hear the name "Roger Davies", it always brings to mind this:



For years after, a horrible miss on a school playground was known as "doing a Davies".

 

[Rabbit]

When football-obsessed youngsters from a certain vintage hear the name "Roger Davies", it always brings to mind this:



For years after, a horrible miss on a school playground was known as "doing a Davies".

Good find that, mind you I could give you a long list of Foxes players who could compete for ' worst signing' ?

 

[TOMOGP]

Watched Leicester beat Spurs at WHL...during their double season....3-2 I think.....a few years ago now...Frank McClintock was playing for you as well...
Thanks for your interest in the Bees,,,,,You Reds....

I didn't see you Jock I was also there being very lucky that season and seeing the semi Final and Final and as Spurs
were at home when we were away , used to get the 3 classified papers at Liverpool street on way home

 

[Rabbit]

I didn't see you Jock I was also there being very lucky that season and seeing the semi Final and Final and as Spurs
were at home when we were away , used to get the 3 classified papers at Liverpool street on way home

Good luck against the Smoggies. A good result against any team managed by ' Colin' is always well received in Leicester

 

[Rabbit]

Once again like I said in the OP, very impressive. The momentum and vibes have Premier League written all over them. Team obviously oozing confidence.its a great feeling when you start to realise that no matter what the opposition do, you have the firepower to cause some serious damage.
If you bounce straight back after the odd inevitable blip, then you will take some stopping.

 

[vcmazz]

very good point!!! Im still thinking about last night

DO they even have a rival? Forest? Derby? Leicester reserves?

Fulham I'd imagine. Everybody hates Fulham.

 

[vcmazz]

All of what you say is true

What is also true is our owner and directors are about as likely to make unsubstantiated risks leading to financial ruin, as you are likely to buy a Bristol Rovers top.

Especially as he is a Leicester fan.

In an early episode of Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Bomber can be heard stating that he is is Bristol City supporter. However in a later series, he can be seen sitting at a table in a Bristol Rovers shirt. So it would seem that a Bristol City fan is more likely to buy a Bristol Rovers shirt than Rabbit. ?‍

 

[gbems92]

Fulham I'd imagine. Everybody hates Fulham.

I dont think thats true, im sure they provide good comedy value to lots of other clubs with their clappers and cakes

 

[vcmazz]

Once again like I said in the OP, very impressive. The momentum and vibes have Premier League written all over them. Team obviously oozing confidence.its a great feeling when you start to realise that no matter what the opposition do, you have the firepower to cause some serious damage.
If you bounce straight back after the odd inevitable blip, then you will take some stopping.

That seems to be the difference this season. We have witnessed some awful defending over the past few games to be fair. But yesterday after (yet again) going behind after a couple of minutes, I found it to be a slight, temporary irritant that made me raise my eyebrows and go, "tut". In previous seasons you could rule out a win at that stage, hope not to concede again and hang your hopes on a draw. If (a big if), this continues, then we're in a good place.