Noel Hunt, 20+ goals -2011/12 Championship

[Ian Royal]

Does anyone (genuinely) remember what the general feeling was
prior to the 2005-06 season?
Did anyone expect a record-breaking season?
Did any predict winning the league?
Did anyone expect automatic?

No one ever expects to break records FFS!
No one sane ever expects automatics or to win the league, its too tight with too many possibilities. I, for one, thought we had a very good chance of automatics that season. I distinctly remember because I saw a 442 which had both us and Hull at 20-1 to win the league which I though was ridiculous.

[LoyalRoyal22]

I would drive Noel myself to ipswich for 1.8m

[Snowball]

I would drive Noel myself to ipswich for 1.8m

A taxi driver will do it for £200.

[moo]

I would drive Noel myself to ipswich for 1.8m

A taxi driver will do it for £200.

From the states????

[Snowball]

OK, 250...

[Hoop Blah]

We also had specialists - we shipped out the "utility" players who could play anywhere (but not very well) like Andy Hughes (left wing/left-back) and had specialist players in every position.

That's true to an extent, we had Oster and Hunt as backup for the wingers, and we had 3 genuine options upfront (although Doyle was an unknown in August), but elsewhere I still look back and think we were ever so light in depth.

We only has Aaron Brown, plus Gunnarsson, as backup to the centre backs. We only really had Gunnarsson as backup to Sidwell and Harper, and only Makin to cover both fullbacks (plus the potentially very busy Gunnarsson and I suppose at a push Convey or Hunt could've slotted in too).

We tried to add a bit more cover with Dobson but that was about it. As said the other day, the work Clark had done to get this squad so fit and resilient was a major factor in our success but that was a freak season without a shadow of a doubt. The side had some excellent players in it who, that season, could win us games when we were up against it, but it tool a lot of things to come together and go our way to finish as we did.

Did anyone think we do it Snowball? Of course some numpties on here might've suggested it but realistically we were one of many teams in with a shout, much like the last couple of years. Could we reproduce it again, very very unlikely but not impossible. I'd put a lot of money on it not happening again though.

Finally, the players we have now, as individuals, aren't quite as good across the board for me. That's basing it on how I remember feeling at the time, but as with Long last season, some players will obviously exceed expectations whilst some will fall short.

[westendgirl]

We also had specialists - we shipped out the "utility" players who could play anywhere (but not very well) like Andy Hughes (left wing/left-back) and had specialist players in every position.

That's true to an extent, we had Oster and Hunt as backup for the wingers, and we had 3 genuine options upfront (although Doyle was an unknown in August), but elsewhere I still look back and think we were ever so light in depth.

While it is true that the main 11 players stayed very fit I remember a game (August Bank Holiday?) against Burnley when 3 players were injured (Shorey Sidwell and Kitson(?)) and didn't Sidwell play on as there was no-one to replace him. We all thought 'here we go 3 of our best players and no depth to replace them' but somehow their understudies stepped in as if they were always the first choice - and we all know it was still about 30 games until we lost again.

I think one of SC's attributes was to make the players confident (a problem 2nd year in the Prem) so that when we did need a replacement it was there.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

LOL

LOL

LOL

[moo]

He's on his way...

[Here for the KEBE]

LOL the only guy who could score 20 goals in a Championship season in this squad is Adam Le Fondre

[Here for the KEBE]

I would drive Noel myself to ipswich for 1.8m

£10 mate

[moo]

LOL the only guy who could score 20 goals in a Championship season in this squad is Adam Le Fondre

[Here for the KEBE]

LOL the only guy who could score 20 goals in a Championship season in this squad is Adam Le Fondre

Haha give me another then mate? Because both Roberts and Hunt are injury-prone!

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Gonna put my neck on my line. As long as Hunt's fit for 80% of the games next season i'm confident he will get more than 20 league goals, and I realise he doesn't take penalties.

I shall be bumping this thread at the end of the season when we're looking forward to the Prem thanks to Noel Hunt.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

I would drive Noel myself to ipswich for 1.8m

£10 mate

alright kebs?

[ankeny]

LOL the only guy who could score 20 goals in a Championship season in this squad is Adam Le Fondre

If he started every game like he should.

[Snowball]

No one sane ever expects automatics or to win the league, its too tight with too many possibilities. I, for one, thought we had a very good chance of automatics that season. I distinctly remember because I saw a 442 which had both us and Hull at 20-1 to win the league which I though was ridiculous.

If we don't go up this season I expect automatics next year

[Ian Royal]

No one sane ever expects automatics or to win the league, its too tight with too many possibilities. I, for one, thought we had a very good chance of automatics that season. I distinctly remember because I saw a 442 which had both us and Hull at 20-1 to win the league which I though was ridiculous.

If we don't go up this season I expect automatics next year

Well you've walked into me saying point proven on that one.

[Snowball]

How many different striker pairings have we had on the pitch this season?

Long-Hunt
Long-Manset
Hunt-Manset
Hunt-Church
Hunt-Le Fondre
Hunt-Roberts
Hunt-HRK
Roberts-Le Fondre
Church-LeFondre
Manset-Alf

it's not really a surprise that we haven't had a brilliant partnership
if we keep changing it around

[Snowball]

No one sane ever expects automatics or to win the league, its too tight with too many possibilities. I, for one, thought we had a very good chance of automatics that season. I distinctly remember because I saw a 442 which had both us and Hull at 20-1 to win the league which I though was ridiculous.

If we don't go up this season I expect automatics next year

Well you've walked into me saying point proven on that one.

I take an insult from a fool as a compliment.

Thank You, Ian.