12 games in 37 days will define the season

[Tannochsidebear 2,414]

This next block of games between Pittodrie on Sunday and Kilmarnock on 2nd January there are 12 games in 37 days in 3 different competitions. The League Cup final v Dolly will surely see us welcome back the old trophy we have won more than anyone else, while the 2 Europa fixtures will hopefully see us confirm post-Xmas Euro football to look forward to, but it is of course the 9 league fixtures where our season will be defined when the dust settles.

 

Aberdeen A

St Mirren H

Hearts A

Dundee H

St Johnstone H

Motherwell A

Ross County H

Bheasts A

Kilmarnock H

 

The 5 home games should be straight forward victories, so it is the 4 away games that will probably let us see if we have a shot at this title or not. A successful period will have us top or certainly close to it, anything less and it’s probably done. 
 

Thoughts?

[Sutton_blows_goats 5,345]

Getting the likes of Lawrence, Raskin and Matondo fit will make a big difference. As will keeping Danilo fit and firing.

 

The Euro games are also crucial making it an extra packed schedule. 
 

The cup final is also massive.

[CammyF 8,116]

Clement is off to a great start, but it's worth remembering both Gio and Beale also got off to great starts! 

 

Old cliché, we just need to take it one game at a time and see where we are at the winter break. 

 

It would be great to be hot on their heals in the league, through to the next stage of the Europa League and have the League Cup in the trophy cabinet decked in red, white and blue ribbons. 

 

Getting players back and playing well (Roofe, Raskin, Lawrence, Matondo etc) will help as we'll need to utilise the squad given the amount of games.

 

All of the above is obvious and not going to stick my neck out and predict where we'll be as "once bitten, twice shy" as we seem to be in this "predicament" on an annual basis recently.

 

However, it's safe to say it's make or break time for Clement and the players.

[yuddie 1,693]

Said it before, it would be tough going but if we're unbeaten domestically between now and the winter break I think we go on to win the league.

 

If you look at the numbers we're actually better away from home this season and that Dundee result the other week is underrated imo - they're a very decent team in the league when playing at Dens Park.

 

It's still there to be won this league but this group need to convince us they can do it, starting at Pittodrie at the weekend.

[yuddie 1,693]

30 minutes ago, CammyF said:

Clement is off to a great start, but it's worth remembering both Gio and Beale also got off to great starts! 

 

Old cliché, we just need to take it one game at a time and see where we are at the winter break. 

 

It would be great to be hot on their heals in the league, through to the next stage of the Europa League and have the League Cup in the trophy cabinet decked in red, white and blue ribbons. 

 

Getting players back and playing well (Roofe, Raskin, Lawrence, Matondo etc) will help as we'll need to utilise the squad given the amount of games.

 

All of the above is obvious and not going to stick my neck out and predict where we'll be as "once bitten, twice shy" as we seem to be in this "predicament" on an annual basis recently.

 

However, it's safe to say it's make or break time for Clement and the players.

It's make or break for the players aye, it's pretty much a free hit bar the LC final for Clement though.

[CammyF 8,116]

10 minutes ago, yuddie said:

It's make or break for the players aye, it's pretty much a free hit bar the LC final for Clement though.

Not really.

 

Financially he needs to get us out of the EL group stages, failing to qualify would be a (financial) disaster. 

 

If we are say 10 points behind them and beaten at Parkhead, there will serious questions being asked of Clement from sections of the support, we are not a patient bunch (just ask MB and Gio). 

 

[compo 7,048]

Getting a tad ahead of ourselves claim down boys 

[Gonzo79 15,294]

44 minutes ago, CammyF said:

If we are say 10 points behind them and beaten at Parkhead, there will serious questions being asked of Clement from sections of the support, we are not a patient bunch (just ask MB and Gio). 

GvB and the Cockney Caixinha didn't inherit messed up squads, like Clement has.  I think most of us will give him some more leeway because of that.

 

Blaming Rangers supporters for the sackings of GvB and Beale is an odd take anyway.  GvB had lost the squad and didn't have what it takes and Beale should never have been appointed in the first place.  They were both lucky they lasted so long.

Edited November 22, 2023 by Gonzo79

[26th of foot 6,084]

Clement has started well and I get the need to look forward. Tannochsidebear's extrapolation is correct, the prediction is warm and comfortable. Let's hope it pans out?

 

However, all that really matters at this moment is that we travel to Pittodrie on Sunday and do the Dandies in a most satisfying manner. 

[Bill 13,717]

Some folks seem to like to dream and set targets. I dislike it and much prefer to take it as it comes, one game at a time. Judgements are meant to be made while looking backwards, not forwards.