fivecups wrote:bigmick wrote:In fairness I can understand people wanting a bit more positivity, I think we all do. There are always over-reactions, if anybody did think we were "unstoppable" after we beat Newcastle then that would be a classic example. Equally, you are absolutely right in that just about everyone would have taken the position we currently find ourselves in at the start of the season, and it is worth remembering that.
I don't think it's being overly negative though to point out that we are currently level on points with Aston Villa I think. Given that, although we're unquestionably near the top of the table it's hard to argue that we've made massive strides from last season. Hopefully in between now and the end of the campaign we can get going again and put some daylight in between us and them (and indeed the rest of the Premiership), and then everyone can be happy again.
Whilst this shows that the top teams have scored less points than in recent seasons at this stage of the competition we have so far improved this year in the league. This is our best points tally after 22 games for 18 years. It's crucial we get out of this downturn immediately and start winning again in these next 2 games otherwise United are going to be out of sight.
This season we have 47 points after 22 games - 3pts off the lead
2007/8 we had 40 points - 11pts off the lead
2006/7 we had 40 points - 13pts off the lead
2005/6 we had 45 points - 16pts off the lead
2004/5 we had 37 points - 18pts off the lead
2003/4 we had 33 points - 19pts off the lead
Our best starts for 22 games.
1. 1987/88 - 56 points [finished 1st: 90 points from 40 games]
2. 1990/91 - 50 points [finished 2nd: 76 points from 38 games]
3. 1982/83 - 47 points [finished 1st: 82 points from 42 games]
3. 2008/09 - 47 points
5. 1983/84 - 45 points [finished 1st: 80 points from 42 games]
5. 1985/86 - 45 points [finished 1st: 88 points from 42 games]
5. 2005/06 - 45 points [finished 3rd: 82 points from 38 games]
stats source: rawk