League Table (Part Deux)

[Cerulean]

https://www.thedarkblues.co.uk/topic/6388-league-table/

4 (Dundee FC) games in since we last had a wee looky at the table and things are a wee bit more clear as mud!

We are now five games till the split with fifteen points to play for.

DUNDEE UNITED:

Motherwell (a)
Dundee (h)
St Johnstone (a)
Partick Thistle (a)
Inverness CT (h)

Well, well, well. It looks as though the mystical, magical, mythical revival is in full swing. Or at least it was until Aberdeen rolled into town. Two very good results (against two teams we've failed to beat) offered at least some hope to the Shed Massive (cough).

When hope is realised however, expectation fills the void and with expectation comes, well, expectancy. I'd read on some social media outlets that some of their fans "wouldn't be surprised if they now finished in the top six*."

For me, that's a marvellous mentality for them and their team to have as it can only make their ultimate demise even more sweet.

When we last looked at the table thread they were 11 points behind with 15 games to go and had 2 games in hand over Kilmarnock.

They are now 8 points behind with TEN games to go and have one game in hand.

United have pulled 3 points closer to their rivals as fifteen points-worth have sailed past but their run of games coming up will now prove crucial to their season. Their two recent victories were against the "wrong" teams in my opinion and actually did us a favour in our quest.

Trust me. They ARE still going down in 12th.

*it is now mathematically impossible for Dundee United to finish in the top six**

**given the run of fixtures and teams who need to play each other.

KILMARNOCK:

Aberdeen (a)
Celtic (h)
Partick Thistle (a)
St Johnstone (h)

I must admit that I was a bit underwhelmed by their appointment of Lee Clark as manager but this has only reaffirmed my belief that Killie will fill 11th place in the league.

Quite comfortably.

The cut-throat end of the Scottish top-flight takes a bit of knowledge of our game and I don't think the Kilmarnock board should have been quite so 'forward-thinking'. Remember Leishman & Dunfermline in 2005?

I really thought Killie would've played safe but hey-ho, enjoy the play-offs Lee.
 
 
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL:

Motherwell (h)
Inverness CT (a)
Partick Thistle (h)
Aberdeen (a)
Dundee (h)

Oh dear. 1 win in 12 but a good point in their last match against Celtic. The only saving grace is that their record against the bottom team would have been 9/9 but for a late penalty miss. Only 1 defeat in their last five though but still definitely bottom three material.

 
MOTHERWELL:

Hamilton (a)
Dundee Utd (h)
Aberdeen (h)
Inverness CT (a)
Celtic (h)
 
Still hot and cold under McGhee.

An absolutely vital result at Tannadice was most welcome but their next two fixtures could well be the difference between pushing for the top six or getting dragged into the play-off mire. The latter would be where the smart money is.

On a side-note, I don't think I've celebrated a non-DFC result as much this season as the 0-3 at Tannadice.

INVERNESS CT:

St Johnstone (a)
Hamilton (h)
Hearts (h)
Ross County (a)
Motherwell (h)
Dundee Utd (a)

Very difficult to predict ICT's results this season (except maybe 1-1s at Dens Park!!!). Their style of play, despite media accolades, would suggest that they will be well up for a fight at the bottom and, come the split, they may well have to be.

Personally I think John Hughes' team has far too much nous for a 'bottom two' fight but I really do think they are bottom-six bound.

 

PARTICK THISTLE:

Hearts (a)
Aberdeen (h) 
Celtic (h)
Hamilton (a)
Kilmarnock (h)
Dundee Utd (h)
Ross County (a)

Great six points against Saints home & away and only two points from fifth with two games in hand.

Fixture congestion could prove to be their undoing though as well as three very tough upcoming fixtures before a run at the bottom teams.

Lots of points to be taken but lots of points to be given. Definitely in the mix for top six if they can make their games in hand count, safe from bottom two if they can't.

ST.JOHNSTONE:

Inverness CT (h)
Ross County (h)
Hearts (a)
Dundee Utd (h)
Kilmarnock (a)

Same as Hamilton in the form stakes. 1 win in 12 for the Perth Saints but they are still more than capable of pushing/holding a top six place. I think their run of fixtures until the split will see more points dropped than won and now, instead of being catchable, we find ourselves above them.

DUNDEE:
 
Hearts (h) 
Dundee Utd (a)
Ross County (h)
Hamilton (a)
Celtic (h) TBA

Our last four games have yielded 6 points from 12. This equates to two wins and two defeats but doesn't tell the real story.

One defeat since the mauling at Dingwall and that has covered 11 games including the three cup ties.

Not bad going.

Only one goal conceded in the last six and a very spirited performance at Celtic Park which could even have been three points on another day. Indeed, Paul Hartley can be very pleased with his fringe players after tonight's performance, as we all can.

I see no reason why a good cup run can't be coupled with a tilt at fourth place.

It's great to be a Dee!!!!

ROSS COUNTY:

St Johnstone (a)
Inverness CT (h)
Dundee (a)
Partick Thistle (h)

Definitely NOT the invincibles we/I previously held them to be. They still have their fingers in a few pies and this will stretch them. Cup duties will surely take their eye off the ball and I'm now convinced that if we beat them at Dens we'll finish above them. That win is well overdue.

HEARTS:

Stop p*ssing about and just keep taking points from our rivals.

ABERDEEN:

Stop p*ssing about and just keep taking points from our rivals.

CELTIC:

Stop p*ssing about and just keep taking points from our rivals.

Edited 3 March 2016 by Cerulean