Let's all laugh at Albatross

By Albatross
January 6 2003

Nothing new there some might say! It's time though to have a look at those predictions I made so confidently before the season started. Some of them were spot on or close, but there are also some spectacular misses. One though was very accurate: that we'd be laughing at them later in the season!

With the season slightly over half gone, it's about time to have a laugh at my pre-season predictions. Some are hits, others were well wide of the mark - no surprises there though! Interestingly, two of the predictions that attracted criticism from fans of their clubs have turned out to be almost spot on! This is based on the standings after the New Years Day games.

Bournemouth Predicted: Top Half/Playoffs Actual: 5th
Until the last few games Bournemouth were right up there challenging, but have lost form. Doing a little better than I expected, and if they pick up again are serious challengers for an automatic spot.

Boston Predicted: Bottom 3/Possible Relegation Actual: 20th
Had recently shown signs of climbing the table, but their reliance on loan players (Logan is rumoured to be off to Hull) means that they've got a long way to go yet.

Bristol Rovers Predicted: Mid-Table Actual: 21st
Struggling again, and one of the misses so far. Graydon needs to get it right soon if they're going to be safe.

Bury Predicted: Bottom Half Actual: 3rd
A real surprise, and although automatic promotion may prove beyond them a playoff spot is within reach.

Cambridge Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 6th
Better than expected, mainly on the strength of their attack. Look certain to be challenging for a playoff spot - maybe even an automatic spot.

Carlisle Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 23rd
A big miss. Lack of continuity is hitting them hard, and look likely to be in the relegation scrap again. I didn't expect them to do well in the first half of the season - but they've done a lot worse than I expected, with few signs of picking up their form.

Darlington Predicted: Top Half Actual: 16th
I never expected the Loids to be challenging for a playoff place, but I expected them to be doing a little better than they are. The question is, has the defeat by Farnborough signalled the end of their rally under Tait? I think they'd take staying out of the relegation battle now.

Exeter Predicted: Top 10 Actual: 22nd
The team didn't gel, the Manager got the chop, the form hasn't improved. Another big miss, and look likely to stay in the relegation dogfight for the rest of the season.

Pools Predicted: 3rd Actual: 1st
If you'd have told me that we'd have spent almost all of the first half of the season top of the table in August, I'd have been a little sceptical. Increasingly looking like it's us and Rushden battling for the title. From here, anything less than 3rd would be a disaster.

Hull Predicted: 1st Actual: 13th
Well, they won't win the title. Have improved under Peter Taylor, but will need a very good run to even get into the playoff picture. The boost from moving to their new ground will help, but may not be enough.

Kidderminster Predicted: Top Half Actual: 10th
Got this one pretty close to spot on so far, even to them not scoring many but having a mean defence. Might not trouble the Playoffs, but should be pretty comfortable.

Orient Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 14th
Closer than it looked like being a few weeks ago, I think they'd take their current position as there's still a risk of them going down if they suffer a bad dip.

Lincoln Predicted: Bottom 3/Possible relegation Actual: 12th
Another miss, and although Lincoln no longer look like challenging for the playoffs - let alone promotion - they'll be more than happy to be safe in the middle of the division.

Macclesfield Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 19th
Have pulled up a bit recently, and should end up outside the bottom 5 - if maybe not much higher.

Oxford Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 4th
With games in hand, Oxford seem to have put last season's disasters behind them and look real challengers for a promotion spot. Good runs in the cups as well.

Rochdale Predicted: 2nd Actual: 15th
Another big miss, although there are signs that they're finally starting to turn things round. Might be too late for the playoffs though.

Rushden Predicted: Top 4/Playoffs Actual: 2nd
I thought they'd be up there - and possibly our closest challengers - but not necessarily duelling with us for the title. The only team to have been pushing us all season.

Scunthorpe Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 7th
One Scunny fan took me to task over this prediction, and although they're currently in the playoff zone his claim that they'd be challenging for the title looks a lot less likely!

Shrewsbury Predicted: Playoffs Actual: 18th
Where did it all go wrong? Even Shrews fans don't seem to be too sure. It's not impossible for them to make the playoffs - but it's highly unlikely now.

Southend Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 17th
Another one I was taken to task over. After a decent start, Southend have fallen back down the table and while they shouldn't get sucked in to the battle lower down, they don't look likely to make more waves at the other end either.

Swansea Predicted: Playoffs/Top Half Actual: 24th
Possibly the biggest miss I made. Looking favourites for the drop now, all they need to complete their misery is a Scottish Undertaker in a tin helmet saying "We're all doomed!"

Torquay Predicted: Bottom 3/Relegation Actual: 8th
Another big miss, and still challenging for the playoffs. May well make them. Now, if I go back and swap the predictions for Torquay and Exeter.....

Wrexham Predicted: Playoffs Actual: 11th
They've been up there for most of the season, and this prediction may yet prove to be accurate.

York Predicted: Mid-table Actual: 9th
They got off to a cracking start before falling back a bit. With their current financial difficulties, it's hard to see them finishing above where they are now.

So there you have it. There's a long way to go yet, and no doubt there'll be surprises at both ends - come and have another laugh at season's end when I look at how my predictions have gone then.