What do you mainly attribute it to? Not just team form, but players form. Teams go on runs but so do players - it's probably most easily seen with strikers. I saw in the Liverpool thread a conversation, about how their run of form was massively dependent on luck but I personally don't buy it. I think there's a few things that roll into it.
1) Run of fixtures - favourable set of fixtures can get the ball rolling and build up momentum.
2) Injuries - having your best players available is obviously important.
3) Confidence - players playing more confidence, conviction and self belief are more likely to play more positively, which translates onto the pitch. I think most people accept that this is probably the most important factor.
4) Psychological - opposition players/coaching staff being aware of your recent good run can also play into their minds. A defender coming across a striker who's scored a few in the last few games, is probably already expecting a tough game. And this can result in them making more mistakes or being slightly off their game. Coaches are also more likely to set up more cautiously against a team in good form, which can throw your own players off. I think this a slightly underrated factor.
5) Referees - referees obviously don't live in silos and are aware of a teams recent run of games. I think refs being aware of this, can lead to some positive bias for teams who are in a good run of form.
Form is a bit funny, because teams can be in a good run of home form/away form/cup form. Sometimes it doesn't translate across different formats/competitions which is a bit weird. Sometimes players/managers can take it across to different clubs (see Mourinho's undefeated home streak).
Personally, I think 3 & 4 make the bulk of it (in that order).
1) Run of fixtures - favourable set of fixtures can get the ball rolling and build up momentum.
2) Injuries - having your best players available is obviously important.
3) Confidence - players playing more confidence, conviction and self belief are more likely to play more positively, which translates onto the pitch. I think most people accept that this is probably the most important factor.
4) Psychological - opposition players/coaching staff being aware of your recent good run can also play into their minds. A defender coming across a striker who's scored a few in the last few games, is probably already expecting a tough game. And this can result in them making more mistakes or being slightly off their game. Coaches are also more likely to set up more cautiously against a team in good form, which can throw your own players off. I think this a slightly underrated factor.
5) Referees - referees obviously don't live in silos and are aware of a teams recent run of games. I think refs being aware of this, can lead to some positive bias for teams who are in a good run of form.
Form is a bit funny, because teams can be in a good run of home form/away form/cup form. Sometimes it doesn't translate across different formats/competitions which is a bit weird. Sometimes players/managers can take it across to different clubs (see Mourinho's undefeated home streak).
Personally, I think 3 & 4 make the bulk of it (in that order).