Contenders

[Sheffsteel]

Can't believe you lot!!!, have you not been paying attention??, South Barnsley will obviously piss the league, and leave everyonelse in their wake..............

Think Wednesday will have a decent season and finish 9th.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Top group:
West Brom
Stoke
Swansea
Villa
Boro
Derby
Brentford

Secondary group, could possibly break the top 6 with good consistent form/ drop outs from top group
Blades
Leeds
Forest

Derby Swansea ????

 

[Cappy]

I don’t see any team in the league who has a good as midfield who combine and are as good as ours. And don’t see any team who plays to a system and knows excactly what there doing like us.
Just need the consistency which I think we can keep up

And either become (or buy someone who is already) selfish and ruthless up front.

 

[SwissBlade]

Derby Swansea ????

They have strong squads, Derby were slow starters last season

 

[Sheffsteel]

Honestly think it’s there for the taking this year if we really want it , we can beat any team on our day

Dont think winning a league is about beating any team on our day, that’s more about how you can win a cup.

To win a league you need to be consistent, always put in decent performances and if you have an off day, then find a way to win.
The good news is that Wilder knows what’s required to win leagues.
He’s said a few times that fans of promotion contenders usually focus on beating teams at the top
However beating every team near the bottom is worth the same 3 points,
He says that playing a team near the bottom or is in poor form represents a tough challenge, simply because the pressure is on when everyone expects you to win. He respects the opposition and makes sure the players stay hungry and focussed for every game.

For me the main concern is that some of the other teams have talented players who on their day or better then ours but no other team looks able to get any consistency like us. If you assess our games over the last 2.5 years it’s very rare we have a poor performance.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

Dont think winning a league is about beating any team on our day, that’s more about how you can win a cup.

To win a league you need to be consistent, always put in decent performances and if you have an off day, then find a way to win.
The good news is that Wilder knows what’s required to win leagues.
He’s said a few times that fans of promotion contenders usually focus on beating teams at the top
However beating every team near the bottom is worth the same 3 points,
He says that playing a team near the bottom or is in poor form represents a tough challenge, simply because the pressure is on when everyone expects you to win. He respects the opposition and makes sure the players stay hungry and focussed for every game.

I’d say we’ve been very consistent so far and have only played badly really against boro

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Let’s just have a go, fill the Lane every week and take it one game at a time!

Only 25k there yesterday. I thought that was a bit low as I tipped 28k. I’ve seen a few folk citing these streams as reason why crowds might be down but surely we should be tipping the 27s and 28s?? The streams aren’t keeping that many away are they??

 

[SB_90]

Pigs in any play off match would be beyond tense!!

Yeah i was crapping it at the 1st derby. This would be times 10 biggest reward but biggest downer. Non footballing people will be happy when the mass migration 90,000 down to London. Shops will be empty

 

[Sheffsteel]

I’d say we’ve been very consistent so far and have only played badly really against boro

That's the weird thing with this team.
We seem to play the same formation, same tactics, same way of playing, same players for almost every match. There’s no secret but teams still can’t stop us. Sometimes wonder if it’s because Wilder doesn’t overload the players with instructions to stop the opposition. He always seem to focus on his own team instead of trying to negate the opposition, like Blackwell used to do.

We seem to create plenty of half chances every match.
We might not always win (sometimes we’re unlucky or guilty of poor finishing) but we put in a good performance every match.
We were under par against Hull but it was still a decent performance.
We must be the most consistent team in this league and that should take you far over a long season.

 

[Harry's Game]

Indeed - seen nothing that suggests we can't finish top two.

It doesn't matter what players other teams have got or who they play.

We are as good as anything in this league up to now - why you may ask - because we are TOP.

One game at a time.

UTB

All our first choice players fit and suspension free we are good enough to challenge anyone,

If we get a couple of injuries or suspensions to certain players then we will have issues as the back up players arent of the same standard.

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

Only 25k there yesterday. I thought that was a bit low as I tipped 28k. I’ve seen a few folk citing these streams as reason why crowds might be down but surely we should be tipping the 27s and 28s?? The streams aren’t keeping that many away are they??

Jeez, not again (not that it matters, except to those who feel getting more through the gates than the Massive is the be-all and end-all!). 25000 isn't "only", it's ok. Not that it matters. Look at historical attendances, you'll see that 25000 is ok. Not that it matters!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

Jeez, not again (not that it matters, except to those who feel getting more through the gates than the Massive is the be-all and end-all!). 25000 isn't "only", it's ok. Not that it matters. Look at historical attendances, you'll see that 25000 is ok. Not that it matters!!!!!!!!!

I didn’t say it mattered.

 

[Withington Blade]

If anyone really wants to judge the contenders then the best way is to read the fans forums of the contenders.

Boro: Their fans are already fed up with Pulis saying they might get results but often look poor and negative.
Some of their fans are convinced that they are in a false position and have no chance of the play-offs whilst Pulis is there.

West Brom: Their fans have doubts about the manager and can’t believe they are second when they’re no where near defensively organised. Their fans are convinced they will improve and once the defence is sorted then they should win the league.

Forest: Their fans think something special might be happening under Karanka and feel they will improve throughout the season and if try get some consistency then have the capability to finish top 2.

Don’t think Leeds and Brentford will finish top 2, but both should make the play-offs.
I expect West Brom to finish top 2 and Boro to finish outside the top 6. Surprise teams could be us or Forest.

Stoke and Villa have excellent players but a shit team. Dependent on manager changes they both could be strong in the 2nd half but still don’t think either will reach the play-offs.

If we are to judge who are the main contenders based on fans forums then surely we should be looking no further than our dear, beloved South Barnsley friends? In fact Man City had also better start looking over their shoulder as well.....when the HMS Piss The League juggernaut starts rolling nobody and I mean nobody is going to be able to stop it!

 

[Lets bring back....]

Only 25k there yesterday. I thought that was a bit low as I tipped 28k. I’ve seen a few folk citing these streams as reason why crowds might be down but surely we should be tipping the 27s and 28s?? The streams aren’t keeping that many away are they??

I didn’t think they were at first, but now I’m starting to think that the streams might be making a difference on attendance. Especially the away attendances

 

[derfblade.3]

And yet no-one mentions Birmingham. I tipped them for top 6 pre season. Good side on the up.

 

[wizadry]

And yet no-one mentions Birmingham. I tipped them for top 6 pre season. Good side on the up.

I would’ve agreed had they not got a 12 point deduction hanging over their heads, I think that will prove too much but they look a very well drilled and organised outfit.

 

[Numpty's Dusty Ruts.]

I didn’t say it mattered.

Sorry Ainsley, not aimed at you directly, but sometimes I think there are some on here for who the attendance seems more important than the results! I wouldn't profess to have been coming since the days of John Harris, being something of a late starter in the mid-90's, but I do recall when getting 16000 was ok, 18000 pretty good, and 20000 very rare (even when we were doing ok in the 2nd tier). As I've said before, I was there with another 8964 when we lost against Port Vale in late 1999, so I was just trying to point out that 25000 is ok. It could be that streaming is having an effect, but I'd bet that if the current form continues into the New Year we'll be looking at 30000ish, streaming or no streaming!

 

[derfblade.3]

Forget Wednesday. My piggy son just rang me and said Bannan got groin injury. Bannan has said it feels the same as last seasons injury where he was out for months. Don't want to wish the guy any ill's but........yippppeeeeee!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Never said it was anything out of left field , we’re discussing contenders and I was pointing out what I said preseason and that I haven’t changed my mind.
No need to act the twat with your fellow Blades mate.

Apologies. I can understand that came over as a bit sarcastic, just my weird humour mate, sorry about that. I suppose I just found it funny that you were stating something like it was a bit unusual when most folks/bookies were saying the same.

West Brom seem to be a perennial yo yo club between the top 2 divisions. They’ve no doubt made a lot of money out of that but seem to be stuck in this rut of being a bit too god for the Championship but not quite good enough to stay at the top level for long.

We were a bit like that once, only long before the big money arrived! Maybe we’ll be like that again?

I don’t know about West Brom tbh. I’ve not seen them so far this season. Obviously they are doing well so far, I thought Stoke would rip it up but looking a bit shaky so far.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Keeping my options open

Each way bet coming up?

 

[Topplayersleave]

No cap doffing
No inferiority complex
No over respecting opponents

Just blitz into teams and see what happens

The day we start giving too much respect we start slipping down the league table

 

[finlaytheblade]

Jeez, not again (not that it matters, except to those who feel getting more through the gates than the Massive is the be-all and end-all!). 25000 isn't "only", it's ok. Not that it matters. Look at historical attendances, you'll see that 25000 is ok. Not that it matters!!!!!!!!!

Season tickets are down slightly on last season due mainly I think because of the impass between the owners,there was a feeling that we were going to drift which had a reflection on people not renewing
Keep this momentum up and crowds swill grow again but news about the ownership would help as well.
As I have said in another post news on ownership issues would be most helpfull

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Season tickets are down slightly on last season due mainly I think because of the impass between the owners,there was a feeling that we were going to drift which had a reflection on people not renewing
Keep this momentum up and crowds swill grow again but news about the ownership would help as well.
As I have said in another post news on ownership issues would be most helpfull

“Impasse”

Nothing to do with ownership issues.

A lot to do with the wearing off of novelty of playing in a higher league.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Apologies. I can understand that came over as a bit sarcastic, just my weird humour mate, sorry about that. I suppose I just found it funny that you were stating something like it was a bit unusual when most folks/bookies were saying the same.

West Brom seem to be a perennial yo yo club between the top 2 divisions. They’ve no doubt made a lot of money out of that but seem to be stuck in this rut of being a bit too god for the Championship but not quite good enough to stay at the top level for long.

We were a bit like that once, only long before the big money arrived! Maybe we’ll be like that again?

I don’t know about West Brom tbh. I’ve not seen them so far this season. Obviously they are doing well so far, I thought Stoke would rip it up but looking a bit shaky so far.

No dramas mate I could have worded it better.
Stoke are a surprise but you feel they probably will improve- probably when they play us!

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Our problem will be our Strikers
Billy Blunt and McGoldrick FFS

I know this because those knowledgeable people on Porktalk say so.

 

[kop_blade9]

If you look at the table there is a little gap starting to open up from the top 4 to the rest.
Leeds have slipped a bit apparently because they have a few injuries.
Boro seem to be stuttering a little
Blades and west Brom are just coming into a nice run of form and long may it continue.
IMHO I think this gap will widen with the top 4 teams maybe swapping places each week and the rest of the pack fighting it out for the last two play-off places.
Can't see all the hype about Brentford, they look an average team to me.
Same with Stoke and Derby.
Swansea appear to have a decent side but don't seem to score many goals.
Norwich is my surprise side this year. Down in the doldrums last year but now pushing for the play-offs.
Forest have spent big and everybody was tipping them at the start of the season but after a slow start maybe their team is starting to gell a little.
Pigs are my second surprise team. Can't quite work out how they are up there based on last season and no real changes to the players. Hopefully they just miss out on the play-offs.
Villa could go either way at the moment. A decent manager may get them going or could just upset the team and stay in mid-table mediocrity.
Don't see any others being able to challenge. Brum are 11 points behind us. I don't see them pulling that back anytime soon.

 

[Pinchy]

Only 25k there yesterday. I thought that was a bit low as I tipped 28k. I’ve seen a few folk citing these streams as reason why crowds might be down but surely we should be tipping the 27s and 28s?? The streams aren’t keeping that many away are they??

2000 down on season tickets for a start, mate...

 

[RammyBlade]

Forget Wednesday. My piggy son just rang me and said Bannan got groin injury. Bannan has said it feels the same as last seasons injury where he was out for months. Don't want to wish the guy any ill's but........yippppeeeeee!

He's probably winding you up but if not its ........hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!

 

[I should coco]

2000 down on season tickets for a start, mate...

...and that's just the people who sit near Pinchy !

 

[CarlMcBlade]

That Sheff Utd look a good bet?