The Play-offs are a Positive Thing

[Barnette]

We all know how we have felt about the play-offs in the past, you only have to read this board to see. We fear the worst, we fear the unpredictable, we fear the opposition, we fear the penalties!

However, that was then and this is now. We have to change our thinking on this. We should be good enough to reach them this season (at worst), so we have to go in with a more positive outlook ie its an opportunity to succeed. If we fear the worst, then its more likely to happen.

So I, for one, am hoping we get to the playoffs because it will give me the chance to see my beloved Blades finally win at Wembley. Any other reasons to look forward to them?

 

[Ricky]

No reason to fear them. The team we have now can be trusted to perform, and we have the squad to avoid a Craig Beattie scenario.

 

[itsinyerblood]

We all know how we have felt about the play-offs in the past, you only have to read this board to see. We fear the worst, we fear the unpredictable, we fear the opposition, we fear the penalties!

However, that was then and this is now. We have to change our thinking on this. We should be good enough to reach them this season (at worst), so we have to go in with a more positive outlook ie its an opportunity to succeed. If we fear the worst, then its more likely to happen.

So I, for one, am hoping we get to the playoffs because it will give me the chance to see my beloved Blades finally win at Wembley. Any other reasons to look forward to them?

What, and dismiss the opportunity of the automatics?

Would you genuinely have preferred to go down this route than accept an automatic promotion? It's like asking if we'd have given up the chance of 100 points and promotion as Champions. We'll take promotion however it comes, but surely the autos are, and always will be, the priority?

 

[SteveBlade]

If it happens I'll feel less confident or maybe more confident going into them than I did the last three times, I'm not sure.

Bollox to them.

 

[Grizzly blade]

I still feel that the system is inherently unfair!
Spectacular, money making, and gives Clubs in mid table something to fight for towards the end of the season.
But still unfair.
A team perhaps finishing third on GD behind autos, possibly 15 points clear of sixth having to then play 3 more games to go up when they’ve proven over 46 that they are more deserving than a team in 4/5/6!
In the end, all that hard work can be undone by a bad referee decision, a stroke of bad luck with injuries and suspensions or the pressure of a kick from 15yds!

At the very least it should be amended.
Third place in the final automatically...fourth play the winners of 5/6th to see who gets to the final to play third. All single leg games at neutral venues

So what if the third place team gain an advantage from it, they earned that over 46 games. So what if the teams in 5/6th play more games. It should be harder for them to justify their place.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I’ve never seen us score at Wembley (was overseas for the Hull game) and I won’t be attending as I’m still overseas so I feel like my bad luck vibes will at least be out of the equation.

 

[Lmaobob]

Only team I fear in top 6 is West Brom. If we don't go up through automatics then i'd rather it be West Brom

 

[bartman]

We all know how we have felt about the play-offs in the past, you only have to read this board to see. We fear the worst, we fear the unpredictable, we fear the opposition, we fear the penalties!

However, that was then and this is now. We have to change our thinking on this. We should be good enough to reach them this season (at worst), so we have to go in with a more positive outlook ie its an opportunity to succeed. If we fear the worst, then its more likely to happen.

So I, for one, am hoping we get to the playoffs because it will give me the chance to see my beloved Blades finally win at Wembley. Any other reasons to look forward to them?

I hate the play offs but,under CW and AK i reckon we will just go for it ratehr than be over cautious like we have done on some occasions

Looking at the fixture lists, I have resigned myself to the play offs. Norwich appear to have the easiest run in and have a great chance of being in the top two. I think WBA will finish top.which then leaves 5 teams playing for 4 places. Bristol City's run in looks the most difficult

However, if we assume we need around 89/90 points to go up, we need 9 wins and the odd draw and with this team we have got every chance

 

[Bayingblade]

No reason to fear them? Look forward to them?

Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Wolves, Burnley, Huddersfield, Yeovil (fucking YEOVIL!!), Swindon.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

If you gave me the choice of 2nd or DEFFO going up in the play offs - I’d probably take the play offs. One off game, chance to banish some Demons....

That said - wilder can only do so much with the resources available. We’ve tried to add match winners / game changes and done a good job. But my fear in one off games the side with the multiple 10m plus players probably have a better chance of ‘a moment of magic’ that wilder can’t overcome and outcoach over the course of a season.

That’s why I would still be fearful in a one off match / as well as our overall record.

 

[Barnette]

No reason to fear them? Look forward to them?

Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Wolves, Burnley, Huddersfield, Yeovil (fucking YEOVIL!!), Swindon.

that was then Bayer............

 

[Bayingblade]

that was then Bayer............

Indeed Barnette, that's what I said when Matt Lowton stepped up to take his penalty against Huddersfield

 

[GymClassHero]

Reaching the play offs would be a success in itself. We finished outside them last year so it would represent continual improvement.

I'd guess a lot of us will feel somewhat deflated if we don't make top 2, given what a good chance we have given ourselves and I'm one of them but we need to keep things in perspective.

That said, I think we have a great chance in the play offs. We have shown steel and determination this season.

 

[Billyblade]

Said it all along, if we get to a Play-off final with Chris Wilder in charge, we'll win it

 

[Revolution]

I would go into the playoffs with no expectation of winning them whatsoever.

I do, however, think we can win automatic promotion, making my pessimism irrelevant.

 

[west_yorks_blade]

My Wembley record (same as most of you I imagine):

Pigs cup semi -lost
Palace play off final -lost
Burnley play off final - lost
Huddersfield play off final -lost
Hull cup semi - lost

So you can shove that place where the sun doesn’t shine.

We MUST get a top 2 finish. Please don’t make me go there again.

 

[Boxer Blade]

Several weeks ago I was looking at the play offs, didn't think we would manage automatic, and said if we get to the play off final it would probably be the first one where we are not the favourites and could approach it as underdogs and go and enjoy it, several weeks later and the automatic spot is closer than ever and if we do go through the play offs and off to Wembley we would probably be favourites ! If we miss auto's then hope we have a run of poor form just before the playoffs, you know it makes sense!

 

[Akinbiyi]

Surely nobody wants to chance the play offs rather than guaranteed top 2 promotion unless they're on crack.

 

[Bill Johnson]

Surely nobody wants to chance the play offs rather than guaranteed top 2 promotion unless they're on crack.

Totally agree. You'd have to be on a wind up to prefer a 3 match lottery to a guarantee and the opportunity to get planning early.
"Hi mate. Would you like 100m now or have a raffle ticket with a chance of winning g 100m"

 

[Akinbiyi]

Totally agree. You'd have to be on a wind up to prefer a 3 match lottery to a guarantee and the opportunity to get planning early.
"Hi mate. Would you like 100m now or have a raffle ticket with a chance of winning g 100m"

I know they say you get a bit more money from the PO Final but I can't say that bothers me at all. The PL promotion in itself is just an absolute goldmine.

 

[Tezza1889]

In my heart I’d love to see them do it at Wembley, but I couldn’t stand another trip home in defeat, logic says grab the opportunity as soon as possible and get yourselves on the beach lads...

As always the team to fear in the playoffs are the ones who are on a run that sees them sneak in, we know about momentum and it counts for a lot, when you’re all buzzing cause suddenly “it’s on” by comparison the team is usually deflated by coming third which seems to hinder them...hate the playoffs..

 

[1066blade]

We all know how we have felt about the play-offs in the past, you only have to read this board to see. We fear the worst, we fear the unpredictable, we fear the opposition, we fear the penalties!

However, that was then and this is now. We have to change our thinking on this. We should be good enough to reach them this season (at worst), so we have to go in with a more positive outlook ie its an opportunity to succeed. If we fear the worst, then its more likely to happen.

So I, for one, am hoping we get to the playoffs because it will give me the chance to see my beloved Blades finally win at Wembley. Any other reasons to look forward to them?

Only if you scrape into the tip six last day of season and go onto win, a la Millwall in Div 1 two seasons ago, still makes my blood boil that they could finish 27 points behind us and get the same reward.

 

[Baaaaaaa Blades]

would a million % prefer to go up in auto's ,
would be great at Stoke , sunny day and Billy score in front of us the winner that sends us up and sends us fans balmy!
( Stoke could give us 5-6k tickets , which no reason they couldn't /woudn't as will have nothing to play for )

having said that if we did win a PO final it would feel very special and very possible with CWAK in charge
finally rid the demons and seeing CW run down the touchline at Wembley as Billy scores the 92nd min winner would be pretty special !

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

No reason to fear them. The team we have now can be trusted to perform, and we have the squad to avoid a Craig Beattie scenario.

I was doing so well. No flashbacks or nightmares for at least 7 or 8 months and then you go and mention the name. Why? Whhhhhhyyy?

 

[JayGreen17]

I still feel that the system is inherently unfair!
Spectacular, money making, and gives Clubs in mid table something to fight for towards the end of the season.
But still unfair.
A team perhaps finishing third on GD behind autos, possibly 15 points clear of sixth having to then play 3 more games to go up when they’ve proven over 46 that they are more deserving than a team in 4/5/6!
In the end, all that hard work can be undone by a bad referee decision, a stroke of bad luck with injuries and suspensions or the pressure of a kick from 15yds!

At the very least it should be amended.
Third place in the final automatically...fourth play the winners of 5/6th to see who gets to the final to play third. All single leg games at neutral venues

So what if the third place team gain an advantage from it, they earned that over 46 games. So what if the teams in 5/6th play more games. It should be harder for them to justify their place.

I think this is cracking idea, it should be put forward to the elf.

 

[Bayingblade]

would a million % prefer to go up in auto's ,
would be great at Stoke , sunny day and Billy score in front of us the winner that sends us up and sends us fans balmy!
( Stoke could give us 5-6k tickets , which no reason they couldn't /woudn't as will have nothing to play for )

having said that if we did win a PO final it would feel very special and very possible with CWAK in charge
finally rid the demons and seeing CW run down the touchline at Wembley as Billy scores the 92nd min winner would be pretty special !

To feel secure, I'd want that 92nd minute goal by Billy to put us 4 up!

IF the 4th official had indicated 3 minutes added time.

 

[Pinchy]

I think this is cracking idea, it should be put forward to the elf.

He’s promised to consider it...

 

[N20 Blade]

I think this is cracking idea, it should be put forward to the elf.

I agree, it would add even more interest and drama too. Speaking of which why was the format changed of playing the team third bottom from the league above? Was it related to crowd trouble, I seem to remember a game between Chelsea and Boro that was particularly nasty. Imagine playing Warnock's Cardiff in a decider, that would be drama...

 

[Revolution]

I agree, it would add even more interest and drama too. Speaking of which why was the format changed of playing the team third bottom from the league above? Was it related to crowd trouble, I seem to remember a game between Chelsea and Boro that was particularly nasty. Imagine playing Warnock's Cardiff in a decider, that would be drama...

The initial excuse for the playoffs was to reduce the size of the top division from 22 to 20 clubs. They did this by relegating 3 and promoting 2 but using the playoffs to allow for extra movement. After 2 seasons of that they kept them but just used promoted teams.

The best playoff format would be:

3 at home to 4. Winner in final
5 at home to 6. Loser out

Loser of 1st game plays winner of 2nd game. Winner in final.

This format ensures that there is an advantage to finishing 3rd rather than 4th, and so on.

 

[N20 Blade]

The initial excuse for the playoffs was to reduce the size of the top division from 22 to 20 clubs. They did this by relegating 3 and promoting 2 but using the playoffs to allow for extra movement. After 2 seasons of that they kept them but just used promoted teams.

The best playoff format would be:

3 at home to 4. Winner in final
5 at home to 6. Loser out

Loser of 1st game plays winner of 2nd game. Winner in final.

This format ensures that there is an advantage to finishing 3rd rather than 4th, and so on.

I like this and the added incentive/fairness it brings to finishing as high as possible, presumably the loser of 1st game has home advantage against the winner of 2nd game?