Another 2 points dropped

[The Bohemian]

That's 1 win in 5 games. 5 points from a possible 15, 33% win rate from our last 5 games.

If that form continues over the season we'll get roughly 36 more points. Leaving a total of 53.

Crewe finished one place above the relegation zone with 52 points last season, Notts County got relegated on 50.

Obviously we're not going to get relegated but our current form would suggest a very near miss.

Improvements needed more than ever.

I'm getting an ever increasing sense we're heading down the familiar path Clough took us down of odd draws (good points away from home) here and there in between a few wins and a string of defeats.

Loanees urgently required.

Your title is an indisputable fact, as is the more positive view of 'an away point gained against the team at the top of the league'.

Not sure if you were at the game? I did and witnessed a very positive first half performance when, after a scrappy first ten minutes, we controlled things. Passing and movement was good with some excellent passages of play from out from central defence, down both flanks. Wallace K and Freeman were encouraged to push on and put in some decent crosses. We created a few half chances whilst denying Burton the merest sniff.

Coutts was excellent again, always looking to get on the ball and generally making good use of it.

Hasselbaink changed things at half time and Burton stopped defending as deep, thus denying The Blades as much space in midfield. Coutts was also substituted early in the second half and we subsequently lost our fluidity. We still hit the bar and had the best chance of the game, in the second half, when Billy was clean through (good save to be fair).Burton finished strongest and were probably just about deserving of a point.

There were times last night when we looked very impressive; this with the team still lacking 3 or 4 first teamers. Also notable last night was the commitment and work ethic, without which, we'd have been turned over.

Nothing at all to be despondent about based purely on last night.

 

[AlienBlade]

I mentioned the facts suggested a near miss from relegation from our last 5 games. Nothing I can do about that, it's a fact.

But ultimately isn't our goal automatic promotion? 78 points would not be enough.

I don't see the point your making, other than we're on track to miss out on promotion?

Blackpool wont need to worry then as they will easily reach 58 points based on the last 5 games.... (although if you took out their last game they would be really in the crap....) extrapolating "last 5 games" to see out points finish is useless.. you could be top with 15 points after the first 5 games.... does that mean you are going to finish top with 138 points... should we be worried about Southend... I mean they managed 12 points from their last 5 games... would you put your house on them finishing with over 100 points (as the very same extrapolation you have used woud give them 101 (well 101.4 to be exact)

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics....

 

[Bladepicker]

Barny lad.

Are you from Ipswich? What are your views on alloy wheels?

 

[Trigger Blade]

I mentioned the facts suggested a near miss from relegation from our last 5 games. Nothing I can do about that, it's a fact.

But ultimately isn't our goal automatic promotion? 78 points would not be enough.

I don't see the point your making, other than we're on track to miss out on promotion?

My very first sentence was my point, I thought you were kidding. I also produced some facts, mainly to demonstrate that facts can tell you whatever you want them to (see Alien's post about Blackpool). Since then, you've changed your original point from us just escaping relegation to missing out on automatic promotion.

I agree, our current form isn't good enough, but I see more signs for optimism than I have for quite some time and I believe we have/will have what it takes to finish top or second. If we don't, I'll be disappointed, as always. In the meantime, I'll enjoy a point gained, that surely has to be more fun than getting depressed about two points dropped.

 

[Blade24286]

That's 1 win in 5 games. 5 points from a possible 15, 33% win rate from our last 5 games./QUOTE]

It takes a lot for me to comment, but when basic maths are ignored I must take a stand.

1 win in 5 is a 20% win ratio, not 33%. That would have been 1 win in 3.

I do like how you tried to put a positive spin on it though, very unlike you.

 

[Barney]

Meant point conversion rate. But any statistics that back up my point are welcome.

 

[SteveBlade]

One way to look at it is that we're currently bang average.

Yet we're 5 points off top, and with additions, as well as injured players coming back we could potentially gel together these players to make us into a much, much better team.

The key for me is being within touching distance by Christmas, then I truly believe that we'll have it in us to really kick on with a title winning second half of the season.

This is all ifs and buts though, and counts on work being done to bring in the players we all know we need. I think we expect some coming in this week, and there won't be an excuse for them not be soon because of the whole 'we need them to cover the busy Christmas schedule' thing...

 

[MobileBlade]

Ask Brentford what happens when you try to play the game by analysing statistics.

 

[oldblade]

I mentioned the facts suggested a near miss from relegation from our last 5 games. Nothing I can do about that, it's a fact.

But ultimately isn't our goal automatic promotion? 78 points would not be enough.

I don't see the point your making, other than we're on track to miss out on promotion?

Why pick out the last five? Why not pick out the more recent form of the last three or the last two games instead?

 

[BushBlade]

One way to look at it is that we're currently bang average.

Yet we're 5 points off top, and with additions, as well as injured players coming back we could potentially gel together these players to make us into a much, much better team.

The key for me is being within touching distance by Christmas, then I truly believe that we'll have it in us to really kick on with a title winning second half of the season.

This is all ifs and buts though, and counts on work being done to bring in the players we all know we need. I think we expect some coming in this week, and there won't be an excuse for them not be soon because of the whole 'we need them to cover the busy Christmas schedule' thing...

If we were bang average we'd be mid table.

 

[Bladesway]

That's 1 win in 5 games. 5 points from a possible 15, 33% win rate from our last 5 games.

If that form continues over the season we'll get roughly 36 more points. Leaving a total of 53.

Crewe finished one place above the relegation zone with 52 points last season, Notts County got relegated on 50.

Obviously we're not going to get relegated but our current form would suggest a very near miss.

Improvements needed more than ever.

I'm getting an ever increasing sense we're heading down the familiar path Clough took us down of odd draws (good points away from home) here and there in between a few wins and a string of defeats.

Loanees urgently required.

A new high for the site yesterday. We draw away from home at the form team and top of the league but its a poor result. I'm brimming with optimism that we may achieve more highs this season via our much vaunted new influx of high quantity over quality posters. Keep em coming chaps its brilliant.

 

[PeteBlade]

A new high for the site yesterday. We draw away from home at the form team and top of the league but its a poor result. I'm brimming with optimism that we may achieve more highs this season via our much vaunted new influx of high quantity over quality posters. Keep em coming chaps its brilliant.

Can't believe it took almost 24 hours to blame lasts nights 0-0 on BladesMad!

You "intellectuals" are slipping.

 

[Barney]

A new high for the site yesterday. We draw away from home at the form team and top of the league but its a poor result. I'm brimming with optimism that we may achieve more highs this season via our much vaunted new influx of high quantity over quality posters. Keep em coming chaps its brilliant.

Couple of questions if you don't mind.

If we would like to get promoted, regardless of their league position, should we be aiming and expecting to beat Burton Albion? If yes, is it then un-realistic to express dissapointment at a result that fell short of those expectations?

 

[HillmortonBlade]

f we would like to get promoted, regardless of their league position, should we be aiming and expecting to beat Burton Albion?

I don't understand the argument. If I re-write it...

"If we would like to get promoted, regardless of their league position, should we be aiming and expecting to beat the clear leaders of the division?"

And add "But would not losing, nor conceding, at the away match"

Surely each team, whatever your opinion of Burton or Fleetwood, etc, they are there on merit and deserve respect. And with Burton in particular, deserve respect for being the current best performing side in the division.

 

[ChrisBlade]

Can't believe it took almost 24 hours to blame lasts nights 0-0 on BladesMad!

You "intellectuals" are slipping.

Noone blames anything on Bladesmad posters, but I suppose many people read both boards. It's not like the contents of what you and Barny post are particularly revolutionary, new or unheard of on here. It may just be that people get it and prefer a more relaxed frequency of repetition, aka "oh, another one of those? Hasn't he said that three times yesterday already?" As well as 4,678 times on Bladesmad...

Might just be me, but I kind of feel that way already. Nothing personal as most people and opinions are just combinations of letters to me, but yeah.

 

[Bladesway]

Can't believe it took almost 24 hours to blame lasts nights 0-0 on BladesMad!

You "intellectuals" are slipping.

Who mentioned BladesMad? You appear to have a foggy crystal ball. Nip it back to poundland and get another one.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

I'm getting fed up of mates telling me that 'we're (the Blades) are a work in progress'....
We've been a f**kin' work in progress ever since we were relegated to this shitty league!!!!

 

[Bladesway]

Couple of questions if you don't mind.

If we would like to get promoted, regardless of their league position, should we be aiming and expecting to beat Burton Albion? If yes, is it then un-realistic to express dissapointment at a result that fell short of those expectations?

Fair questions Barns. We should aim to beat every team we play no matter where or when, but you don't. I don't care whether they are the Dog and Duck or Manchester United, you look at their form and the fact that at this moment in time they sit above us in the table, then take the fact we are away from home and a point doesn't seem unreasonable to me. So, yes I think it is unrealistic to expect to beat them. We would like to and it appears we gave them a good game but for the first time this season we didn't score. Not really the end of the world is it?

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I'm getting fed up of mates telling me that 'we're (the Blades) are a work in progress'....
We've been a f**kin' work in progress ever since we were relegated to this shitty league!!!!

We are work in progress . Thats what you get , when you sack / change managers on a regular basis .

UTB

 

[Barney]

Fair questions Barns. We should aim to beat every team we play no matter where or when, but you don't. I don't care whether they are the Dog and Duck or Manchester United, you look at their form and the fact that at this moment in time they sit above us in the table, then take the fact we are away from home and a point doesn't seem unreasonable to me. So, yes I think it is unrealistic to expect to beat them. We would like to and it appears we gave them a good game but for the first time this season we didn't score. Not really the end of the world is it?

No, not by any means. We're only 4 points from the top two so in that respect it's far from the end of the world but I just see it as being a big missed opportunity to get into the automatic spots. It would have made the ten game assessment feel alot better.

All i'm trying to get people to realise, is that our current form isn't good enough and in my opinion we should be expecting to win every game we play in this division. I also appreciate to win every game isn't possible and defeats will come, however if those odd defeats came after a string of wins and playing comfortably good football it becomes alot easier to take and alot easier to say "bad day at the office, put it behind us".

We're not in that position unfortunately.

 

[PeteBlade]

Noone blames anything on Bladesmad posters, but I suppose many people read both boards. It's not like the contents of what you and Barny post are particularly revolutionary, new or unheard of on here. It may just be that people get it and prefer a more relaxed frequency of repetition, aka "oh, another one of those? Hasn't he said that three times yesterday already?" As well as 4,678 times on Bladesmad...

Might just be me, but I kind of feel that way already. Nothing personal as most people and opinions are just combinations of letters to me, but yeah.

Here's a revolutionary idea for you.

Why not start some interesting, non repetitive posts of your own? Rather than worrying about picking up other posters on what they're contributing?

Or just talk about football. And not other posters.

It might make your experience more enjoyable.

:O

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

I'm getting fed up of mates telling me that 'we're (the Blades) are a work in progress'....
We've been a f**kin' work in progress ever since we were relegated to this shitty league!!!!

We've been work in progress since Mr Harris left.

 

[Bladesway]

We're only 4 points from the top two so in that respect it's far from the end of the world.

Just there is where I am at. We have issues as we all know (3468 threads can't be wrong) but we are in a good position and right now, 1st October that's not a bad place to be. We can still get players in on loan to improve, more importantly we probably have our best forward and defender in Done and Brayford respectively to return.

Question for you, do you think we have the best possible manager to achieve the goal of promotion this season?

 

[grafikhaus]

OK, so it would appear that an away draw at the top-of-the-table team is a good result. It is.
However, we need to be looking to make up for the points dropped recently (Bury & Colchester) and, regardless of Tuesday's result, Burton would have been an ideal opportunity.
There's no way Burton will be 'there or thereabouts' by May and we should have knocked them off their perch. Wolves at Brentford smelt blood and went for it - this is what we should be doing.

 

[Barney]

Just there is where I am at. We have issues as we all know (3468 threads can't be wrong) but we are in a good position and right now, 1st October that's not a bad place to be. We can still get players in on loan to improve, more importantly we probably have our best forward and defender in Done and Brayford respectively to return.

Question for you, do you think we have the best possible manager to achieve the goal of promotion this season?

Yes, but a good manager is nothing if he doesn't recruit effectively. And he hasn't really done that so far in my view.

 

[Maidenhead]

I'm getting fed up of mates telling me that 'we're (the Blades) are a work in progress'....
We've been a f**kin' work in progress ever since we were relegated to this shitty league!!!!

we have actually been a work in progress since 1889.

The day we stop being a work in progress will be the day that we give up and disappear into the abyss

 

[Pedro Verde]

I just see it as being a big missed opportunity to get into the automatic spots. It would have made the ten game assessment feel alot better.

Automatic Promotion is not gained in the first ten games

Wolves at Brentford smelt blood and went for it - this is what we should be doing.

Brentford were down to 10 men

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

we have actually been a work in progress since 1889.

The day we stop being a work in progress will be the day that we give up and disappear into the abyss

True

 

[grafikhaus]

Brentford were down to 10 men

...as they were against the pigs. They lost both games. That's what I mean by 'smelling blood'.

 

[PeteBlade]

Automatic Promotion is not gained in the first ten games

Odd point. It's almost 1/4 of a season.

It's plays the same part as the last 10 games. Or the middle.

I.E The more you win the more likely you will Succeed.