1 point off the play-offs with 7 games to go

[GreasyChipBeattie]

and to my shame, I've kinda written off our chances in my mind.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be proved wrong, but I don't think I've ever felt so fatalistic in my whole SUFC supporting career and that saddens me. Not because we're not quite ready, but because I'm getting old.

I remember as a kid before each season started, I naively felt we had a genuine chance of winning promotion and the FA cup every year.
Age and experience has taught me to be more sensible (or less stoopid) and to accept more of what the 'experts say'

I wish I could be more like the young 'uns again and be more positive, but the years have taken their toll when it comes to hope and 'winning against the odds'
Or maybe I've just turned into a realist, and should follow my instincts and allow them to lead me to a financial windfall by putting my money where my sagging mouth is?

Yesterday's performance (bar the finishing) was excellent.
I thoroughly enjoyed us outplaying a team that effectively, bar the result, did the same to us on opening day last August. That pleases me more than anything, to see how, on a limited budget, CW has formed his players into a combative, if not marauding force to be reckoned with....sometimes.

Sadly, our lack of quality, or rather abundance of quality that at least one other of this year's play-off contenders has, means we will probably be spending next year watching how CW continues to revive this magnificent club's fortunes. See, I said probably. Where there's life, there's hope, or at least a Sheffield United fan believing, more in hope than expectation, that maybe, just maybe we can do it.

Anyway, whatever happens, I'll be there next season, God willing, hoping to see a return to the big time. Will we win the FA cup as well? I doubt it, but I suppose I'll think we still can as we kick off next season, at least until the 3rd round draw is made.

Thanks Chris Wilder, so very very much, for giving us such a memorable league one season and for this year's continued progression. Here's to future successes with your and AK's superb management style leading the way.

UTB.

 

[Gimli]

Millwall apart, I don't think any of the teams 5-10 are in great form, plus we have to play pretty much all of them so it could still happen! I agree that it's unlikely which must just be a Blades thing - would all the other teams be feeling as equally pessimistic as us? Then again our play off record doesn't give us much hope.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

At the start of every season I always think we have a good chance of winning the FA Cup. I am always a bit pissed off when we get knocked out.

 

[wizadry]

and to my shame, I've kinda written off our chances in my mind.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be proved wrong, but I don't think I've ever felt so fatalistic in my whole SUFC supporting career and that saddens me. Not because we're not quite ready, but because I'm getting old.

I remember as a kid before each season started, I naively felt we had a genuine chance of winning promotion and the FA cup every year.
Age and experience has taught me to be more sensible (or less stoopid) and to accept more of what the 'experts say'

I wish I could be more like the young 'uns again and be more positive, but the years have taken their toll when it comes to hope and 'winning against the odds'
Or maybe I've just turned into a realist, and should follow my instincts and allow them to lead me to a financial windfall by putting my money where my sagging mouth is?

Yesterday's performance (bar the finishing) was excellent.
I thoroughly enjoyed us outplaying a team that effectively, bar the result, did the same to us on opening day last August. That pleases me more than anything, to see how, on a limited budget, CW has formed his players into a combative, if not marauding force to be reckoned with....sometimes.

Sadly, our lack of quality, or rather abundance of quality that at least one other of this year's play-off contenders has, means we will probably be spending next year watching how CW continues to revive this magnificent club's fortunes. See, I said probably. Where there's life, there's hope, or at least a Sheffield United fan believing, more in hope than expectation, that maybe, just maybe we can do it.

Anyway, whatever happens, I'll be there next season, God willing, hoping to see a return to the big time. Will we win the FA cup as well? I doubt it, but I suppose I'll think we still can as we kick off next season, at least until the 3rd round draw is made.

Thanks Chris Wilder, so very very much, for giving us such a memorable league one season and for this year's continued progression. Here's to future successes with your and AK's superb management style leading the way.

UTB.

Keep the faith mate, this season is no where near over.

 

[Revolution]

Our previous playoff appearances came about like this:

1997: in promotion race until February, but overcame a wobble and finished 5th
1998: in promotion race until Black Thursday, hung on to take last spot on last day as Birmingham failed to win
2003: playoffs secure with a couple of games to go: 3rd for a long time but too far back for automatic
2009: climbed table steadily from 8th in January: playoffs secure early and nearly won automatic on last day
2012: playoffs secure early and of course blew promotion
2013: slid away from top spot in February- playoffs never in doubt despite Wilsons sacking
2015: made playoffs comfortably after hanging around in playoff zone for most of second half of season

United have never had a late run where we've snuck in on the last day or come from 9th or 10th with a few games to go: usually we fail and finish 8th, often after sliding from a promotion or playoff spot as we have this year (egs: 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2010) or falling just short after starting a good run a bit too late (egs 1996, 2008, 2014).

I don't see us making it this year. We have lost our spark and there always seems to be a new problem once an old one goes away. For example, the defence is back in form, and we are creating chances...and the forwards couldn't hit a barn door. It doesn't feel like we'll make it.

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Sneaked, bloody hell, sneaked!

 

[Dnblade]

I wish I could be more like the young 'uns again and be more positive, but the years have taken their toll when it comes to hope and 'winning against the odds'

I think that youthful optimism would be still there if we were showing the early season form at this point in the season...We've been stuttering a bit of late,but still in with a great chance...beat Cardiff tomorrow and the optimism will return.

 

[Iceybabey]

Tad unlucky against Brentford, not denying some questionable finishing that game either, but if we show that attitude in all the remaining games then we'll be there or there abouts.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I just can’t help thinking we won’t do it. So much so I’m not even excited for tomorrow’s game. It’s as if we’re 17th with nowt to play for. That’s my attitude and I don’t like it

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

I just can’t help thinking we won’t do it. So much so I’m not even excited for tomorrow’s game. It’s as if we’re 17th with nowt to play for. That’s my attitude and I don’t like it

That's how I feel AH. I don't like it either. Maybe it's after the ease by which we won the league/promotion last year, though deep down, I just can't see past the top three going up, probably finishing in the same order as they are now.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

That's how I feel AH. I don't like it either. Maybe it's after the ease by which we won the league/promotion last year, though deep down, I just can't see past the top three going up, probably finishing in the same order as they are now.

My “rot” (for lack of a better word) kicked in at the Ipswich game. Since then I just can’t get a rhythm going. That may be down to the fact we haven’t seemed to have played a game for ages with the international break ruining the rhythm. I’d love for us to make the play-offs but I don’t hold much hope for us once in there. I can’t believe my own pessimism if I’m honest

 

[Hamburg Blade]

Isn't the problem to do with the fact that too many see the only way the season can be a success is with promotion? It's been a successful season, regardless of the final outcome. What happened to enjoying some good football, some great games, being a part of a great club with some exciting players and a manager we can get behind? Promotion would be fantastic, not making it doesn't mean it's been shit and we have to be miserable (especially not before it's even happened).

 

[Rob86]

A post I agree with, just not sure we can put that run together ad take the game defining chances, but we have to get behind the team, last big push.

The only thing about the shit kick off time tomorrow is that we will know what everyone else has done and consequently, how vital a win may be.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Isn't the problem to do with the fact that too many see the only way the season can be a success is with promotion? It's been a successful season, regardless of the final outcome. What happened to enjoying some good football, some great games, being a part of a great club with some exciting players and a manager we can get behind? Promotion would be fantastic, not making it doesn't mean it's been shit and we have to be miserable (especially not before it's even happened).

You're right HB, it's been a cracking season. Like Ainsley Harriott though, I'm just surprised at how little I believe we can do it when we're just one point off with 7 to go. I'm not miserable about it at all, just perplexed as to why I can't raise any enthusiasm about our chances.

 

[grafikhaus]

and to my shame, I've kinda written off our chances in my mind.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be proved wrong, but I don't think I've ever felt so fatalistic in my whole SUFC supporting career and that saddens me. Not because we're not quite ready, but because I'm getting old.

I don't see us making it this year. We have lost our spark and there always seems to be a new problem once an old one goes away. For example, the defence is back in form, and we are creating chances...and the forwards couldn't hit a barn door. It doesn't feel like we'll make it.

I just can’t help thinking we won’t do it. So much so I’m not even excited for tomorrow’s game. It’s as if we’re 17th with nowt to play for. That’s my attitude and I don’t like it

That's how I feel AH. I don't like it either. Maybe it's after the ease by which we won the league/promotion last year, though deep down, I just can't see past the top three going up, probably finishing in the same order as they are now.

...as it's Easter...

 

[Revolution]

...as it's Easter...

Funny stuff.

You got an actual argument in support of us making the playoffs?

 

[grafikhaus]

Funny stuff.

You got an actual argument in support of us making the playoffs?

Not really, in fact I share some of the same negativity. But, after watching The Blades for 56 years, I know things have been a lot worse. Crowds around 10k, a three-sided ground, down to the Fourth Division, six wasted years in Division Three, a number of piss-poor managers etc. etc. We make the play-offs, we don't make the play-offs. It's not going to ruin my year. Do I think we'll get in the play-offs? Only ourselves to blame if we don't. Do I think we'd win the play-offs? Not a chance. We're a 'work in progress', but we are progressing. Unlike Wednesday.
I think Hamburg Blade has got it spot on:

Isn't the problem to do with the fact that too many see the only way the season can be a success is with promotion? It's been a successful season, regardless of the final outcome. What happened to enjoying some good football, some great games, being a part of a great club with some exciting players and a manager we can get behind? Promotion would be fantastic, not making it doesn't mean it's been shit and we have to be miserable (especially not before it's even happened).

Look at it this way. The door to the play-offs is wide open. We get knocked out and the disappointment will be greater than we're (well, some of us) are feeling now. We get to the Premier? Then the problems and criticisms begin.

 

[Dkc]

Personally I've not given up on automatic, we could still make 81 points if we win all our games. Cardiff would need to have a poor end to the season though.

 

[Revolution]

Not really, in fact I share some of the same negativity. But, after watching The Blades for 56 years, I know things have been a lot worse. Crowds around 10k, a three-sided ground, down to the Fourth Division, six wasted years in Division Three, a number of piss-poor managers etc. etc. We make the play-offs, we don't make the play-offs. It's not going to ruin my year. Do I think we'll get in the play-offs? Only ourselves to blame if we don't. Do I think we'd win the play-offs? Not a chance. We're a 'work in progress', but we are progressing. Unlike Wednesday.
I think Hamburg Blade has got it spot on:



Look at it this way. The door to the play-offs is wide open. We get knocked out and the disappointment will be greater than we're (well, some of us) are feeling now. We get to the Premier? Then the problems and criticisms begin.

If the answer is "not really", I fail to see the point of your previous post.

Anyway, I will also be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs. I will not, however, be disappointed if we don't win the playoffs. This club knocked that disappointment out of me in 2009.

We are indeed a work in progress. We have progressed since August 2016. I am slightly concerned that we are treading water a bit at the moment, however, though there is still time to do good things this year.

 

[Davalon]

Some good posts.

There aren't just two atitude options, blind positivity or abject negativity.

You'll find a handful of posters who fit into both camps constantly and despite their protestations they are disingenuous.

I think we still have a chance but I'm not particularly confident. Like has been said, it's our form over recent months that makes me feel we'll struggle to pick up enough points from a number of tough games.

What we don't know either is how others will do.

The upshot though is that we have surpassed my expectations so far and barring an unexpected late season collapse, we will finish higher than the mid table I predicted.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

See what the results are at 5pm today,could reinvigourate me into being a belieber,then them welsh fookers dash my reinvigouration later.

 

[Espania blade]

I only want two things from this year.
The ownership issue to be sorted before the end of this season.
And Chris Wilder to say "I am going nowhere"

The rest can stay in the lap of the gods.

UTB

 

[snootyfenooty]

Not saying we're going up or owt but what I find amazing is the "we might get to the playoffs but we won't win it" or "god help us if we do go up" attitudes. If we went up the whole landscape would change. Wilder would have £50m+ to play with and that would be the equivalent of £100m the tosspots Pardew/Allardice/Hodgson/Pullis & co squander and get no fucking where every season. Wilder would steam it with that kind of money. The biggest problem he would have to contend with would be from our own moaning minnies when their particular favourite player (80% of the current squad) gets binned.

 

[Revolution]

Not saying we're going up or owt but what I find amazing is the "we might get to the playoffs but we won't win it" or "god help us if we do go up" attitudes. If we went up the whole landscape would change. Wilder would have £50m+ to play with and that would be the equivalent of £100m the tosspots Pardew/Allardice/Hodgson/Pullis & co squander and get no fucking where every season. Wilder would steam it with that kind of money. The biggest problem he would have to contend with would be from our own moaning minnies when their particular favourite player (80% of the current squad) gets binned.

I don't understand "God help us if we do go up" either. It would be an amazing opportunity for us.

However, I don't see why any Blades fan wouldn't understand the "we might get in the playoffs but we won't win it" attitude that some people, including myself, possess. At this point, it is essentially part of club tradition. Our playoff record is the most pathetic in existence. I'd love this team to prove me wrong and I hope we make it and they prove me wrong but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I don't understand "God help us if we do go up" either. It would be an amazing opportunity for us.

However, I don't see why any Blades fan wouldn't understand the "we might get in the playoffs but we won't win it" attitude that some people, including myself, possess. At this point, it is essentially part of club tradition. Our playoff record is the most pathetic in existence. I'd love this team to prove me wrong and I hope we make it and they prove me wrong but I'll believe it when I see it.

I think I share views not dissimilar to yourself Rev. After all, what is the point of any club? Surely to progress, compete against the best there is, and should we, this season or next, achieve promotion, then of course we'd grasp the opportunity with both hands.

Success makes us more attractive to prospective buyers, so why we'd accept ongoing mediocrity is baffling. Burnley are a good example. Up and down like a yo-yo, but with each promotion they'll have already invested to strengthen their team, until they now look a decent Premiership team. I try to avoid comparisons, but if it helps other posters to grasp the reality of what we're here for, then no harm done. Of course, it will need clear and determined leadership from our board, but cynicism can't help contribute to a view that grasping this particular nettle might just be beyond our owners.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

It has been a good season, come what may. The deeply-ingrained pessimist in me notes that we still need 5 points to finish above Wednesday.

 

[shrubbery]

Pretty much everything currently going for us this afternoon score wise. Get a win tonight and back into 6th.

 

[Speedracer]

Well it was until you said that!

 

[grafikhaus]

If the answer is "not really", I fail to see the point of your previous post.

Anyway, I will also be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs. I will not, however, be disappointed if we don't win the playoffs. This club knocked that disappointment out of me in 2009.

We are indeed a work in progress. We have progressed since August 2016. I am slightly concerned that we are treading water a bit at the moment, however, though there is still time to do good things this year.

I was just trying to inject some much-needed humour and reality into proceedings. Now we're at the 'sharp end' of the season, what were 'disappointing' results in mid-season seem to assume tragic proportions, and that's where (mid-season) the damage was done to our season.

Tonight, the fans of Preston, Bristol City, Middlesbroughand Millwall will be saying 'if only'. The pigs will be on Porktalk saying 'if only'. The facts are that United have performed solidly against every team in this division. The pigs will be giddy because they've just beaten a lamentable Sunderland, who did a 'dead cat bounce' on Friday at Derby. If the Blades lose tonight - in one of the toughest games of the season - we'll still be ninth and just two points out of the play-offs. There's plenty of football to be played yet.

 

[Davalon]

You gotta be in it to win it.

Whilst I understand people not feeling confident about getting past Villa or Fulham over 2 legs, we have the worst play off record of any club and the law of averages says we will one sooner or later.

Why not when it's least expected. Put it this way, if we do make the play offs then realistically it will mean we go into them in decent form and with confidence.