7th with a great chance of promotion

[Revolution]

I would feel more confident going into the playoffs if we are led by a positive manager who has actually won promotion via that route previously.

Like Neil "I've never lost in the playoffs" Warnock in 2003?

I will never be confident in the playoffs

 

[grafikhaus]

There are 20 games left to play, such a long way to go. With a few key additions I do think we could catch any of Wigan, Cov and maybe Gillingham as we have to play them all again and have a game in hand on each of them. Of the 3, I also have a feeling that the Gills will fall away. Let's just say that happens, we could find ourselves within touching distance of 2nd with a few games left.

Say it quickly and it makes sense. But...

We will not be making 'a few key additions'. More likely, decent players will leave.

The next three games are - on paper - 'easier' than most: Swindon (H), Blackpool (A) and Bury (A). The minimum return from these games must be 6 points or our recent upturn will be derailed. I can't see us getting anything at Blackpool, for a start.

Like last season, I just want this season to be over so the agonies we usually get at this critical stage can be laid to rest. Then there's always next season...

 

[PeteBlade]

I would feel more confident going into the playoffs if we are led by a positive manager who has actually won promotion via that route previously.

But less confident with a positive manager that's achieved much better than a play off victory?

 

[Hunkerby]

Like Neil "I've never lost in the playoffs" Warnock in 2003?

I will never be confident in the playoffs

Yes I would be more confident with Warnock or Adkins since they have proved they are capable.

Better that than someone who has never been there or who has only lost there.

 

[Revolution]

Yes I would be more confident with Warnock or Adkins since they have proved they are capable.

Better that than someone who has never been there or who has only lost there.

I see the logic. I just don't share it.

I remain of the view that we will not get promoted whilst the present regime is in the boardroom.

 

[DiggerBlade]

I see the logic. I just don't share it.

I remain of the view that we will not get promoted whilst the present regime is in the boardroom.

I agree with that.

 

[Hunkerby]

But less confident with a positive manager that's achieved much better than a play off victory?

That would depend on what their achievements were. If they had won a World cup or a Champions League then it would be proof they could handle the big occasions.

 

[Stretch]

Say it quickly and it makes sense. But...

We will not be making 'a few key additions'. More likely, decent players will leave.

The next three games are - on paper - 'easier' than most: Swindon (H), Blackpool (A) and Bury (A). The minimum return from these games must be 6 points or our recent upturn will be derailed. I can't see us getting anything at Blackpool, for a start.

Like last season, I just want this season to be over so the agonies we usually get at this critical stage can be laid to rest. Then there's always next season...

You may be right in terms of transfers in and out mate but I am quite relaxed about us selling players. Let's be honest, of those likely to be on sale, who would actually miss apart from Bill and Brayford on current form? Coutts arguably and Basham purely for his flexibility but even that is stretching it.

In terms of the upcoming games I totally agree that 6 points is a minimum requirement but we should be winning all 3. Nobody thought we would get anything from December's games but we ended up doing well.

 

[Hunkerby]

I see the logic. I just don't share it.

I remain of the view that we will not get promoted whilst the present regime is in the boardroom.

Are the current regime any worse than previous regimes who got some promotions?
I don't think so.....

 

[Revolution]

Are the current regime any worse than previous regimes who got some promotions?
I don't think so.....

The difference is that in promotion years Bassett and Warnock (in 2005-6)were not working in an environment where their best players were sold out from under them.

And when we went up under Porterfield he was provided with significant money.

Plus all of these managers spent well.

 

[PeteBlade]

That would depend on what their achievements were. If they had won a World cup or a Champions League then it would be proof they could handle the big occasions.

But not if they'd won promotion from the division we're in, twice, and the division above?

If you're holding out for a World Cup/champions league winning manager to come to Bramall Lane I suggest you revise down your expectations.

 

[Hunkerby]

The difference is that in promotion years Bassett and Warnock (in 2005-6)were not working in an environment where their best players were sold out from under them.

And when we went up under Porterfield he was provided with significant money.

Plus all of these managers spent well.

The Bassett and Warnock regimes were still poor regimes -
Deane - sold
Jags - sold

Bassett bought some good players for his system of playing but I'm not convinced Warnock spent well.

 

[Hunkerby]

But not if they'd won promotion from the division we're in, twice, and the division above?

If you're holding out for a World Cup/champions league winning manager to come to Bramall Lane I suggest you revise down your expectations.

No I'm happy with our current manager thanks

 

[Revolution]

The Bassett and Warnock regimes were still poor regimes -
Deane - sold
Jags - sold

Bassett bought some good players for his system of playing but I'm not convinced Warnock spent well.

This is true, but key players were kept when we went up. Jags was not allowed to go in 2005 for example.

And we kept Brian Deane for 5 years. Can you imagine our current board doing that?

 

[1danewhitehouse]

All we are is 7th with an outside chance of the playoffs. Like any team sat in 7th. When you're in the playoffs you have on the face of it a 1 in 4 chance and that doesn't account for many other variables that fall either for you or against you.

At this moment I think we are where we deserve to be. We've been on a decent run to get ourselves back in it and couldn't beat either Wigan or Peterborough (the two teams above us). Off the top of my head the only top six team we have managed to beat is Coventry and we were very fortunate to do so.

That all points to one thing.....invest in the squad and we might have a 1/4 chance at best.

1 point off and having shown improvement of late, I think we have more than an outside chance of making the playoffs. Teams like Donny have an outside chance. Winning them on the other hand…..


Regarding the current top 6 we have also beaten Peterborough (albeit when they had a different manager and weren’t playing well). We have Walsall, Burton, Gillingham and Wigan to come at home out of them and Coventry away. Our return over those games ought to tell us a lot about our prospects.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Done was playing for a club lower than us now when we bought him. Before that he was at Barnsley.

There's no reason to think he'll be handing a request in. He probably won't get paid more playing for anyone else in this league.

Agreed. Brayford is the one we might well lose and if he rediscovers his form, Adams is another. They are the most saleable assets we have.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

My problem with the squad is that it's unbalanced in the sense of not having enough different attributes in key areas. We have good players but for instance....Sharp and Done, both quality but it's not a partnership. For me it's doesn't work. Basham and Hammond.....again nothing wrong with them individually but they don't work together.

We need to get those partnerships right in quite a few areas. As many say a centre half is needed but I'm not convinced it's the biggest problem. A couple of ball carrying/forward thinking midfield players would take a lot of pressure off us and force the opposition to play deeper. A strong no.10 with aerial threat would create more gaps for Sharp. It's about having the right things to complement other players.

I don’t think we can afford to play an attacking midfielder with Basham or Hammond and in this league, I don’t think we can recruit a complete midfielder. So, if it is to be 2 in the centre of midfield, I think Basham and Hammond is as good as it is going to get. I think we could get more attacking threat down the left side either with an attacking full back like we have on the right or a better winger who can go past defenders.

 

[blade too long]

We are over due a win in the play offs , would be a better way of looking at it
All runs come to an end, all hoodoos eventually get broken
With our ability to score its probably the most potent weve been going into one
Weve broken our not scoring in big games hoodoo
the next logical progression is to win one

 

[PeteBlade]

Agreed. Brayford is the one we might well lose and if he rediscovers his form, Adams is another. They are the most saleable assets we have.

I agree on Brayford for sure but with Adams, I'm not sure he's actually kicked on since his early promise so not sure why he'd be that attractive.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I agree on Brayford for sure but with Adams, I'm not sure he's actually kicked on since his early promise so not sure why he'd be that attractive.

On current form I agree but he has shown flashes earlier this season. If he could establish any sort of consistency then he could become highly sought after.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

1 point off and having shown improvement of late, I think we have more than an outside chance of making the playoffs. Teams like Donny have an outside chance. Winning them on the other hand…..


Regarding the current top 6 we have also beaten Peterborough (albeit when they had a different manager and weren’t playing well). We have Walsall, Burton, Gillingham and Wigan to come at home out of them and Coventry away. Our return over those games ought to tell us a lot about our prospects.

It will be very telling. In fact it will be the difference between making the playoffs and getting nowhere near.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I don’t think we can afford to play an attacking midfielder with Basham or Hammond and in this league, I don’t think we can recruit a complete midfielder. So, if it is to be 2 in the centre of midfield, I think Basham and Hammond is as good as it is going to get. I think we could get more attacking threat down the left side either with an attacking full back like we have on the right or a better winger who can go past defenders.

I disagree here. No one at this level should sufficiently worry us into playing two deep lying central midfield players, especially when we don't play with out and out wingers on either side!

I'm a believer in defending from the front and making the opposition worry about you. We need a more forward thinking and more aggressive player up the middle. It ties opposition players up and takes pressure off the defence. We have too many players that are accustomed to getting behind the ball and drawing the opposition onto us.....it really tells with the number of long range shots we concede from.

The best way to defend is to force the opposition to turn around and face their own goal.

 

[Darthblade]

I disagree here. No one at this level should sufficiently worry us into playing two deep lying central midfield players, especially when we don't play with out and out wingers on either side!

I'm a believer in defending from the front and making the opposition worry about you. We need a more forward thinking and more aggressive player up the middle. It ties opposition players up and takes pressure off the defence. We have too many players that are accustomed to getting behind the ball and drawing the opposition onto us.....it really tells with the number of long range shots we concede from.

The best way to defend is to force the opposition to turn around and face their own goal.

I agree with you on this but regrettably, we don't have a player at the Club that you describe ....... and it doesn't appear that there's the stomach at the Club to clear out the "dead wood" and bring in the 3 or 4 players that we so desperately need if we are to seriously mount a play-off challenge.

UTB & FTP

 

[Jan Age]

I disagree here. No one at this level should sufficiently worry us into playing two deep lying central midfield players, especially when we don't play with out and out wingers on either side!

I'm a believer in defending from the front and making the opposition worry about you. We need a more forward thinking and more aggressive player up the middle. It ties opposition players up and takes pressure off the defence. We have too many players that are accustomed to getting behind the ball and drawing the opposition onto us.....it really tells with the number of long range shots we concede from.

The best way to defend is to force the opposition to turn around and face their own goal.

I also agree with your thoughts on both the style and type of player. However if you adjust the current style and bring in that type of player that will invariably put more pressure on the natural back 4 leaving them more exposed.

The current back 4 are currently not good enough to cope with that so in addition to the midfielder you describe we also need a CB and if we introduce more attacking intent down the wing we need a LB (despite improvements JMc has made in last few games)

 

[Tezza1889]

I also agree with your thoughts on both the style and type of player. However if you adjust the current style and bring in that type of player that will invariably put more pressure on the natural back 4 leaving them more exposed.

The current back 4 are currently not good enough to cope with that so in addition to the midfielder you describe we also need a CB and if we introduce more attacking intent down the wing we need a LB (despite improvements JMc has made in last few games)

So what you're saying is we need a defender, and a goal scoring midfielder....

Now, where have I heard that before??

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I agree with you on this but regrettably, we don't have a player at the Club that you describe ....... and it doesn't appear that there's the stomach at the Club to clear out the "dead wood" and bring in the 3 or 4 players that we so desperately need if we are to seriously mount a play-off challenge.

UTB & FTP

You're probably right. I have the same expectations in reality.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I also agree with your thoughts on both the style and type of player. However if you adjust the current style and bring in that type of player that will invariably put more pressure on the natural back 4 leaving them more exposed.

The current back 4 are currently not good enough to cope with that so in addition to the midfielder you describe we also need a CB and if we introduce more attacking intent down the wing we need a LB (despite improvements JMc has made in last few games)

Solving one issue also solves the other. It actually takes pressure off the back four because opposition players will then drop deeper. Our back four (albeit not the world's best) will continue to struggle if the ball keeps coming back and the opposition are comfortable enough to keep players pushed up.

 

[sheffielder]

Done was playing for a club lower than us now when we bought him. Before that he was at Barnsley.

There's no reason to think he'll be handing a request in. He probably won't get paid more playing for anyone else in this league.

I think it's safe to say this is done's level, or at best bottom of championship. Sooner or later we will be at the latter.

I have a strange feeling this season will come good though, and a good reason I have yet to chuck toys out of the pram

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

I agree with you on this but regrettably, we don't have a player at the Club that you describe ....... and it doesn't appear that there's the stomach at the Club to clear out the "dead wood" and bring in the 3 or 4 players that we so desperately need if we are to seriously mount a play-off challenge.

UTB & FTP

Jose Baxter surely fits the bill. He's not a winger and he's not a striker so he must be a central midfielder.

 

[Jan Age]

Solving one issue also solves the other. It actually takes pressure off the back four because opposition players will then drop deeper. Our back four (albeit not the world's best) will continue to struggle if the ball keeps coming back and the opposition are comfortable enough to keep players pushed up.

I don't necessarily think that it does. I agree by pushing forward it makes the other team sit deeper however should they play on the counter and get in behind our midfield our current back 4 would be helpless. It seems to me that this is the decision NA as arrived at hence 'the wall' of 4 midfielders we currently have.

Also every time I see is trying to be more expansive it results on conceding lots more goals.

But I agree with your thoughts that we need to be more attacking but I think we need more than 1 player to be doing that given the players obvious limitations.