Autos definitely not gone after today!

[bladesince64]

OK I know, I know I got it completely and utterly wrong and I'm back to eat a big helping of humble pie.

Things have turned around totally since I declared my utterly misguided wisdom and after the top two have wobbled in the last few games we are right back in the race.

To all those that disagreed with me, you were right to do so.

The Blades are back on the march and as someone said the other day, this is the best group since 1972.

I am loving it and daring to dream it could happen!

 

[TCsLoveChild]

The Lord (Wilder) loves a sinner who repents UTB

 

[Fanny magnet]

I don't want to come across as negative but I think top two would be a bit of a step too far for us ,our form is good at the moment and hopefully we bring in the right players to keep us there or thereabouts but I still think top 6 would be a phenomenal achievement given the respective budgets of us and the teams around us but you never know

 

[dc_blade]

I still think it's a massive ask for us and that two other teams with bigger, more expensive squads are likely to be more consistent than us over the next 20 games. Said in the summer I thought we'd be in the mix for the play offs and haven't changed my view since.

Only two numbers of interest to me now: 6th place, 75 points.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

You never know. Wilders mentor (Sir Harry) did it on a shoestring so why not.

 

[Stretch]

Let me help you out and share some of that humble pie. I also thought we wouldn't close the gap enough but happily stand corrected tonight.

We have the momentum and are becoming very ruthless in front of goal. Dowell and another striker in and we are set for a big second half push.
I still think it will be tough at the top, with Leeds and West Brom especially but I wouldn't bet against us now.

UTB

 

[8lade]

I still think it's a massive ask for us and that two other teams with bigger, more expensive squads are likely to be more consistent than us over the next 20 games. Said in the summer I thought we'd be in the mix for the play offs and haven't changed my view since.

Only two numbers of interest to me now: 6th place, 75 points.

2nd place 90...

 

[davidblade]

2nd place 90...

No fuck it let’s go for the 100

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Nothing is impossible with Wilder in charge and a positive mental attitude.

 

[Topplayersleave]

60 points to play for
40 will more than likely guarantee top two
30 will more than likely guarantee a play off place

Lets go for 60 just to make sure

 

[wavy-blade]

McGoldrick will take us to the promised land

 

[Sean Thornton]

I don't want to come across as negative but I think top two would be a bit of a step too far for us ,our form is good at the moment and hopefully we bring in the right players to keep us there or thereabouts but I still think top 6 would be a phenomenal achievement given the respective budgets of us and the teams around us but you never know

You'll be accused is settling for mediocrity for that very sensible post.

Plus where's the demands for a big transfer budget and for McCabe to do one?

Clapper.......

 

[ForgeBlade]

Calm down! Yes, it is possible (and looks a lot more possible than it did a couple of games ago) and yes, the signs are good that we've remembered how to play again in the 2nd half of the season.

BUT...we have some VERY tough games coming up. I'm not predicting defeats (or wins) but we'll know more about where we are in terms of challenging the top 2 after the next 5/6 games. If we're in there, or still in touch, then it's game on.

Let's just remember this is only our 2nd season back here after a long time in the wilderness. To improve on last season's finish would be good. To finish in the playoffs would be absolutely outstanding. To finish in the top 2.....? I can't even begin to imagine the scale of the hangover that would cause.

 

[SwissBlade]

OK I know, I know I got it completely and utterly wrong and I'm back to eat a big helping of humble pie.

Things have turned around totally since I declared my utterly misguided wisdom and after the top two have wobbled in the last few games we are right back in the race.

To all those that disagreed with me, you were right to do so.

The Blades are back on the march and as someone said the other day, this is the best group since 1972.

I am loving it and daring to dream it could happen!

Nothing is won or lost in December, but the way that we lost ground and then have regained it all in the space of a month shows just how competitive the division is at the moment

 

[Fanny magnet]

You'll be accused is settling for mediocrity for that very sensible post.

Plus where's the demands for a big transfer budget and for McCabe to do one?

Clapper.......

It just takes away from tge job the coaching staff are doing doesnt it?,expectations go up ,people get pissed off when we have an off day and then suddenly top 6 isn't good enough any more

As for the chairman ,we've only ever achieved anything when we've had a manager who can work miracles on a tight budget and you learn thst money is not always a positive thing, at the start of the season we could have splashed 5 million on waghorn and not be able to bring any loans in now

 

[Blade82]

Next championship fixtures

Leeds v Derby
West Brom v Norwich
Blades v QPR

QPR are looking decent and are in good form but we should pick up 3 points and hopefully make up further ground.

 

[Geordie Blade]

To all those that disagreed with me, you were right to do so.

Most who disagreed weren’t necessarily saying we will go up automatically. They were just old/wise enough to know that funny things happen in football and it’s always dangerous to write things off when the chips are down or, for that matter, to get complacent when things are going well. Luckily, we have a manager with his head screwed on and won’t let the players fall into either of those traps.

UTB.

 

[Topplayersleave]

I'm actually worried about QPR

 

[wavy-blade]

Don't forget positive Nigel , Hull are tearing up teams at the moment , unbelievable really , he was such a useless manager for us !

 

[Stretch]

I'm actually worried about QPR

I thought QPR were one of the most dangerous sides we have played so far, said the same on another thread. Freeman and Eze in particular caused us loads of problems. It was just their shaky defence [at the time] that let them down and Mclaren looks to have sorted that out now. Also I don't think they had Wells or Hemed when they played us either.

A draw would be a good result all things considered and 10 points from 12 an excellent return.

 

[wavy-blade]

I'm actually worried about QPR

Good side at the moment wally with the brolly has done a great job there , it wont be easy , they have just dug a 2-2 with Aston villa today.

 

[Topplayersleave]

Good side at the moment wally with the brolly has done a great job there , it wont be easy , they have just dug a 2-2 with Aston villa today.

Yes, just on the edge of the play offs so they'll be doing all they can to get three points

 

[Boxer Blade]

Blades64, I wonder if we lose two and draw the next three I wonder if you will be back to where you were, at the moment I don't know who the top two are going to be or the top six it changes more often than I can remember, the good thing is our current squad do seem to be able to bounce back unlike last season, I do feel we have every reason to be quietly confident about top six.

 

[Ricky]

Well it's looking a lot better after today but it's still a big ask.

The others slipping up has to give you confidence though. If they continue to then you never know. Our players have to be sensing a serious opportunity.

But again, we need to have a very good transfer window.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

I'm actually worried about QPR

I was worried about Wigan.

 

[NotFallowfieldBlade]

You'll be accused is settling for mediocrity for that very sensible post.

Plus where's the demands for a big transfer budget and for McCabe to do one?

Clapper.......

Bet your fun at parties Shaun

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Bet your fun at parties Shaun

His safe word is 'jackdaw'.

 

[bladesince64]

The key thing for me is that CW has improved the squad gradually without throwing big bucks at it. Him and the coaching staff have been
able to coach some existing/cheap/free transfers into a group that has gone from strength to strength. An amazing achievement in itself.

I also think that he's developed a playing system which he's had to tweak a few times as the players have come and gone and he now has the balance right between attacking as a group, playing on the counter attack and going hung ho and leaving ourselves wide open to get punished by the more quality sides.

I know he's had a lot of experience as a manager but I honestly think he's learnt as he's gone along. Not a criticism in any way but I just think that's what's happened.

 

[Sean Thornton]

His safe word is 'jackdaw'.

Not since you misheard it as "backdoor" it isnt.....

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

The Blades are back on the march and as someone said the other day, this is the best group since 1972.

I am loving it and daring to dream it could happen!

I agree with this.

I don't want to come across as negative but I think top two would be a bit of a step too far for us ,our form is good at the moment and hopefully we bring in the right players to keep us there or thereabouts but I still think top 6 would be a phenomenal achievement given the respective budgets of us and the teams around us but you never know

I also agree with this.


We are difficult to read at the moment, partly because we are still playing patchily—while winning again by decent margins. Despite taking 9 points in the 3 games over Christmas, and scoring 9 goals, I’d say we have played just 2 convincing halves of football out of 6. So, yeah, I agree with both bladesince64 and Fanny magnet

The obvious upside of this contradiction is that we appear, currently, to have progressed beyond the “We need to be at 100% to win games” line that some have used to describe (and slate) us this season. Alternative cliches might be, “We can now win ugly / play poorly and win”—an absolutely vital quality for promotable teams, whereas up til now we’ve been notable for dominating teams, at times, but still not winning.

1) This is hugely encouraging, as we move into the back end of the season.

2) A lot may depend on ins and outs during the transfer window, not just at Utd but at other clubs as well (e.g, Harvey Barnes about to be recalled from WBA by Leicester?).

3) At the end of today’s game, with the players celebrating in front of us, the deja vu shit from two seasons ago was spookily palpable. Momentum!

4) Despite the current gap to 7th, injuries, form, the performances of other teams, the vagaries of the JTW, and bad luck, could still see us finish, errr, 8th.

Me, I’m loving this season, me.