Next five league games

[Enigmatic]

Realistically, I think we're pushing for 5th or 6th. Possibly 4th. Below shows our next five games in comparison to, who I'd consider to be, our closest rivals for these spots.

I've emboldened the games against fellow promotion/play-off contenders - the fixtures which guarantee at least one such team will drop points.

Blades:

QPR (H)
Hull (A)
Reading (A)
Burton (H)
Fulham (A)

Bristol City:

Leeds (A)
Fulham (H)
Cardiff (A)
Wednesday (H)
Preston (A)

Fulham:

Villa (H)
Bristol City (A)
Wolves (H)
Derby (A)
Blades (H)

Preston:

Wolves (H)
Villa (A)
Ipswich (H)
Bolton (A)
Bristol City (H)

Cardiff:

Bolton (H)
Middlesbrough (H)
Ipswich (A)
Bristol City (H)
Brentford (A)

Middlesbrough:

Cardiff (A)
Hull (H)
Sunderland (A)
Leeds (H)
Birmingham (A)

This is a good opportunity for us. There are no easy games in the Championship. It is difficult to predict.

However, looking in particular at those few teams above us, if we can go on a decent run in the next five games, it's fair to say we have a good chance of getting back into the play-offs and in good form going into the home straight.

I think one of the others will have a good run and cement themselves a place - I would guess at Fulham. Middlesbrough have a similar run of games to us, and could be up there too.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

We've had a tricky run to be fair...

But we have come through it more or less in tact. Some results went for us today for a chance as well (sunderland and Bolton clawing draws back)

Fine margins but stop Snograss from shooting, Flint in the last minute and beat Bolton and we would be right in amongst it. WE have played well without the rewards against some powerful sides in the division and now we have a chance to go again and try and and build on our hard work so far.

But that said I think QPR away was possibly our poorest performance of the season, so we cant take this lightly - we need to on it but just hope they have less matchwinners to punish us as has been the case recently.

Glad Fulham have got some difficult games coming up because I don't actually think they are all that!

 

[Ricky]

You have to strongly fancy us to be above Bristol City after that. But you know what it's like. It's never predictable and straightforward.

 

[SB_90]

said on leeds thread about how weve had ridiculous run of fixtures last 2 months to still be 3 pts off is good achievement. now this our time to make our run because I thought this morning on the current table, not just the next 5, we could easily win 7 of the next 8 games til next international break because outside of Fulham, because we had Leeds 11th, QPR 15th, Hull 21st, Reading 18th, Burton 24th, Ipswich 12th & Forest 16th which will shoot us up the table

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

It's good that we've got some of the lower teams now as we are getting to the stage of the season when the teams around the playoffs start flapping and the bottom teams start fighting for their lives.

Hopefully we will have just missed this.

 

[Enigmatic]

You have to strongly fancy us to be above Bristol City after that. But you know what it's like. It's never predictable and straightforward.

They’ve really got under my skin after their smash and grab at the Lane.

Tough run they’ve got. Leeds won’t be easy, and they’ll pick up a 0-0 loss at Hillsborough. Can see them finishing 8th/9th.

 

[super_pig]

Realistically, I think we're pushing for 5th or 6th. Possibly 4th. Below shows our next five games in comparison to, who I'd consider to be, our closest rivals for these spots.

I've emboldened the games against fellow promotion/play-off contenders - the fixtures which guarantee at least one such team will drop points.

Blades:

QPR (H)
Hull (A)
Reading (A)
Burton (H)
Fulham (A)

Bristol City:

Leeds (A)
Fulham (H)
Cardiff (A)
Wednesday (H)
Preston (A)

Fulham:

Villa (H)
Bristol City (A)
Wolves (H)
Derby (A)
Blades (H)

Preston:

Wolves (H)
Villa (A)
Ipswich (H)
Bolton (A)
Bristol City (H)

Cardiff:

Bolton (H)
Middlesbrough (H)
Ipswich (A)
Bristol City (H)
Brentford (A)

Middlesbrough:

Cardiff (A)
Hull (H)
Sunderland (A)
Leeds (H)
Birmingham (A)

This is a good opportunity for us. There are no easy games in the Championship. It is difficult to predict.

However, looking in particular at those few teams above us, if we can go on a decent run in the next five games, it's fair to say we have a good chance of getting back into the play-offs and in good form going into the home straight.

I think one of the others will have a good run and cement themselves a place - I would guess at Fulham. Middlesbrough have a similar run of games to us, and could be up there too.

been banging on about this for weeks.. good run over these next 5 and we’re really in it

 

[super_pig]

said on leeds thread about how weve had ridiculous run of fixtures last 2 months to still be 3 pts off is good achievement. now this our time to make our run because I thought this morning on the current table, not just the next 5, we could easily win 7 of the next 8 games til next international break because outside of Fulham, because we had Leeds 11th, QPR 15th, Hull 21st, Reading 18th, Burton 24th, Ipswich 12th & Forest 16th which will shoot us up the table

and.. we’ve beaten a lot of these already

 

[BigBed]

I'd happily take 3 wins, a draw and a loss in that lot.

 

[Trafford]

I've emboldened the games against fellow promotion/play-off contenders - the fixtures which guarantee at least one such team will drop points.

Formatting error - you forgot to ‘embolden’ Wednesday......

 

[bladesmanluke]

There’s no point worrying about any game but the next one. It’s football, literally anything can happen in 90 minutes. Each pass, each interception or bounce of the ball can change everything. All we can do is make sure we outwork/smart the next opposition, whoever it is and then hope the quality we possess will be enough to win the game.

Then you go about outworking/smarting the next opponent and so on. We’ll see where we end up.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I'm expecting a maximum 16 points from the next 5 games.

 

[SB_90]

and.. we’ve beaten a lot of these already

Well ipswich away should be no worries won in fa cup with reserves

 

[hazzasufc_]

I wouldn't be sure cocksure about ourselves just yet. On paper this might look like a beateable run but I remember a few saying the same thing after our Burton game in November. I have 100% confidence we will put absolute effort in every single game and we will be obviously disappointed if we don't get a good run together now when it's most needed in the final 3rd but complacency shouldn't take hold of us.

 

[Harry's Game]

Bristol City were actually one of the poorer sides I have seen this season at the Lane, maybe they had an off day but their 1-2 win was an absolute travesty, even with us being down to 10 men.

A fairer reflection of the play would have been a 7-2 win for us.

 

[sitwell]

If that big fucker at the back for bristol should get injured that would be them finished.

 

[Blade56]

Realistically, I think we're pushing for 5th or 6th. Possibly 4th. Below shows our next five games in comparison to, who I'd consider to be, our closest rivals for these spots.

I've emboldened the games against fellow promotion/play-off contenders - the fixtures which guarantee at least one such team will drop points.

Blades:

QPR (H)
Hull (A)
Reading (A)
Burton (H)
Fulham (A)

Bristol City:

Leeds (A)
Fulham (H)
Cardiff (A)
Wednesday (H)
Preston (A)

Fulham:

Villa (H)
Bristol City (A)
Wolves (H)
Derby (A)
Blades (H)

Preston:

Wolves (H)
Villa (A)
Ipswich (H)
Bolton (A)
Bristol City (H)

Cardiff:

Bolton (H)
Middlesbrough (H)
Ipswich (A)
Bristol City (H)
Brentford (A)

Middlesbrough:

Cardiff (A)
Hull (H)
Sunderland (A)
Leeds (H)
Birmingham (A)

This is a good opportunity for us. There are no easy games in the Championship. It is difficult to predict.

However, looking in particular at those few teams above us, if we can go on a decent run in the next five games, it's fair to say we have a good chance of getting back into the play-offs and in good form going into the home straight.

I think one of the others will have a good run and cement themselves a place - I would guess at Fulham. Middlesbrough have a similar run of games to us, and could be up there too.

10 points from the next 5

 

[gavtheblade]

Preston.Fuck me.How on earth they have managed to get where they are is beyond belief.
They are dogger.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I agree with the OP, 4th is the absolute max I think we can expect but let's take a moment to appreciate just how brilliant that is...given how little we've spent. We also continue to play some of, if not the best football in the division.

Time will tell with regards to what we've got to offer but in terms of a run in the fixtures work well for us, in that our rivals have got a pretty tough time of it. As has been said, quite a few play each other. Preston v Wolves next, and fuck me look at Fulham's fixtures!

COME ON BLADES!

 

[Enigmatic]

So, 5 games have passed. I thought I'd follow up with a quick summary for a little perspective:

(I hope none of you are colour blind...)

Blades: 6 points out of 12.

QPR (H) 2 - 1 WIN
Hull (A) 2 - 1 LOSS
Reading (A) 2 - 1 WIN
Burton (H) PP
Fulham (A) 0 - 3 LOSS

A mixed bag. Ground out a good win against QPR. The frustrating loss at Hull (a very uncharacteristic no-show from us) and a postponement on Saturday the only real negatives. We made up for it with a good performance away at Reading. Outclassed against Fulham - don't think we can complain too much when up against a team of this quality, in this form and on their own turf. Overall, looks/feels worse than it is. A win at home to Burton next week would put us nicely back on track.

Bristol City: 5 points out of 15.

Leeds (A) 2 - 2 DRAW
Fulham (H) 1 - 1 DRAW
Cardiff (A) 0 - 1 LOSS
Wednesday (H) 4 - 0 WIN
Preston (A) 1 - 2 LOSS

Not a great run of games for Brizzle. Some tough fixtures in the last couple of weeks, the home game at home to our porcine neighbours stands out as their best result, although they did well to contain Fulham to a draw. Still in contention for the last play-off spot.

Fulham: 13 points out of 15.

Villa (H) 2 - 0 WIN
Bristol City (A) 1 - 1 DRAW
Wolves (H) 2 - 0 WIN
Derby (A) 1 - 2 WIN
Blades (H) 3 - 0 WIN

A fine five games for the division's in-form team. I tipped them to do well in these and they didn't fail to deliver. They really could go on and nick the second automatic spot if they carry on at this rate (dependent on Cardiff slowing down). Take your pick for their best moment - 4 very good wins. A draw away at Brizzle their only 'negative'. No shame in losing away to them.

Preston: 8 points out of 15.

Wolves (H) 1 - 1 DRAW
Villa (A) 1 - 1 DRAW
Ipswich (H) 0 - 1 LOSS
Bolton (A) 1 - 3 WIN
Bristol City (H) 2 - 1 WIN

Did well to draw against Wolves and Villa. Good win at home to Brizzle. Will be disappointed not to get a result at home to Ipswich. Decent five games for them overall, keeps them in with a shout of top 6.

Cardiff: 12 points out of 12.

Bolton (H) 2 - 0 WIN
Middlesbrough (H) 1 - 0 WIN
Ipswich (A) 0 - 1 WIN
Bristol City (H) 1 - 0 WIN
Brentford (A) PP

4 wins and 4 clean sheets. Can't ask for much more. A postponed game away to Brentford their only gripe. Win that game in hand and they could really cement an automatic spot.

Middlesbrough: 10 points out of 15.

Cardiff (A) 0 - 1 LOSS
Hull (H) 3 - 1 WIN
Sunderland (A) 3 - 3 DRAW
Leeds (H) 3 - 0 WIN
Birmingham (A) 0 - 1 WIN

Pretty good run for Boro, albeit from a slightly easier run of games. Recovered from a loss away at Cardiff to get themselves into sixth place. But hey, win our game at Burton 11 - 0 and we'll go above them on GD...

 

[Champagneblade]

The next three United fixtures must fall into the ‘very winnable’ category if we get the right team selection, tactics and effort.

Ipswich a team we have beaten twice already including once away.

Then if you aspire to achieve, beating teams in the bottom third of the division at home is a must.

One game at a time but an L would be very disappointing in the next three and anything less than 7 points would be underachieving.