Play Off Optimism

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Look, I think there's a risk we overthink these things.

Sometimes our inspiration is in the everyday things.

Like my 6 year olds favourite programme, Princess Power.

'So let's go, go, go
Come on, let's take on the day
Let's take on the day
We'll just try 'til we get it right
And never give up the fight
'Cause that's the princess way'.

We should just do that. Get it on the wall, Tufteh.
 
TJB. said:
It's not about whether you think we will or won't. The fact is that's the path in front of us now.

If you want to sit silent, watch from behind the sofa or get ready to leap out and be the first to say 'I told you so' (as seems to be the prerogative of some on here) then that's your choice.

I'd rather back the lads because that's sort of the point of being a fan.

We're miles ahead of the other teams behind us in terms of points. We've beaten each of them. They've all lost games today at the business end of the season. They're all reasons to believe we can do it.
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How dare you come on here and be positive 🤣
 
I'm optimistic. We are by some distance the third best team in the division. Yes, we're proven to be not as good as the top two. But so far we have amassed 10 more points than Sunderland in 4th, and 20 more than Coventry in 6th.
Of course, none of that guarantees winning the play-offs. That's not how football works. But we have a better chance of winning it than the teams who finish 4th, 5th and 6th. So in my view we should go into it with a sense of optimism, but not over-confidence.
 
relish said:
I'm optimistic. We are by some distance the third best team in the division. Yes, we're proven to be not as good as the top two. But so far we have amassed 10 more points than Sunderland in 4th, and 20 more than Coventry in 6th.
Of course, none of that guarantees winning the play-offs. That's not how football works. But we have a better chance of winning it than the teams who finish 4th, 5th and 6th. So in my view we should go into it with a sense of optimism, but not over-confidence.
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Leeds > lost both games
Burnley> lost both games
Sunderland > won one lost one
Bristol City > won one drew one
Coventry City > won one drew one
Middlesboro >won one lost one
Millwall > won one lost one
 
If it is any consolation to you my team, Sunderland, are absolutely dreadful and have been for weeks now.

We have gone from an unbeaten home record to struggling at home every time we play there and 3 home defeats in the last 5 or 6 games. We have lost 3 games off the belt, as we, supposedly, rest players for the play offs.

I'll predict a 0 v 2 defeat in our first leg and a draw at home in the second leg to not even make Wembley.
 
Harry's Game said:
Teams that win the play offs Usually go into them in good form.. over last 5 we are next to bottom in the form table.
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I mean the whole "form table" is complete bollocks, but I guess the reason you picked five games as opposed to the six that is normally used is because we won game six and you want to make us look worse to push some narrative?
 
MBH said:
If it is any consolation to you my team, Sunderland, are absolutely dreadful and have been for weeks now.

We have gone from an unbeaten home record to struggling at home every time we play there and 3 home defeats in the last 5 or 6 games. We have lost 3 games off the belt, as we, supposedly, rest players for the play offs.

I'll predict a 0 v 2 defeat in our first leg and a draw at home in the second leg to not even make Wembley.
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I think we will both be playing "derby" games next season...........Sunderland v Newcastle and Blades v Pigs
 
Based on our performance over the season and relative to whoever else finishes in the top 6, by rights we should go on and win it.

We've played all those teams and none of them are especially scary. They can punish you if you're not on your game but so can we as proven against Middlesbrough and Coventry recently, both of which we beat comfortably, only to rest on our laurels after that...

The way we've played most of the season almost lends itself to play off football with conservative play, getting a goal and keeping things tight after that. Doesn't always work as we've seen but it's usually quite cagey and lends itself to our unspectacular way of getting the job done.
 
Some wild and varied predictions here.
None of which have taken into consideration the most important factor.
The Footballing Gods.

They Fucking hate us!!!
With a passion. !!!
 
Realistically autos had gone after the Plymouth game so in a way it is probably a good thing to get it confirmed with 2 weeks to prepare for the play offs. it will give a chance for the players to clear their heads. We can use the last 2 games to get some minutes into players that need them, give a rest to some key players to ensure they are physically and mentally refreshed for what hopefully will be 3 more games. We have to try and go into it positively and see it as a job that now needs finishing. The previous 44 games are now not relevant. We have effectively qualified for a cup semi final with a chance to get through and win a final at Wembley, something a lot of players will never achieve in their career. If we can look at this way I think that will give us our best chance of success.
 
Completely understand people's negativity but we're not cursed that's for sure.

I'm struggling to think of much bad luck in the play offs we've had.

It's not for me to tell other people how to think or what to spend but surely a positive approach with fans fully behind has to be the best one.
 

A big factor in our favour.

Whoever finishes 6th will have done it on the back of 2 hard fought games and will.have 5 days before the first leg.

We, on the other hand, have 17 days to get set for the first leg. We have two meaningless games before then where no one will bust a gut and I full expect us to play essentially second choice XIs.
 
I'd argue we're going into these playoffs with the best group of players we ever have (in the playoffs)...we have a few weeks to prep for them too. And whoever we get we'll be playing someone who haven't beaten us over 180 mins this year (unless Millwall sneak in, and I'd not fear playing Millwall over two legs). I'm optimistic. We need to try and enjoy it and get behind them. We can absolutely do it. And up via playoffs looks a great way of getting there as a fan. C'mon!
 
programmechap said:
A big factor in our favour.

Whoever finishes 6th will have done it on the back of 2 hard fought games and will.have 5 days before the first leg.

We, on the other hand, have 17 days to get set for the first leg. We have two meaningless games before then where no one will bust a gut and I full expect us to play essentially second choice XIs.
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I don’t think we can play very weakened sides as the EFL is likely to react. We have caused them enough problems this season with our brawling without adding to it. Stoke are still in danger of relegation and Blackburn may still be pushing fit the 6 th play off place.
CW wants 90 points won in the season so I think you will see strong sides but with some rested.
 
My play off optimism is not only based on us finishing 3rd easily, but also that at some bloody point - the football gods have surely got to give us a break! Just had a chat over lunch up here with fans of various clubs and of course (as often before) the subject of our abysmal play off record came up again. But then also the question was raised - are Sheffield United the biggest club(based on attendances) not to win a Final since 2nd World War. That included FA Cup, League Cup, play Off Final, AutoGlass/Johnstone’s Paint- even Anglo Scottish or Watney Cup - guess what ….. the consensus was that Sheffield United must have a gypsy curse from when they built the stand in the cricket pitch! No one could think of another club with a worse record.

Surely this infamous ‘Badge of Honour’ has to be relinquished to someone else soon! Fingers crossed our 100 year anniversary of our last Wembley win will be it this year.
 
Snowflake said:
I don’t think we can play very weakened sides as the EFL is likely to react. We have caused them enough problems this season with our brawling without adding to it. Stoke are still in danger of relegation and Blackburn may still be pushing fit the 6 th play off place.
CW wants 90 points won in the season so I think you will see strong sides but with some rested.
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Stoke are very unlikely to go.down (5 teams would have to better their results) and Blackburn will be out of it by the final day.

I'm not talking about playing the U21s, but I think it very unlikely we'll be seeing the likes of Cooper, Peck, Campbell, Souza or Hamer in the next 2 games.

I reckon we'll go something like this

Davies

Seriki
Gilchrist
Holding
McCallum

Brewster
Choundhury
Brooks
Brereton

Moore
Cannon
 
TJB. said:
Don't even know whether it's as binary as being positive or negative for me. Just a sense of duty to get behind dem Blades.

We've got two semi-finals ahead of us. Need to be loud and proud. Otherwise what's the point?
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Well said mate
 
Balham said:
Our record against the teams currently in 4th to 6th is P6 W3 D2 L1 which is automatic promotion form. If I can be bothered later I’ll do a full mini league table.

The team we play away will have to have a go at us. The times we’ve looked most competent this season is when we’ve employed the low block and broken quickly. I’d expect that to apply again.
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I've been bothered. This is for those in with a realistic shout of the play offs.

1745338524692.webp

Obviously two of those sides will drop out. This is the minitable for the current occupants of the PO spots:
1745338756015.webp
 
Snowflake said:
I don’t think we can play very weakened sides as the EFL is likely to react. We have caused them enough problems this season with our brawling without adding to it. Stoke are still in danger of relegation and Blackburn may still be pushing fit the 6 th play off place.
CW wants 90 points won in the season so I think you will see strong sides but with some rested.
Click to expand...
If 90 points was that important to him, he should have pushed for them in the 3 losses before Cardiff, not 2 end of season nothing games.
 
What we know is our 3rd place means that we are the most consistent of the contenders and hopefully the most capable. What we need is everyone up for it, a determination to play to the whistle and put games to bed in good time, leaving nothing to chance.
 
It’s our destiny.
The last time the Blades won at Wembley was in the year 1925.
The Blades always win at Wembley when there’s a 25 in the year. 2025 is our year!, boys!
It’s written in the stars.
 
OK - here's my optimism (tempered with a bit of pessimism).
Previously, Sheffield United was an 'underdog' side - not packed with individual talent, but as a team were able, on a few occasions, to rise above and win games against better opposition, but ultimately, in the glare of the final showdown withered on the vine.
I truly believe this team is the best we've had in recent times, packed with class players - and a lot of them will absolutely relish the opportunity to shine at Wembley - Peck, Hamer, Souza, Campbell, Rak-sakyi and Cooper to name but a few, will be pumped up and, going out from the tunnel onto the fantastic Wembley pitch, in front of a packed stadium, will be raring to go.
So, I genuinely believe we can beat any team we meet on the pitch in the Play-off Final.
The pessimism is the two games before that (play-off semi final home and away) - as that is, in effect, two Championship games against one of the weaker, but dangerous teams in the League.
So, to recap - we will win if we get to the Final, but we might not have the opportunity play there!
 
I’ve got a feeling we’re going to break the play off hoodoo & win them. Can’t explain it, just a feeling I’ve had for a while. I feel more confident than I have before any previous play off campaign.
 

It's on the day that matters, esp first leg away, then at home, if and only if we get to the Millennium, then everyone has to chuck their body on the fire.
We have got this far, so for me I will keep believing.
UTB
 
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