Play Off Optimism

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I just wish we'd take the handbrake off a bit and attack teams. Wilder's masterminded some brilliant attacking football for us over the years and he has the squad capable of it.

 

[SwissBlade]

I like Wilder, I like the squad we’ve got. We’ve had a really strong season but collapsed late on with 3 shocking results after the Coventry game, which was probably the best performance of the season.

It could be fatigue, it could be bottle, it could be both or neither but we’ve been crap lately.

All that aside, we’ve consistently been the better side of any 4 in the play offs.

I’m normally pretty optimistic. But after we lost to Burnley at Wembley in 2009(?) it’s just not been a scenario I’ve wanted to see us in.

However we’re here and we’ve got three extra games this season that I’m sure we could all do without.

I can’t be anymore positive than this, once the final whistle goes after Blackburn, the season is done and hopefully Wilder can build on this squad over the summer on what has been a far more successful season than anyone expected.

 

[Silent Blade]

I think us and Sunderland have an advantage over the teams finishing 5th and 6th. Sunderland were able to "ease off" in yesterday's match against Blackburn also in their next two games by not taking the risk to play players carrying knocks. We are able to do the same in our next two games, it would surprise me if we play Hamer in both games.

It is possible that Coventry and Bristol City will be secured of play off places this weekend so they can ease off in their final league game. If not, then the team finishing 6th will have just a 4 day breather before the first leg of the play off

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Championship Play-Off	Mo 26May 2003	N	Sheff Utd	0 - 3	Wolves
Football League Div 1	Sa 26Apr 2003		Sheff Utd	3 - 3	Wolves
Football League Div 1	Sa 05Oct 2002		Wolves	1 - 3	Sheff Utd

Scoring 6 goals in the league games ,winning one and drawing the other against teams in the Playoffs don't mean you will do the same when it comes to playing them in a playoff game in the same season.

Hands up if you thought we were going to batter Wolves in the final.......me

 

[Champagneblade]

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!

There’s an argument that the team we have now is better than the team that got relegated.

 

[sheff_blade90]

I was just mentioning with a few friends that the playoffs will be fascinating for the neutral because every team from 3rd to 10th is in mess, i cant imagine many have confidence going into it

Sheff utd - collapsed under pressure
sunderland - no win in 4 & in the last 8 form table. they are 19th
Bristol City/Coventry - both lost to teams in bottom 3 easter monday & likely record low total to make playoffs
boro - 1 win in 4 & that was a late penalty as they struggled past plymouth
Millwall - hammered 4-1 by blackburn. & winning games without being impressive
Blackburn & WBA. both with new Managers for differing reasons

 

[CrookesBlade]

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.

To paraphrase Chaz n Dave

“It’s lucky for Blades when the year ends 25

When we last won the cup nobody on here was alive”

 

[CrookesBlade]

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.

After the lows of the past few weeks I say “bring on the play offs”

It would be a more satisfying way to win promotion…we’ve gone up in 2nd 4 times since 1990 and have a huge play off monkey on our collective backs that needs shaking off.

It’s been an incredibly disappointing end to the season but at least we know our fate now rather than trying to pick ourselves up after missing out on the last day.

I don’t necessarily expect us to win the play offs but it’s not like we aren’t in with a chance. There’s no side in there approaching the quality of Leeds or Burnley.

We go into the play offs with a strong squad, not one that’s been decimated by injuries or a fire sale.

It feels like a free hit to me at this point.

If we win then great. A moment to tell the grand kids about.

If not then promotion to the PL isn’t exactly the prize it once was, for the fans at least. Watching match of the day last Saturday reminded me how depressing a season getting a shoeing every week is. Leeds, Burnley and whoever goes up will get the same treatment barring a minor miracle.

We may also get to console ourselves with the fact we’ve had a day out on the piss at Wembley as well.

The club has new ownership as well and a realistic possibility of kicking on next year. It’s not like admin or points deductions are round the corner should we fail to be promoted.

A lot of the above is just “copamine” but I’m resolving this time just to enjoy the play offs.

 

[Silky Sabella]

Sunderland, who were the biggest threat not that long ago not won in 6, in total free fall !
Amazing, cos on paper their attacking talent rips the rest of the play off teams to shreds !

 

[robbiez666]

Blackburn and Millwall worry me more than the other teams as they've got form on their side. Blackburn have got a surprisingly good squad and dangerous when on a run.

 

[Silky Sabella]

How about we are 20 points in front of the side in 6th and 10 in front of the one in 4th....or do facts not count?

No, facts do not count in the play offs. Look at the play off history, the team that creeps into 6th place on the last day of the season has momentum, excitement, buzz and no fear, the opposite to the team they are playing in 3rd place. Hence the 6th placed team is very often the one that gets promoted.

 

[s20Blade]

Sunderland, who were the biggest threat not that long ago not won in 6, in total free fall !
Amazing, cos on paper their attacking talent rips the rest of the play off teams to shreds !

Way too much time cemented in the play-offs for them.

 

[Valley Blade]

No, facts do not count in the play offs. Look at the play off history, the team that creeps into 6th place on the last day of the season has momentum, excitement, buzz and no fear, the opposite to the team they are playing in 3rd place. Hence the 6th placed team is very often the one that gets promoted.

Your last sentence is simply not true.

 

[Silky Sabella]

Your last sentence is simply not true.

I think you we

 

[Silky Sabella]

Still think Sunderland are the team to fear. Yes, they have been on a dreadful run, but that has to change at some point, and the intensity of the play offs might just spark them into life, especially with 47,000 machems giving them the roker roar at the stadium of light. If they get to Wembley, I think the big pitch will suit their creative, attacking style with the flair players they have, and on their day they are a match for anyone.

 

[FriethBlade]

No, facts do not count in the play offs. Look at the play off history, the team that creeps into 6th place on the last day of the season has momentum, excitement, buzz and no fear, the opposite to the team they are playing in 3rd place. Hence the 6th placed team is very often the one that gets promoted.

Except that's complete bollocks. Of the last 10 championship play offs the side who finished 3rd won 4, the side who finished 4th won 4, the side who finished 5th won 2 and thenside who finished 6th won ZERO.
We have been easily the third best side this season. Doesn't mean we will win but the stats over the last ten years show the exact opposite to your comment

 

[wavy-blade]

Goal difference never lies , just take a look at the all the leagues , we have the third best goal difference in the league by some difference , its a good sign

 

[ATL Recs]

Sunderland, who were the biggest threat not that long ago not won in 6, in total free fall !
Amazing, cos on paper their attacking talent rips the rest of the play off teams to shreds !

I’d argue they have had time to prepare for the play offs - certainly makes you think so with how they’ve utilised the squad in the last 6

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Except that's complete bollocks. Of the last 10 championship play offs the side who finished 3rd won 4, the side who finished 4th won 4, the side who finished 5th won 2 and thenside who finished 6th won ZERO.
We have been easily the third best side this season. Doesn't mean we will win but the stats over the last ten years show the exact opposite to your comment

It's even worse than that.

You've got to go all the way back to Blackpool in 2009-10 to find the last Championship team who won the play offs after finishing 6th.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Not having to play Wrexham away on the opening Friday night next season may be a bigger prize than the actual promotion

 

[Pintor75]

Watching Bristol, hoping they win, but are they actually playing or is it a sky w...st?

 

[LONDON_BLADE]

If only the playoffs worked like that .. be great if we could get the playoffs monkey off our back but I'm not very optimistic .. on holiday with a Leeds fan life just likes to punch you in the face

I know what you mean... living in Cyprus with HM Forces you get a turnaround of folks you live with. Typically this season I've got a Burnley fan opposite and Leeds next door!
Punch you in face... it's kicked me in the bollocks as well.

 

[Nick Jansky]

I know what you mean... living in Cyprus with HM Forces you get a turnaround of folks you live with. Typically this season I've got a Burnley fan opposite and Leeds next door!
Punch you in face... it's kicked me in the bollocks as well.

I suppose security in a place like that is a bit too tight for a spot of arson?

 

[john Mathison]

Bristol well beaten by Leeds tonight. All sides below us lost this weekend.

 

[LONDON_BLADE]

I suppose security in a place like that is a bit too tight for a spot of arson?

Lol... a bit harsh mate, but dog shit over the fence isn't going too far!

 

[CornwallBlade]

The performance over the season confirms, based on points accumulated, we should win through. However, looking at our crunch games as the season came to a conclusion is worrying. We lost to good and bad teams when it mattered. Why? tactics, formation, nervousness or atmosphere in the dressing room - all the above? That said, we did the double in the derby.
I think we’ll get a pretty good idea from the first leg and hope there is attacking intent from the off and a general sense of confidence about the squad. I sincerely hope we don’t go about things looking to nick it
1-0

 

[Kev Gee]

Let's go out there and fucking win the thing for a change.

 

[Melbourne Blade]

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.

This aged well

Can see stoke being properly dragged into 3rd relegation spot at some stage on Saturday and Cov/Boro will probably be a tight game so if Blackburn are winning against us at any stage....

 

[dexter101]

Because its winning 3 games of football against 2 teams that over the course of a season haven't been as good as us.

It's not about how attractive we can play, it's not about deserving it.

If this season has taught us anything we should believe that we might not play well but we have the ability to grind out these wins.

History is irrelevant. I believe this squad has what it takes to get us over the line

 

[utd4ever]

I just wish we'd take the handbrake off a bit and attack teams. Wilder's masterminded some brilliant attacking football for us over the years and he has the squad capable of it.

Fully agree with this.