Playoffs, relegation & tension

[grafikhaus]

I bumped into a bloke this morning who I see at matches. We got talking about Rotherham's chances in the play-offs and he asked 'Don't you wish United were involved?' A bit defeatist, I know, but I replied 'For once I'm bloody glad to be out of it!'
Looking back over the past few seasons, it seems that nearly every season has had nerve-jangling tension:

2013/14. A great rise from possible-relegation to the brink of the play-offs. Never realistic, but our magnificent FA Cup run saw interest maintained until the memorable semi in Mid-April. Season over? April 13.
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2012/13. In the play-offs and up against Yeovil. Our narrow 1-0 advantage from the home leg lasted all of 6 minutes in the return leg at Yeovil. Season over - May 6 (last game of season)
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2011/12. A good, solid season saw us beat Stevenage over two legs to get to the play-off final at Wembley v. Huddersfield. Events (i.e. Ched) almost certainly conspired against us going up automatically, and saw our beloved neighbours take our rightful place. (although I think our capitulation from 2-0 up against the pigs on 16 October was pivotal). Season over - 26th May, 120 minutes + 22 penalties (could only happen to us...) Last game of season.
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2010/11. A pretty turgid season saw us finally relegated from the Championship. Despite a 'dead cat bounce' in beating Nottingham Forest and Leeds, the writing had been on the wall for some time. Season over - Saturday 30th April (penultimate game, a home draw with Barnsley. Although, realistically, when Micky Adams walked through the door).
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2009/10. A solid season saw us finish 8th in the Championship, five points off the play-offs. Good expectation for the following season. What could possibly go wrong?
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2008/09. Finishing third in the Championship - four points above Burnley in fifth - and a trip to the new Wembley. As ever, the rest is history. Season over - 25th May (last game of season).
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2007/08. A solid season in the Championship saw us finish ninth - just four points off the play-offs.
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2006/07. A cold, cold day at Bramall Lane saw us depart the Premier League on the last day of the season. This continued our remarkable (spooky?) cycle of 13 yearly, last-day of the season relegations. 1968, 1981, 1994 and now 2007. Season over - 14 May (last game of season).
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Sheffield Wednesday. (2013/14) Season over, 3rd August.


Nah, for once let's sit this one out, and return refreshed, enthused and strengthened on August 9th!

 

[Revolution]

We may have finished 4 points away in 2007-8 but it went to the last day. We were in 6th place on that day for about 7 or 8 minutes when we were beating Southampton and whoever was sixth (Watford) were losing.

 

[JohnDenver]

In 07/08 we were in the playoff places after a few minutes of the final game at St Mary's.

Ed- beaten to the punch!

 

[grafikhaus]

We may have finished 4 points away in 2007-8 but it went to the last day. We were in 6th place on that day for about 7 or 8 minutes when we were beating Southampton and whoever was sixth (Watford) were losing.

Thanks for that! Seriously, if you 'drill down' into these stats., there's always hidden twists and turns. So is it better to be 'involved' (even though it usually ends in heartbreak)? Or be utterly middle-of-the-road mediocrity? Like Wednesday.

 

[Revolution]

Thanks for that! Seriously, if you 'drill down' into these stats., there's always hidden twists and turns. So is it better to be 'involved' (even though it usually ends in heartbreak)? Or be utterly middle-of-the-road mediocrity? Like Wednesday.

Better to be involved: I don't like meaningless games. We really haven't played many of them in the last 10 years.

If you go back further:

2005-6 we played 3 nothing games at the end - but we were promoted so who cares?
2004-5: we could have made the playoffs on the last day had we won and results gone our way - they didn't
2003-4: same scenario as 2004-5.
2002-3: went to the playoff final, of course.

 

[grafikhaus]

Better to be involved: I don't like meaningless games. We really haven't played many of them in the last 10 years.

If you go back further:

2002-3: went to the playoff final, of course.

Now you're talking - the Triple Assault season! Also FA Cup Semi & Littlewoods Cup Semi.

 

[Ted Danson]

Much better to have the ups and the downs of being a Blade than boring piggy mediocrity.

We must have one of the most exciting teams to watch in terms of highs and lows, how many other fans have been to Wembley as often as us? Probably only a few of the big boys at the top of the Prem

 

[Damski]

So if this 13 year cycle comes true, are we to expect a last day top flight relegation in 2019/20? I can see that happening. It's only 6 seasons away, which gives us enough time to get out of this division, consolidate in the Championship then push into the EPL only to be dropped down on the last day again.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Watching QPR v Wigan last night, I thought, thank god for that, none of that Wigan feeling this season.

 

[beatific blade]

Watching QPR v Wigan last night, I thought, thank god for that, none of that Wigan feeling this season.

Dem Wigan feels

 

[mattbianco1]

Interesting read that OP, up until having to mention the dig at Wednesday. I would've rather finished 16th in the Championship than 7th in League 1. The dig was also false. SWFC weren't safe from relegation until April time.

I never understand pot shots at SWFC just for the sake of it. It lowers us to their level.

 

[blade too long]

is it just me , did Milan borrow 2 million quid , they didnt spend it on players , , thats for sure, now, did he borrow it to stave off admin , as a 10 point deduction would leave the Wendies 1 point below Doncaster, , would it be able to retrospectively dock them if they are found to be hiding said admin just for this purpose,

makes you think

 

[scholarblade]

Play offs are so difficult to predict, orient fans were slating russell slade and the team after we played them in 'the view from' threas, they said he was clueless and they should change him. They fully deserved to beat posh over the 2 legs

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

"Or be utterly middle-of-the-road mediocrity? Like Wednesday"

Think I'd class their 21st Century record as a few rungs below middle-of-the-road mediocrity

 

[wizadry]

So if this 13 year cycle comes true, are we to expect a last day top flight relegation in 2019/20? I can see that happening. It's only 6 seasons away, which gives us enough time to get out of this division, consolidate in the Championship then push into the EPL only to be dropped down on the last day again.

Yep damski ,we could be playing newcastle's B side in that top flight 2019/20 season

 

[blade too long]

Wednesday fans keep saying they are in the championship and we arent ,but surely the idea is to compete , at least once in a while, since joining the championship in 2000 the porkers have only once got in the top 12 an 8th place finish , mediocre doesnt begin to cover it
Barnsley 8 seasons in the championship , finished 20th 18th 20 th 18th 17th , the highlight season , 21st 21st and finally put out of their misery 23rd
At least we win more than we lose

 

[Bladesway]

is it just me , did Milan borrow 2 million quid , they didnt spend it on players , , thats for sure, now, did he borrow it to stave off admin , as a 10 point deduction would leave the Wendies 1 point below Doncaster, , would it be able to retrospectively dock them if they are found to be hiding said admin just for this purpose,

makes you think

So what? Has nothing to do with us and if you want to face facts rather than just shit slinging they are in the Championship and we are in League 1. If the boot was on the other foot that's what we would be saying.

I'm seriously bored with all the us and them bollocks. They are insignificant and I don't give a shit about them. If we concentrated on ourselves and ignored them we would be better for it.

 

[blade too long]

some cheery fuckers in here today

 

[SandyMcBlade]

It's only being so cheerful that keeps us going....

 

[JOEYDEE]

I really believe that next season we'll be champions elect by Easter at the latest.Mr Clough et al know now what they've got and need.
Got a really good feeling about it all !

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

I really believe that next season we'll be champions elect by Easter at the latest.Mr Clough et al know now what they've got and need.
Got a really good feeling about it all !

Oh poor deluded sweet child, will you never learn?

Seriously though, i have a good feeling too. It feels strange.
It feels like that time i met an attractive, funny, intelligent woman who said she liked me.
There's gotta be a catch somewhere.

 

[wizadry]

Oh poor deluded sweet child, will you never learn?

Seriously though, i have a good feeling too. It feels strange.
It feels like that time i met an attractive, funny, intelligent woman who said she liked me.
There's gotta be a catch somewhere.

Yeah ken,the one that says i like you but not in that way.

 

[dublin 10 blade]

Yeah ken,the one that says i like you but not in that way.

You too eh wizzie , seems to happen a lot round here ,
funny not to me though .