Postion Predictions for next season

[Pinchy]

Why did Blackwell did not deserve a pre season? Compared to Speed and Adams he was like the bloody messiah given that in his three seasons in charge we got to the play off final once and were, in 2008 and 2010 respectively, one game and two places off the play offs. We never remotely flirted with football under him.

And that was all she wrote.

We were ingloriously relegated because our players and management were not good enough. The league table tells no lies.

Will nothing stop some of you clinging to mediocrity?

 

[Big Mart]

Think back to the Leeds game at BDTBL. If our CURRENT SQUAD had played like that all season then we would have made the play offs, not been relegated.

I'm thinking back to the Scunthorpe games, the must win Preston away game, and a whole host of other games where the squad in its entirety proved that they were woeful.

Can't see that tight bastard McCabe parting with owt other than bullshit again, so with a squad lower on numbers, can't be weaker than last season just smaller, then I can't see owt but another season of struggle.

Sad time to be a Blade right now, pity we don't have a real fan at the helm, might make a difference if we did :thumbup:

 

[Deleted member 1486]

However I am resigning myself to a season of mediocrity whilst Wilson tries to build a squad.

If that happens Wilson won't be given time to rebuild the squad by the vast majority of fans. Which is why many of us were so against his appointment in the first place.

 

[MunXy]

im always optimistic so i voted promotion, if there had been an option i would have said champions, i honestly believe just a couple of good signings and a little motivation for the current lads and we could be old league 4 all over again and absolutely romp it, id like to see just a few of the current squad leave but with hendo staying to partner slew up front maybe another striker to mix it up.
im probably going to get crucified for this but id like it to be blades and chesterfield promoted with us doing the double over both chesterfield n wendy


MunXy

 

[ponteblade]

Scunthorpe are in with us and they beat us twice and one of those after been two up, you think we will be champions? Preston did us at there place.
Sorry we will be also rans, but would love to eat humble pie, but just can't see it!

 

[Guesty]

If that happens Wilson won't be given time to rebuild the squad by the vast majority of fans. Which is why many of us were so against his appointment in the first place.

So you were against his appointment because people were against his appointment?

 

[Highbury_Blade]

So you were against his appointment because people were against his appointment?

And people were against his appointment because people were against his appointment because people were against his appointment. What's wrong with that?

I love the smell of infinite recursion in the morning. Smells like.......failure.

 

[raul]

Just hope that those who will leave, will do so quickly, so we get some time to bring in replacements and make them adjust to Wilson's style and gel with the others.

Here's the bigger worry - if they don't leave (and there doesn't appear to be a queue round the block for them) how do we pay the wage bill?

 

[DEANO1889]

We did finish the season with momentum i defeat in 5 wasnt it? i feel if season went on for another 5-10games we were the form team and could have stayed up. Ive said it before that we have a favourable 1st six games and feel that if we take 12points from those we could have some real momentum behind us going into a tricky sept/oct. Top 6 finish in my opinion. Utb

 

[Guesty]

I agree Raul, for once I'm looking forward far more to shipping people out than bringing anyone in.

 

[Blade58]

We did finish the season with momentum i defeat in 5 wasnt it? i feel if season went on for another 5-10games we were the form team and could have stayed up. Ive said it before that we have a favourable 1st six games and feel that if we take 12points from those we could have some real momentum behind us going into a tricky sept/oct. Top 6 finish in my opinion. Utb

Weren't Preston the form team?

As for another 5-10 games, well the season is 46 long. We knew that before the season started and so all hypothetical and totally irrelevant I'm afraid imo.

As for taking the form into next season, imho, no chance. New manager, different squad, different division. Unfortunately, I just don't see it. Infact, I see the opposite!

A club some might say, in transition, which others might say, in turmoil!

Get the high earners out if we can and see who Mr Wilson lures to the club (remember, we're still a big lure!)

 

[Deleted member 1486]

So you were against his appointment because people were against his appointment?

That's not what I meant. What I meant was most people seemed to be against his appointment because of his previous association with the pigs. Some of us (like me) were against him for more practical reasons; primarily that he'll need to get results straight away to appease an already hostile fan base. This means he may not be given the time he needs to rebuilt leaving us in another situation where we're swapping and changing managers when we need stability.

 

[Guesty]

But if the management think he is the best man available for the job, they should appoint him, and not be cowed by fan vitriol.

 

[Blade58]

But if the management think he is the best man available for the job, they should appoint him, and not be cowed by fan vitriol.

and that raises another issue

Seriously, does anyone actually believe from all the candidates, that Mr Wilson was the "outstanding candidate" and he "stood head and shoulders above the rest"

No seriously!

The fact McCabe implied us fans don't understand, or putting it another way, we are clueless, only alienates fans even more and there he was, mentioning "reuniting" the fans in his victory speech at the appointment of Wilson!

Yer right Kev. Whatever you say m8!

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

relgated hust like the owl will like (danny wilson would like)

 

[Sirius]

Think back to the Leeds game at BDTBL. If our CURRENT SQUAD had played like that all season then we would have made the play offs, not been relegated.

Based on that, the current squad should be capable of winning League 1. But will Danny the Pig be capable where all others failed? And are the players suitably embarrassed and ashamed to put things right or will they do a repeat season long performance. Only time will tell.

I haven't voted because in my opinion the current squad don't give a damn. I hope to be proved wrong.

Ah but Danny is now Danny THE BLADE. Sudden rush of blood to the head, top two for us.

 

[Grecian2000]

Interesting poll.

At this minute (i.e. none of the wasters moved on and only a couple of vague signings) I would say bottom half. Hope this changes in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Peezablade]

Ah but Danny is now Danny THE BLADE. Sudden rush of blood to the head, top two for us.

He will have to perform miracles to ever be considered a Blade. There are supporters who still consider Dooley to be a pig so what chance has Wilson got?
We'll need around 17 points from the first 7 games or the shoes will off in the car park.
Danny the Blade - NEVER

 

[davidpinder]

I am quite surprised at the pole results at the moment, the side we are capable of putting out at the moment should walk that league. I mean a steady back 4 with lowton and maguire in, a midfield with monty, williamson, yeates and quinn, upfront with ched and slew or hendo. Forget last season we didn't perform simple as that but this is a league below not up again Cardiff and QPR its, exeter and Brentford we should have a field day with this current squad i mean who exactly are the teams that will finish above us with there current squad?? Huddersfield maybe or perhaps Preston struggling to think of any other team to worry about. Now before anyone mentions the pigs they have no chance with there current squad, i for one expect them to challenge but i also expect them to buy to do it. The pole is about current squad so that should apply to our challengers.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I think you might be writing off some of the teams in league one dp. They will make life very difficult for us indeed.

With a team that lacked spirit and confidence all last season I doubt we would be able to simply waltz to the title, far from it!

The style and mentality of the team needs to be completely changed and I only see that happening through a change in personnel.

If you think the current group could easily win promotion, I think you would be very disappointed if they were given the opportunity.

 

[Grecian2000]

Forget last season we didn't perform simple as that but this is a league below not up again Cardiff and QPR its, exeter and Brentford we should have a field day with this current squad i mean who exactly are the teams that will finish above us with there current squad??

Just remind me again how our superior squad did against Scunny and Preston, or indeed Hartlepool.

The only thing you've got to go on is "form", and the shower of shit that got us into this mess are still in possesion of the shirts and are still lacking in pace, talent and motivation. It may change before the season starts in which case, as Highbury said right up front, all current predictions can be re-valued, but I'm afraid "forget about last season" is not an option yet.

 

[SaintBlade]

If Wilson can get in the types of players he says he wants, builds a strong defence and keeps a few of the better players (Quinn, Williamson, Monty etc) then I think a play off place is very possible. The team Wilson had at Swindon (before the board sold his best players) was a very hard team to beat. I also support Southampton and we played his team 5 times in two seasons, losing all but one game (which was when he had already lost his best players).

 

[Darren]

Just remind me again how our superior squad did against Scunny and Preston, or indeed Hartlepool.

The only thing you've got to go on is "form", and the shower of shit that got us into this mess are still in possesion of the shirts and are still lacking in pace, talent and motivation. It may change before the season starts in which case, as Highbury said right up front, all current predictions can be re-valued, but I'm afraid "forget about last season" is not an option yet.

But then the squad also beat premiership Swansea and took 4 points each off play off qualifiers Reading and Forest.

If they play to their potential, our current squad should have far too much for most of the 3rd Division. Although I accept that is a big if...

 

[broomhillblade]

"bump"


Worth reading what the fans were thinking back in June....

 

[SwissBlade]

Pleased to say that so far we've done better than I predicted back then. Its taken a while to smooth over the cracks (set pieces) but we're looking better than expected

 

[Ollessendro]

I don't think many of us realised how bad this division was going to be. But credit needs to be given to Wilson for organising and giving confidence to our bunch of misfits. I am delighted to be being proved wrong. I am absolutely certain that we'll finish top 6 this year and think we have a good chance of automatic. I honestly did not think the drop in standards would be so much, but it is.

I think the division is split into 3 main categories: 1) better teams - will all get in the play offs. We've obviously got Wednesday, Huddersfield, Charlton and us in this. 2) Well organised teams capable of beating most. MK Dons (though they can challenge for automatic if they keep everyone fit), Preston, Stevenage, Carlisle and possibly County and Brentford. 3) The dross. All the rest of the teams I don not rate at all and expect us to beat easily at home and take points off away from home.

 

[Cool Clint]

I don't think many of us realised how bad this division was going to be. But credit needs to be given to Wilson for organising and giving confidence to our bunch of misfits. I am delighted to be being proved wrong. I am absolutely certain that we'll finish top 6 this year and think we have a good chance of automatic. I honestly did not think the drop in standards would be so much, but it is.

I think the division is split into 3 main categories: 1) better teams - will all get in the play offs. We've obviously got Wednesday, Huddersfield, Charlton and us in this. 2) Well organised teams capable of beating most. MK Dons (though they can challenge for automatic if they keep everyone fit), Preston, Stevenage, Carlisle and possibly County and Brentford. 3) The dross. All the rest of the teams I don not rate at all and expect us to beat easily at home and take points off away from home.

Even when being proved wrong you still have an excuse.

---------- Post added at 12:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:53 PM ----------

 

[Darren]

I don't think many of us realised how bad this division was going to be. But credit needs to be given to Wilson for organising and giving confidence to our bunch of misfits. I am delighted to be being proved wrong. I am absolutely certain that we'll finish top 6 this year and think we have a good chance of automatic. I honestly did not think the drop in standards would be so much, but it is.

I think the division is split into 3 main categories: 1) better teams - will all get in the play offs. We've obviously got Wednesday, Huddersfield, Charlton and us in this. 2) Well organised teams capable of beating most. MK Dons (though they can challenge for automatic if they keep everyone fit), Preston, Stevenage, Carlisle and possibly County and Brentford. 3) The dross. All the rest of the teams I don not rate at all and expect us to beat easily at home and take points off away from home.

75 points is usually enough for the play offs - so we need another 28 from 22 games - i.e. lower mid table form. I would say the chances of getting into at least the play offs are 95%. We really now need to be focusing on automatic.

 

[Selly]

75 points is usually enough for the play offs - so we need another 28 from 22 games - i.e. lower mid table form. I would say the chances of getting into at least the play offs are 95%. We really now need to be focusing on automatic.

And 85 is usually enough for Automatic from this division, 38 from 22... 1.72 points per game

Scrap that, its bollocks...

Or maybe not

Last 10 seasons points totals

	First	Second	Third
	---------------------------------
	95	92	87
	95	86	85
	96	89	87
	92	82	80
	91	85	83
	82	79	76
	98	86	79
	90	73	82
	100	86	83
	90	74	83
	---------------------------------
Mean	92.9	83.2	82.5
Mode	95	86	83
Median	93.5	85.5	83

Maybe 86 to be safe, although I suspect that the total will be higher than normal this season...

 

[Darren]

And 85 is usually enough for Automatic from this division, 38 from 22... 1.72 points per game

Scrap that, its bollocks...

For the last 5 seasons, the following would have been enough for the play offs:

2007 74
2008 70
2009 75
2010 74
2011 71

average = 73

And for automatic

2007: 84
2008: 81
2009: 88
2010: 86
2011: 88

average: 85