That 17th spot

[Farnboroughblade]

At the start of this campaign, many on here, including myself, were saying they would give their right arm for us to finish in that 17th spot at the end of our first season back. Now what do you think, although we are only 11 games in and plenty of football yet to be played? Would you still take that 17th position, or would it be considered now as a big disappointment. Football is a funny old game especially when it comes to our beloved Blades.

 

[Davalon]

Yes.

 

[Birdwell Blade]

Shoot me down people but I’d still take it, because survival this season means so much to us. Plus we are only 6 points off it, despite doing well.

However, unlike previous attempts in the top flight, I just do t feel like an underdog any more. CWAK have transformed our club into a contender, not a plucky, have a go hard luck story.

 

[Bladesthorpe]

Calm down, 24 points still needed and every game will be difficult in this league.

 

[Rusty view]

Yep.

Get as many pts on the board cos from Man City away to end of Jan could be hard.

We're doing marvellous so far. Loving every minute. But the aim for me was survival. If we smash that target then brilliant.

8pt gap over 18th now so looking good.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

I’d still take it, football’s a funny old game, anything can still happen.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

At the start of this campaign, many on here, including myself, were saying they would give their right arm for us to finish in that 17th spot at the end of our first season back. Now what do you think, although we are only 11 games in and plenty of football yet to be played? Would you still take that 17th position, or would it be considered now as a big disappointment. Football is a funny old game especially when it comes to our beloved Blades.

Yes but I’d be willing to bet Wilder will want much more

 

[wavy-blade]

I would take 17th next season , never mind this one !

 

[Auld Reekie Blade]

Let’s just enjoy the ride, it’s fantastic. 17th in the PL is better 11th in League 1.

 

[SW12 to S12 to S18]

I would take 17th next season , never mind this one !

Good point. If we survive, next season will probably be tougher than this season, Huddersfield went down in theirs and Wolves aren’t yet achieving the same level of results as last season.

 

[S64 Blade]

Chris Wilder will be disappointed if we finish 17th.

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Only when we've got 40 points or are mathematically safe will I start thinking about where we'll finish

 

[bramptonblade]

At the start of this campaign, many on here, including myself, were saying they would give their right arm for us to finish in that 17th spot at the end of our first season back. Now what do you think, although we are only 11 games in and plenty of football yet to be played? Would you still take that 17th position, or would it be considered now as a big disappointment. Football is a funny old game especially when it comes to our beloved Blades.

That's a yes from me

 

[TCsLoveChild]

17th?? I planning for the Europa Cup! UTB

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Simply getting here, in the way that we did, on the resources and budget we have is nothing short of a miracle - and whilst playing fantastic football along the way, it didn't ought to be possible in the modern day, and I'm so glad that it is, and it's our club that are sticking to fingers up to the elite and the big spenders, whilst winning over the neutrals.

All of that is a achievement beyond belief in its own right - 17th would be nothing short of unbelievable. Can we go further? Will it go to the line? Who knows. We stay humble and take it one game at a time.

 

[blade67]

Take some points from the next game should be the current target.

This football thing is about collecting points.

Staying up is/was a perfectly legitimate target this season though. there is a long way to go

 

[FreePaulRodgers]

Makes me wonder....has anyone been relegated when being 6th in November.....?
Question for Silent possibly....

 

[Niceguyeddie]

Makes me wonder....has anyone been relegated when being 6th in November.....?
Question for Silent possibly....

Remember hull having an absolute stormer of a first half season and either going down or staying up by the skin of their teeth

 

[gordoncharles]

Good point. If we survive, next season will probably be tougher than this season, Huddersfield went down in theirs and Wolves aren’t yet achieving the same level of results as last season.

Wolves made the mistake of qualifying for the Europa League, and then compounded it by getting into the group stage. Plus their Chinese owners have pulled back on their funding. They don't have a lot of squad depth, but their first XI remains a good side.

So far we've been a bit like Wolves were last season, albeit with a bargain basement British Isles core rather than a well-funded Iberian one.

Solid defensively, inventive enough on the counter, and without many changes to the starting line up.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Yep, 17th should be the target every season and kick on once that’s in the bag.

We’ve had a good start and we’re a good team but there’s no need to get ahead of ourselves.

When we get to 40 points I’ll respond to the handful of pigs who sent me “you’ll get hammered every week in the PL” messages in the summer though. The sooner the better.

 

[Kenilworth]

Where we are now and the way we are playing 17th could be a real problem.
Why?
It will mean we have let the standards that Wilder is driving, slip and he will not be pleased about that.
It could be as a result of injuries - it could be a drop in form of a few key players.
If those standards slip and we finish 17th will be more vulnerable to other teams poaching the best of our squad and even, potentially, Wilder.
I’d be content with staying up and never flirting with the relegation places. However, my instinct tells me Wilder won’t.

 

[Rollerball]

Anywhere above 17th is a win, no matter what is said, Chris and Alan , like in the championship are still learning in a whole new arena, learn this season, maybe consolidate mid table then improve thereafter, would anyone else turn down a stable mid table run for a few seasons in the prem? As has been said, sit back and enjoy the ride, win,lose or draw it has been and looks to continue to be a hell of a ride and a fantastic time to be a Blade.

 

[PokerBlade]

We're doing very well so far and if it continues then we'll have a comfortable finish. We still have to be realistic. We lost to Southampton at home for all their struggles and so it wouldn't be a big surprise if we didn't pick up a win vs. Spurs or Man U. After that we have four games against teams currently below us and struggling. That run could see us flying high or right back down in the gutter.

The target is to stick 40 points on the board as soon as possible. If and when that's achieved then we can start looking at how far we can go.

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Yep.

Get as many pts on the board cos from Man City away to end of Jan could be hard.

We're doing marvellous so far. Loving every minute. But the aim for me was survival. If we smash that target then brilliant.

8pt gap over 18th now so looking good.

Yes, December fixtures : wolves, newcastle, norwich, villa, brighton, watford, are defining matches.

 

[KoppedOff]

Man City away to Man City at home is horrendous (on paper, at least). I dont like to jinx anything, but a major strength for me is our settled side. But a couple of injuries here, the odd suspension there (bound to happen with the stupid yellows doled out) and we’re plugging gaps. Not to say the players coming in wont rise to it, but its a slight concern. If we did have any issues going into Jan, we can at least bring in reinforcements, but December is monumental; if we carry on as we are and with the fixtures we have, we could legitimately be around 30pts by the time we go to the Etihad.

If we stay up, then for me it would be even bigger than getting up. Not just in the achievement, but everything else; financially, commercially, recruitment wise and perhaps most importantly- retaining players/staff. It could set us up for a generation.

So to answer the question; yes, Id definitely take 17th, but am quietly growing in confidence that we’ll do quite a bit better.

 

[SwissBlade]

I have never actually considered 17th slot since we were promoted.

If you're happy to settle for 17th before the season starts then you'll achieve 18th or 19th

 

[snootyfenooty]

I have never actually considered 17th slot since we were promoted.

If you're happy to settle for 17th before the season starts then you'll achieve 18th or 19th

Those who fancy 17th need to get down to the bookies because they'll get better odds on that than they will on 7th. Its about time our fans lightened up a bit.

 

[Kev Gee]

I'm not sure Wilder would take it.
He will take every game as it comes but I'm sure in the back of his mind he will be thinking higher than 17tb

 

[PaulHalfway]

Staying up this season is absolutely 100% priority, anything better than that is a bonus
I am sure there will be a period in the season where we have a bad run so it’s imperative we keep picking up points as we are now, especially against the teams down the bottom, these are the key games not Man City and Liverpool away

 

[Sheffsteel]

Can’t believe the negativity of our fans.

Wilder is a winner and would be really disappointed if we finish17th this season and next season.

He’s trying to change our fan culture that we “just aim to survive”, this is the attitude that Warnock would have.

Wilder strives for improvement every year and I think he’ll be targeting a European spot sooner rather than later.

Also I expected 13th this season but Wilder always does better than I’ve predicted, so I’ve said it would be no surprise if we finish comfortable mid table, then we improve further next season.