The fight for 2nd

[SUFC Guy]

On a slightly side note, is it just me or are Preston the dullest club in the league. Just so boring

Think Burnley give them a good run for their money.

 

[dellasthunderbolt]

Think Burnley give them a good run for their money.

At least they move up and down leagues sometimes. Preston just sit in the championship every year like a dog shit baking in the sun.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

I’ve stated for months that 28 wins should be enough for promotion, no team has EVER amassed 28 wins and not been promoted. The only team to ever win 27 games and not achieve promotion was Leeds last season.
That being said… there are two anomalies this year, the first being that we have been deducted 2pts, the second being that Burnley have only lost 2 games all season! If Burnley don’t get autos then that will be one of the strangest (and I’m sure unwanted) records in the history of football!
If Burnley win 6 and draw 6 that’s another 24 pts meaning they will finish the season on 92 pts.
For us to get to 93 pts we’ll have to win 6 more with 2 draws.
Can we win 8 out of the last 11? That would give us a chance of winning the league!

 

[Teddybear]

So we did beat QPR. come on down you doubeters and negative blades. You heard it here first, we will beat Burnley and finish 2nd to Leeds Positive all the way to promotion UTB

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I’ve stated for months that 28 wins should be enough for promotion, no team has EVER amassed 28 wins and not been promoted. The only team to ever win 27 games and not achieve promotion was Leeds last season.
That being said… there are two anomalies this year, the first being that we have been deducted 2pts, the second being that Burnley have only lost 2 games all season! If Burnley don’t get autos then that will be one of the strangest (and I’m sure unwanted) records in the history of football!
If Burnley win 6 and draw 6 that’s another 24 pts meaning they will finish the season on 92 pts.
For us to get to 93 pts we’ll have to win 6 more with 2 draws.
Can we win 8 out of the last 11? That would give us a chance of winning the league!

Be surprised if Burnley only end up on 92. 6 draws in 12 games feels a lot!

 

[UddersBlade]

Agreed - still think we will need 95 pts minimum.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

Be surprised if Burnley only end up on 92. 6 draws in 12 games feels a lot!

It’s been the story of their season. W18 D14! Compare that to our W23 D6. That’s what makes their season so unusual.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

Agreed - still think we will need 95 pts minimum.

You might well be right. But that would mean Burnley would have to gain another 27pts to hit 95pts. That’s 9 wins out of their last 12 games!

 

[Grizzly blade]

Do we see Burnley losing another game? They are so solid through their midfield and defence it seems unlikely.
However, Parker may well look at a few tweaks to shape and take a few more chances to turn those draws into wins. It wouldn’t be wholly unexpected to see them win 2 or 3 in a row and go on to win every game until they face us.

The concern I have with United is the same as it’s been all season, just how poor we are with the ball under pressure and the mistakes we make. We turn the ball over so easily when defending under pressure and often having isolated forwards who aren’t the biggest and strongest to keep hold of it. As a consequence I’m always expecting us to hit a bad patch as the pressure builds and the games start running out.

And if we do end up dropping to third I don’t see us getting it back. You feel it’s in Burnley’s hands., I they have the players to push for wins and to ramp up the pressure, do we have the players to handle it?

 

[CoatesyBlade]

Do we see Burnley losing another game? They are so solid through their midfield and defence it seems unlikely.
However, Parker may well look at a few tweaks to shape and take a few more chances to turn those draws into wins. It wouldn’t be wholly unexpected to see them win 2 or 3 in a row and go on to win every game until they face us.

The concern I have with United is the same as it’s been all season, just how poor we are with the ball under pressure and the mistakes we make. We turn the ball over so easily when defending under pressure and often having isolated forwards who aren’t the biggest and strongest to keep hold of it. As a consequence I’m always expecting us to hit a bad patch as the pressure builds and the games start running out.

And if we do end up dropping to third I don’t see us getting it back. You feel it’s in Burnley’s hands., I they have the players to push for wins and to ramp up the pressure, do we have the players to handle it?

It’s possible of course (for Burnley to go on a winning run), but I think you’re giving Burnley and Parker too much credit. The story of their season has been their inability to turn draws into wins!
On the flip side, we’ve shown we have an ability to win games that we don’t necessarily ‘deserve’ to! That’s the formula that gets a team promoted.

 

[robbiez666]

The next 4 games for us are potential bananaskins.

Preston
Bristol City
Wednesday
Coventry

If we come out with 8 points or more from those I think we're basically up.

 

[Eppyblade]

The next 4 games for us are potential bananaskins.

Preston
Bristol City
Wednesday
Coventry

If we come out with 8 points or more from those I think we're basically up.

I still feel there is a way to go after these games including a trip to Burnley.

For me we need to be aiming for 10 points with 3 of these being at home

 

[robbiez666]

I still feel there is a way to go after these games including a trip to Burnley.

For me we need to be aiming for 10 points with 3 of these being at home

8 would be the minimum I think we'll need. Burnley won't win their 4 games.

Obviously, the derby is a banana skin, especially with them slipping back. I also think Hecky's return also has dangers. And obviously fat Frank's Coventry are trick and, Like Bristol City, a team we do sometimes struggle against. We have the ebst away form in the league and I think we have a team better suited to playing away.

 

[Eppyblade]

8 would be the minimum I think we'll need. Burnley won't win their 4 games.

Obviously, the derby is a banana skin, especially with them slipping back. I also think Hecky's return also has dangers. And obviously fat Frank's Coventry are trick and, Like Bristol City, a team we do sometimes struggle against. We have the ebst away form in the league and I think we have a team better suited to playing away.

I could easily see Burnley picking up 11 from there next 5 including the game in hand. If we only pick up 8 that puts them a point behind with a trip to turf moor looming.

I agree, there are no easy teams but if we want to go up we need to be beating those teams at home

 

[JayGreen17]

7 wins will do it max 94 points

 

[metalblade]

If Burnley decide they need to go gung ho for wins they will start to concede. Will Parker stick or twist?

 

[metalblade]

Team to watch Frank Lampard's Coventry City there is always a team coming into the play off's with a late run. Last six games has them on the same form as us, they are just like a turd that refuses to flush.

 

[FTPE]

The race for 2nd is between Leeds and Burnley.

 

[ancientblade]

said it earlier on this thread leeds are no certainties for top 2 theyve got previous in falling apart at the end of the season they got lucky against sunderland and their win against us flattered them i can see portsmouth beating them their crowd will be well up for that one

 

[TJ blade]

On a slightly side note, is it just me or are Preston the dullest club in the league. Just so boring

No I think that award goes to them up Penistone Road, what play at the swamp.

 

[Booker4]

I'm going to predict the fixtures later for us, Burnley and Leeds and see what the totals are! I did this last time and got it right and we went up and Boro collapsed. Mind, they do have Michael Carrick as manager!

I think we'll do it whatever to be honest but I'll see what the totals brings.

 

[Selly]

considering that they have an 'easier' run in than us? (IMO)

Lets dispel this myth right now. Heres the average Ppg of the teams the top 7 are playing between now and the end of the season, accounting for Home/away form.

Season Form as at 27-02	Season Form
Team	H	A	H	A
Leeds United
Sheffield United
Burnley
Sunderland
Blackburn Rovers
West Bromwich Albion
Coventry City

[td width="113pt"]

27-Feb​

[/td]​

[td]

1.00​

[/td]​

[td]

1.55​

[/td]​

[td]

0.96​

[/td]​

[td]

1.55​

[/td]​

[td]

1.01​

[/td]​

[td]

1.56​

[/td]​

[td]

1.03​

[/td]​

[td]

1.53​

[/td]​

[td]

1.11​

[/td]​

[td]

1.53​

[/td]​

[td]

1.12​

[/td]​

[td]

1.52​

[/td]​

[td]

0.99​

[/td]​

[td]

1.71​

[/td]​

[td]

0.99​

[/td]​

[td]

1.77​

[/td]​

[td]

1.07​

[/td]​

[td]

1.66​

[/td]​

[td]

1.08​

[/td]​

[td]

1.67​

[/td]​

[td]

0.91​

[/td]​

[td]

1.91​

[/td]​

[td]

0.92​

[/td]​

[td]

1.78​

[/td]​

[td]

1.21​

[/td]​

[td]

1.46​

[/td]​

[td]

1.21​

[/td]​

[td]

1.43​

[/td]​

Our home run in is easier, our away run in is fractionally harder.

 

[Blade for Sale]

Lets dispel this myth right now. Heres the average Ppg of the teams the top 7 are playing between now and the end of the season, accounting for Home/away form.

Season Form as at 27-02	Season Form
Team	H	A	H	A
Leeds United
Sheffield United
Burnley
Sunderland
Blackburn Rovers
West Bromwich Albion
Coventry City

[td width="113pt"]

27-Feb​

[/td]​

[td]

1.00​

[/td]​

[td]

1.55​

[/td]​

[td]

0.96​

[/td]​

[td]

1.55​

[/td]​

[td]

1.01​

[/td]​

[td]

1.56​

[/td]​

[td]

1.03​

[/td]​

[td]

1.53​

[/td]​

[td]

1.11​

[/td]​

[td]

1.53​

[/td]​

[td]

1.12​

[/td]​

[td]

1.52​

[/td]​

[td]

0.99​

[/td]​

[td]

1.71​

[/td]​

[td]

0.99​

[/td]​

[td]

1.77​

[/td]​

[td]

1.07​

[/td]​

[td]

1.66​

[/td]​

[td]

1.08​

[/td]​

[td]

1.67​

[/td]​

[td]

0.91​

[/td]​

[td]

1.91​

[/td]​

[td]

0.92​

[/td]​

[td]

1.78​

[/td]​

[td]

1.21​

[/td]​

[td]

1.46​

[/td]​

[td]

1.21​

[/td]​

[td]

1.43​

[/td]​

Our home run in is easier, our away run in is fractionally harder.

You've got a hole in the bottom of your table

 

[wizadry]

I can’t see it happening but in true Kevin Keegan style, I’d love it if those twats up the M1 fucked it up.

I’m still not convinced by us even at this stage of the season but I do think we’ll still do it, Burnley will have a bad run at some point and we’ll do more than enough, if this materialises it’s then onto carrying on with the huge rebuilding process of making us competitive in the Prem. Should be very interesting nonetheless!

 

[Champagneblade]

The next 4 games for us are potential bananaskins.

Preston
Bristol City
Wednesday
Coventry

If we come out with 8 points or more from those I think we're basically up.

I’d say this is the time we make hay.

If you have aspirations of promotion then three home games and an away game to a team was is only averaging about 1.22 points at home are the matches where you need to dip your bread in.

Suppose we won them all. 85 with 7 left looks an incredible opportunity.

 

[PotterLog]

Possibly annoying neutral point of view but you lot should stop fretting. You’re performing miles better than them this season, especially when you consider your actual performance would make the gap two points more than what it is. You’re scoring goals and winning games, I get you’re not delighted with the defence but there’s still only Burnley and Leeds that have conceded fewer. You’ll probably draw against Burnley which will be fine.

You’ll finish second. Or maybe even pip Leeds if you catch the breaks. Dunna werrit

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Possibly annoying neutral point of view but you lot should stop fretting. You’re performing miles better than them this season, especially when you consider your actual performance would make the gap two points more than what it is. You’re scoring goals and winning games, I get you’re not delighted with the defence but there’s still only Burnley and Leeds that have conceded fewer. You’ll probably draw against Burnley which will be fine.

You’ll finish second. Or maybe even pip Leeds if you catch the breaks. Dunna werrit

It’s the Blades way

 

[ancientblade]

I’d say this is the time we make hay.

If you have aspirations of promotion then three home games and an away game to a team was is only averaging about 1.22 points at home are the matches where you need to dip your bread in.

Suppose we won them all. 85 with 7 left looks an incredible opportunity.

excellent point most important 4 games of the season coming up and all 4 winnable pigs will be gunning for us no doubt but their defence is shit we should be capable of at least a point

 

[Selly]

You've got a hole in the bottom of your table

Lets try that again shall we?