We’re not making the Play Offs…..simple maths

[Flatulent_Bob]

Villa and Sunderland, pound for pound about equal in size and following. Sunderland, like us, haven't torn many trees up recently and Villa been inconsistent. Both have found form, backing and players. Have we?

As said, I didn't agree entirely with Alan Ball. I do think he was trolling us (he sat on the ball soon after in a right old drubbing at the Lane) just to reinforce the point, but his gesture we may be a bit above ourselves back then is as evident as today.

This is utter bollocks.
I can’t even be filed under considered opinion as there’s not a single metric that would suggest parity between United, Sunderland and Villa.
It’s the sort of absolute nonsense that gets spouted from the other side of the side which goes unchallenged even though it’s demonstrably untrue.

 

[Guesty]

Quick maths.

Take man's Twix by force.

 

[Brian Deane]

Take man's Twix by force.

I wouldn't mess with Blade56 if i was you .......

 

[Bladesman]

Take man's Twix by force.

Send man's shop by force.

 

[Bladedog]

Villa and Sunderland, pound for pound about equal in size and following. Sunderland, like us, haven't torn many trees up recently and Villa been inconsistent. Both have found form, backing and players. Have we?

As said, I didn't agree entirely with Alan Ball. I do think he was trolling us (he sat on the ball soon after in a right old drubbing at the Lane) just to reinforce the point, but his gesture we may be a bit above ourselves back then is as evident as today.

Villa inconsistent? Won 12 on trot..i,ll take that kind of inconsistency.

 

[FredZeppelin]

After watching us against Wrexham I can't believe anyone would think we have even a remote chance of getting anywhere near the play-offs.

Our players make too many mistakes, lack general consistency, and seem incapable of retaining possession when put under any sort of pressure. Our manager also doesn't seem to have any idea what to do in order to change our in-play tactics when necessary and he rarely improves our performances with his substitutions.

The only way we'll be relegated (imo) is if we are completely negligent and don't sign a new goalkeeper in January, then suffer a season-ending injury to Cooper leaving us with Adam bloody Davies to stand there frightened, unprepared, and utterly useless.

utb

 

[CarlMcBlade]

The maths say it’s possible, the performances say…not a fucking chance.

 

[BazWainwright]

This is utter bollocks.
I can’t even be filed under considered opinion as there’s not a single metric that would suggest parity between United, Sunderland and Villa.
It’s the sort of absolute nonsense that gets spouted from the other side of the side which goes unchallenged even though it’s demonstrably untrue.

Not sure you got my point, FB. It was simply saying that when (the likes of) Villa and Sunderland are on the up, they generally get financial backing, a decent manager and a blood transfusion of decent PL capable signings. When we look like we are striding out into the big time, our board fail consistently to afford what it takes, our manager fails to understand the Premier League and we end up with star signings like Lys Moussett, Jack Rodwell, Oliver Burke and Kean Bryan.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I think we can agree a second half haul of 40 points would be a cracking effort.

That, combined with our current total of 26 points, would put us on

40 points is good but the target should be 46 points, that’s 2 points per game.
Normally this is promotion form and would be difficult but think the standard in the top 10 is the lowest it’s ever been.

Think 72 points is achievable…..and last season Bristol City finished on 68 points and were in the play-offs.

 

[Sheffsteel]

After watching us against Wrexham I can't believe anyone would think we have even a remote chance of getting anywhere near the play-offs.

Our players make too many mistakes, lack general consistency, and seem incapable of retaining possession when put under any sort of pressure. Our manager also doesn't seem to have any idea what to do in order to change our in-play tactics when necessary and he rarely improves our performances with his substitutions.

The only way we'll be relegated (imo) is if we are completely negligent and don't sign a new goalkeeper in January, then suffer a season-ending injury to Cooper leaving us with Adam bloody Davies to stand there frightened, unprepared, and utterly useless.

utb

You never judge any team on 1 game.

I could just as easily say judging us on 2 recent games, home to Stoke and Birmingham, we are definitely top 2 material.
However as you know success in the Champiomship is all down to consistency and having a mean defence helps massively.

Last season there were plenty of games where us and Burnley didn’t play well but because of the great defence we still won 1-0.
This season the defence is so inconsistent and even Cooper doesn’t look his old self.

Don’t worry…if we beat Stoke by 3 goals tomorrow…..then everyone will be predicting that top 2 is still do-able.

 

[Champagneblade]

After watching us against Wrexham I can't believe anyone would think we have even a remote chance of getting anywhere near the play-offs.

Our players make too many mistakes, lack general consistency, and seem incapable of retaining possession when put under any sort of pressure. Our manager also doesn't seem to have any idea what to do in order to change our in-play tactics when necessary and he rarely improves our performances with his substitutions.

The only way we'll be relegated (imo) is if we are completely negligent and don't sign a new goalkeeper in January, then suffer a season-ending injury to Cooper leaving us with Adam bloody Davies to stand there frightened, unprepared, and utterly useless.

utb

The problem we have is this; we are capable of putting in a complete automatic first place performance like Stoke at home.

Sadly we also have a second half vs West Brom and Wrexham in us too!

Then there’s the fact we seem to put bromide in the tea at half time and abscond from participating in the 46-60 period of the game.

We have a really enviable stable of strikers at time of writing.

Same with the midfield if we can get one or two up to fitness.

But the defence has been a huge let down, sometimes because of a lack of support.

Much as I love Seriki, we do need a more defensive alternative especially if we’re going to have players like Chong who don’t do enough defensively.

Centre back and keeper are the two we need to fix if we really have aspirations to pull this out of the fire.

That’s why Bindon was such a disappointment the other day. On the back of the Brum game, granted in favourable circumstances, I.e. 11 v 10, it looked like he’d put early season demons behind him. Yet I really didn’t like his lack of defensive composure. The penalty may have been dubious on further examination but it was a poor challenge. He also gave away a dangerous free kick by getting it wrong. Then the OG as well and never getting to grips works the forwards. He wasn’t the only one. McCallum had a stinker too, but he’s got more credit in the bank this season and left back isn’t a priority.

In goal it feels either Cooper has some issues or an injury he’s managing.
He’s not managing it well as he never seems to save owt! I’d be inclined to ask about Anthony Patterson on loan and just tell Cooper to get fixed whatever he’s needing to.

Next two games are crucial. Stoke want revenge yet we beat them 4-0. Play something like and we’ll beat them again. Leicester still not convincing. Get two wins and we might get a bit of belief that we can do it and it might encourage us more for the window. Fail and we’ll just be accepting the consistency isn’t there.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Dem in top six now will not win another game all season.

 

[ATL Recs]

You never judge any team on 1 game.

I could just as easily say judging us on 2 recent games, home to Stoke and Birmingham, we are definitely top 2 material.
However as you know success in the Champiomship is all down to consistency and having a mean defence helps massively.

Last season there were plenty of games where us and Burnley didn’t play well but because of the great defence we still won 1-0.
This season the defence is so inconsistent and even Cooper doesn’t look his old self.

Don’t worry…if we beat Stoke by 3 goals tomorrow…..then everyone will be predicting that top 2 is still do-able.

Against 10 men Birmingham you shouldn’t judge, Stoke fair enough though they are in a massive downturn

 

[bartman]

Villa and Sunderland, pound for pound about equal in size and following.

I must admit, this made me laugh out loud.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

I still think there’s a chance of playoffs. The league is so wide open this year. I think Cov and Ipswich will get automatic, then Middlesbrough 3rd. After that the next 3 spots are up for grabs!
From here on in if we play like we did against Birmingham we’re in!
If we play like we did against Wrexham we’re mid table at best! (Although I must say that I feel Wrexham were ‘on it’ that game)
Let’s get the win against Stoke and see where the second half of the season takes us

 

[UddersBlade]

Absolutely no chance of the play offs. We’ll get around 60 pts - finish between 10th & 14th.

 

[Bell4]

It's possible. But unlikely.

This

I’d also add the word Very , to place before the word unlikely

 

[rompodebailey]

Cheers for stating the obvious all those that thought we had any chance were well and truly deluding themselves.

I don't get you. Being a football fan is all about hope, especially as a United fan. Whilst ever there is a chance I for one will always have my fingers crossed, if that makes me deluded, well I can live with that. I have plenty of other things in my life I'm more than realistic about.

 

[Bell4]

You never judge any team on 1 game.

I could just as easily say judging us on 2 recent games, home to Stoke and Birmingham, we are definitely top 2 material.
However as you know success in the Champiomship is all down to consistency and having a mean defence helps massively.

Last season there were plenty of games where us and Burnley didn’t play well but because of the great defence we still won 1-0.
This season the defence is so inconsistent and even Cooper doesn’t look his old self.

Don’t worry…if we beat Stoke by 3 goals tomorrow…..then everyone will be predicting that top 2 is still do-able.

I think your response to his post justifies his post

 

[Bell4]

I don't get you. Being a football fan is all about hope, especially as a United fan. Whilst ever there is a chance I for one will always have my fingers crossed, if that makes me deluded, well I can live with that. I have plenty of other things in my life I'm more than realistic about.

I’ve spent 55 years doing just this

The last 3/4 - well , who really cares

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Who even wants to make the play-offs?! Having my balls clamped sounds like a nicer day out than that torture.

 

[Bladesince59]

Forget it

 

[mattbianco1]

Who even wants to make the play-offs?! Having my balls clamped sounds like a nicer day out than that torture.

At this point we just make play offs for the craic

 

[Champagneblade]

I still think there’s a chance of playoffs. The league is so wide open this year. I think Cov and Ipswich will get automatic, then Middlesbrough 3rd. After that the next 3 spots are up for grabs!
From here on in if we play like we did against Birmingham we’re in!
If we play like we did against Wrexham we’re mid table at best! (Although I must say that I feel Wrexham were ‘on it’ that game)
Let’s get the win against Stoke and see where the second half of the season takes us

I can imagine 6th being as low as 69 or something like that, such is the inconsistency of the play Off teams right now.