Which game is bigger?

[1danewhitehouse]

I don't think it will though, they're not going to give up on the back of a defeat to the top of the table, if thats going to happen its going to be when the mathematical possibility of catching us has all but disappeared.

If we win the next 2, it will create a similar situation to when Charlton beat both us and the pigs in 2011-12. Wilson maintained that we were focused on catching Charlton and winning the title but deep down, everyone knew that both us and Wednesday (and ‘udders’ for a bit) were fighting for 2nd place. If we beat Scunny and Bolton, let’s say Bolton draw at Bradford and Scunny draw and Bristol Rovers over that period, that would see the following situation


Team Played Points

Sheffield United 34 70

Scunthorpe 33 60

Bolton 32 58


I think most looking at that situation would say it was Bolton and Scunny to fight it out for 2nd. Still, it’s all based on a massive IF but that illustrates the importance of the next 2. If we lose both, and Bolton and Scunny were to win the other game in the period, it would suddenly look like


Team Played Points

Scunthorpe 33 65

Sheffield United 34 64

Bolton 32 63


The next 10 or so days can have a massive impact on the remainder of the season. Let’s fill the lane and create the most intimidating atmosphere we can. Let’s be the extra man. With a rested Sharp and Duffy preparing to face their old club who are having a wobble in front of a rabid 30 thousand crowd in a huge “6 pointer”, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of us battering Scunny this weekend.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

lots more twists and turns to come yet, keep an eye on Millwall chaps

I think Millwall have a good chance of winning the playoffs but it would be a massive ask for them to break into the top 2.

 

[him behind you]

22/23 points should see us promoted. All the games are just as big as each other and it doesn't matter who we get the points against

Agreed BUT I think it's important not to lose either of these 2 games. Losing either will not only cut the gap between us and them, but will give them a huge boost in terms of confidence whilst it could have the opposite effect on us - if not directly to the players but I can see us (fans) getting twitchy and that could rub off on the players. I'd happily accept 2 draws from these 2 games.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Scunny is fucking enormous. Which is great. This is what it's all about.

Not even thinking about Bolton.

 

[Selly]

I think 2 points from these games might, counter intuitively, be better than 3 points from these two games...

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Between this Saturday v Scummy or next weeks against Bolton??

For me it's Bolton, while it would be amazing going up as champions I would like a bigger gap to 3rd especially with their games in hand.

Heart says 6 points from the 2 games, head says if we lose to scummy but beat Bolton it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Would it??

Always the NEXT game.....one at a time.

UTB

 

[Tezza1889]

Because if we lose those two, our nearest rivals automatically each gain 3 points on us (and possibly 6 if they each win their game when we’re playing the other). If we win the next 2, we also guarantee that our nearest rivals lose that week. Hence the term “6 pointer”. If we win any other game, we don’t affect how many points Scunny and Bolton pick up, in these games we do.


That’s before all of the psychological elements that can come with it. Beat these 2 and it will be extremely difficult for them to pick themselves up and believe that they can catch us whilst we will be absolutely buzzing after seeing off our biggest threats. Lose them both, then they have momentum and we’re under a lot of pressure all of a sudden.

The post above clearly states why these two games are critical at this point in time.. yeah we can lose them both and still be promoted, but these are the 6 pointers (in old money) that your grandad used to go on about, the most important one is the first one, then the second one, and if you think the opposition aren't clued up and are going to come here and worry bout us then think again, I expect them to go hell for leather in both games because from their point of view these will be real opportunities to put us under pressure and peg us back (beat Sheffield Utd, win the games in hand and it'll be back on for them won't it).

If only we'd realised that we needed our key players fresh, and used the squad we have to ensure we take our best eleven out there this weekend....

We are very clearly in good hands with our smart and talented manager... keep the faith..UTB..

 

[JJBlade]

If we can do something extremely un Sheffield United like and get six points from two extremely vital games I think we will be champions

It's true that we could lose both and then win every other game

But I think if we can win both of these games nobody will be able to stop us

That's the importance of it, psychologically, deflation of the opponents against our elation

Also the reason why United won't win them both, that would be too easy for us

 

[Sean Thornton]

The post above clearly states why these two games are critical at this point in time.. yeah we can lose them both and still be promoted, but these are the 6 pointers (in old money) that your grandad used to go on about, the most important one is the first one, then the second one, and if you think the opposition aren't clued up and are going to come here and worry bout us then think again, I expect them to go hell for leather in both games because from their point of view these will be real opportunities to put us under pressure and peg us back (beat Sheffield Utd, win the games in hand and it'll be back on for them won't it).

If only we'd realised that we needed our key players fresh, and used the squad we have to ensure we take our best eleven out there this weekend....

We are very clearly in good hands with our smart and talented manager... keep the faith..UTB..

The other point is that the closer to the seasons end the less points available to teams chasing down a lead. Room for error gets smaller as each game passes. Wins for us in both games would be a huge boost for us.

 

[BigBed]

Every game is massive if were to get out of this shite hole league!

 

[Harry's Game]

Bolton.

Winning League one would be very nice, but cementing automatic promotion is more important.

 

[blader]

If the games were arranged simultaneously, in some kind of parallel universe, I would say Bolton. Definitely Scunny for me though.

Look, it's Sheff Utd. If we lost to scunny on Saturday, we would be entering the Bolton game absolutely petrified of losing it, as we are so terrified of blowing this. If we beat Scunny, I wouldn't be too worried about losing to Bolton, knowing the gap is there already. We've seen what nerves do for us, and it only transpires onto the pitch, very clearly. We need to win the first game to give us confidence for the second. Imagine if we beat scunny and Bolton lose to Bradford, we'd be bouncing with excitement for the Bolton game!

 

[NE Blade]

The first one. Then the second one is the most important. One at a time. And Millwall are coming strong, we need to be wary of them.

Milwall can't overtake us unless we fall apart. If we maintain our 2 points per game return we'll finish on 92 points.

That would mean they need to win 14 of their 15 matches, with possibly a draw in the remaining game unless there is a big swing in goal difference.

Possible, but highly unlikely.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

Still think Scunthorpe have it easier than us and Bolton, due to the psychological effect of playing us rather than little old Scunny. Teams raise their game against us as we are the big clubs in the division. Maybe Scunny are now struggling because the opposition is taking them a bit more seriously. Like we all did and expected them to fall away, it hasn't happened and now they are getting the respect but also more focused and prepared opposition.

 

[Bladeian]

We will absolutely batter Scunny ... and scrape a 1-0 win
I agree with those that say Bolton will outlast them and push on for top 2 ... I expect that game will be tight as they are a better team than Scunny and will be right up for it at BDTBL