Winning The League

[silver blade]

About as important as when you ask for a Coke at a bar and they say 'Is Pepsi alright?' and you say 'yes' like everyone ever.

If you offered me Pepsi now I'd take it.

I want champagne l got some for Christmas 5yrs ago was saving it for when I win the lotto but promotion looks more likely

 

[I should coco]

Aim for the moon and if you miss you land amongst the stars.

Would there be any geese involved?

BTW, pressure makes diamonds......

 

[bladesmanluke]

It's us or a fishing village for the title. It'd be bitterly disappointing to lose out to them, but of course I'd take 2nd if offered it now.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

From our current position anything less than champions would be an underachievement!

 

[SwissBlade]

And more to the point, why would we NOT want to win the league.

Other teams may not remember, but we have several older members and we often see comments about us winning the 4th Div etc

 

[Rusty view]

I've mentioned it previously but a guy on twitter does prediction based on shots and conversion rates. Fron that he produces predicted league positions.

@experimental361handle if anyone wants to take a look.

 

[mancunianblade]

It pisses me off that.

As if anyone is going to say "What....Pepsi? Well this changes everything"

See I order Coke through habit but if I had to rank them id place Pepsi above Coke. Crazy I know

 

[blades95]

About as important as when you ask for a Coke at a bar and they say 'Is Pepsi alright?' and you say 'yes' like everyone ever.

If you offered me Pepsi now I'd take it.

 

[mancunianblade]

Promotion is everything but I think taking the title would cap a remarkable season, and I would be disappointed to not top the table, Also think CW deserves it on his CV and Billy lifting a trophy at the Lane in front of a packed house would mean everything to him and us.

 

[KingKeith]

Be nice to add our name to the three others (Wolves, Preston and Huddersfield?) who have won the title in every tier of English football but, ultimately, promotion is the thing!

It's Wolves, Preston and Burnley I think, that have won all 4 divisions!

I would like us to be the 4th that can say it.

 

[Slim Man]

I can't believe how many people would be happy missing out on the title

 

[blade too long]

Somehow I don't think that's an OMG, argument winning bit of info - nice though it might be

Pigs often say weve won nothing .at least we will have won a competition theyve been in themselves

 

[adebo]

TE="grafikhaus, post: 1249433, member: 1936"]I think some are getting a bit carried away. Champions or runners up? (forget play-offs, we all know how good we are at those.)

I'm trying not to be too pessimistic here, just introducing a note (or two) of caution. On 14th April 2012, we were flying. We beat Leyton Orient at home 3-1 with goals from Williamson, Doyle and...Evans. Just three games to go and surely Wendy couldn't maintain their winning run. Could they?

By the following week explosive allegations (later to be proved unfounded) against Evans meant he wouldn't play for us again and his career was as good as over. Our final three games yielded just two points, we once again flopped in the play-offs and Wendy did continue their run to pip us to second by 3 points.

Back to the present day and there's nearly a quarter of the season still to play. So what Evans-esque disaster is waiting for us? I don't think I'm alone in thinking that - for almost two seasons - we've been frighteningly-vulnerable to losing Billy Sharp. Without his goals last season, we'd have probably gone down. Without his goals this season, we'd be nowhere near the top of the table. Some say 'somebody else would step up'. Well, I'm afraid facts don't back this up. An injury or suspension for Billy could be a disaster almost on the scale of Evans.

Next point, Fleetwood (and probably Millwall) are 'doing a Wednesday', looking very strong and with more than enough time to rein us in. Was that a good point yesterday? I'd say not. Should we have surrendered a 2-0 lead or a 3-2 lead? All I know is, when Fleetwood trooped off the pitch at the end of their game at Scunthorpe and heard our result, they would have been cock-a-hoop that - in the space of 90 minutes - they'd shaved 2 full points off our lead and had a - on paper - far harder game than ours. It can all change that quickly.

As a final point, we've conceded 45% of all goals against us in the first 15 minutes of each half. Are we going out 'cold'?[/QUOTE]
Rochdale away isnt a much easier game than scunny away. Didnt Fleetwood lose at Rochdale! Davies and lund again ironically.

Millwall need to make up 11points on us, 12 with goal difference that takes at least 4 games with us getting nothing there are only 11 left. If we beat them at the lane then they would need us to lose 6 of the other 10!
fleetwood v bolton is massive really a draw or fleetwood win would be fantastic

 

[S64 Blade]

Why do people think that because we have drawn a game, we are all a sudden destined for second spot, or worse?

We fell out of top spot in January, after our little blip and recovered. I fully expect yesterday's performance to be a one off, or at worst another 'blip'.

 

[Pinchy]

I think some are getting a bit carried away. Champions or runners up? (forget play-offs, we all know how good we are at those.)

I'm trying not to be too pessimistic here, just introducing a note (or two) of caution. On 14th April 2012, we were flying. We beat Leyton Orient at home 3-1 with goals from Williamson, Doyle and...Evans. Just three games to go and surely Wendy couldn't maintain their winning run. Could they?

By the following week explosive allegations (later to be proved unfounded) against Evans meant he wouldn't play for us again and his career was as good as over. Our final three games yielded just two points, we once again flopped in the play-offs and Wendy did continue their run to pip us to second by 3 points.

Back to the present day and there's nearly a quarter of the season still to play. So what Evans-esque disaster is waiting for us? I don't think I'm alone in thinking that - for almost two seasons - we've been frighteningly-vulnerable to losing Billy Sharp. Without his goals last season, we'd have probably gone down. Without his goals this season, we'd be nowhere near the top of the table. Some say 'somebody else would step up'. Well, I'm afraid facts don't back this up. An injury or suspension for Billy could be a disaster almost on the scale of Evans.

Next point, Fleetwood (and probably Millwall) are 'doing a Wednesday', looking very strong and with more than enough time to rein us in. Was that a good point yesterday? I'd say not. Should we have surrendered a 2-0 lead or a 3-2 lead? All I know is, when Fleetwood trooped off the pitch at the end of their game at Scunthorpe and heard our result, they would have been cock-a-hoop that - in the space of 90 minutes - they'd shaved 2 full points off our lead and had a - on paper - far harder game than ours. It can all change that quickly.

As a final point, we've conceded 45% of all goals against us in the first 15 minutes of each half. Are we going out 'cold'?

Fleetwood and Millwall also have more than enough time to lose their present impetus. Ask those who got premature exasperation about Bolton and Scunthorpe "not faltering". It's a long season and a quarter of it still remains. Barca and Real they are not.

A bit of Bladey cap-doffing there, I fear.

 

[Pinchy]

Why do people think that because we have drawn a game, we are all a sudden destined for second spot, or worse?

We fell out of top spot in January, after our little blip and recovered. I fully expect yesterday's performance to be a one off, or at worst another 'blip'.

It's the Bladesfans' Way. A very curious species in so many ways. Attenborough should make it his next and greatest project.

 

[ForgeBlade]

6 weeks ago I'd have been over the moon with 2nd. Now...I still would to be honest, promotion has to be the main aim, but as the remaining games reduce in number, and we stay top, I can't deny that the ecstasy of promotion would be tinged with a little bit of disappointment that we didn't go up as champions.

For what it's worth, I still think we will win the league. A 3-3 away draw at Rochdale while playing poorly does not indicate the start of a collapse, or even a bad run. It is what it is, a bad day at the office that actually strengthened our position regarding promotion (by 1 point). Dust off, forget about it, move on.

 

[Ricky]

Us, Fleetwood and Millwall all have 33 points to play for.

Our maximum is 102, Fleetwood 97 and Millwall 91.

Realistically the absolute minimum number of points both will drop is 6 - 8 wins and 3 draws would be outstanding. They have to play each other too.

That would have Fleetwood's maximum as 91 and Millwall's 85.

So as long as we win 5 more games (with the inevitable 1 or 2 draws) we should be promoted.

Only Fleetwood can stop us winning the league. But it would take a very good run of form for them to do so because I have our minimum as 88 points. And can they really extend what is already such an exceptional run of form? Surely they'll have a blip.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Win the league.
If only because I have backed us and stand to win about £400.

The Blades have cost me a fortune over the years the least they can bloody do is for once win me some money.

 

[Hackblade]

Despite the mini-slump we've been in since Southend, we seem to be playing well and nobody else at the top, bar Fleetwood, is doing very well so hopefully we will finish first but that would just be the icing on the cake. Promotion is the cake.

 

[Houston_Blade]

Winning the league will make the inevitable open top bus parade less cringeworthy, apart from that I don't care as long as we go up. Would be nice to win the league and shows a statement of intent for next year but it's not the end of the day if we don't.

 

[ShorehamRevolution]

I think some are getting a bit carried away. Champions or runners up? (forget play-offs, we all know how good we are at those.)

I'm trying not to be too pessimistic here, just introducing a note (or two) of caution. On 14th April 2012, we were flying. We beat Leyton Orient at home 3-1 with goals from Williamson, Doyle and...Evans. Just three games to go and surely Wendy couldn't maintain their winning run. Could they?

By the following week explosive allegations (later to be proved unfounded) against Evans meant he wouldn't play for us again and his career was as good as over. Our final three games yielded just two points, we once again flopped in the play-offs and Wendy did continue their run to pip us to second by 3 points.

Back to the present day and there's nearly a quarter of the season still to play. So what Evans-esque disaster is waiting for us? I don't think I'm alone in thinking that - for almost two seasons - we've been frighteningly-vulnerable to losing Billy Sharp. Without his goals last season, we'd have probably gone down. Without his goals this season, we'd be nowhere near the top of the table. Some say 'somebody else would step up'. Well, I'm afraid facts don't back this up. An injury or suspension for Billy could be a disaster almost on the scale of Evans.

Next point, Fleetwood (and probably Millwall) are 'doing a Wednesday', looking very strong and with more than enough time to rein us in. Was that a good point yesterday? I'd say not. Should we have surrendered a 2-0 lead or a 3-2 lead? All I know is, when Fleetwood trooped off the pitch at the end of their game at Scunthorpe and heard our result, they would have been cock-a-hoop that - in the space of 90 minutes - they'd shaved 2 full points off our lead and had a - on paper - far harder game than ours. It can all change that quickly.

As a final point, we've conceded 45% of all goals against us in the first 15 minutes of each half. Are we going out 'cold'?

I wouldn't like to see you walking up my drive during wartime...

 

[Echo Blade]

It's Wolves, Preston and Burnley I think, that have won all 4 divisions!

I would like us to be the 4th that can say it.

Yep, you're right.
Two out of three ain't bad

 

[Punk Blade]

I think some are getting a bit carried away. Champions or runners up? (forget play-offs, we all know how good we are at those.)

I'm trying not to be too pessimistic here, just introducing a note (or two) of caution. On 14th April 2012, we were flying. We beat Leyton Orient at home 3-1 with goals from Williamson, Doyle and...Evans. Just three games to go and surely Wendy couldn't maintain their winning run. Could they?

By the following week explosive allegations (later to be proved unfounded) against Evans meant he wouldn't play for us again and his career was as good as over. Our final three games yielded just two points, we once again flopped in the play-offs and Wendy did continue their run to pip us to second by 3 points.

Back to the present day and there's nearly a quarter of the season still to play. So what Evans-esque disaster is waiting for us? I don't think I'm alone in thinking that - for almost two seasons - we've been frighteningly-vulnerable to losing Billy Sharp. Without his goals last season, we'd have probably gone down. Without his goals this season, we'd be nowhere near the top of the table. Some say 'somebody else would step up'. Well, I'm afraid facts don't back this up. An injury or suspension for Billy could be a disaster almost on the scale of Evans.

Next point, Fleetwood (and probably Millwall) are 'doing a Wednesday', looking very strong and with more than enough time to rein us in. Was that a good point yesterday? I'd say not. Should we have surrendered a 2-0 lead or a 3-2 lead? All I know is, when Fleetwood trooped off the pitch at the end of their game at Scunthorpe and heard our result, they would have been cock-a-hoop that - in the space of 90 minutes - they'd shaved 2 full points off our lead and had a - on paper - far harder game than ours. It can all change that quickly.

As a final point, we've conceded 45% of all goals against us in the first 15 minutes of each half. Are we going out 'cold'?

I still think the impact of Evans' conviction in April 2012 is misinterpreted. We scored four goals in the final two games, so we were still capable of scoring without him. I think the psychological effect of losing a team mate in such circumstances knocked a good team out of stride and they never recovered. If we were to lose Billy to injury it would be a blow, but he'd be in the dressing room helping fire the lads up, Lavery (and/or O'Shea and/or Carruthers) would see a chance to earn a place for the remainder of this season and beyond, and the good football we're playing would continue - meaning lots of chances created, a usually steady defence, and more wins than not-wins. If it were a bad/longer injury there'd even be a sense of "let's do it for Billy".

The other side of it is the run by our nearest rival. Fleetwood have to run out of steam and lose a couple before the end of the season, surely?

 

[Danny_Blade]

After as many as 6 seasons in this league the least we can do is go up as Champions when we do win promotion! Our magnificent supporters of this club deserve it after all the heartaches we've endured.

We are the best team in the league this season so Champions it is!

 

[Dronfield_Blade]

I bloody care be nice to actually see us win a league on merit regardless of what league it is.

 

[Ricky]

Winning a league is a rare thing to do. You don't get the chance very often. We have a superb chance now. It might be another 20 years until we have a similar chance.

 

[Davalon]

At the start of the season I'd have been delighted with a play off spot.

At Christmas I'd have been delighted with 2nd place.

Today I'll be delighted with promotion but disappointed if we don't do it as Championship.

 

[Pinchy]

If I have this right, we could be promoted to a backdrop of moaning?

Did someone mention magnificent supporters?

 

[metalblade]

We really should be winning this league from the position we find ourselves in anything else would be a huge disappointment. The 2012 season is nothing to go on, that year the pigs had a big advantage in the run in as most of their games were played after ours meaning they knew what they had to do to better our results, they as chasers had nothing to lose and could throw caution to the wind, how many times did they score injury time winners?
Back to this season just watched highlight of Scunny V Fleetwood, Scunny had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside when they were dominating the game 0-2 looked very harsh on them. Fleetwood will drop points they will not have yesterdays luck all the time. I think it is a two horse race for the title with Bolton or Scunny as rank outsiders maybe, we just have to hold our nerve and match the other chasing teams results.