Are the Playoffs out of reach?

[mikes smalls]

Bounce this thread 9.45ish next Tuesday and I'm sure the answers will be more definitive.
Personally If we don't make the play-offs then I'll be as disappointed as when Barry took us down the season after losing to Notts County.

 

[Mackenzie]

Not yet, but we need to start winning.

 

[Hamilton]

It's 50/50 in my book. We have new players in the squad to call on. If Gus can get them to gel then I'd say it was a 70/30 chance.

 

[bluenitsuj]

They are not out if reach, of course not, but if you ask me do I think we will reach the playoffs then I would have to say no.

 

[kevtherev]

Are the play off's out of reach?- No of course they are not.
Are the play off's out of reach on current form?- Yes.
Are the play off's out of reach with this system and tactics?-Yes.
Will we see a change of tactics and system?-

 

[chucky1973]

Crazy that some people think the playoffs are out of reach.

You lot do realise that we get 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and there are 17 games left to play, right??

not crazy, just factual. 5 wins in 22 games and an average home record suggest that we will end up mid table.

But..........you never know.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

What you seem to forget time and time again Kev, is that the play-offs are also the target for about 15 other clubs

Yep. And all this talk about 'We'll have a better chance next season' is just bollogs. Next season will be just as hard as this one in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet with so many evenly-matched teams in terms of resources, crowds, set-up, stadia etc. (except Palace on all those). We could be looking at another decade in The Championship. No divine right and all that.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

If we win 4 out of the next 5 games, we will probably be occupying a playoff position & this thread will seem as ridiculous as it really is.

That's one huge IF. Given our current form I don't hold out much hope unless Poyet adopts a far more positive attitude. Considering his stubbornness I doubt it.

 

[Neecha]

Its being realistic saying they are out of reach based on the pattern of the season. IF we gain form similar to the start of the campaign its not out of the question.

 

[goldstone]

I don't see how you can say that the playoffs are out of reach when there are 17 games to go and we are only 5 points off the playoff positions.

It's going to be a tough ask, we're going to have to play with a lot more consitency, we're going to have to turn draws into wins, and no more stupid red cards.

Ulloa could be the key.

 

[n1 gull]

We also have the added problem of playing teams above us who know a point is a great result as it keeps the gap.
We have been rubbish at breaking teams down who sit deep and just soak up our attacks. When was the last time we came back from 1 nil down?

 

[Zebedee]

Wins against Hull and Blackburn are an absolute must I fear. I will despair if CMS and Ulloa do not start with Orlandi and KLL (or Buckley) raiding down the wings. We really need to go for maximum points from these games and give the opposition something to worry about. Go for it Gus. You know it makes sense.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Are the play off's out of reach?- No of course they are not.
Are the play off's out of reach on current form?- Yes.
Are the play off's out of reach with this system and tactics?-Yes.
Will we see a change of tactics and system?-

We're 8th in February after using that system you know. We absolutely can make the playoffs. We're good enough, we just miss too many opportunities. Start banging in a few goals and we'll be well up there!

 

[chucky1973]

If we win 4 out of the next 5 games, we will probably be occupying a playoff position & this thread will seem as ridiculous as it really is.

As someone else said thats a huge IF, based upon current form. but we live in hope.

 

[Rugrat]

Yep. And all this talk about 'We'll have a better chance next season' is just bollogs. Next season will be just as hard as this one in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet with so many evenly-matched teams in terms of resources, crowds, set-up, stadia etc. (except Palace on all those). We could be looking at another decade in The Championship. No divine right and all that.

Totally agree and when was the last time that none of the 3 relegated clubs didn't compete? Can only get tougher

 

[Albumen]

Are the play off's out of reach?- No of course they are not.
Are the play off's out of reach on current form?- Yes.
Are the play off's out of reach with this system and tactics?-Yes.
Will we see a change of tactics and system?-

No, probably, no, no.
I love how you've given Ulloa a chance to settle in. Same system + an out and out goal scorer = more wins.

 

[kevtherev]

Next season we may have QPR and Villa in division.I would suggest that is stronger than Cardiff and Leciester.

 

[Neecha]

We're 8th in February after using that system you know. We absolutely can make the playoffs. We're good enough, we just miss too many opportunities. Start banging in a few goals and we'll be well up there!

Prob best to smash Hull on Saturday take 3pts and go from there. Along way to go. We are due a win over Palace I might add!

 

[fleet]

Im traditionally an optimist but I have to say I am not convinced we are going to make it into the play offs this year. I read in the argus that Orlandi was suggesting 11 wins in 17 will secure it. We have played 29 games and only won 10 so far and our current form is not all that different. Maybe another year in the Championship and squad strengthening in the summer will put us in a better position for next season. What do you think?

Never assume it will be easier next year - would be have Bridcut, Bridge, Buckley .....

We have to go for it and if we click with Ulloa scoring like our ex-loanee has for Millwall and now Leicester we can get there. If we don't become a goal scoring machine and stay as we are, then no chance obviously

 

[Commander]

And what you seem to forget Commander, is we have probably bought in more players(top class players) than any other club around us, that didn't go up last season and the league table tells you we aren't any better. People talk about 11 wins from 17 games lol. We have only won 10 all season, it's last season all over again. Good start and then fall away, when we don't stick to a settled side and Poyet over complicates things, that aren't that complicated....Having said all that, you may not believe this but I still think we can do it, but only if he swallows a bit of pride and plays a different way. I actually don't doubt Poyet can go on to be a top manager, believe it or not. But he won't all the time he is so inflexable and won't accept that the beautiful game, may sometimes need a tweek. Especially when everyone knows how to play against it, because your so bloody predictable.

That's actually quite a decent post. Ok not sure we have bought in more top class players than out promotion rivals though, have we? We certainly haven't spent more than most of them.

For what it's worth, I agree that Poyet needs to be brave and go for it now. Draws are no use. I don't necessarily see that we need to play two up front though, especially as we aren't used to playing that way. A formation including Ulloa, Vicente, Orlandi, Buckley etc can still be very attacking, we don't necessarily need two strikers. We just need to go for it right from the start at home, get a couple of goals and then close the game out.