The rest of the season - can we make the play-offs?

[Kalimantan Gull]

What was lost in the fervour leading up to last nights game was that winning would have been a massive three points and left us right on the fringes of the play-offs. A point doesn't leave us out of it though, after bad results for Hull, Leeds and Derby, we're 5 points off 4th. I have to say I am looking very much on the positive side, with a lot of tough-away games out of the way, three new signings in positions we were lacking, people coming back from injury and a demonstrated strength in depth during our bare-bones period.

To get there I think we need one of the strikers, CMS or Vokes to hit a golden patch, and we have to start winning games against the top 10 teams - especially at home. We've only beaten Saints at home (10 men) and Cardiff away of the teams above us. I have no concerns over the defence or defensive midfield, Gus has worked incredibly hard on that part of the team since we shipped 9 goals against Leeds, Palace and Ipswich, and they've improved superbly. We know there is talent up front and wide, just get them gelling....

In all likelihood the remaining 18 league games are preparation for a push next season, plus a good day out at Anfield, but we're in with a shout.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Why not? We're stronger than we've been all season, we've learnt how to play at this level and are now hard to beat.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Will be fun trying, I think Gus needs another transfer window, pre season and with 1000's more fans at the AMEX we are in for a great ride.

looking forward to 3 more wins and guarenteed safety (old habits die hard).

 

[Simster]

* Just 3 points off the play off places
* Ten of our remaining 18 games are at home.
* We are bang in form
* We've just done rather well in the transfer window

There is no point pretending we have no chance of reaching the play-offs, we have every chance. We're not even out of the running for an automatic spot yet (although I accept that is unlikely now).

 

[Aseros]

We can make the play-offs. Hell; I reckon we could just about make the play-off final. Would lose it though sadly.

 

[Marc1901]

I don't see why we can't get a play-off place at the end of the season. The thing is would we want to get up into the Prem for next season? Don't get me wrong I want us to win every game we play but I feel we wouldn't be able to hack in the top flight YET, give it a year or two and we can give promotion a real good push and be better equipped to be able to fight in the Prem.

The way were going at the moment looks like we could get a play-off place though.

 

[saafend_seagull]

Think we will need to win 12 of the 18 games.

Doubtful.

 

[Mungo_Jerry]

Personally I'm totally excited about the rest of the season. We've made 3 potentially season-making signings, we've got players coming back, we've come through our blip and injury nightmare in good enough shape still only just off the play-offs and we're now coming into real form and have momentum. Bring it all on, starting with Saturday as be great to give them a spanking as really them doing us up there was where the wheels started to come off... win on saturday and we know we're back!

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

If we win on Saturday I'll start to believe the playoffs are realistic.

 

[Djmiles]

Points needed for Play-offs in recent seasons: (Based on having 1 point more than 7th)

10/11 - 73
09/10 - 70
08/09 - 75
07/08 - 71
06/07 - 75

Average = 72.8 points.

To reach 73 points - 31 points from 18 games. (10 wins, 1 draw)
To reach 76 points (most EVER needed for 6th place) - 34 points (11 wins, 1 draw).

If we keep up our recent form, we have a great chance.

 

[kevtherev]

Imo no.We are tight enough at the back but quite simply there are not enough goals in the team.I really thought when Hoskins went,we had to bring in another striker.One who actually scores goals.

 

[halbpro]

It's doable, but I think we could just lose out on GD. The pack around the playoffs is so tight and I'm not sure it will open up any before the season ends.

 

[mh369]

Don't think we'll make it this season. Would be delighted with top ten finish, great foundations laid to make a good push next season

 

[Rugrat]

I just went through remaining games and reckon we end up on 71 points! Now the way I got there just isn't going to happen W7 D8 L3. The draws are kind of sit on the fence predictions but win a couple of those and I think it's possible. TBH I wouldn't give us much of a chance in the play offs but the're cup games anything can happen and defo throw the form book away

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

The problem is, losing in the playoffs is utterly demoralising for a team, saying that Cardiff haven't done that badly as a result this year.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

The problem is, losing in the playoffs is utterly demoralising for a team, saying that Cardiff haven't done that badly as a result this year.

Nothing ever apears to demoralise GUS....

 

[AMEXican Wave]

Very difficult, but we can.

We have to get to 50 points as soon as possible, and not have a 3rd 'bad patch'

Lose to Leicester and Leeds, and no chance I reckon.

 

[DIFFBROOK]

Its melt down time at Leeds.

Very difficult, but we can.

We have to get to 50 points as soon as possible, and not have a 3rd 'bad patch'

Lose to Leicester and Leeds, and no chance I reckon.

 

[227 BHA]

We can make the play-offs. Hell; I reckon we could just about make the play-off final. Would lose it though sadly.

That's an incredibly specific prediction!

 

[severnside gull]

It's going to be very interesting to see how Gus sets us up. We have become harder to beat and leaked less goals in very large part because of the return to form of Matt Sparrow, but also the emergence of JFC at home and defensive strength of Navarro away from home. Previously Bridcutt was being asked to do too much.
The biggest factor though, in my view at least, has been the use of Barnes and Buckley out wide to cover the fullbacks who, with the best will in the world, have been our main vulnerability. The knock on from that is that we are unable to commit players forward and, particularly, in the centre to support CMS................it all stems from the fullbacks.

Now we have, potentially, fullbacks with pace, power, and positional strength who will be less dependent on double cover from the front and midfield. It means we can commit forward with less concern that we will be caught on the counter. The way we play from the back means we will always be vulnerable to the occassional misplace pass but to no longer have to worry every time we go forward that if we lose the ball the opposition will be able to pass round and through us with relative ease, will make us a much more potent force.

Gus will have some tough choices to make (I so hope this will be the first and last season of 5 on the bench and next year we can revert to 7 to give more options). Game by game, will it be el Abd or Calderon on the bench? JFC or Navarro? KLL or Noone? Who will play from Barnes (top scorer) Buckley, CMS, Vokes?

The rest of the season? Looking at the fixtures there is no reason why, if we maintain form and push on from here, we cannot sneak into the play-offs. We can certainly hope to maintain an interest in and be challenging for a top 6 place right to the death. It makes for pleasant imagining after all those years of scraping around the lower league relegation zones (and not so very long ago lest we forget the great escape under Russell Slade). And if we do make it into the play-offs? Well who knows..........?