Micky

It was out of my head months ago, we were never going to keep pace with the top 3. We've had one brief spell in the top spots, other than that we've chased coat tails all season. Our weaknesses have been apparent pretty much all season, lots of possession, not a lot of intent, and when the going gets tough we wilt. If (a very big if) we get to the playoff final there is no way I want to play Ipswich, if we scored 6 they'd score 7, they are relentless. Personally I think we have now consigned ourselves to the championship for many years to come, this season was the best chance of promotion and we (RM) blew it. That said, surely we are better than Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United right, so we may get a shot next season as well. There'll be lots of changes though and we will probably end up quite a bit weaker than we are now, so it's going to be a tough ride from here on in. This seasons highlight is likely to be an historic unbeaten run that got us nowhere and nobody but a Saints nerd is going to remember. Next seasons highlights is likely to be the return of two derby games with our near neighbours, what could possibly go wrong?

Decent first half but never ever really looked like winning the game. Our first thought all the time is to go backwards, backwards, backwards, Ipswich is the complete opposite. It's not the first time that I've pointed out how good they are, and they proved it again tonight. They just keep going and never give up, they were never going to lose that game. One this season is over its time to bin the possession at all costs football and get somebody in who understands that winning is all important, not pretty football which achieves the square root of nothing. I'm not to disappointed to be honest because I never expected anything from this game, playoffs will be interesting, but playing the way we do is not the way to win those either. Decent game, shit result, all too familiar this season.

Been really impressed by Ipswich every time I've seen them this year, not so much about tactics with them, but attitude and getting the job done. Whereas we are totally one dimensional and reliant on possession they have the ability to change it up when necessary, and they don't know when they're beat. Very impressed with the manager who appears to have stayed out of the limelight and quietly got on with the job. Can't see us getting anything here but it's not the end of the world, our auto prom race was run a few months back. Pray for the playoff gods to be on our side.

Said the same pretty much all season. Our game is based around possession, and little else which seems bizarre to me. We've had very large chunks of games, but done nothing with them. I reckon some team will break into the playoffs and win them, leaving us and Leicester looking over our shoulders wondering what happened. Far too much ball, not enough intent.

Which is exactly what you need to do, keep the back door shut and you only need to take one chance up front. Clean sheets breeds confidence throughout the rest of the team as well. Unfortunately we can be prone to leaking quite badly at the back, even against some pretty mediocre teams. I don't see us getting anything from Leicester, Ipswich or Leeds so it's the playoffs or bust for us.

Every time I watch him he seems to play with his head down, he has no idea who is around him, or what he is going to do next.

Game over

Agree they look very good, reacted really strongly last night again, I would much prefer our chances against Leeds. All of that said, with ten to go it wouldn't surprise me if a team like Preston got into the playoffs and then win it, it's that much of a lottery.

The only way we are going to make a difference is to beat all three of them when we play them, can anybody really see us doing that, I think the exact opposite is likely to happen, our record against sides in the top half is not good.

I don't think it really matters, all three of them are better than us, we won't be overtaking any of them now. It's the glory of the playoffs now or a very long time in the championship.

You've got to hand it to them, they are a very good side, they just keep going and their intensity is fantastic. We won't be catching any of these three.

All gone Pete tong now

Maybe not then.

Get yer bristols out....!

Complacency...? Been comfortably a long way in front all season, head and shoulders above anything else in this league.

We were, but we could also point to some contributing factors, like playing with 10 men for most of the game, and down to 9 against United. I think arsenal are done here now, can't see them getting near nine.

A Cedric hat trick coming up to seal the deal...!

Urgency.... any at all?

So it's every game from here on in if we want promotion, so it's just another 'normal' game.

Not at all bothered about the result, couldn't give a toss, but if KWP is a bad one I'll be well pissed off.

As soon as Smallbone gave it away it was a goal.

Finishing.

But using a lot of gas, we won't be able to keep this pace for long.

Tend to agree. In the past 7 days I've heard him say things like: 'I don't mind if playing out from the back goes wrong and gives away goals' '.....blah blah blah I love the players ....blah blah blah' Give up with all the clichés and sort it out on the pitch, get a plan B going for when it's not working, and start to get results again. Given the squad we have the results aare beginning to get embarrassingly bad.

I like the look of Rosenior at Hull as well, think he has done really well with them this season. The problem is, if we were to change manager they will have much less resources than RM has this season. I've made no secret of the fact that I don't fancy our chances in the playoffs, I just don't think we have the style of play to do well in a knock out game. We will lose quite a lot of talent and experience next season, so getting out of this league becomes much, much harder. You can bet your bottom dollar that we wont be such a hot prospect next year.