Play Off Chase

[AlexLaw76]

12 minutes ago, Scummer said:

We've scored more goals this season than 4 of the 6 teams above us, and more than anyone else in the league since Eckert took charge.

We have recently sold one of the top scorers in the league 

[BARCELONASAINT]

23 minutes ago, Scummer said:

We've scored more goals this season than 4 of the 6 teams above us, and more than anyone else in the league since Eckert took charge.

Stewart is unreliable, Larin i'm yet to be convinced by and that 3rd choice striker couldn't find his way back to the dressing room.

[SaintsRoyalty]

Unfortunately, I can’t see the huge wave Wrexham have been surfing since deadpool got involved not carrying them to the prem. they have fought back from losing positions to win a number of games this season showing they have heart. 

When the inevitable happens and we finish outside the playoffs, I’m sure most will point to Will Still’s stint as the issue. Of course in an ideal world that gamble would never have been taken, and I was against his appointment from the start. However, what’s worse than gambling once on your manager choice? Doing it a second time(!). If we had got in an old experienced manager instead of cone man we almost certainly would be in the playoffs now.

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

[John B]

3 hours ago, Saint86 said:

I did a championship predictor over the weekend. Essentially had Hull and wrexham winning every game (where practicable), and all the other teams above us winning every game in the most onerous way for us (i.e., always benefiting the lower of hull/wrexham basically). That won't happen obviously, but if it did then i think it worked out that we'd miss out by 1-2 points on 6th place.

Probably explained that terribly, but in effect it means that if hull played say ipswich, then i'd have given hull the win, but if wrexham played hull then i would have given it to whichever of them needed the points (99% sure that was wrexham).

The reality though is that it pretty much is in our own hands - there is near zero probability of Wrexham and hull achieving their required "maximum" points and keeping us out, especially with their fixtures vs other top sides - So saints need to just keep going, focus on ourselves, win as many as we can, and crucially beat Wrexham away, or certainly don't lose that one. We have the squad depth and quality, barring a major injury crisis (touch wood we don't hit one) that is an advantage to us over this run in. Against it, Eckert is still very young an inexperienced, and he is going to make mistakes.

But one of the 5 sides is going to drop form and points - just don't let it be us.

And bottom line - if saints maintain the form to qualify, then with this squad you'd be a brave punter to bet against another side to win them over saints imho.

Championship predictor is not real life

[Football Special]

Ipswich v Hull feels like a big game tonight,  we want a home win? 

[macca155]

8 minutes ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

Unfortunately, I can’t see the huge wave Wrexham have been surfing since deadpool got involved not carrying them to the prem. they have fought back from losing positions to win a number of games this season showing they have heart. 

When the inevitable happens and we finish outside the playoffs, I’m sure most will point to Will Still’s stint as the issue. Of course in an ideal world that gamble would never have been taken, and I was against his appointment from the start. However, what’s worse than gambling once on your manager choice? Doing it a second time(!). If we had got in an old experienced manager instead of cone man we almost certainly would be in the playoffs now.

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

Tonda's won 14, drawn 5 and lost 5. That's promotion form, if it continues Saints go up. He's not the problem. The shit show before, put Saints in this position.

The issue all season has been their inability to beat the top 6 teams. So far Saints have managed a meagre 6 points from a possible 27. That's pathetic, and Saints are rightly outside of the play offs for good reason. Winning the remaing games only makes it bang average.

Nevertheless they are where they are, and at least the remaining 11 games hold interest.

 

 

[SNSUN]

34 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Ipswich v Hull feels like a big game tonight,  we want a home win? 

Yes please. Hull may still be catchable but I don't think Ipswich will be. Relying on fighting for one spot is worrying I'd rather we had the option of fighting for two and so a Hull defeat would keep them within catchable margins. If Hull win tonight or even draw I think we're solely fighting for 6th spot. I still think we don't make it but it all depends on whether Wrexham continue to pick up results or have a tough spell.

[West end Saints]

1 hour ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

Unfortunately, I can’t see the huge wave Wrexham have been surfing since deadpool got involved not carrying them to the prem. they have fought back from losing positions to win a number of games this season showing they have heart. 

When the inevitable happens and we finish outside the playoffs, I’m sure most will point to Will Still’s stint as the issue. Of course in an ideal world that gamble would never have been taken, and I was against his appointment from the start. However, what’s worse than gambling once on your manager choice? Doing it a second time(!). If we had got in an old experienced manager instead of cone man we almost certainly would be in the playoffs now.

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

Guessing you were moaning about the appointment at the start and finding it hard to back track.

He has turned a terrible low morale start of season into us performing better than any old school manager is currently managing.

It would have been more of a gamble not to appoint him after his start

[Football Special]

19 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Yes please. Hull may still be catchable but I don't think Ipswich will be. Relying on fighting for one spot is worrying I'd rather we had the option of fighting for two and so a Hull defeat would keep them within catchable margins. If Hull win tonight or even draw I think we're solely fighting for 6th spot. I still think we don't make it but it all depends on whether Wrexham continue to pick up results or have a tough spell.

Hull have had 5 away wins in a row as well, seem to be good picking up points on the road 

[SNSUN]

Cracking strike. Ipswich winning 

[SNSUN]

Oh should have been 2! What a save.

[the boy from saints]

2 hours ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

Unfortunately, I can’t see the huge wave Wrexham have been surfing since deadpool got involved not carrying them to the prem. they have fought back from losing positions to win a number of games this season showing they have heart. 

When the inevitable happens and we finish outside the playoffs, I’m sure most will point to Will Still’s stint as the issue. Of course in an ideal world that gamble would never have been taken, and I was against his appointment from the start. However, what’s worse than gambling once on your manager choice? Doing it a second time(!). If we had got in an old experienced manager instead of cone man we almost certainly would be in the playoffs now.

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

Have to disagree with you on that. Although I disagreed with the appointment; Tonda has done better than most managers we've ever employed in his first batch of games. We'd be overjoyed if this was Gerrard's record had we appointed him.

 

[Bob60]

15 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Oh should have been 2! What a save.

What a miss.

[SNSUN]

Just now, Bob60 said:

What a miss.

That too. 

Injury time...

[Charlie Wayman]

Neither Ipswich or Hull have been convincing this evening. Look very average teams. At least Ipswich are doing us a favour, 1-0 up and in added time. Ipswich's game management is appalling, too many hotheads -  ffs just run it into the corner!

Final minute corner to Hull, goalie up. Comes to nothing. All over 1-0

[SNSUN]

Ipswich win. Hull remain 7 ahead. 

[Harry_SFC]

Hull look very average to me. They've obviously had a brilliant season but if they keep playing like that (they were even worse than that despite winning at Pompey) then we've certainly got a chance of catching them.  

Edited 16 hours ago by Harry_SFC

[sad saints fan]

3 hours ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

Unfortunately, I can’t see the huge wave Wrexham have been surfing since deadpool got involved not carrying them to the prem. they have fought back from losing positions to win a number of games this season showing they have heart. 

When the inevitable happens and we finish outside the playoffs, I’m sure most will point to Will Still’s stint as the issue. Of course in an ideal world that gamble would never have been taken, and I was against his appointment from the start. However, what’s worse than gambling once on your manager choice? Doing it a second time(!). If we had got in an old experienced manager instead of cone man we almost certainly would be in the playoffs now.

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

I would like to see Tonda given plenty of time to hone his managerial skills here. He seems to learn very quickly from his mistakes and in a few seasons I think we will lose him to a premiership club.

[Football Special]

9 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Hull look very average to me. They've obviously had a brilliant season but if they keep playing like that (they were even worse than that despite winning at Pompey) then we've certainly got a chance of catching them.  

Agree Hull looked nothing special, They play twice in the league before we play again 

Millwall and Wrexham,  will be interesting to see how things stand after that 

[AlexLaw76]

Now that having a lump up top is all the rage (again), as is having a scrap during a set-piece…. Tall Paul, with allardyce and pulis, were ahead of their time 

[Harry_SFC]

8 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Agree Hull looked nothing special, They play twice in the league before we play again 

Millwall and Wrexham,  will be interesting to see how things stand after that 

The best case scenario there is surely a Millwall win a draw against Wrexham. 

[Saint Scott]

A look at the run in for Saints, Hull and Wrexham. 

	Hull City (60 pts)	Southampton (53 pts)	Wrexham (57 pts)
	Millwall (H)	West Bromwich Albion (A)	Hull City (H)
	Wrexham (A)	Coventry City (A)	Swansea City (H)
	West Bromwich Albion (A)	Norwich City (H)	Watford (A)
	Sheffield Wednesday (H)	Oxford United (H)	Sheffield United (A)
	Oxford United (A)	Ipswich Town (H)	West Bromwich Albion (A)
	Coventry City (H)	Wrexham (A)	Southampton (H)
	Sheffield United (A)	Derby County (H)	Birmingham City (A)
	Birmingham City (H)	Swansea City (A)	Stoke City (H)
	Leicester City (A)	Bristol City (H)	Oxford United (A)
	Charlton Athletic (H)	Blackburn Rovers (H)	Coventry City (A)
	Norwich City (H)	Preston North End (A)	Middlesbrough (H)

[SNSUN]

Those last 5 games for us against mid table teams likely to be on the beach (Derby could still be in the mix) and Blackburn look favourable, it's the few tough games before that which could define our season. Ipswich, Wrexham, Coventry and even Norwich will be the key fixtures.

Hull have WBA, Wednesday and Oxford in 3 games. They must be thinking that's 9 points. Before and after that their fixtures are tough. Look at Wrexham's last 2 fixtures. We can only hope the 3 way fight for promotion continues to the last day. 

To be even still in the play-off conversation is excellent, it gives us something to play for. If we'd lost, say, two of our recent wins we'd likely be season over in mid-table thinking about the summer rebuild. At least our recent form has kept the season from petering out. 

[Badger]

3 hours ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

All the managers you’ve mentioned are in their second season or more with their clubs so have had a lot longer to shape their teams. Wrexham have recruited  well for the Division and Neil has done an outstanding job.

From where we were when Eckert took over he’s done an impressive  job to get us where we are. Playoffs were becoming  disappearing fast in Still’s last few weeks. 

At the time I’d have expected us to go for a more experienced manager, but if they’d brought Carrick or whoever (Gary O’Neil??) and we were now in this position most would say ‘job well done’. 
 

As you say, any failings this season will be down to the first three months, and appointment of Still. 

[Andy Hill]

Very wishful thinking if you think Hull are catchable.

[Badger]

3 hours ago, macca155 said:

So far Saints have managed a meagre 6 points from a possible 27. That's pathetic, and Saints are rightly outside of the play offs for good reason. Winning the remaing games only makes it bang average.

Nevertheless they are where they are, and at least the remaining 11 games hold interest.

 

 

Yet we are striving for promotion to play some of the most expensively assembled teams in the world. When you highlight that return from the top 6 in the Championship it underlines the enormity of the what we might face. Unless SR spend big. And wisely. 

[SaintBobby]

17 hours ago, CB Fry said:

The script of the fucking Disney show is we beat them in their first match in the Championship. 

For the return match they have the chance to knock us out of the Play off race.....Hollywood ending

Fuck Hollywood. I want to see Goliath slay David!

[St. Ciervo]

What I hate is that I am all f-ing in. This is usually when the boys choke hardest. But whatever... Let's win it at Wembley! E-I-E-I-O!

[Football Special]

6 hours ago, Saint Scott said:

A look at the run in for Saints, Hull and Wrexham. 

	Hull City (60 pts)	Southampton (53 pts)	Wrexham (57 pts)
	Millwall (H)	West Bromwich Albion (A)	Hull City (H)
	Wrexham (A)	Coventry City (A)	Swansea City (H)
	West Bromwich Albion (A)	Norwich City (H)	Watford (A)
	Sheffield Wednesday (H)	Oxford United (H)	Sheffield United (A)
	Oxford United (A)	Ipswich Town (H)	West Bromwich Albion (A)
	Coventry City (H)	Wrexham (A)	Southampton (H)
	Sheffield United (A)	Derby County (H)	Birmingham City (A)
	Birmingham City (H)	Swansea City (A)	Stoke City (H)
	Leicester City (A)	Bristol City (H)	Oxford United (A)
	Charlton Athletic (H)	Blackburn Rovers (H)	Coventry City (A)
	Norwich City (H)	Preston North End (A)	Middlesbrough (H)

Hull having a 7 point cushion and enough winnable games left i don't think we'll catch them. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

7 hours ago, Andy Hill said:

Very wishful thinking if you think Hull are catchable.

Why not.

Gotta dream big!

[Chez]

12 hours ago, macca155 said:

 

The issue all season has been their inability to beat the top 6 teams. So far Saints have managed a meagre 6 points from a possible 27. That's pathetic, and Saints are rightly outside of the play offs for good reason. Winning the remaing games only makes it bang average.

Nevertheless they are where they are, and at least the remaining 11 games hold interest.

My concern is despite the manager and form change we will be 'found out' when we play the remaining games against top 6 sides. At least we are on the mix.

[John B]

34 minutes ago, Chez said:

My concern is despite the manager and form change we will be 'found out' when we play the remaining games against top 6 sides. At least we are on the mix.

I have been following four succesful chases 1966 1978 2012 2024 and found that there were twists and turns unlike relegations where nothing went right

 

Just keep confident one day we will do it

 

[MarkSFC]

Just been told that Wrexham may well be subject to a points deduction....

My best mates colleagues mate is Michael Fenn (CFO). 

My mate is a CFO so moves in those circles and is the last person to gossip.

Anyone else heard anything of this nature? 

[Midfield_General]

48 minutes ago, MarkSFC said:

Just been told that Wrexham may well be subject to a points deduction....

My best mates colleagues mate is Michael Fenn (CFO). 

My mate is a CFO so moves in those circles and is the last person to gossip.

Anyone else heard anything of this nature? 

It’s already happened. They’ve been deducted 10 points. They’ve appealed but the appeal has failed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wrexham/4077927.stm

[trousers]

The Wrexham v Saints match has NOT been selected for live TV coverage... Somewhat bizarre...

[Saint86]

18 hours ago, John B said:

Championship predictor is not real life

Thanks for that staggering insight John... 😅 What predictors do however, is provide a relatively quick way of looking at specific scenarios... which (for those of us who can't track the live league table for 7 teams over each of the remaining game weeks in our own heads) can be quite handy, informative, and/or interesting... 🙃
 

Edited 1 hour ago by Saint86

[Saint86]

18 hours ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

If you look at the teams that made that obvious decision, they have the likes of Phil Parkinson, Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Alex Neil etc. Whilst not directly Eckart’s fault, his appointing will be the reason we don’t get promoted to the premier league. 

He has the highest points haul since his appointment, and he could have done even better... I was very critical of him early doors, but since the change in tactics (and adoption of the back 4 with a target man centrally up top) we've looked a very solid side. Its frustrating to watch him walk into mistakes eyes open time and again, but he's a rookie manager and its sadly to be expected... however on current form, he looks to be someone with a pretty high ceiling - we just have to be prepared to accept the learning curve.

[Saint86]

15 hours ago, Saint Scott said:

A look at the run in for Saints, Hull and Wrexham. 

	Hull City (60 pts)	Southampton (53 pts)	Wrexham (57 pts)
	Millwall (H) - tough	West Bromwich Albion (A) - complete piss	Hull City (H) - tough
	Wrexham (A) - tough	Coventry City (A) - tough	Swansea City (H) - easier (but welsh derby)
	West Bromwich Albion (A) - complete piss	Norwich City (H) - middling	Watford (A) - middling
	Sheffield Wednesday (H) - complete piss	Oxford United (H) - complete piss	Sheffield United (A) - middling
	Oxford United (A) - complete piss	Ipswich Town (H) - tough	West Bromwich Albion (A) - complete piss
	Coventry City (H) - tough	Wrexham (A) - tough (and huge pressure)	Southampton (H) - tough
	Sheffield United (A) - middling	Derby County (H) - easier	Birmingham City (A) - middling
	Birmingham City (H) - middling	Swansea City (A) - easier	Stoke City (H) - middling
	Leicester City (A) - middling	Bristol City (H) - easier	Oxford United (A) - complete piss (but is right in the run in)
	Charlton Athletic (H) - easier	Blackburn Rovers (H) - easier	Coventry City (A) - tough
	Norwich City (H) - middling	Preston North End (A) - middling (but should be a dead rubber for them)	Middlesbrough (H) - tough

Arbitrary rankings FTW... but unless we implode away at Wrexham, we have easier fixtures and i reckon we'll catch them - plus GD will be on our side.

Edited 1 hour ago by Saint86

[coalman]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

The Wrexham v Saints match has NOT been selected for live TV coverage... Somewhat bizarre...

They're saving it for Netflix for either the triumph over adversity story arc or the tragic and unfair failure story arc.