Play Off Chase

[Tamesaint]

We are at that stage of the season when logic fails. Score predictions fail. Logically Millwall should have beaten WBA tonight but they didn't. There will inevitably be some illogical results tomorrow. 

Logically we shouldn't win our last 6 games. If however we can, we are going to be in that automatic promotion place. 

[Luke SkyWalker-Peters]

Good to see Millwall drop points tonight.

3rd/4th for home advantage for the playoff 2nd leg is what we should be aiming for, and tonight is a good step in the right direction for that. It would also be good to have playoffs secured before the season ends so that we can rest players and give the FA Cup a good go.

An Ipswich implosion that makes a battle for 2nd possible seems incredibly unlikely, but weirder things have happened in the Championship.

[skintsaint]

40 minutes ago, Tamesaint said:

Logically Millwall should have beaten WBA tonight but they didn't.

Why? WBA been in better form than Millwall.

[Tamesaint]

8 hours ago, skintsaint said:

Why? WBA been in better form than Millwall.

Third would normally expect to beat 20th.

[Lord Duckhunter]

It’s defo Ipswich’s for the taking, as apart from us, everyone else is stumbling over the line. On paper they do have a bit of a tough run. Norwich, followed by a midweek trip down the road (which can be tough if you’re not on it), Middlesbrough, Charlton, WBA, then us, they don’t face anyone with nothing to play for until QPR  their last game. Whereas we have Swansea, Bristol C & Preston, from the “mid table season over” group, and Blackburn are pretty safe as well. 
 

If they lose to Norwich & it’s a bit of a battle, they’ll then face similar at Fratton on Tuesday, who knows. They’re facing the same fixture congestion as us, only what looks like more physical type games. Incredibly unlikely, but lose today and you never know the affect that will have on them…

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

It’s defo Ipswich’s for the taking, as apart from us, everyone else is stumbling over the line. On paper they do have a bit of a tough run. Norwich, followed by a midweek trip down the road (which can be tough if you’re not on it), Middlesbrough, Charlton, WBA, then us, they don’t face anyone with nothing to play for until QPR  their last game. Whereas we have Swansea, Bristol C & Preston, from the “mid table season over” group, and Blackburn are pretty safe as well. 
 

If they lose to Norwich & it’s a bit of a battle, they’ll then face similar at Fratton on Tuesday, who knows. They’re facing the same fixture congestion as us, only what looks like more physical type games. Incredibly unlikely, but lose today and you never know the affect that will have on them…

I think this Ipswich side are nowhere near as good as the team that went up automatically last time round. There is a chance, albeit a small one for us to grab that second spot.

[Charlie Wayman]

11 hours ago, Tamesaint said:

We are at that stage of the season when logic fails. Score predictions fail. Logically Millwall should have beaten WBA tonight but they didn't. There will inevitably be some illogical results tomorrow. 

Logically we shouldn't win our last 6 games. If however we can, we are going to be in that automatic promotion place. 

Logically, we should not have won our last two but we did.

Logic does not determine results and outcomes. Preparation, motivation and determination does. If we want it badly enough we'll do it without luck or logic.

[Toadhall Saint]

Wherever the outcome it’s nice to be in the mix. After the shit show of last season and the start of this where the enjoyment of watching the Saints had been sucked out of me that’s excellent - can’t see 2nd but playoffs - no doubt.

[skintsaint]

3 hours ago, Tamesaint said:

Third would normally expect to beat 20th.

Good call. A team in better form at home and you would bet against it 😅

[saintant]

It's on! In our first 27 games we gained 33 points - in our last 14 matches we gained 36 points. Go figure.

[SNSUN]

I wouldn't mind playing Boro in the semis of the play-offs. They can't buy a win at the moment. Their last win was over a month ago and they lost at home to Charlton and Pompey in that time.

[SNSUN]

I wouldn't mind playing Boro in the semis of the play-offs. They can't buy a win at the moment. Their last win was over a month ago and they lost at home to Charlton and Pompey in that time.

[Dark Munster]

Chase all but over today, we'll almost certainly finish in the top six. Second is now probably out of reach with Ipswich winning today, but 3rd or 4th is now a very realistic target. Amazing to be in this position with 5 matches still to go, after the Will Still nightmare start. 

[LGTL]

30 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

I wouldn't mind playing Boro in the semis of the play-offs. They can't buy a win at the moment. Their last win was over a month ago and they lost at home to Charlton and Pompey in that time.

They’re probably the team I don’t want, albeit I still think we’d have enough. Give me Hull or Millwall over two games, with the home game second, and I think we’ll have at least two trips to Wembley in the next 6 weeks. 

[LiberalCommunist]

What I hope for now is, Ipswich limp along keeping the nearest two desperately chasing them, pushing their squads to the absolute limit, while we keep rotating our way to a nice 4th place finish. Then we are all ready for the our triumphant play off displays.

 

[CB Fry]

Feels like fourth is there for the taking now.

Win on Tuesday and we're there. Difficult to imagine wed let go of it once we're up there. Third would be nice but not sure it makes that much difference (we just want to be home second leg). Playing Ipswich when they are on the beach will be helpful.

[RedArmy]

57 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Feels like fourth is there for the taking now.

Win on Tuesday and we're there. Difficult to imagine wed let go of it once we're up there. Third would be nice but not sure it makes that much difference (we just want to be home second leg). Playing Ipswich when they are on the beach will be helpful.

Yeah 4th is the target now and shouldn’t be too hard to achieve. 
 

Crazy really considering how far back we were and to be honest I thought we had no hope of even scraping 6th. 
 

Statistically 3rd and 4th are the most likely to win the playoffs over the last 15 or so years so will be a huge boost and as long as Ipswich claim 2nd none of the other teams will fancy playing us. 

[VectisSaint]

3rd is on, not sure why people think 4th is the target. All the other teams in playoff places are struggling for form at the moment, we only have to pull 1 or back on Millwall. Finishing 3rd will mean we are still in form and will give us the easiest path. Ipswich are gone. 

[markr27]

Ipswich could be 5 points clear of 3rd on Tuesday night... Saints can quite easily finish best of the rest if the unbeaten run of form is maintained .

[BarberSaint]

2 hours ago, SNSUN said:

I wouldn't mind playing Boro in the semis of the play-offs. They can't buy a win at the moment. Their last win was over a month ago and they lost at home to Charlton and Pompey in that time.

If you say so. Twice.

[Sir Ralph]

I think the only team in the PL positions that could give us any real trouble is Millwall. Prefer to get them over two legs than in a one leg final

[SNSUN]

6 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

If you say so. Twice.

Blame the site crashing for that.

Blame the site crashing for that.

^Ok this one was me being stupid.

[Harry_SFC]

I think I've now worked out our best side for when we make the play offs. 

Peretz, Bree, THB, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Jander, Scienza, Matsuki, Azaz, Larin.

Close calls between Charles/Jander and Stewart/Larin but Jander has been playing very well lately and I think Charles has more impact off the bench. Same applies to Stewart. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

I fancy us to win the play offs

[SuperSAINT]

1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I fancy us to win the play offs

Ipswich not being in it would help.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 hours ago, RedArmy said:

Yeah 4th is the target now and shouldn’t be too hard to achieve. 
 

Crazy really considering how far back we were and to be honest I thought we had no hope of even scraping 6th. 
 

Statistically 3rd and 4th are the most likely to win the playoffs over the last 15 or so years so will be a huge boost and as long as Ipswich claim 2nd none of the other teams will fancy playing us. 

Likewise, just to be in the playoffs looked beyond us after such a poor start.

As Tonda's first run, turned into a slump, it seemed we would have to fight to get midtable.

And there we have the last week or so, beating play off rivals and into a semi final.

Hopefully, the next few games consolidate us in there. If the run continues, then we'd need Ipswich form to fall away (although we do play them).

[Harry_SFC]

10 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

Ipswich not being in it would help.

Mainly for the fact they seem to have the officials in their back pocket 

[Jack]

15 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Chase all but over today, we'll almost certainly finish in the top six. Second is now probably out of reach with Ipswich winning today, but 3rd or 4th is now a very realistic target. Amazing to be in this position with 5 matches still to go, after the Will Still nightmare start. 

It’s still on until it isn’t. Tuesday night: 

Saints 3-1 Blackburn 

Pompey 2-1 Ipswich 

With Ipswich still to come to SMS it could still happen. Their effective game in hand on us will be WBA away when we’re at Wembley, that’s a tough game with them still fighting to stay up. I maintain that if we get 84 points, could just about be enough 

 

[CB Fry]

Some of the social media stuff can be a bit cringe but I liked this

 

 

[Football Special]

I actually think Blackburn is going to be one of those annoying tricky games for us, their manager is an expert at approaching games with a weaker side than opponents and battling it out, he's had some good results there and did well with Northern Ireland. 

If Wrexham get a win at Birmingham today it will keep race open for 6th 

[macca155]

52 minutes ago, Jack said:

It’s still on until it isn’t. Tuesday night: 

Saints 3-1 Blackburn 

Pompey 2-1 Ipswich 

With Ipswich still to come to SMS it could still happen. Their effective game in hand on us will be WBA away when we’re at Wembley, that’s a tough game with them still fighting to stay up. I maintain that if we get 84 points, could just about be enough 

 

Yesterday pretty much confirmed our play off place. Saints are 5 points ahead of Wrexham with 5 games to play. All the interest will be on who joins us. Saints should get 3rd place now and will be favourites to win it.

The autos are pretty unlikely and I doubt Tonda will want to waste too much energy chasing the impossible dream.

Saints can achieve 84 points and Ipswich 90, even if they lose to Saints. plus their GD if way superior. 

The good news is that their two toughest games (Pompey and Boro) are next week. If they lose those two then game on, but otherwise Saints can calmly cruise into the play offs unscathed, and ready to kick arse.

Oh yeah and a semi final to enjoy as well.

To be that close to the autos really pisses me off. The poor decisions in August, mainly keeping Bazunu, appointing Still, and insisting on 3 at the back, has made this season so much harder.

However we are where we are. Onwards and upwards and if they don't make it, then go again.

 

[VectisSaint]

1 hour ago, macca155 said:

Yesterday pretty much confirmed our play off place. Saints are 5 points ahead of Wrexham with 5 games to play. All the interest will be on who joins us. Saints should get 3rd place now and will be favourites to win it.

The autos are pretty unlikely and I doubt Tonda will want to waste too much energy chasing the impossible dream.

Saints can achieve 84 points and Ipswich 90, even if they lose to Saints. plus their GD if way superior. 

The good news is that their two toughest games (Pompey and Boro) are next week. If they lose those two then game on, but otherwise Saints can calmly cruise into the play offs unscathed, and ready to kick arse.

Oh yeah and a semi final to enjoy as well.

To be that close to the autos really pisses me off. The poor decisions in August, mainly keeping Bazunu, appointing Still, and insisting on 3 at the back, has made this season so much harder.

However we are where we are. Onwards and upwards and if they don't make it, then go again.

 

Think it's important we clearly target 3rd. We need to be the team in the playoffs that are in form. If we get to 3rd it'll partly be because the others (Millwall at least) are stumbling. 4th is in our own hands now but we should push for better. As far as I'm concerned Ipswich are gone, and that may be a good thing, wouldn't want to face them in the playoffs.

[Pamplemousse]

The other reason why we want to finish 3rd is because the second leg will be on the Monday as opposed to the Tuesday, so we get an extra day to prepare for the cup final.

[saintant]

Birmingham Wrexham is far less entertaining than watching paint dry.

[Saint NL]

Wrexham 2-0 down, good stuff

[RedArmy]

We have broken this Wrexham team. They still look completely shell shocked 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, RedArmy said:

We have broken this Wrexham team. They still look completely shell shocked 

Been shocking haven’t they. If we can get third got to fancy us to beat them or Hull over two legs 

Millwall at Wembley!

Edited 6 hours ago by Turkish

[Saint NL]

1 minute ago, RedArmy said:

We have broken this Wrexham team. They still look completely shell shocked 

Arsenal as well 😂

[Baird of the land]

What looked like a very close playoff race looks pretty much decided now.

[Turkish]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

I actually think Blackburn is going to be one of those annoying tricky games for us, their manager is an expert at approaching games with a weaker side than opponents and battling it out, he's had some good results there and did well with Northern Ireland. 

If Wrexham get a win at Birmingham today it will keep race open for 6th 

They’re in a bit of form, 5 unbeaten including beating Millwall and a draw with Boro, won’t be easy for sure but should have enough for another win you’d think

[Paul_B]

I'm just happy we're not getting relegated and doing slightly better than my bottom half finish prediction 😅

[CB Fry]

2 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

The other reason why we want to finish 3rd is because the second leg will be on the Monday as opposed to the Tuesday, so we get an extra day to prepare for the cup final.

It's more than a week before so doesn't really make any difference.

It didn't stop us beating Leeds for example.

 

[Dr Who?]

Win Tuesday and we are in the playoffs. I think we are pretty much there, just what the positions are? Would prefer Boro or Hull so I can go to the away leg. Can see us finishing 3rd. 

[Cabrone]

.

Grab 3 more wins before Citeh and we're mathematically certain for playoffs. TBH there's every chance it will be even less.

If we are booked for playoffs that gives Tonda the breathing space to put out a full strength team and have a real tilt for the final. I want us to give Citeh a real game.

Pretty sure Ipswich will be a dead rubber now so Tonda will be able to rest key playersbefore the playoffs.

[kwsaint]

1 hour ago, Dr Who? said:

Win Tuesday and we are in the playoffs. I think we are pretty much there, just what the positions are? Would prefer Boro or Hull so I can go to the away leg. Can see us finishing 3rd. 

Same. Hull marginally easier to get to but never been to Boro.

[SNSUN]

2 hours ago, Dr Who? said:

Win Tuesday and we are in the playoffs. I think we are pretty much there, just what the positions are? Would prefer Boro or Hull so I can go to the away leg. Can see us finishing 3rd. 

While we shouldn't become complacent, I think with Wrexham losing today we're all but in the play-offs. Whether we can pull off a miracle and somehow pip Ipswich to 2nd remains to be seen but to be all but guaranteed a play-off spot compared to where we were when Tonda took over is exceptional by the club. I genuinely didn't think we'd make it but this form has been outstanding.

[Dark Munster]

2 hours ago, Cabrone said:

.

Grab 3 more wins before Citeh and we're mathematically certain for playoffs. TBH there's every chance it will be even less.

If we are booked for playoffs that gives Tonda the breathing space to put out a full strength team and have a real tilt for the final. I want us to give Citeh a real game.

Pretty sure Ipswich will be a dead rubber now so Tonda will be able to rest key playersbefore the playoffs.

Only if a top 4 place is assured. We want to avoid 5th/6th for the second leg home advantage.