Warren Blufitt

9 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

They’re going to need to win by 4 goals on Saturday in order to overtake Bolton. Given it’s a bit of a lottery as to whether it’s better to finish 3rd or 4th I reckon they’ll be resigned to finishing 4th. Our best hope (only as our insurance policy as I can’t see us losing on Saturday) is that they will want some momentum going into the play offs (there may be some negative psychological effect of being beaten badly by Bolton even if they do play the kids) and they may not want to rest the players too much and risk them getting a bit rusty.

My best guess is that they’ll field a reasonable squad but the players may not be going full pelt through fear of injury. Maybe Bolton will be doing the same. They’re probably more confident that Derby won’t lose than we are - especially the fans.

It’s 7 goals actually Tam not 4 and there’s no way Posh do that. Wanderers will probably now start with a strong side and see how it goes but even our “weakened” side would still be stronger than Posh if Evatt doesn’t want to risk things. I was just wondering though will the Paul Simpson factor play a part, given his history with you will he really want his team to deny you your promotion?

26 minutes ago, Scott129 said:

Even if Pboro put their reserves out, I can't see Bolton 'smashing' them.

When the chips have been down and the pressure has been on, Bolton generally haven't done well. They end up having 75%+ possession, 20+ shots, hitting the woodwork about 5 times, missing open goals from 2 yards out, and then come away with just a point.

Great team no doubt about it, but I personally wouldn't back them in big moments (especially away from home).

I should frame this Scott and get Evatt to pin it up in the dressing room before Saturdays game because it sums us up to a tee. It all changes though when we score early, it seems to spark us into life and that’s when we get our big wins so hopefully we can do that again on Saturday. You surely can’t lost to Carlisle but then neither Posh or ourselves though we couldn’t either! It only takes a bad referee or a silly tackle and everything changes. I’m clutching at straws now but at last we’ve both still got something to play for this weekend. 😁

9 minutes ago, Jortat said:

Bolton won’t get maximum points from their remaining games . Neither will PBoro .

Tonight was predictably poor against one of our favourite foes in this Division but the fun will run to the final Saturday.

Embrace the ride and here’s to nicking promotion on the final day . 🐏

Posh and Bolton may not get maximum points as you say but are you assuming Derby will? Any one of the 3 can now take the second automatic spot so it’s going to be who gets the luck, refs decisions or has the bottle to win the games remaining. You pays your money and you takes your choice. 🙂

13 hours ago, DavesaRam said:

The only problem with your comments is that this result was actually expected. Its what we do. We are quite likely to hold the door open for you, and even buy you some really expensive running shoes just to make sure you can storm past us. This is the umpteenth time we have had a chance to go clear of the teams behind away and thrown it away with a shocking performance, terrible team selection and terrible tactics.

All the best for the run in, mate. It was automatic or bust for us, and we put all our money on a horse called "Bust". We won't survive the play-offs.

But that could be me talking about Wanderers too Dave. Not many weeks ago we had games in hand and have thrown them away since. Even before that we had 3 games in hand on Portsmouth and could realistically have gone top but each time we’ve failed to take advantage in games we could and should have won, including Pompey away actually. Of course yesterday was a disappointment, it was a game you should have won and pretty much sealed second place but let’s be honest, you’re still in pole position with a 4 points lead and a better goal difference with only 7 games left. Anything can happen yet obviously but despite yesterday I’d have your position to Wanderers position any day. It’s still yours to lose so if you do it’s only down to yourselves. Let’s hope however it’s done we’re playing each other in the Championship next year because along with Pompey I think we’re all clubs that should be? 😉

7 minutes ago, Ramarena said:

I wonder if last weeks victory and celebrations went to everyone in the clubs heads?

That victory came from hard work, sensible decisions and teamwork.

Today, well…… I don’t know what to say!

Well to be fair last week shouldn’t have gone to your heads because you were largely outplayed. If anything it should have been at best a point but fair enough you got the winner whilst Wanderers missed their chances. That should have sent warning signals to the players not celebrations. At this time of the season you can only expect the unexpected, just like today. There’s a lot of ups and downs to go yet as nerves start to kick in but certainly today’s unexpected defeat opens the door to second spot again. It’s going to be a very interesting month now and that 4 point cushion isn’t anything like the 7 it could have been but you still do have a cushion and it’s still in your own hands so the players just have to keep their nerve and deliver.

That sixth spot will certainly be interesting but you just have to wonder if Lincoln’s amazing run can continue? Surely not and whilst there’s been no pressure on them up to now you can imagine that growing in the remaining games so I see them dropping back and just missing out.

1 hour ago, Steve How Hard? said:

I thought a key battle in this one would be if Ebou Adams could stifle the threat of Kyle Dempsey.

Dempsey has been a thorn in our side in recent battles and seems to dictate the play for Bolton. Interestingly though he was only on the bench for them midweek. 

Could some of the  visiting Bolton fans( @Wanderlust or @Warren Blufitt) on here shed any light on why? Was it a case of resting him for Saturday or was he dropped? 

Demps hasn’t really been at his best recently Steve and the excellent form of Sheehan, Thomason and Maghoma has been a real plus as has been the way they’ve linked up with Bodvarson and Collins. All are ball players and can receive and hold the ball so it may be that by accident of injuries to others we’ve fallen on a really good mix. Add in the excellent wing back play and crossing of Dacres Cogley and Ogbeta and we’ve been overrunning teams. Recent results at the likes of Blackpool and Wigan don’t really tell the true story where we were much the better team in both but managed to end up losing them though missing sitters. I’m hoping we’re over that now and prove it tomorrow but either way although I don’t expect Demps to start you never know with Mr Evatt? 🙂

4 minutes ago, CBRammette said:

Not at all confident about this based on 1) how well we play when we have a big crowd 2) how atmosphere often worse with big crowd and 3)how well we have played in these sorts of big games.  Hopefully for once will be happily surprised and it will be like the Brighton play off game. 

Ditto for Wanderers CBR, which should make for an interesting match? 😁

Well to keep hopes of the automatics one or other of us needs to win tomorrow because the way Posh are going I think they’ll beat Pompey, unless of course Pompey get their usual late penalty gift? 😁 How many is that they’ve had now? Of course both could be draws then it’s as you were which wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Tomorrow might not be absolutely decisive but it could be very close to it.

Going to be some game this and one that either could win and both really need to because with those behind us chasing us down a draw wouldn’t be particularly good for either of us. Much is made of wanderers performance against Oxford on Tuesday and whilst we were terrific in every department you do wonder if it was just one of those games where everything clicked or Oxford were poor. We’ll see on Saturday but if we play like that again with the same pace and intensity and Rams are less than 100% I can’t see Wanderers not winning. Of course things never happen as you’d expect and with it being your Black n White day, a full house and the ground festooned it should be a formidable task for our players not to be intimidated by it. All we can hope is that the game is not spoiled by poor refereeing as so many have been. The Ref needs to understand that emotions will be running high and make allowances whilst stamping down on the cynical stuff. It should be a cracker so let’s hope it lives up to it?

On 25/02/2024 at 10:59, Topram said:

Think it’ll be a very tough match, couldn’t believe how many decent players they had when we were away at their place few weeks back, think Jones will get them ticking and really expect it to be very tough 

Agree, different team under Jones.

Long way to go yet but if we play like we did tonight, especially second half it’ll take a very good team to beat us. Mind you the number of gift goals we’re giving away, yet another tonight, you never know. Going right down to the wire this I think. 🙂

I’d be more than happy with a draw in this one. 🙂

6 hours ago, Foreveram said:

Is this the same Charlton that hasn’t won a game since November.

Actually Foreveram no it’s not. They surprised me on Saturday with their pace and power which NJ seems to have instilled in them. The fact is that with the players they have and the ones they’ve signed they should be nowhere near the bottom and if Saturday is anything to go by they won’t be for long. Take them lightly if you want but with a proper manager now they may just surprise you because they need the points even more than you do! 😉

6 minutes ago, Srg said:

It's not, because of who plays who.

If we win all our games, including beating Pompey and Bolton then we end with 105.

If Pompey and Bolton do the same, one of you ends with 105 and the other with 102, depending on who wins between you when you play each other.

You’re right of course Srg, it all depends on how results go and with both yourselves, Barnsley and Pompey still to play things could change any week. You certainly on paper have the best run in but I wouldn’t write off the likes of Charlton or Wycombe who we’ve played recently as both seem to be finding some form, Charlton especially who have some really dangerous players and a new manager in Nathan Jones who knows how to use them. No games easy, home or away and the pressure will only grow so that’s why I see playing the top clubs a possible advantage because we won’t take any of them lightly.

Interesting topic this boys but if I can correct the threads title, the ball isn’t actually in your court it’s in Wanderers court if we win all our games. We won’t of course and nor will you nor Pompey but certainly on paper you have the easiest run in. As we know though, that doesn’t always turn out well as was said earlier, teams at the bottom fight for their lives whilst teams at the top suffer with nerves. You can only concentrate on what you can do and actually having tough games I see as a positive for Wanderers because with the squad we have I genuinely believe we can beat anybody else in L1 home or away.

Having lost the entire spine of our team over the last month or so we’ve still kept up results and we should have all those players back within the next week to ten days so basically for the run in and those really challenging games. Looking at fixtures though I certainly wouldn’t say Pompey are nailed on yet and they do still have to come to the Reebok yet as well. That’s obviously good for you whichever way it goes but with 3 games in hand on them if Pompey lose it will definitely shake them. It’s going to be a thrilling run in and it looks like being two from four with you, us, Pompey and Tykes and it will come down to who holds their nerve best. I think we will and with your run in so should you. 🙂

8 minutes ago, Bessie1 said:

Portsmouth to Carlisle - long drive that.  It’d be a shame if it was called off a few hours before KO.  🤞

Or abandoned after 9 minutes?? 😁

13 hours ago, Ambitious said:

I wonder if Bolton fans are wondering how good they are at this point? They beat Lincoln, Barrow, Cheltenham, Fleetwood. Lost to Middlesbrough, Wigan and drew with Burton. 

Wigan 4-0 loss will be concerning for their fans, no win in three and Derby on back of back-to-back away wins coming into town. A good test for both teams. 

For what it’s worth, I still think Bolton are the team to beat but interesting little wobble after that heavy defeat to Wigan where they were still statistically the better team. 

Let me tell you we were never the better team against Wigan Ambitious, we were just awful and the pie eaters deserved their win. I have to say though that we gifted them two goals and there wasn’t one player who didn’t have a mare. Against Burton we again gifted them a goal but then got that back through Charles and really should have won. Against Middlesbrough last night we were excellent in the first half but Boro really turned it after the break and showed their class. We actually did well to hold them until injury time the went to sleep and allowed them a late goal and an even sloppier one 3 minutes later so actually I think 3-1 flattered them. As for tomorrow I do expect us to be back to full strength other than Santos missing injured but Toal back as replacement is a bonus. I’m expecting an end to end game because we can both score goals but it could go either way. Whatever happens I still think we’re probably the best two squads in L1 and should be there or thereabouts at the end and clearly we both want automatic this year but I don’t expect the points needed to be as high as last season. We haven’t done that well against you in recent meetings but obviously we’re hoping to change that tomorrow. I don’t think whatever happens it will define either of our seasons but obviously the 3 points will be helpful if either of us get them. We don’t draw that many but it may turn out that way tomorrow and be a decent result for both? 🤔

3 hours ago, Alty_Ram said:

This probably belongs in the match thread so apologies to the mods.

Interesting, cheers for that. As for us, well I honestly don't know what to expect. Like many League 1 teams it's been a real mixed bag. We've looked really ropey in some games and yet we also managed to blow Peterborough away in 16 minutes last weekend. Warne seem to want to play a system that doesn't seem to work with these players and we look very vulnerable (3 at the back). Teams seem to just stroll through our midfield at will, but whenever we've abandoned that system we seem to look more effective. Looking at the squad before the season started we all thought defence would be solid but we'd struggle to score.. shows what we know !

The squad is paper thin though with injuries plus quite a small squad to start with, so not that much in the way options off the bench. Signed a couple of players before the last game so hopefully that's been addressed in part.

Honestly, no idea as to the scoreline. We might beat you or we might get a hammering, it's that kind of season so far !

Well it’s early days yet Alty and we probably need to see where we both are after 10 to 12 games to really get any idea but we do both have quality in our squads so over a season that should tell. Like you I have absolutely no idea what the score will be on Saturday because for us I just don’t know which team will turn up the Wigan one or the Cheltenham one? Obviously I’m hoping it’s the Cheltenham one but who knows? 🥴

2 hours ago, mozza said:

This seems like a rallying call for Bolton, well they are struggling lately..

You’re right mozza we are struggling after a very bright start. No Santos, no midfield, defence leaking goals it’s a real puzzle. On the plus side though Dion Charles is on fire at the moment and Adeboyejo is improving so if we can get the service right at least we can score. You on the other hand have picked up recently and seem to be hitting form so it should be a cracking game on Saturday with maybe a few goals in it? I still think we’ll both be there or thereabouts at the end of the season so Saturday could be an important pointer.

I must admit to being somewhat amazed at the love for Barnsley on here. I live in Barnsley and I can tell you that the locals aren’t anywhere near as confident as you lot are. They’ve lost 3 of their best players, look like losing Norwood too and have replaced these players with mainly National League defenders. Losing their captain Mads Anderson is the biggest blow he was so important for them and let’s not forget that they’re currently facing punishment from the EFL over misleading them on ownership rights and share holdings. They’re going to get at least points deducted I suspect so for me I’d put them mid table. As for Derby I can’t see you not pushing for automatics, Warne still has plenty of time to recruit a top striker and I’ve no doubt he’s just waiting for bricks to fall into place. As for Wanderers, people make a lot of our losing Bradley but to be fair whilst he was brilliant first half of the season he fell off towards the end but since he’s now been put up for loan again who says he won’t come back. In his place we’ve signed a guy in Dacres Cogley who so far seems to have a far better final delivery that Brad, which is probably why he’s still not ready at Liverpool. Wigan will be relegated, they’ll struggle pulling back 8 points, especially when you do them on Saturday. They’ve lost most of their quality young players and been left with oldies on big salaries. Blackpool a bit of a dark horse, likewise Pompey but I still see it as the bookies do with yourselves and Wanderers favourites for the automatics.

Just a little good news for you about the Pies, they’ve just lost Whatmough one of their best defenders to Preston on a 3 year contract so that should make things even easier for you? I think it will be Wanderers, You and Pompey fighting for the automatics as I can’t see any others that are enormously threatening although there’s usually one surprise. Barnsley are in a bit of a mess, lost several big players and replaced them from the National League and there’s now talk that Norwood rejected Wrexham and settled for Oldham. I still think Reading are in for points deductions, as I believe will Barnsley all of which will make things much easier. Anyway my hatred of the Pies knows no bounds so please give them a good pasting on Saturday.

17 hours ago, Caerphilly Ram said:

Not sure what the neutral consensus is in the media and the like. As I understand it they’ve been taken over by a wealthy local benefactor but have lost players as a result of the previous regime, a number of their key players have moved on and whilst they’ve been able to recruit it’s been later than other clubs and as such their summer has been disrupted…..that all sounds frighteningly familiar 🫣🤢

According to the bookies they’ll be relegated and with an 8 point deficit and probably losing this first match will find it very hard to recover those points. They’ve lost most of their good players, several taking advantage of the non paid wages problem to up sticks and walk so no transfer fees. The ones they are stuck with are the high paid players nobody else wants to buy like Charlie Wyke who still can’t do 90 minutes after his heart problems. Most of their signings are freebies as the embargo prevents them paying fees but their new owner, although a billionaire intends to run the club sustainably so I would expect the best they can hope for is survival. It’s not easy when you’re adrift at the bottom and every game seems to add more pressure. The bookies don’t often get it wrong and I don’t think they have with Wigan and it will be a struggle for them.

I’m not sure why you’re even having this conversation, of course Derby are a big club and even massive at this level. As has been said, there are lots of reasons players sign for certain clubs but I’d say ambition is one of them and playing at the highest level possible is too. Players can achieve both with Derby but if players are short sighted enough to only consider money the main criteria, unless it’s so much it would be crazy to turn down, you’d join a Derby before you’d join anyone else in this league and half the one above and that’s from a Bolton fan!! 😉

Like most other clubs there probably won’t be much, if any, serious activity until contracts run out at the end of June so until then much will just be speculation. Even then, sought after players probably won’t jump at the first offer unless it’s a really good one but I’d have thought on balance Derby would be a preferable destination to even some of those clubs higher up if the wages were similar. I don’t think anybody’s 100% sure what restrictions are still in place for this season but I’m sure it won’t be enough to prevent Warne competing for those players he does want.