Kernow

1 minute ago, Comrade 86 said:

How many on here still fancy Barnsley now, I wonder?

It can change so quickly, that's the problem. A great day for us today could be completely reversed in a few days.

Posh didn't win in 4 and were believed to be out of it. Now 4 wins in a row, and they're a point behind us if they win their games in hand. I don't even think Portsmouth can be overly confident that they're safe in the top two right now. They have to play all four directly below them in the league. I highly doubt they'll lose all four of those games, but if they do it's not inconceivable that they don't even get the home advantage in the play-offs, let alone automatic promotion.

If we can hold our nerve in the 'big' games, and get 4 points from Bolton and Pompey, then we'll do it. With the fixtures we do have left, we'll kick ourselves if we miss out from this position.

3 minutes ago, Bris Vegas said:

Still some twists and turns to go.

I know Pompey didn’t win, but they will be delighted with today’s results given Bolton and Barnsley slipped up.

Games are running out.

Given the inconsistencies Pompey are probably only 5 more wins away from promotion.

89 points will be enough for second place. Avoid defeat to Bolton and win 5 of the last 8 + a draw and that will probably do it.

They still have some work to do, 4 of their next 7 games are Posh, Barnsley, us & Bolton. They're away at Posh the same day as we play Bolton at home, then we have Northampton the same day as they have Barnsley.

We're 5 behind them at the moment, if we're less than that by the time we play them then it could be a nervous situation for them, and we will hopefully have our tails up. I don't think we'll catch them unless we beat them at their place, so it's a really tough ask, but 4 teams neck and neck chasing them down is going to cause a lot of pressure. Two or three bad results and they don't just lose top spot, they could quite easily fall to 4th or 5th.

They're favourites by far, but it's going to go right to the end.

Well today was alright.

Three points gained on Barnsley, +7 GD.
Two points gained on Pompey and Bolton, +3 GD.
Nil points gained on Peterborough, but +1 GD.

For argument's sake, if Posh and Barnsley win their games in hand (I know they're a little while away yet) then it'd be...

1. Portsmouth - 77
2. Derby - 72
3. Posh - 71
4. Bolton - 71
5. Barnsley - 70

I'd suggest anybody old enough to consciously remember a competitive first team game at the BBG invest in some Tena pants for men (or women), because it's going to be a nervy end of the season.

 

Ffs Waggy! Stop improving our goal difference!

Barnsley 0-4 Lincoln

Burton 1-1 Posh

Rovers 0-1 Derby

NML

We're 12 points ahead of Oxford in 7th, same games played. Although mathematically possible of course, there's no realistic way they finish above us with only 10 games to play. Making up over a point a game on any side near the top of the table is a tough ask, especially when you don't play them again this season.

Hopefully that gives us the confidence to throw everything at going for 2nd place. We don't really need to look over our shoulder, and it makes little difference whether we finish 3rd or 6th. Let's go for it.

There’s a bloke I know from Cornwall who supports Forest. Arrogant, up his own arse, mocks poverty and as thick as two short planks. Just seen that he went up for their game today, that’s topped off a very good day.

Derby 2-0 Vale

Gayle

Nice to see he’s still been working with the club and it’s helped towards his badges.

Future Rams manager?

55 minutes ago, LeedsCityRam said:

I would have to agree with this even though I would make a change irrespective of the final outcome come May.

I probably would too, but that won’t happen. If Clowes’ plan is to appoint a League One ‘promotion specialist’ purely to get out of the division, then get rid, he wouldn’t have been given a 4 year contract. I think that Warne will get sacked if we’re in a position similar to the one Sheffield Wednesday were in, but if we’re teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, he’ll still be here.

In an ideal world for everyone, Warne gets us promoted and then someone like his hometown club of Norwich thinks “we want him” and poach him off us. If we do go up, he will probably still be here at the end of his current contract as long as we are a mid-to-bottom half Championship side.

7 minutes ago, duncanjwitham said:

Honestly, I think that a lot of the performances this season haven't really looked all that different to last night.  The only difference being that in those games we didn't make those silly mistakes, and NML/Hourihane/Collins etc pulled a goal or 2 out of nowhere and we ended up winning fairly comfortably.  And that's why a lot of people have been so frustrated, even when we've won, because it doesn't feel sustainable.  We aren't going to go the entire season without making silly mistakes, and without those key matchwinners getting injuries or getting tired or losing form, yet with the way we set up, it feels like we're going to have to.  And that's compounded because we know with the way we play, that players are going to pick up knocks, and that older players are going to get tired etc, and that's when the mistakes creep in and performances start to drift off.

I know. It’s two losses back to back, and it’s easy to say ifs and buts, but if Wildsmith doesn’t s*** the bed and give away the penalty, and we go on to win 1-0, what’s different?

It’s the exact same performance except we’re 3 points further ahead and everything is a lot more positive.

It’s the downside of playing football in this way, if you keep winning then brilliant but it only takes a couple of defeats before the pitchforks are out. We had this issue a few months ago and went on a run of great form. If we can sort ourselves out and stay positive then I think we can hit good form again, the problem is the league is poor, and there’s no reason why Bolton can’t also do the same.

14 minutes ago, Leicester Ram said:

Very succinctly written, Kernow

We all have February slump PTSD so I do sympathise with those that are panicking

There’s a good chance I’ll also be sharpening my pitchfork at the end of the season if we don’t go up but for now, I’m not blinded by the “lack of entertainment” when this always has been a results business

How so many posters are convincing themselves that promotion almost isn’t worth it if Warne’s in charge shows how far from reality you can get when you dislike a manager. I remember thinking the same when Rowett was in charge but if we’d been promoted with him then we wouldn’t be here now - I couldn’t have been more wrong

I’ll put the tin hat on and say Warne’s biggest issue is managing the expectations of a bunch of pearl clutchers who can’t sit through the grim reality of League One football at their precious Derby County and boo the team

I understand the issues some have with Warne. I think sometimes it’s over the top and the slightest downside will be blown out of proportion, but I don’t think many can argue that we’ve been a great side this season. We’ve been industrious and efficient, which up til now has worked more times than it hasn’t.

But if we bring negativity to the games from kick off, it’ll only have a negative impact. For David Clowes, it isn’t just a case of “well the football’s s***, let’s duck him off”. He will have a 2-year payout for a number of staff, then have to recruit somebody who will need to hit the ground running from day 1 to keep us on track for promotion. It’s an expensive gamble that will be paid for by one fan, that’s it.

I think if we are facing a third year in League One, then that’s the time to make the change. When we still sit in the automatic places, have a favourable run-in, and a go in the play-offs if we fall just short, then sacking him isn’t even going to be thought about.

Realistically, David Clowes is not going to be sacking Paul Warne before the 27th April.

No matter how poor the football has been, and now recently results too, we are still second. Barnsley & Bolton have games in hand (against each other), but as it stands we’re second because we’ve won more points than all but 1 of the teams in our league this season.

I don’t think Warne is the long term answer, and if we don’t go up this season then that’s the point I would expect the change.

I personally don’t see the benefit of turning against the manager and the team at this stage when all it’s going to do is hinder the team further. It might not be very pretty but we can still get out of this league, and right now I think that’s the most important thing.

Just now, MackworthRamIsGod said:

And Bolton losing...yet another chance we had to pull away from them.

They'll be thinking the exact same thing about us. Pompey must be rubbing their hands, it makes it even more frustrating that the league is so poor this season.

Just now, eddielewis said:

Wigan have scored. Doing Mr Warne a great big fat favour right now!

Barnsley are going to end up finishing second, aren't they.

2-0

NML

Tuesday 27th February 2024, 19:45, Pride Park.

The first of 4 home games out of 5, we need to make it count. Gayle has to start, we need a striker on the pitch.

Oh, Charlton are on their longest ever winless streak by the way. 18 games. Yep, I know.

Just now, Barney1991 said:

So in your eyes is no one ever to critisise any of his decision making for the rest of the season then? By god to have an opinion on a fans forum unless it follows your own 

There's a difference between criticising decision making, and reading comments like "if we go up it'll be in spite of Paul Warne". Sometimes it's like some are itching for us to lose just so they can get their teeth in to the manager.

Thank god we're not Bolton, if we lost 4-1 today with Cashin being sent off then it would be mayhem on here.

Just now, Abu Derby said:

Think we’ll be playing this lot again over two games in the play offs. Wouldn’t fancy us to come out on top either.

Us & Barnsley would have to finish 4th and 5th, or 3rd and 6th, which I can't see happening.

Also, the aggregate score this season is 4-2 to us, so I don't see why we wouldn't be able to beat them if we had to play them twice again.

Blackpool 3-1 Bolton.

One of their key players, Santos, has also been sent off. Come on Derby, what a chance we have...

Sonny Bradenbauer