StantonRam

Be of good cheer gentlemen and ladies!
For yaaaaay, I bring you good tidings of great joy...erm...maybe...???
If we win, we're 5th or 6th whatever Posh do.
If we win and Bolton lose, we finish 5th and avoid the Owls in the playoff semis.
Since the Owls are 3rd whatever happens, I suspect they will rest some first choice players ready for the playoffs.  That might give us an opening.
If we draw, Posh still need to beat Baaaaarnsley away by 3 clear goals.  Yeah, right.  The odds are in our favour.  Let's just hope that Baaaarnsley don't rest too many first choice players for that one.
If we lose, Posh still need to win to overtake us.
In the first 3 scenarios we finish 5th or 6th.  In the last 2 we finish 7th.
Any probability experts or Actuaries out there want to have a go at calculating the odds on the above?  Or maybe the bookies already have...
It's another end of season squeaky bum nail biter.  Ears will be glued to phones, goals scored against Posh will provoke louder cheers than if we score ourselves, substitutions will be crucial, teams will go from rushing to take throw ins to out and out time wasting in a matter of seconds depending on how the scores change.
Watch out for the substitution of Collins for McGoldrick at half time if all the results are going our way.  McGoldrick will then be placed in a crate packed with cotton wool, put into storage away from anything even remotely hazardous, and fed and toileted via tubes like a spaceman.  At a secret location.  Guarded by men in dark suits with earpieces and Kalashnikovs.

Be of good cheer gentlemen and ladies!
For yaaaaay, I bring you good tidings of great joy...erm...maybe...???
If we win, we're 5th or 6th whatever Posh do.
If we win and Bolton lose, we finish 5th and avoid the Owls in the playoff semis.
Since the Owls are 3rd whatever happens, I suspect they will rest some first choice players ready for the playoffs.  That might give us an opening.
If we draw, Posh still need to beat Baaaaarnsley away by 3 clear goals.  Yeah, right.  The odds are in our favour.  Let's just hope that Baaaarnsley don't rest too many first choice players for that one.
If we lose, Posh still need to win to overtake us.
In the first 3 scenarios we finish 5th or 6th.  In the last 2 we finish 7th.
Any probability experts or Actuaries out there want to have a go at calculating the odds on the above?  Or maybe the bookies already have...
It's another end of season squeaky bum nail biter.  Ears will be glued to phones, goals scored against Posh will provoke louder cheers than if we score ourselves, substitutions will be crucial, teams will go from rushing to take throw ins to out and out time wasting in a matter of seconds depending on how the scores change.
Watch out for the substitution of Collins for McGoldrick at half time if all the results are going our way.  McGoldrick will then be placed in a crate packed with cotton wool, put into storage away from anything even remotely hazardous, and fed and toileted via tubes like a spaceman.  At a secret location.  Guarded by men in dark suits with earpieces and Kalashnikovs.

Be of good cheer gentlemen and ladies!
For yaaaaay, I bring you good tidings of great joy...erm...maybe...???
If we win, we're 5th or 6th whatever Posh do.
If we win and Bolton lose, we finish 5th and avoid the Owls in the playoff semis.
Since the Owls are 3rd whatever happens, I suspect they will rest some first choice players ready for the playoffs.  That might give us an opening.
If we draw, Posh still need to beat Baaaaarnsley away by 3 clear goals.  Yeah, right.  The odds are in our favour.  Let's just hope that Baaaarnsley don't rest too many first choice players for that one.
If we lose, Posh still need to win to overtake us.
In the first 3 scenarios we finish 5th or 6th.  In the last 2 we finish 7th.
Any probability experts or Actuaries out there want to have a go at calculating the odds on the above?  Or maybe the bookies already have...
It's another end of season squeaky bum nail biter.  Ears will be glued to phones, goals scored against Posh will provoke louder cheers than if we score ourselves, substitutions will be crucial, teams will go from rushing to take throw ins to out and out time wasting in a matter of seconds depending on how the scores change.
Watch out for the substitution of Collins for McGoldrick at half time if all the results are going our way.  McGoldrick will then be placed in a crate packed with cotton wool, put into storage away from anything even remotely hazardous, and fed and toileted via tubes like a spaceman.  At a secret location.  Guarded by men in dark suits with earpieces and Kalashnikovs.

Seems to me that it's pretty much a 3 way shoot out for 5th and 6th between us, Bolton and Posh.
At the top, clearly one of the current top 3 will miss out on automatic but TBH no idea which one.  Would prefer it to be Plymouth as I think they would be the easier playoff opponents out of the 3.
Below us, I don't think Wycombe or Pompey have enough to threaten for 5th or 6th, although either of them could end up 7th if they go on a run.
I think 13 points from 18 will be enough - 80 points.  4 wins and a draw from the next 5 will do it I think.  That would leave us not having to get anything against the Owls on the last day.
As I said before, it's time to go for it, win or bust, draws are no good to us now.
COYR!

Will 16 points from the remaining games and a grand total of 80 be enough to secure 6th place?
If so, given our present form, where will those points come from?
April's fixture list is strewn with potential banana skins BUT...
Wins against FGR, MKD, the Gas, Exeter & Brewers would put us on 79 points even if we lost to Ipswich & Pompey.  That would leave us needing just 1 point against the (probable) league champions Sheff Wed.
If we do need 80 points then draws are now not an option, 8 points from 8 games won't be enough, so it's time to throw caution to the wind and go all out attack in every game, nothing to lose!
Do we still dare to dream?
COYR!

I can only judge from the radio commentary but my takeaways from yesterday are these:
PW was a late appointment after the squad had already been assembled
Many of this squad are either 30+ or under 25, almost no one in our squad is both in their prime physically and with lots of match experience, we are mostly either one thing or the other
There was not much of a pre season
Which means that at this stage of the season we are likely to lack stamina and therefore need to either be comfortably ahead at half time or making changes early in the 2nd half in order not to fade away as we usually do
Why make 3 substitutions of 1 player each leaving 2 fresh pairs of legs unused when we are losing and being played off the pitch?
Many of the top half sides in this league have been trying for years to get out
Which means that they have experienced and cunning players and managers at this level - dark arts, time wasting, physicality, cunning substitutions etc
Which means that despite our superior skills they often outwit us as they did yesterday and on other occasions
Which means that unless we change the approach for the final run in we will drop out of the top 6
But I hope I'm wrong because if we can make the playoffs I really fancy us to go up whoever the other teams are
COYR!

I can only judge from the radio commentary but my takeaways from yesterday are these:
PW was a late appointment after the squad had already been assembled
Many of this squad are either 30+ or under 25, almost no one in our squad is both in their prime physically and with lots of match experience, we are mostly either one thing or the other
There was not much of a pre season
Which means that at this stage of the season we are likely to lack stamina and therefore need to either be comfortably ahead at half time or making changes early in the 2nd half in order not to fade away as we usually do
Why make 3 substitutions of 1 player each leaving 2 fresh pairs of legs unused when we are losing and being played off the pitch?
Many of the top half sides in this league have been trying for years to get out
Which means that they have experienced and cunning players and managers at this level - dark arts, time wasting, physicality, cunning substitutions etc
Which means that despite our superior skills they often outwit us as they did yesterday and on other occasions
Which means that unless we change the approach for the final run in we will drop out of the top 6
But I hope I'm wrong because if we can make the playoffs I really fancy us to go up whoever the other teams are
COYR!

I can only judge from the radio commentary but my takeaways from yesterday are these:
PW was a late appointment after the squad had already been assembled
Many of this squad are either 30+ or under 25, almost no one in our squad is both in their prime physically and with lots of match experience, we are mostly either one thing or the other
There was not much of a pre season
Which means that at this stage of the season we are likely to lack stamina and therefore need to either be comfortably ahead at half time or making changes early in the 2nd half in order not to fade away as we usually do
Why make 3 substitutions of 1 player each leaving 2 fresh pairs of legs unused when we are losing and being played off the pitch?
Many of the top half sides in this league have been trying for years to get out
Which means that they have experienced and cunning players and managers at this level - dark arts, time wasting, physicality, cunning substitutions etc
Which means that despite our superior skills they often outwit us as they did yesterday and on other occasions
Which means that unless we change the approach for the final run in we will drop out of the top 6
But I hope I'm wrong because if we can make the playoffs I really fancy us to go up whoever the other teams are
COYR!

I took my non footie fan partner to PP last season and booked for the 2 of us in Igor's Lounge.  Coffee on tap, lunch before the game with dessert at half time, civilised bathrooms, freely able to move between the warmth of the lounge and the seats just outside so she didn't feel trapped or cold.  She loved the experience and was very impressed by the whole setup, size of the ground, number of people, enthusiasm etc.  I had to explain/translate the chants, which she found highly amusing.
As a one off treat I thought it was very good value.  Had I been on my own or with a fellow footie fan I wouldn't have gone there, but with a female non footie fan who really doesn't like the cold and is quite picky about dirt, crowds of people etc it was the perfect solution, and only cost maybe twice as much as having lunch elsewhere and then going to the match with an ordinary ticket.
Well worth doing IMO if only as an occasional treat.
Footnote - during the match we ended up sitting next to some very loud cockney sounding females who showed almost no interest in the match.  Turned out to be members of Liam Rosenior's family, who then proceeded to totter slowly and unsteadily around the pitch on unfeasibly high heels after the game during the lap of honour, you couldn't make it up LOL.

hi Lwebbo
Thanks for reaching out.
Notwithstanding the events of the end of the season before last, there's a lot of respect for SW here - we had Barry Bannon here on loan many years ago, Big Dave (Darren M) played for us many years ago before he went into management, Lee Grant played for both teams etc etc.  Plus, unlike our "friends" at Bramall Lane, you were never managed by the Cheating Beaver LOL.
The trajectory of recent results suggests that, if trends continue, it will be you and us 1 and 2.  I think that would be the fairest outcome because (i) both are big clubs playing below their natural level (ii) both only in L1 due to bad management not footballing reasons (iii) yes Ipswich are really up themselves so we would love to finish above them LOL (iv) Plymouth don't have the fanbase/resources to stay in the Champ even if they go up.
See you in the Champ next season we hope!  Oh and yes please turn the Tractor Boys over for us, and in return we'll go easy on you on the last day -  IF we are already up by then! LOL
All the best to you Owls.
LR2

hi Lwebbo
Thanks for reaching out.
Notwithstanding the events of the end of the season before last, there's a lot of respect for SW here - we had Barry Bannon here on loan many years ago, Big Dave (Darren M) played for us many years ago before he went into management, Lee Grant played for both teams etc etc.  Plus, unlike our "friends" at Bramall Lane, you were never managed by the Cheating Beaver LOL.
The trajectory of recent results suggests that, if trends continue, it will be you and us 1 and 2.  I think that would be the fairest outcome because (i) both are big clubs playing below their natural level (ii) both only in L1 due to bad management not footballing reasons (iii) yes Ipswich are really up themselves so we would love to finish above them LOL (iv) Plymouth don't have the fanbase/resources to stay in the Champ even if they go up.
See you in the Champ next season we hope!  Oh and yes please turn the Tractor Boys over for us, and in return we'll go easy on you on the last day -  IF we are already up by then! LOL
All the best to you Owls.
LR2

hi Lwebbo
Thanks for reaching out.
Notwithstanding the events of the end of the season before last, there's a lot of respect for SW here - we had Barry Bannon here on loan many years ago, Big Dave (Darren M) played for us many years ago before he went into management, Lee Grant played for both teams etc etc.  Plus, unlike our "friends" at Bramall Lane, you were never managed by the Cheating Beaver LOL.
The trajectory of recent results suggests that, if trends continue, it will be you and us 1 and 2.  I think that would be the fairest outcome because (i) both are big clubs playing below their natural level (ii) both only in L1 due to bad management not footballing reasons (iii) yes Ipswich are really up themselves so we would love to finish above them LOL (iv) Plymouth don't have the fanbase/resources to stay in the Champ even if they go up.
See you in the Champ next season we hope!  Oh and yes please turn the Tractor Boys over for us, and in return we'll go easy on you on the last day -  IF we are already up by then! LOL
All the best to you Owls.
LR2

hi Lwebbo
Thanks for reaching out.
Notwithstanding the events of the end of the season before last, there's a lot of respect for SW here - we had Barry Bannon here on loan many years ago, Big Dave (Darren M) played for us many years ago before he went into management, Lee Grant played for both teams etc etc.  Plus, unlike our "friends" at Bramall Lane, you were never managed by the Cheating Beaver LOL.
The trajectory of recent results suggests that, if trends continue, it will be you and us 1 and 2.  I think that would be the fairest outcome because (i) both are big clubs playing below their natural level (ii) both only in L1 due to bad management not footballing reasons (iii) yes Ipswich are really up themselves so we would love to finish above them LOL (iv) Plymouth don't have the fanbase/resources to stay in the Champ even if they go up.
See you in the Champ next season we hope!  Oh and yes please turn the Tractor Boys over for us, and in return we'll go easy on you on the last day -  IF we are already up by then! LOL
All the best to you Owls.
LR2

Hugely proud of last night's display.  McGoldrick would have made it a bit more of a contest, but IMO everyone can hold their heads up.  No disgrace in losing to an almost full strength PL team that probably cost 100x or more than ours.  Full credit to PW for coming out and playing football rather than playing an 11-0-0 formation, and credit also for giving the younger guys some playing time once it was obvious that the tie was lost.  And I do still believe that we can get maximum points from the 6 games in Feb and be right up there competing.  Time to "focus on the League".

Hugely proud of last night's display.  McGoldrick would have made it a bit more of a contest, but IMO everyone can hold their heads up.  No disgrace in losing to an almost full strength PL team that probably cost 100x or more than ours.  Full credit to PW for coming out and playing football rather than playing an 11-0-0 formation, and credit also for giving the younger guys some playing time once it was obvious that the tie was lost.  And I do still believe that we can get maximum points from the 6 games in Feb and be right up there competing.  Time to "focus on the League".

Hugely proud of last night's display.  McGoldrick would have made it a bit more of a contest, but IMO everyone can hold their heads up.  No disgrace in losing to an almost full strength PL team that probably cost 100x or more than ours.  Full credit to PW for coming out and playing football rather than playing an 11-0-0 formation, and credit also for giving the younger guys some playing time once it was obvious that the tie was lost.  And I do still believe that we can get maximum points from the 6 games in Feb and be right up there competing.  Time to "focus on the League".

Hugely proud of last night's display.  McGoldrick would have made it a bit more of a contest, but IMO everyone can hold their heads up.  No disgrace in losing to an almost full strength PL team that probably cost 100x or more than ours.  Full credit to PW for coming out and playing football rather than playing an 11-0-0 formation, and credit also for giving the younger guys some playing time once it was obvious that the tie was lost.  And I do still believe that we can get maximum points from the 6 games in Feb and be right up there competing.  Time to "focus on the League".

hi all
1 down, 6 to go!
I know that the word 'journeyman' isn't entirely fair to some of the current squad, but the fact that they were available to us under the severe restrictions we were under at the time suggests that for whatever reason they were actively looking for clubs rather than being fought over.  That is not to diminish in any way the mostly excellent performances of late by all concerned.
Agree with the comments regarding LR, who should indeed be praised for the recruitment aspect.  I'm sure he could have got us up given time, but I also agree that in the circumstances the appointment of PW was the correct one.
I think that what has happened is that PW has applied the methods he used with less talented players (aka the Rotherham lot) but has also adapted to the fact that we do have some players here with a skill set a level or two higher.  So we now have a squad that is probably fitter and probably runs more than most L1 teams and is also more skilful than most of them.
LR2
 
 

hi all
1 down, 6 to go!
I know that the word 'journeyman' isn't entirely fair to some of the current squad, but the fact that they were available to us under the severe restrictions we were under at the time suggests that for whatever reason they were actively looking for clubs rather than being fought over.  That is not to diminish in any way the mostly excellent performances of late by all concerned.
Agree with the comments regarding LR, who should indeed be praised for the recruitment aspect.  I'm sure he could have got us up given time, but I also agree that in the circumstances the appointment of PW was the correct one.
I think that what has happened is that PW has applied the methods he used with less talented players (aka the Rotherham lot) but has also adapted to the fact that we do have some players here with a skill set a level or two higher.  So we now have a squad that is probably fitter and probably runs more than most L1 teams and is also more skilful than most of them.
LR2
 
 

hi all
1 down, 6 to go!
I know that the word 'journeyman' isn't entirely fair to some of the current squad, but the fact that they were available to us under the severe restrictions we were under at the time suggests that for whatever reason they were actively looking for clubs rather than being fought over.  That is not to diminish in any way the mostly excellent performances of late by all concerned.
Agree with the comments regarding LR, who should indeed be praised for the recruitment aspect.  I'm sure he could have got us up given time, but I also agree that in the circumstances the appointment of PW was the correct one.
I think that what has happened is that PW has applied the methods he used with less talented players (aka the Rotherham lot) but has also adapted to the fact that we do have some players here with a skill set a level or two higher.  So we now have a squad that is probably fitter and probably runs more than most L1 teams and is also more skilful than most of them.
LR2
 
 

...if we were able to get maximum points from the 7 league matches in Jan/Feb?
21 points would give us 68 at the end of Feb.  Ipswich would then have to pick up at least 2 points per game from their 6 games during the same period in order to avoid being overtaken by us.  Even Sheff Wed would have to start watching their backs.
All these 7 games are winnable IMO.  The team are on such an amazing run right now, and confidence is so high, that I don't think this is just wishful thinking but definitely achievable.  
Warne knows this league inside out, the other teams, managers, players etc.  This is exactly why he was hired.  The tactics and setup v Bolton were a masterstroke, and I really believe that he has what it takes to secure those 21 points.  The final score flattered Bolton a lot IMO.
By then it will probably be clear whether we really are in with a chance of displacing Sheff Wed in 2nd or whether it will probably be playoffs.
Even then, I think we would go into the playoffs as the favourites no matter where we finished.
I truly believe that had PW been in charge from this time last year and in charge of pre season then we would be 1st or 2nd right now, because far fewer of those points would have been dropped before Xmas.
As it is, the gap is probably too large now, but I would like to see us give it a real go anyway.
There is not much to lose by being bold at this point.  Even a couple of defeats would see us still in the top 6, and 3 points from 2 games taking risks and winning 1 and losing 1 is better than 2 points from 2 draws and playing it safe - if that were the choice.
This hastily assembled squad of journeymen and academy products is in fact proving to be greater than the sum of its parts, and long may that continue.
LR2

...if we were able to get maximum points from the 7 league matches in Jan/Feb?
21 points would give us 68 at the end of Feb.  Ipswich would then have to pick up at least 2 points per game from their 6 games during the same period in order to avoid being overtaken by us.  Even Sheff Wed would have to start watching their backs.
All these 7 games are winnable IMO.  The team are on such an amazing run right now, and confidence is so high, that I don't think this is just wishful thinking but definitely achievable.  
Warne knows this league inside out, the other teams, managers, players etc.  This is exactly why he was hired.  The tactics and setup v Bolton were a masterstroke, and I really believe that he has what it takes to secure those 21 points.  The final score flattered Bolton a lot IMO.
By then it will probably be clear whether we really are in with a chance of displacing Sheff Wed in 2nd or whether it will probably be playoffs.
Even then, I think we would go into the playoffs as the favourites no matter where we finished.
I truly believe that had PW been in charge from this time last year and in charge of pre season then we would be 1st or 2nd right now, because far fewer of those points would have been dropped before Xmas.
As it is, the gap is probably too large now, but I would like to see us give it a real go anyway.
There is not much to lose by being bold at this point.  Even a couple of defeats would see us still in the top 6, and 3 points from 2 games taking risks and winning 1 and losing 1 is better than 2 points from 2 draws and playing it safe - if that were the choice.
This hastily assembled squad of journeymen and academy products is in fact proving to be greater than the sum of its parts, and long may that continue.
LR2

...if we were able to get maximum points from the 7 league matches in Jan/Feb?
21 points would give us 68 at the end of Feb.  Ipswich would then have to pick up at least 2 points per game from their 6 games during the same period in order to avoid being overtaken by us.  Even Sheff Wed would have to start watching their backs.
All these 7 games are winnable IMO.  The team are on such an amazing run right now, and confidence is so high, that I don't think this is just wishful thinking but definitely achievable.  
Warne knows this league inside out, the other teams, managers, players etc.  This is exactly why he was hired.  The tactics and setup v Bolton were a masterstroke, and I really believe that he has what it takes to secure those 21 points.  The final score flattered Bolton a lot IMO.
By then it will probably be clear whether we really are in with a chance of displacing Sheff Wed in 2nd or whether it will probably be playoffs.
Even then, I think we would go into the playoffs as the favourites no matter where we finished.
I truly believe that had PW been in charge from this time last year and in charge of pre season then we would be 1st or 2nd right now, because far fewer of those points would have been dropped before Xmas.
As it is, the gap is probably too large now, but I would like to see us give it a real go anyway.
There is not much to lose by being bold at this point.  Even a couple of defeats would see us still in the top 6, and 3 points from 2 games taking risks and winning 1 and losing 1 is better than 2 points from 2 draws and playing it safe - if that were the choice.
This hastily assembled squad of journeymen and academy products is in fact proving to be greater than the sum of its parts, and long may that continue.
LR2

...if we were able to get maximum points from the 7 league matches in Jan/Feb?
21 points would give us 68 at the end of Feb.  Ipswich would then have to pick up at least 2 points per game from their 6 games during the same period in order to avoid being overtaken by us.  Even Sheff Wed would have to start watching their backs.
All these 7 games are winnable IMO.  The team are on such an amazing run right now, and confidence is so high, that I don't think this is just wishful thinking but definitely achievable.  
Warne knows this league inside out, the other teams, managers, players etc.  This is exactly why he was hired.  The tactics and setup v Bolton were a masterstroke, and I really believe that he has what it takes to secure those 21 points.  The final score flattered Bolton a lot IMO.
By then it will probably be clear whether we really are in with a chance of displacing Sheff Wed in 2nd or whether it will probably be playoffs.
Even then, I think we would go into the playoffs as the favourites no matter where we finished.
I truly believe that had PW been in charge from this time last year and in charge of pre season then we would be 1st or 2nd right now, because far fewer of those points would have been dropped before Xmas.
As it is, the gap is probably too large now, but I would like to see us give it a real go anyway.
There is not much to lose by being bold at this point.  Even a couple of defeats would see us still in the top 6, and 3 points from 2 games taking risks and winning 1 and losing 1 is better than 2 points from 2 draws and playing it safe - if that were the choice.
This hastily assembled squad of journeymen and academy products is in fact proving to be greater than the sum of its parts, and long may that continue.
LR2

...if we were able to get maximum points from the 7 league matches in Jan/Feb?
21 points would give us 68 at the end of Feb.  Ipswich would then have to pick up at least 2 points per game from their 6 games during the same period in order to avoid being overtaken by us.  Even Sheff Wed would have to start watching their backs.
All these 7 games are winnable IMO.  The team are on such an amazing run right now, and confidence is so high, that I don't think this is just wishful thinking but definitely achievable.  
Warne knows this league inside out, the other teams, managers, players etc.  This is exactly why he was hired.  The tactics and setup v Bolton were a masterstroke, and I really believe that he has what it takes to secure those 21 points.  The final score flattered Bolton a lot IMO.
By then it will probably be clear whether we really are in with a chance of displacing Sheff Wed in 2nd or whether it will probably be playoffs.
Even then, I think we would go into the playoffs as the favourites no matter where we finished.
I truly believe that had PW been in charge from this time last year and in charge of pre season then we would be 1st or 2nd right now, because far fewer of those points would have been dropped before Xmas.
As it is, the gap is probably too large now, but I would like to see us give it a real go anyway.
There is not much to lose by being bold at this point.  Even a couple of defeats would see us still in the top 6, and 3 points from 2 games taking risks and winning 1 and losing 1 is better than 2 points from 2 draws and playing it safe - if that were the choice.
This hastily assembled squad of journeymen and academy products is in fact proving to be greater than the sum of its parts, and long may that continue.
LR2