That's automatics 100% gone, imo. We realistically shouldn't fall out of playoff contention so I'd like to see a slight adjustment in our approach. There should be absolutely no rushing key players back from injury until we're sure they're ready - the club already seems quite good at this TBF, I think a lot of our injuries have been pure bad luck. But making sure players are fit for the playoffs has to be the priority now. I'd also like to see a little more experimentation, give some of the fringe players an opportunity to show what they can do, maybe try some tweaks to the formation, etc. We may stumble across something to give us a bit of an edge in those all-important final 3 games...
Theres a massive gap to 7th but we need to pick up form and quickly to stay in them, and we need to finish the season on top form. Teams know how to play against us were so bloody predictable. Next couple of games are absolutely massive
Gave upper on a 1st & 2nd after Leeds. Playoffs will shorten the close season a little anyway, plus, if we make it to the final, then it's a class weekend in London.
I get the feeling but there are still 13 games left meaning 39 points still to play for. A lot can happen in 13 games.
I think it's very likely its the play offs, BUT let's just say sheff utd do lose tomorrow. They don't have the easiest of games coming up. If their next 7 games they only managed to win 3, draw 2 and lose 2 that's 11 points. If we can get some consistency and then win 2, draw 1, win 2 , draw 1 then win the next we have we take 17 points. That's 2 points behind them with 5 games to go. Yes its a long shot and will probably not happen but its not totally impossible. Even if they hit a **** patch over 3 games of W1,D1,L1 and we managed to win 3 in a row, that's just 3 points with 9 games to go. I don't think that will happen as they always seem to find a way to win games, but they aren't winning games easily, so maybe their luck could run out
I get what you’re saying but what about Burnley? 2 defeats and only 9 conceded all season. They simply aren’t dropping enough points.
They do draw a lot, I know it's a long shot, I actually personally believe both teams will drop enough points for us to catch them. I just don't think we can put a really good run together. We've not been consistent enough, both teams dropped a few points a few weeks back and we didn't capitalise on it. That's not having a go at the team as I honestly believe any of us would have been happy to be in a position where we around a play off position, at this point of the season, I just think to stand any chance we have to be able to put runs of 4 or 5 wins in a row together. In some games we just fall that little bit short, I just hope the atmosphere doesn't fall flat for the run in where it feels like there's nothing to play for till the play offs
Not as horrible as Luton, failing to get to Wembley and going down bottom ... ... a sold out Sunderland section at Wembley, meeting up with everyone and another great weekend in London is much better
Absolutely but **** Luton. Defeat in the PO final would be heartbreaking after the season we’ve had. Hopefully it’s not something we experience again any time soon
Definitely one of the tightest championships for a while, I can't remember 4 teams being so far in front of the rest of the league, I also think there's about 10 teams fighting for the last 2 play off spots
We've done incredibly well to get to this position ... ... Wembley in RLB's first season, and all the injuries, would be a great achievement ... ... I'd love to see that team playing on that pitch tbh, I think we'd beat anyone there.
If we do end up in fourth place we need to get momentum going again. Teams that do not have momentum behind them tend to falter in the playoffs. RLB for me especially at home needs to show intent 4-4-2 and go for it. We also need to be on the front foot from the whistle this building from the back constantly is like watching paint dry
