It's Malky's former employees that worry me Thai but for the wrong reason. I can see them all now thinking how can we give Malky a helping hand to fulfil his aims.
I agree Spark but let's face it we are punching above our weight. Let's face it our squad, although a good unit, does not really have a right to be in a play-off position. To be honest we could easily have been in a lower position if it were not for Malky & the team putting their heart and soul into 90% of the games. As for the other 10% - well even Man Utd, Man City, etc, etc have an off day too. Wins = automatic promotion Wins+Draws = play-offs Wins+Draws+equiv losses = mid table. A simple equation that never fails.
No question about the committment of Malky and the boys LLF. The point being made is that they needed some support when we were doing so well at the turn of the New Year. That was definitely promised by TG at the start of the season, and for whatever reason, it failed to materialise. A playoff place with this squad that has been so heavily utilised throughout the season is a marvel. It could have been so much better with some additions. Before anyone has a go about me advocating throwing money at it, I do know the difference between investment and speculation.
You have nothing to worry about as far as Watford's effort next Saturday. Sean Dyche and the lads will want nothing more than to win and surpass last season's points haul under MM. The fact that it will put you into the play-offs will not enter the equation as most Hornet fans think (or hope) you will lose in the play-offs anyway. BTW both MM's seasons managing Watford saw a tail-off (more like nose-dive) of form after Christmas after a promising first half of the season. We expected it from you and we have not been disappointed.
I think the problem Sparky was the Malaysians reluctance to pay the transfer fees. That;s their business plan. OK to pay the wages but large transfer fees are a business risk. OK they were prepared to pay for Sordell but that didn't come off - when else have they shown an inclination to spend money? I do agree with what you're saying though. A couple of quality players could have made all the difference
Assuming we're in this division next season, the trick will be to turn enough of those draws into wins. We're a hard team to beat, but lose too many leads. A couple additions and one or two tweaks to formation / game plan could do that. A solid foundation to move forward from. Quite a few managers at club and international level have had 'hard to beat' as stage 1. Let's get this season out of the way first. Just hope it doesn't end by 2:30 saturday!
I think it will be squeaky bum time next saturday, therefore, i will not be checking the results until they have all finished. Cant go through the agony of 4 years ago listenening to us losing against the Owls. I think we will make it but only just. I would say a last minute penalty will do, however, we dont get penalties anymore. (unless its a shoot out that is). KTF we will be ok.
Imagine if we still had Burke with 14 odd goals and a load of assists. Alot of those draws could have ended as positive results for us. We are one match winner away from a proper top 3/4 side, if we add a couple of quality attackers to the mix then the auto's is imo a realistic aim next season. I'm still regarding being in the playoffs as a massive bonus a) just to get in them b) ....... I'm not talking or thinking about b
Theres a chance we could be live on Saturday. West Ham blow it tonight then the only 2 games in The Championship that matter are ours and Boros. This isnt like the Sheff Wed game. That was a disastrous run of results with even a healthy goal difference go after a couple of hammerings. This time our home form has seen us drop too many points. If we come 7th its hard to argue thats not the position we deserved. The year we blew it at Hillsboro was nothing short of shambolic. I think we will get the point. I also think Boro will win.
the positives sparky is your in pole position and if the players cant rise to that challenge then you would be unlikely to win the playoffs. its a game that a win or even a draw will secure a playoff spot and a two legged game against west ham or saints.....hard i know but KTF
We took 3 points off West Ham and 4 points off Southampton and Brum, but only 1 from Blackpool. IF we are in them, I think the other teams would consider us tough!
Dai - getting over that line is all that matters at the moment, although I would defo prefer Southampton over two legs rather than West Ham. West Ham winning last night might just be too late for them - I can't see Soton not getting at least a point at home against Cov, but stranger things have happened. What a turn up it would be if Adkins blew it now. As far as we're concerned, sure we're in pole position, but we were in exactly the same situation 3 seasons back in our last game at the Wendies - we needed a point for 6th spot. We went there playing for the point and lost it 0-1 with Rossco, the one guy who could have won it for us sitting the game out on the bench because of DJ's "tactics". Just hope Malky doesn't go down the same route. You're dead right about the players being up for it though - can't see them being any other way.
Sorry going back quite a long way in the thread but I disagree with the 'not many signings elsewhere' part Reading - Jason Roberts Southampton - Sharpe WH - Vaz Te & Maynard Boro - Jutkevitic (SP?) Blackpool - Dobbie The teams that have finished the season well have had significant help since those players (except Boro) have come in.
Got to add Vaz Te to that list too. What ever have been WH's problems his roughly 1 a game goal ratio in the last 10 is not one of them. I think Maynard was a prome example of signing someone you don't need then trying to justify it by playing him. There's still time for Boro's signing to come good too..........
all form goes out the window in the playoffs as there is so much at stake (£90+ million for a start) and the pressure on the players must be like nothing else. how many times have we seen the suppose favorites freeze and knocked out.....the winners will be the ones who can take the pressure on the day. you must not lose the first leg game as its rare that a team will go on to win, wembley throws up a different type of pressure and the build up and atmosphere is out of this world, i hope you can get to the final and win it being a welshman so good luck. nobody is favorite everyone has a chance if the manager can control the players nerves...
