Forget the play offs?

[NickG]

Playoffs has been very unlikely since we are having what must be regarded as a poor season.

 

had a poor start you mean

[teamsaint]

8 games is a good form guide. Over the last 8 we have got 15 points. That is promotion form, and if we did that for the rest of the season we might make the playoffs. Certainly go close.

 

Undoubtedly our defence is a a problem, the stats don't lie.

 

Personally, I think that the playoffs are probably beyond us, and getting out of the bottom 4 is top priority. But there are a LOT of games yet to play, and I for one haven't given up hope of the playoffs, even if it is a small , distant hope.

[John B]

We have only beaten one of the top ten in League 1 this season I think

 

So Play Offs very unlikely

 

1 Leeds United 16 24 39

2 Charlton 17 13 33

3 Huddersfield 17 20 30

4 Colchester 17 13 30

5 Norwich 17 10 29

6 MK Dons 17 0 29

7 Bristol Rovers 17 -1 28

8 Millwall 17 8 25

9 Swindon 16 0 25

10 Walsall 17 1 24

[Glasgow_Saint]

We can do it

Edited 6 December, 2009 by Glasgow_Saint

[Professor]

Don't expect to get to play offs due to -10 and slow start.

 

However, this team, since it was put together is playing like and winning points, like a play off team.

 

It is still easily possible - particular with the likelihood that we will be better placed than many others to improve in Jan window.

 

I wouldn't say it was probable

 

Usually I like Nick's steady thoughful observations but this one looks like heart having too much influence over head. Outcome from these two home games is not play-off form, and whilst they are just two games it does show that there is a defensive weakness in the side that Pardew has acknowledged. It may be in the back four, or maybe the midfield aren't protecting them enough, but ultimately it seems that to many other teams have players of equal or better quality than some of ours.

We have got four league games coming up against run-of-the-mill League 1 sides. Pardew is saying that this team are worthy of playing in the CCC with the 11 he is putting out. If we don't get at least 9 points from these next four games you would have to question that, so lets hope he is right. Like Nick, I think he will need to strengthen in Jan.

[benjii]

no I mean as I said.

 

We have had a poor season so far

 

HTH

 

Yeah, it really helps.

 

Thanks.

 

I was worried you were going to just post a monotonous, borish, dumb-headed, one-track piece of drivel. But, no! Instead you really helped.

[Legod Third Coming]

Playoffs has been very unlikely since we are having what must be regarded as a poor season.

 

23 points, we would be in 11th with no pre-season. Yeah, very poor and a really good time to judge after 17 games...

[Glasgow_Saint]

23 points, we would be in 11th with no pre-season. Yeah, very poor and a really good time to judge after 17 games...

 

excuses, excuses

[Glasgow_Saint]

Yeah, it really helps.

 

Thanks.

 

 

no problem

[NickG]

Usually I like Nick's steady thoughful observations but this one looks like heart having too much influence over head. Outcome from these two home games is not play-off form, and whilst they are just two games it does show that there is a defensive weakness in the side that Pardew has acknowledged. It may be in the back four, or maybe the midfield aren't protecting them enough, but ultimately it seems that to many other teams have players of equal or better quality than some of ours.

We have got four league games coming up against run-of-the-mill League 1 sides. Pardew is saying that this team are worthy of playing in the CCC with the 11 he is putting out. If we don't get at least 9 points from these next four games you would have to question that, so lets hope he is right. Like Nick, I think he will need to strengthen in Jan.

 

two games isn't particularly good form guide tho, over last 6 weeks or so we have had form of a top six team - thats a fact.

[John B]

excuses, excuses

 

The facts seem to suggest that we are a middle of the table side at the moment

[Saint_clark]

Never thought we would make the play offs this season anyway - neither do I think we'll reach that high next either - fwiw.

 

Same.

I would much, much rather go up as Champions next year anyway.

[Glasgow_Saint]

The facts seem to suggest that we are a middle of the table side at the moment

 

I agree.

 

My point is for a side with as much quality as we have and a club which has out spent everyone by a mile this is a poor return.

[John B]

I agree.

 

My point is for a side with as much quality as we have and a team which has outspent everyone by a mile this is a poor return.

 

Probably true but I am not unhappy where we are and how we are playing

[NickG]

no I mean as I said.

 

We have had a poor season so far

 

HTH

 

if we haven't enjoyed watching many of the performances then thats a shame - I have, we have played some excellent football and got good results.

 

If we can't enjoy winning most of our recent games, and think that 1 defeat, 2 draws and 7 wins in last 10 games is poor, then I feel sorry for you because I can guarantee you are always going to think we are poor at best!

[John B]

if we haven't enjoyed watching many of the performances then thats a shame - I have, we have played some excellent football and got good results.

 

If we can't enjoy winning most of our recent games, and think that 1 defeat, 2 draws and 7 wins in last 10 games is poor, then I feel sorry for you because I can guarantee you are always going to think we are poor at best!

 

Considering we were 10 points from the play offs at the start of the season and are now 16 perhaps he has a point

 

The season is approaching half way and we are still in the relegation zone

Edited 21 November, 2009 by John B

[Glasgow_Saint]

if we haven't enjoyed watching many of the performances then thats a shame - I have, we have played some excellent football and got good results.

 

If we can't enjoy winning most of our recent games, and think that 1 defeat, 2 draws and 7 wins in last 10 games is poor, then I feel sorry for you because I can guarantee you are always going to think we are poor at best!

 

Youll need to read my post again - I said poor season not poor 'last 10 games'

 

We had a decent run yes, but that bubble has firmly burst.

 

Sum up the season for me in one word - mine word is poor

[S-Clarke]

ok, we get that you think it's been poor...

 

for me, so far - it's been average. We've not been awful and we've not been amazing...but i'm just happy with the fact that we will eventually become the best team in this league, it didn't happen for leeds overnight tbf.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Considering we were 10 points from the play offs at the start of the season and are now 16 perhaps he has a point

 

Started 10 points behind leeds - we are now 26 points behind.

 

Started 10 points behind Charlton - we are now 20 behind.

 

Started 10 points behind the mighty Hartlepool and Southend - we are still 10 points behind!

[John B]

ok, we get that you think it's been poor...

 

for me, so far - it's been average. We've not been awful and we've not been amazing...but i'm just happy with the fact that we will eventually become the best team in this league, it didn't happen for leeds overnight tbf.

 

Very true but not a surprise really is it

[John B]

Started 10 points behind leeds - we are now 26 points behind.

 

Started 10 points behind Charlton - we are now 20 behind.

 

Started 10 points behind the mighty Hartlepool and Southend - we are still 10 points behind!

 

So automatic Promotion is really unlikely then

[S-Clarke]

Very true but not a surprise really is it

 

it's not a suprise at all if you look at the bigger picture. I'd love to have been pushing for playoffs now...don't get me wrong....but there's time for a bit of realism.

 

I don't think it's an excuse to say we nearly went bust/we didn't have a pre-season/we didn't have a team until the end of august

 

they're all facts -and they have all contributed in some way or anther to the sluggish start we did have.

 

We will get better though...and we have been getting better, the defeats are few and far between and we got over a tricky hurdle today...and didn't lose.

[acersaint]

To me it's not about where we finish as long as it's above the bottom four, which I have no doubt it will be. What is important is that we get some integrity back into the team and I think that's exactly what's happening. Pardew has my vote I believe in him. The club is returning to its roots. If we make the play offs or a cup final it's a bonus but if we carry on with the impetus we have now then surely we will be favourites for automatic promotion next season. I would be VERY happy with that.

[John B]

it's not a suprise at all if you look at the bigger picture. I'd love to have been pushing for playoffs now...don't get me wrong....but there's time for a bit of realism.

 

I don't think it's an excuse to say we nearly went bust/we didn't have a pre-season/we didn't have a team until the end of august

 

they're all facts -and they have all contributed in some way or anther to the sluggish start we did have.

 

We will get better though...and we have been getting better, the defeats are few and far between and we got over a tricky hurdle today...and didn't lose.

 

Last season was awful this season is OK we are scoring goals and winning games if we had not lost 10 points for going into administration things would look a great deal better.

 

Pardew appears to be doing a good but not outstanding job

[Fitzhugh Fella]

We had no chance of play-offs/promotion anyway. Glad people are starting to realise.

 

I blame NickG

[View From The Top]

The facts seem to suggest that we are a middle of the table side at the moment

 

Don't confuse the poor dear.

[nodster]

This forum is full of people who get a kick out of us not winning! Don't hear from them when we win!

[Glasgow_Saint]

This forum is full of people who get a kick out of us not winning! Don't hear from them when we win!

 

This forum is full of people content with mediocrity.

 

:smt008

[The Rover]

This forum is full of people content with mediocrity.

 

:smt008

 

This forum is full of people who don't go to games and therefore get their thrills from the statistics rather than watching the performances.

[nodster]

This forum is full of people content with mediocrity.

 

:smt008

 

And fickle fans with no patience! You should be used to mediocrity living in scotland!

[Glasgow_Saint]

This forum is full of people who don't go to games and therefore get their thrills from the statistics rather than watching the performances.

 

I've seen enough games to 'qualify' for opinion.

 

What ive seen so far has not been good enough.

 

Maybe I expect too much from a team that has outspent everyone in the league by a mile and has so many other assets.

 

Im sure Man City fans would be delighted with mid table

[benjii]

I've seen enough games to 'qualify' for opinion.

 

What ive seen so far has not been good enough.

 

Maybe I expect too much from a team that has outspent everyone in the league by a mile and has so many other assets.

 

Im sure Man City fans would be delighted with mid table

 

But I think most observers would not expect Man City to do any better than upper mid-table.

 

If you're not in the Champions League you can't buy the very best. We're in League One so expect to see League One-ish players.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

This forum is full of people who get a kick out of us not winning! Don't hear from them when we win!

 

keep going over the top mate - lets hope you don't catch a bullet.

[Toomer]

Is thrush an endearing term these days..?

 

Female vaginal problem, someone thinks he's an irrating something or other.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Female vaginal problem, someone thinks he's an irrating something or other.

 

Ironic when you consider the person who continues to use this reference (when responding to Alpine) is without doubt the most irratating tosser that posts on SWF.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

The play-offs are a very distant possibility right now but I don't think a target of 5th from bottom is at all good enough or even acceptable for this club in this division -10 point penalty or not .

If we end up just avoiding relegation that would be a sacking offence in my view - I don't believe for one moment that's going to happen by the way .

[SaintRobbie]

Look, we are mid table... less Lowe's administration penalty... but that's with a brand new team. It's OK we're growing.

 

But, Play Offs were always a bonus not a certainty. Survival in League 1 with the kids before Pardew and Liebherr was going to be impossible. Enjoy mid-table this season. Next season only promotion will be an option for this new side.

[John B]

Look, we are mid table... less Lowe's administration penalty... but that's with a brand new team. It's OK we're growing.

 

But, Play Offs were always a bonus not a certainty. Survival in League 1 with the kids before Pardew and Liebherr was going to be impossible. Enjoy mid-table this season. Next season only promotion will be an option for this new side.

 

For once I agree with your post

[Saint_clark]

It's worth noting that it took Leeds three years to get into the position they are now.

[The Godfather]

I think the play offs is still something to aim for but until we get well away from the relegation zone and get nearer mid-table then we should ignore it for the time being.

[Legod Third Coming]

I really thought, really did, that people could handle wining a few games at this club, but like the players that winning mentality takes time to build.

 

Win three games and suddenly we're world beaters. Lose one then draw one and we're destined never to see the end of the tunnel again.

 

The bald facts are that our manager (who I do hate to remind people, but they seem lost in a den of woe or euphoria) has now had 17 games and the sum total of three months at our club.

 

During which we've rebuilt a team

 

So much so, that only two players who were here when he arrived finished yesterday's game.

 

I'll say that again TWO PLAYERS. So, that's (help me here I'm never good with numbers...) is that er NINE new players??? Oh yes, maybe it is.

 

And here we are, real world, 6 points off the play-offs. League position 16 points off the play-offs.

 

The usual doom mongers will claim all of this is an excuse, that it is perfectly feasible to win games from day one, with the same players who were relegated eight weeks earlier and then win the league at a canter. (Regardless of who the manager, coaching staff or players are - you wonder then why they don't start their own team and storm to the Champion's League given that they are such genuii).

 

Well, frankly if that's what they believe, they're welcome to their world and I trust they are not too disappointed when a fat man in a red suit doesn't slide down their chimney this Christmas Eve...

 

As for me, I have every faith we will be promoted. Sixteen points is nothing over 29 games.

 

And if we're not, while I'll be mighty disappointed, that's football.

[forever a red and white]

firget the play-offs atm. Lets get out the relegation zone and get out the bottom half. Personally i don't think we are ready to go up yet, maybe that might change by the end of the season but next season we may be in a stronger positition to go up and stay up

[Glasgow_Saint]

The -10 points is saving AP from answering some tough questions - for now.

 

Thankfully AP does not hide behind excuses (like some on here) thats why we havent heard him crying about a shorter pre-season and the fact that we used to be in admin.

 

He admits that the season so far has been poor.

 

APs school report - MUST do better

[Glasgow_Saint]

The usual doom mongers will claim all of this is an excuse, that it is perfectly feasible to win games from day one, with the same players who were relegated eight weeks ago.

 

Charlton!!!

 

They could be excused for being in our league position. Future still in doubt, unpopular manager, no money ect ect. (They are us last season)

 

but.........They are 20 points ahead of us!

 

So yes I do think its perfectly feasible to win games from day one.

 

We should certainly be winning games now.

[sperm_john]

is it mathematically possible still? if it is why are people being so negative, if we go on a good run again and other teams start losing, all of a sudden people will be saying 'play offs' 'play offs' again ..

[saint_stevo]

Little or no chance of Play-offs. Slim chance of top half. More than likely bottom 8 finish.

 

unless we go mental and win 10 on the trot

[ALWAYS_SFC]

I love this thread,full of fortune tellers...

 

Quite simply no one has a clue where we will finish this season do they?

 

It`s all speculation for debate just as a forum should be,on one side we have the doom and gloomers who get all negative when we don`t win every week

and when we do the give praise but only grudgingly it seems and on the other we have the ever optimistic rose spec wearers who seem to not entertain any

form of critisism when it goes wrong.

 

That`s why i love this forum,full of saints fans who are like chalk and cheese

with their opinions..

[Charlie Wayman]

We are not good enough for the play-offs this year. The limitations of our back four are starkly evident. In truth probably only Murty is good enough. Jaidi's age is beginning to tell, Trotman seems unreliable under pressure and Harding is an enigma somehow contriving to look better than he is, great going forward but defensively awful.

[View From The Top]

Ironic when you consider the person who continues to use this reference (when responding to Alpine) is without doubt the most irratating tosser that posts on SWF.

 

As that comes from a non match going no mark who loves it when Saints don't win I'm happy that I really ****** you off.

 

I will do my best to continue to do so.

[up and away]

Last season was awful this season is OK we are scoring goals and winning games if we had not lost 10 points for going into administration things would look a great deal better.

 

Pardew appears to be doing a good but not outstanding job

 

That's about the size of it. But as for hyping this team to be good enough for the CCC is a stretch, maybe narrowly avoiding the drop then yes.

Considering we are the Chelsea of this division financially, I really feel we should be doing better than what we have just seen against Brighton and Norwich.

 

We have had big defensive issues from the start, exacerbated recently by the form of Connolly, with Pardew trying to get some form of defensive cohesion around playing him. These are Pardews players and he does not have what is required to make it work against the better teams. Pardew wants his cake and to eat it. Put all the best players out there and try and get those not natural to defending to do a job in that regard.

 

I still cannot get my head round Gillet playing every week and well in a league higher, playing in the defensive midfield position.