Unless there’s a dramatic dip in form I would say that Norwich, Swansea, Brentford and Watford will be the top four ( I don’t care what order). But then slots 5 and 6 are definitely up for grabs between us and 2 or 3 others. Wednesday night highlighted our lack of rest time between games and the wind and pitch added to it. Today will be interesting. A defeat will be disappointing but not the end of our challenge. Imagine it though - win all three before the break and maybe that cosy little Gang of Four might just be infiltrated!
I genuinely think we’re top 10, I don’t think we’re top 6. I personally think what’s happened over the last few weeks, is we’ve caught teams out with a style of football no one else plays. My worry is that once teams have sussed it…and I think they will…we can look forward to more games like Derby.
Just checked the weather for Bournemouth today and it’s strong winds again. That won’t help although their pitch is better than ours so we can play our silky football today...
Some teams will change their style of play to try and match us, Blackburn, Birmingham and Derby to name a few. I don't see teams at the top of the league especially when they're at home changing their tactics or style of play against little old Barnsley, which might well fall into our hands.
Bormuff have still got their Premier League ways about them - keeper to right back to centre half back to keeper etc etc. Horrible to watch and so many teams far better than they are have been caught out by it. We need to be on our top game today to take advantage of their superiority complex.
The way Wazza counteracted our style on Wednesday will not have gone unnoticed by any of our rivals. I very much hope I'm wrong, but I think today is the start of our season levelling out. But it will still have been a tremendous achievement this year and a platform to further build on - subject to our owners' attitude in the Summer. I'll say this though. If we are able to manage a draw today we should celebrate it like a win. It would mean our adventure is still on. COYR!
Here's an independent view. They have us winning the play-offs! https://www.secondtierpod.co.uk/post/which-promotion-contender-has-the-easiest-run-in
If it's owt like Wednesday night, it'll be more sulky than silky. But winds in the vicinity of 50mph does not bode well. I'll take a point now.
I'll take a top half finish. We've won 7 out of 8, and any good run of form will always come to an end. We've done brilliantly so far this season, and everyone at the club should be congratulated - from board room to players to kit men to media crew. From expectations 6 months ago to where we are now, I'd be ecstatic with anything around 10th.
Would be amazing to reach the play offs knowing it would be the only chance this season with the road map for fans to get back inside Oakwell.
I’d be amazed if a team with the budget of Bournemouth fundamentally changes their style at home to Barnsley. If they do then it says absolutely nothing for their self-belief in their own ability, system, football culture and the way they’ve invested obscene amounts of money on their team. I can understand Birmingham and Derby literally turning themselves upside down with fear when playing us. They both have poor managers and poor players, but Bournemouth? We’ll see.
Have to take these predictions with a pinch of salt. "Experts" or amateurs can write what they like - well it's something to do on a cold March evening isn't it? I would no more give credence to these predictions than my own - I'm just as well qualified as any of these blog writers. Having said that though, it's always nice to see us being talked about at this end of the table, instead of the other, even if the blogger is only 13 years old
Sheffield Wednesday have got the double over Bournemouth this season. Based on that I am sure we can get something out of today’s game.
Every game is winnable. If we keep the energy levels up and stick to the game plans, with a bit of luck and decent finishing it's there for us. One game at a time is the way to approach it. We are vulnerable to pacy sides playing over the top but that's our style. Very excited about this game. My worry is that we're tiring.
Can see us doing well against Bournemouth, Reading and Norwich but slipping up against Wednesday, Luton and Coventry.
Headline to Martin Keown's column in the Mail today " My advice to Leeds - follow Barnsley's high press to trouble Chelsea " Then gives some stats we have had more shots (14) against Tuchel's Chelsea than any other team. so much for keeping under the radar !