Play offs..

[Dewi1jack]

Agree about competing but it didn't do Luton any favours and they competed.

Brentford (who didn't really have much more motivation than the Swans at Wembley) and Bournemouth have gone up and are smashing expectations.
We went up and with predominantly a "championship level" squad and smashed the expectations
The rest have tried to buy their way into the Prem safety zone, but buying won't give you a team spirit.

Is it mathematically possible to get to the play offs? Yes
Is it unlikely? Yes
Am I enjoying the football at the mo? Huge yes after the dross we've had since Cooper couldn't motivate a team at Wembley.
Although, the team should have been able to motivate themselves for that occasion .
Then Russy boy got given a chance and we've had many, many awful games to suffer through, sorry spectate from that chance

 

[FearOfAJackPlanet]

The big issue is anyone scoring goals aside from Vip, and I'm not sure how that's going to change significantly between now and the end of the season. Idah could come back and have a storming end to the season I suppose, and I think a few players are 'due' some goals, such as Eom, Widdell and Cullen. I've been impressed with Walta's cameos so far, looks like he's a proper footballer with a good touch and vision - who knows, maybe he could be a star that takes us over the line?

A lot of things have to go right for us, starting with beating PNE tomorrow, but why not? We probably have as much chance as the team that actually ends up getting 6th place.

 

[Blackpooljack]

10 games ago we were 10 pts off the playoffs today we are 6 pts and in those 10 games we'd suffered a draw and 3 defeats so if things continued in the same vein we'd be 2 pts outside with 3 games left. I know if my Aunt had balls blah blah blah but im just saying a couple of defeats against the big boys isn't game over.

 

[jacabertawe]

Much rather finish well and recruit well for next season

 

[Flash]

People keep saying that our biggest problem right now is the lack of goals. But it’s not that much of an issue since Matos took over. Both our xg and avarage goals per match is around 1.5 that would put us in top 6 territory. The form table since Matos took over puts us in top 6 territory.

We are playing like a top 6 side it’s just come around a bit too late in the season. Hopefully we can carry this momentum forward to next season and even improve upon.

 

[Blackpooljack]

People keep saying that our biggest problem right now is the lack of goals. But it’s not that much of an issue since Matos took over. Both our xg and avarage goals per match is around 1.5 that would put us in top 6 territory. The form table since Matos took over puts us in top 6 territory.

We are playing like a top 6 side it’s just come around a bit too late in the season. Hopefully we can carry this momentum forward to next season and even improve upon.

It is a lack of goals, atm we are relying on keeping clean sheets and nicking a goal, if we concede two in a game then scoring 3 to win a game with just VP firing then it's next to impossible.

 

[FearOfAJackPlanet]

People keep saying that our biggest problem right now is the lack of goals. But it’s not that much of an issue since Matos took over. Both our xg and avarage goals per match is around 1.5 that would put us in top 6 territory. The form table since Matos took over puts us in top 6 territory.

We are playing like a top 6 side it’s just come around a bit too late in the season. Hopefully we can carry this momentum forward to next season and even improve upon.

I think it's more the lack of diversity in where those goals are coming from. If Vip stays fit and continues to score at this rate, fine, but a dry spell for 4-5 games from him and I'd question if we'd have enough goals in the rest of the team to keep up the momentum. Not saying it's impossible, but it's the main weak-spot for me.

 

[LaJollaJack]

People keep saying that our biggest problem right now is the lack of goals. But it’s not that much of an issue since Matos took over. Both our xg and avarage goals per match is around 1.5 that would put us in top 6 territory. The form table since Matos took over puts us in top 6 territory.

We are playing like a top 6 side it’s just come around a bit too late in the season. Hopefully we can carry this momentum forward to next season and even improve upon.

.

you're right, Flash.

and another massive delta with Vitor is our go-fwd drive and ambition: we had >25% more passes in the final third than the high-pressing, go-getting, highly savvy Bristol team

defo a top 6 side, now playing to the top6 level we've recruited to - a few minor additions will propel us truly to the next level, under Vitor's brilliant, inspiring leadership

.

 

[Flash]

It is a lack of goals, atm we are relying on keeping clean sheets and nicking a goal, if we concede two in a game then scoring 3 to win a game with just VP firing then it's next to impossible.

The stats and facts don’t support that statement. Yes we did have a goals issue before. And sure more goals are always nice. But if you’re conceding two goals, not scoring enough isn’t the issue, conceding goals is.

 

[Blackpooljack]

The stats and facts don’t support that statement. Yes we did have a goals issue before. And sure more goals are always nice. But if you’re conceding two goals, not scoring enough isn’t the issue, conceding goals is.

My point is we can't rely on VP to score 2 goals to win a game IF we do concede because the rest are scoring to few.

 

[Flash]

I think it's more the lack of diversity in where those goals are coming from. If Vip stays fit and continues to score at this rate, fine, but a dry spell for 4-5 games from him and I'd question if we'd have enough goals in the rest of the team to keep up the momentum. Not saying it's impossible, but it's the main weak-spot for me.

Yeah I do get that it probably is a bit of a concern. I think right now with Vipotnik on fire we are playing around that and looking to get the ball to him as much as much as possible as a game plan though.

 

[JackSomething]

When I first saw I final run of games I did have my fingers crossed that we weren't fighting for out lives.

The prefect summer would be keeping our key players, which I think we will, unless we get stupid offers and building on what we already have with a right back, central defender to challenge for a starting spot and some extra pace out wide on both flanks.

Personally I feel we aren't that far away from having a squad capable of challenging the top six.

Matos and his staff having a pre-season with the team will presumably also be a significant bonus. If Walta is the player we hope he is and Matos can get the likes of Inoussa and Widdell firing, we may not need that many players, at least not for the starting 11.

 

[Jackareme]

I dont regard the issue as being who puts the ball in the net - rather how do we capitalize on possession in great areas when on top in games?
Championship games are decided on fine margins - and we continually break through the lines and create positions where we can hurt the opposition - then waste them.
If we could get 25% of a Tymon into our attacking midfielder and two wingers we would already be knocking on the door.
I am encouraged by what I have seen of Walta - he might really start to unlock defences.
Our waste of attacking positiuons is scandalous up to now (although as noted above - Matos has improved it a tad at home)

 

[Flash]

I dont regard the issue as being who puts the ball in the net - rather how do we capitalize on possession in great areas when on top in games?
Championship games are decided on fine margins - and we continually break through the lines and create positions where we can hurt the opposition - then waste them.
If we could get 25% of a Tymon into our attacking midfielder and two wingers we would already be knocking on the door.
I am encouraged by what I have seen of Walta - he might really start to unlock defences.
Our waste of attacking positiuons is scandalous up to now (although as noted above - Matos has improved it a tad at home)

That is just how football is, the majority of attacks don’t end in goals for every team. If they did we’d end up with scorelines that look like rugby matches. It’s not an issue unique to us.

 

[malc]

The problem with only player who scores the majority of your goals the opposition can mark him more closely .
The Bristol City game was decided by a quality finish by Vp .
Apart from the goal we created nothing .

Coventry are a side who score goals from multiple players likewise Wrexham .
Having 2/3 or more players who scores regularly makes defending more challenging