Can We Beat Pete??

[malcd1]

Thank you. I needed a break, but after a quick check I ascertained it was a lot less nihilistic on here, probably because we've won three in five unbeaten games. Presumably we'll now go to hell in a handcart.

and it will be ALL YOUR FAULT!!!

Yes DSB. I bet our results have got better since you have been away. So sling yer hook!

[SmokinFrazier]

Don't want to be a killjoy for those who think we still may reach the playoffs but here's the facts:

We'll need around 75 points, that's 30 from the remaining 12 games.

We've been out of the playoff hunt since October/November.

We only need to catch up 7 points. That's really not a lot, especially considering how the teams around us are faltering whilst we're finding some good form. Get another couple of wins in the next 4 games, and we'll have closed the gap to a 3 or 4 points.

That's not how it works. We're far more than 7 point off the playoff places in real terms because other teams play and pick up points as well. As I said we should assume we'll need around 75 points from the remaining 12 games so we essentially have to win them all to be sneak into that final playoff spot.

It's the failure to understand how the relative accumulation of points works that leads to unnecessary pressure on the team. For example winning a couple of games out of four would see us drop down the table! We are not in any way challenging for a playoff place despite how close it looks to you. There are too few games left and too much ground to make up. Consider that the gap is not 7 points but 25 to 30 and now see how we can close that gap.

Of course, but they've got to keep winning too. Assuming we beat Brighton, we'll be a mere 4 points off them with 12 other games to play. Is it possible that they could start to slip up? Yeah, and if we can keep up our impressive results, we can certainly catch them.

It's a tough task for us, definitely, but they've got to hang on to their lead over everyone else. They've never been in this position before - will nerves creep in? Will they buckle under the pressure? If our results continue to be good and we beat them at the Reebok, we might just sneak in. We are relying on them slipping up somewhat though, because if they don't, there's no way we'll catch them unless something miraculous happens. However, it's not a given that they will maintain their form, as the last few seasons for a side like Cardiff confirms. Look at what happened to Southampton last year too. Massive drops in form are not unprecedented. Leicester might be too far ahead to fall out of the play-off spots, but they have only 1ppg in their last 4 matches, and I don't think they'll reach the 75 point mark which has been bandied about.

So, yeah, it's tough but not a foregone conclusion. We just need to keep on picking up points and we need other teams to drop them.

Looking at things optimistically, Brighton are at home next to Huddersfield, who have won as many away as they have at home. An draw there is possible. They then play Bristol City away, who have exceptional home form at the moment, winning their last 4 home games. After that, they play us, so it's conceivable that Brighton might only pick up one point in their next 3 games. An optimistic outlook, but this sort of scenario certainly isn't hard to imagine.

I'm not saying we will do it, but it's not over either. I guarantee that no Brighton fans will be resting on their laurels.

[thebish]

Of course, but they've got to keep winning too. Assuming we beat Brighton, we'll be a mere 4 points off them with 12 other games to play. Is it possible that they could start to slip up? Yeah, and if we can keep up our impressive results, we can certainly catch them.

but you wouldn't be thinking we could do that given that you have pretty much made it clear that you think our manager is clueless... ??

[SmokinFrazier]

Of course, but they've got to keep winning too. Assuming we beat Brighton, we'll be a mere 4 points off them with 12 other games to play. Is it possible that they could start to slip up? Yeah, and if we can keep up our impressive results, we can certainly catch them.

but you wouldn't be thinking we could do that given that you have pretty much made it clear that you think our manager is clueless... ??

My opinion on Freedman hasn't really changed. We played terrible last night and, as I've said numerous times, we need to start playing better otherwise none of this matters because better teams will easily beat us. There was nowhere near enough structure in defence or midfield, so that needs to improve.

I do expect the performances to improve with a decent run of form, though, so it's a Catch 22 situation. I hope that with our recent good results, it'll be a catalyst for the team to get a bit of confidence and start playing better.

There's no question about it though; unless we improve, promotion is not possible.

[norm the jedi]

Of course, but they've got to keep winning too. Assuming we beat Brighton, we'll be a mere 4 points off them with 12 other games to play. Is it possible that they could start to slip up? Yeah, and if we can keep up our impressive results, we can certainly catch them.

but you wouldn't be thinking we could do that given that you have pretty much made it clear that you think our manager is clueless... ??

My opinion on Freedman hasn't really changed. We played terrible last night and, as I've said numerous times, we need to start playing better otherwise none of this matters because better teams will easily beat us. There was nowhere near enough structure in defence or midfield, so that needs to improve.

I do expect the performances to improve with a decent run of form, though, so it's a Catch 22 situation. I hope that with our recent good results, it'll be a catalyst for the team to get a bit of confidence and start playing better.

There's no question about it though; unless we improve, promotion is not possible.

Them mobile goal posts are a brilliant device..
we had to win, now we have, it has to be prettier... what then... not total football? Not enough goals from Bogdan..
a scruffy win makes wednesday morning better than three heroic defeats in my book.. and there are enouh signs that he is getting the hang of it to offer cautious .. fragile optimism...

[BWFC_Insane]

Of course, but they've got to keep winning too. Assuming we beat Brighton, we'll be a mere 4 points off them with 12 other games to play. Is it possible that they could start to slip up? Yeah, and if we can keep up our impressive results, we can certainly catch them.

but you wouldn't be thinking we could do that given that you have pretty much made it clear that you think our manager is clueless... ??

My opinion on Freedman hasn't really changed. We played terrible last night and, as I've said numerous times, we need to start playing better otherwise none of this matters because better teams will easily beat us. There was nowhere near enough structure in defence or midfield, so that needs to improve.

I do expect the performances to improve with a decent run of form, though, so it's a Catch 22 situation. I hope that with our recent good results, it'll be a catalyst for the team to get a bit of confidence and start playing better.

There's no question about it though; unless we improve, promotion is not possible.

Them mobile goal posts are a brilliant device..
we had to win, now we have, it has to be prettier... what then... not total football? Not enough goals from Bogdan..
a scruffy win makes wednesday morning better than three heroic defeats in my book.. and there are enouh signs that he is getting the hang of it to offer cautious .. fragile optimism...

Yeah but what about the structure? I mean good god we need more of that!

[Enoch]

We need a structure sure enough, a secure one!

[CAPSLOCK]

It would leave Brighton needing a further 20 points from their 13 games. Only slightly over 1.5 ppg.

So even that looks a long shot in the extreme. Thats before you factor in the other teams above us and below Brighton.

And Brightons ppg so far this season

Without the pressure that will come with trying to get in the play offs

Over to you

If we win our next 2, it's on

Big time

[gizmothevoomer]

I have always been a believer given the right circumstances we could be in a position to challenge for the last play off place come in the final few games of the season. Winning ugly last night against 'Pete' has strengthened that belief, it shows a desire to fight and dig deep, which will be more important if we are to succeed this season than simply being the most talented team.

Having been involved with a successful promotion winning team albeit not Football, where we won promotion 6 season out of eight. The most important attribute was being together and when you have won ugly it gives you the belief you are unbeatable, and more importantly when you are on a winning run it puts doubt in your oppositions mind and alters the way they set themselves up to play you.

Right now the Barnsley team talk is about how Bolton are the form team in the league and they have to perform and battle for everything to have a hope of getting a result.

Every win is going build the confidence and the belief in the team, if we can win the next three games Barnsley, Dingles and Brighton then not only we will believe we are contenders for the play offs but every other team in the division will. We will be the half a yard quicker in midfield and 50/50 decisions will go our way.

As someone said 'the more I practise the luckier I get' as always following Bolton we have given ourselves a chance so the end of season rollercoaster of emotion is about to begin again.

[SmokinFrazier]

Of course, but they've got to keep winning too. Assuming we beat Brighton, we'll be a mere 4 points off them with 12 other games to play. Is it possible that they could start to slip up? Yeah, and if we can keep up our impressive results, we can certainly catch them.

but you wouldn't be thinking we could do that given that you have pretty much made it clear that you think our manager is clueless... ??

My opinion on Freedman hasn't really changed. We played terrible last night and, as I've said numerous times, we need to start playing better otherwise none of this matters because better teams will easily beat us. There was nowhere near enough structure in defence or midfield, so that needs to improve.

I do expect the performances to improve with a decent run of form, though, so it's a Catch 22 situation. I hope that with our recent good results, it'll be a catalyst for the team to get a bit of confidence and start playing better.

There's no question about it though; unless we improve, promotion is not possible.

Them mobile goal posts are a brilliant device..
we had to win, now we have, it has to be prettier... what then... not total football? Not enough goals from Bogdan..
a scruffy win makes wednesday morning better than three heroic defeats in my book.. and there are enouh signs that he is getting the hang of it to offer cautious .. fragile optimism...

We were very poor yesterday and it's hard to imagine us beating a better side. A win is a win, of course, but would we beat Brighton playing as well as we did last night? It's not likely. We're still too leaky defensively, the midfield was far too easy to get straight through and up front, we didn't create enough chances. These things are problematic, regardless of whether you win one individual game or not, because the better you play, the more likely you are to pick up points.

It's all well and good coming on here after a win and saying "we played sh*t but we won, so thats great". We've played sh*t all season too and because of that, we've just had our first back to back wins, and 10th is our highest position of the season. You might get away with the odd game here and there and win when you play bad, but over the course of a season, playing poorly will result in what we're experiencing now, which is an underwhelming season.

I'm not too sure why you mention "pretty football". I'm not bothered if we play ugly and win. I'm not calling for us to start playing tiki-taka or anything like that, I just want us to start defending better and creating more chances. If that's defensively football, fine.

Good teams are never easy to break down. We are far, far too open at the moment, so whilst we may be riding our luck now, if we continue to play poorly, we won't continue to pick up plenty of points.

[CAPSLOCK]

Peterborough; so shit they won at Cardiff and Hull
And put a shitload past Millwall

Had one shot against us
And we were shite

[SmokinFrazier]

Peterborough; so shit they won at Cardiff and Hull
And put a shitload past Millwall

Had one shot against us
And we were shite

They're not at the bottom of the league because of a fluke. There are serious problems within their team, which is evident if you watch them for more than 8 seconds. They are one of the most error prone, disorganised sides I've ever had the displeasure of watching.

And, no, they had 6 shots against us. 4 of which were on target. They also had 5 corners.

[a1]

We were very poor yesterday and it's hard to imagine us beating a better side. A win is a win, of course, but would we beat Brighton playing as well as we did last night? It's not likely. We're still too leaky defensively, the midfield was far too easy to get straight through and up front, we didn't create enough chances. These things are problematic, regardless of whether you win one individual game or not, because the better you play, the more likely you are to pick up points.

It's all well and good coming on here after a win and saying "we played sh*t but we won, so thats great". We've played sh*t all season too and because of that, we've just had our first back to back wins, and 10th is our highest position of the season. You might get away with the odd game here and there and win when you play bad, but over the course of a season, playing poorly will result in what we're experiencing now, which is an underwhelming season.

I'm not too sure why you mention "pretty football". I'm not bothered if we play ugly and win. I'm not calling for us to start playing tiki-taka or anything like that, I just want us to start defending better and creating more chances. If that's defensively football, fine.

Good teams are never easy to break down. We are far, far too open at the moment, so whilst we may be riding our luck now, if we continue to play poorly, we won't continue to pick up plenty of points.

youre wrong.

and we've been far too open for years, coyle used to be the manager.

now tho it looks like they know what theyre doing, theyre pick up good points, the moaning after the derby county game was fecking stupid.

i know what i'm looking at , the "uh oh" feeling of 90 minutes under coyle isnt really there anymore. yeah, he might notve played for bolton so he's on the backfoot with the mnogs, but, whatever.

#dougiecool

[Hoboh]

mnog here,

I DONT THINK MUCH OF FREEDMAN BECAUSE I DON'T THINK HE IS ANY BETTER THAN A MID CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE MANAGER NOT BECAUSE HE AIN'T JOSE! alright?

A charlie.

Oh and I'll plait shit if he proves me wrong.

[a1]

yeah, yeah, they said that about the ginger fella..

and got someone in worse.

i dont know what they want , but its not a "football manager" seems like they want more of a "jesus christ doing miracles" or "mate from the pub who's a laugh but never buys a drink"

and i still think under mr. freedman the team looks miles more 'stable' than it ever did under coyle.

[CAPSLOCK]

Peterborough; so shit they won at Cardiff and Hull
And put a shitload past Millwall

Had one shot against us
And we were shite

They're not at the bottom of the league because of a fluke. There are serious problems within their team, which is evident if you watch them for more than 8 seconds. They are one of the most error prone, disorganised sides I've ever had the displeasure of watching.

And, no, they had 6 shots against us. 4 of which were on target. They also had 5 corners.

Really?

And 5 corners....wow

That's one, erm, every, erm, 20 minutes

How many did we not head/punch/catch

I know you get your kicks from being 'a person who knows football' but you donn't half talk some shite

And its not a fluke, is it

They've had half a dozen notable results - they've even beaten Leicester, recently

3-0 at a second string Norwich, too

Their style of play is far from suited to the ploughed field they call home - maybe its no accident they've won at clubs with much better pitches

Anyway, analyse away

I'll just post a picture of you, with the family

[SmokinFrazier]

So Peterborough are a good side who are only at the bottom of the table because of their pitch?

Just watch them play. They are terrible and anyone who has seen them will know why they're so bad. It doesn't take a genius to figure this basic stuff out.

[boltonboris]

As he said though, their away form isn't bad. They're fighting for their lives and they've been to places like Cardiff and won. Before Tuesday, I think they'd won as many (if not 1 more) away games, than we'd managed at home!

[BWFC_Insane]

So Peterborough are a good side who are only at the bottom of the table because of their pitch?

Just watch them play. They are terrible and anyone who has seen them will know why they're so bad. It doesn't take a genius to figure this basic stuff out.

They've scored 48 this season. 13 championship sides have scored less.

So keeping a clean sheet against them, was no forgone conclusion.

And limiting them to very few shots was also impressive, no?

[Bruce Rioja]

So Peterborough are a good side who are only at the bottom of the table because of their pitch?

Just watch them play. They are terrible and anyone who has seen them will know why they're so bad. It doesn't take a genius to figure this basic stuff out.

What I did notice about them in the second half was that their shape was excellent, they lined up like Swansea - ready to use every inch of the pitch and to get in behind our narrow diamond by pushing men well out wide. However, their execution, even the simplest of balls was absolutely shocking. They'll go down because their players are a whole new shade of shit. As far as I can see it's as simple as that.