Where will we finish?

Where fellow sufferers gather to share the pain, longing and unrequited transfer requests that make being a Wanderer what it is...

Moderator: Zulus Thousand of em

Post Reply

What position will Bolton finish in 2021/22?

Poll ended at Tue Feb 22, 2022 7:55 pm

1 (C)
0
No votes
2 (P)
1
4%
3 (PO)
0
No votes
4 (PO)
0
No votes
5 (PO)
2
8%
6 (PO)
5
21%
7
4
17%
8
9
38%
9
2
8%
10
1
4%
11
0
No votes
12
0
No votes
13
0
No votes
14
0
No votes
15
0
No votes
16
0
No votes
17
0
No votes
18
0
No votes
19-21
0
No votes
22-24 (R)
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 24

User avatar
Dave Sutton's barnet
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 28435
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 4:00 pm
Location: Hanging on in quiet desperation
Contact:

Where will we finish?

Post by Dave Sutton's barnet » Sun Feb 20, 2022 7:55 pm

Snap two-day poll. I suppose it'll finish just before Tuesday's game, although I'm not sure how the mechanism works (might end Tuesday midnight or summat).

Anyway, have a guess, for fun. Only allowed 20 poll options so I've bunched up at the bottom. Click wisely: no revotes allowed.

User avatar
truewhite15
Passionate
Passionate
Posts: 2720
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:25 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by truewhite15 » Sun Feb 20, 2022 8:46 pm

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote:
Sun Feb 20, 2022 7:55 pm
Snap two-day poll. I suppose it'll finish just before Tuesday's game, although I'm not sure how the mechanism works (might end Tuesday midnight or summat).

Anyway, have a guess, for fun. Only allowed 20 poll options so I've bunched up at the bottom. Click wisely: no revotes allowed.
Gone for 10th, but I can see us, on current form, finishing anywhere in the non-playoff top half bracket (so 7th to 12th). I'd have snatched your hand off for that at the beginning of the season, and I think it'll stand us in really good stead at having a proper crack at promotion next season.

User avatar
Dave Sutton's barnet
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 28435
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 4:00 pm
Location: Hanging on in quiet desperation
Contact:

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Dave Sutton's barnet » Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:30 pm

I went for 8th. We'll give it a go but I suspect the gap might be slightly too large, and more to the point I think not enough teams above us will drop the ball enough: we need four patsies and while Sunderland are imploding and Wycombe are off-form, McDons look good and I think Wednesday will have enough – they have a relatively easy run-in until the last fortnight - so that needs us leaving either Plymouth or Oxford to drop nine points on us (with GD), and Plymouth have two games in hand.

Still, at the start of the season I predicted 8th-16th for us so this would be right at the top of that bracket, and nicely purring for next season.

User avatar
brommers95
Reliable
Reliable
Posts: 862
Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2018 3:10 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by brommers95 » Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:01 pm

Also went for 8th, we’ll continue this good form until the end of the season but can’t see us overcoming Oxford (8 points ahead of us and 11 goals ahead on GD) and Sheffield Wednesday (7 points ahead and a game in hand on us) who I think will grab the final two playoff spots below MK Dons and Plymouth.

Edit
feck it I’ve changed my vote after thinking about it some more. We’re on a roll - we’re sneaking into the playoffs on the final day.

Ian Evatt’s Super White Army

User avatar
BWFC_Insane
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 36008
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:07 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by BWFC_Insane » Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:35 pm

8th. I think we might come close for a few weeks. But by the last couple of games be just short.

Honestly I think there are probably just too many teams above us rather than the points ground being the issue. It’s just winning two or three more than several teams rather than just one or two.

Burton also showed we probably have the odd off day in us.

But yeah I think we can push right up there and 8th is an excellent finish and we’d be set for next season.

User avatar
Bruce Rioja
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 38742
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:19 pm
Location: Drifting into the arena of the unwell.

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Bruce Rioja » Sun Feb 20, 2022 10:42 pm

8th also, and whereas I of course retain the blind optimism of the football supporter, that part of my mind that somehow gets me to my own bed despite me being utterly arseholed is telling me that the play-offs are a bridge too far this time around.
May the bridges I burn light your way

User avatar
GhostoftheBok
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6795
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:51 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by GhostoftheBok » Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:47 am

I have gone for 5th, because I think we will finish 5th.

User avatar
The_Gun
Passionate
Passionate
Posts: 3147
Joined: Tue May 22, 2018 9:54 am

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by The_Gun » Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:13 am

GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:47 am
I have gone for 5th, because I think we will finish 5th.
6/1 available on us to make the playoffs. If you genuinely think we'll finish 5th then that's tremendous value.

I also went for 8th, due to the current points gap and the number of teams above us. I think 6/1 is probably reflective of the actual probability (14%) of us doing it this year, so a live, but slim, chance. Couldn't really afford that Burton slip up.

User avatar
GhostoftheBok
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6795
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:51 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by GhostoftheBok » Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:24 am

The_Gun wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:13 am
6/1 available on us to make the playoffs. If you genuinely think we'll finish 5th then that's tremendous value.
I'm not allowed to bet on football, but I'd say that's well worth a dip.

nicholaldo
Passionate
Passionate
Posts: 2360
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:23 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by nicholaldo » Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:41 pm

Dave Sutton's barnet wrote:
Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:30 pm
I went for 8th. We'll give it a go but I suspect the gap might be slightly too large, and more to the point I think not enough teams above us will drop the ball enough: we need four patsies and while Sunderland are imploding and Wycombe are off-form, McDons look good and I think Wednesday will have enough – they have a relatively easy run-in until the last fortnight - so that needs us leaving either Plymouth or Oxford to drop nine points on us (with GD), and Plymouth have two games in hand.

Still, at the start of the season I predicted 8th-16th for us so this would be right at the top of that bracket, and nicely purring for next season.

They do, but one thing worth noting is that their run in is horrendous. In their final seven matches they play each of the current top nine except the league leaders and Sheffield Wednesday. That offers plenty of scope for dropped points, not just for them but also for those in and around.

User avatar
Dave Sutton's barnet
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 28435
Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 4:00 pm
Location: Hanging on in quiet desperation
Contact:

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Dave Sutton's barnet » Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:58 pm

nicholaldo wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:41 pm
Dave Sutton's barnet wrote:
Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:30 pm
I went for 8th. We'll give it a go but I suspect the gap might be slightly too large, and more to the point I think not enough teams above us will drop the ball enough: we need four patsies and while Sunderland are imploding and Wycombe are off-form, McDons look good and I think Wednesday will have enough – they have a relatively easy run-in until the last fortnight - so that needs us leaving either Plymouth or Oxford to drop nine points on us (with GD), and Plymouth have two games in hand.

Still, at the start of the season I predicted 8th-16th for us so this would be right at the top of that bracket, and nicely purring for next season.
They do, but one thing worth noting is that their run in is horrendous. In their final seven matches they play each of the current top nine except the league leaders and Sheffield Wednesday. That offers plenty of scope for dropped points, not just for them but also for those in and around.
Funny you should mention that. Been digging into the run-ins. All hunch and supposition and unscientific, but it passes a moment.

Specifically, as I did last season, I’ve been having a look at who has to play who in the top 11 (Pompey, a place and 4pts behind us, have 3 games in hand on us so are worth including, for now at least).

By that rationale, Sheff Wed have the easiest run-in. They have 14 games left and don’t play anyone top-11 in their next 8 - which will probably become 9 as they’ll probably rearrange the Accy home fixture, postponed very close to kick-off last Wednesday, during that run. However, the do face 4 play-off contenders in their last five games – us, McDons, Wycombe and Pompey, with only Pompey being at home.

By contrast, as Nicko notes, 9 of Plymouth’s remaining 15 are against promotion-chasers, including the top two. In fact from mid-April their run-in is (home games in caps) Bolton, POMPEY, (ACCY, CHELTENHAM,) Ipswich, OXFORD, (Burton,) Wycombe, SUNDERLAND, Wigan, MK DONS. Like Sheff Weds, then, they’ll be looking to get points on the board – but on Saturday they host Rotherham…

Sunderland only have four games against promo-chasers, but they include the top two (plus Oxford and Plymouth). They’re also on the sort of massive wobble where their upcoming games all scream trouble - Burton and Wigan this week, after which they could be as low as 10th with much wailing and teeth-gnashing.

Wycombe are also in poor form and host the top two in their next five games, but after that they’ve only got Pompey, Plymouth and Wednesday from the top 11. Given they also presumably don’t suffer the same culture shock against long-ballers that we and some other promo-chasing aesthetes might, I’d probably and grudgingly back them to do enough for the top six.

Ipswich have a hella Easter hosting Rotherham then Wigan, but otherwise only 3 of their 13 are against top-11 teams. They play Pompey, Oxford and Plymouth on successive Saturdays in March.

Pompey have 16 games left and half of them are against top-10 teams, including hosting both the top two. Indeed they have a March run of Ipswich, Plymouth, WYCOMBE, us, ROTHERHAM. That’ll test their mettle, especially as they are officially the hardest-pressing side in the 92.

As for us, we have 5 “big” games in the final 13, with just McDons and Wigan away. Plymouth, Pompey and Wednesday must all come to our lovely wide spaces, and if they want to finish above us, they might have to help themselves by beating us. And if they don't, well, they'd better be careful...

User avatar
GhostoftheBok
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6795
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:51 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by GhostoftheBok » Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:44 pm

On the topic of league performance, Evatt has managed to rile a few again by saying the "direct" teams might get out of League One but they're not equipped to stay in the Championship over the long term.

"You can't compete in the Championship being direct. You can't compete in the Championship being based on set plays."

We are apparently designing the side for sustained successes throughout the English football pyramid.

As you'd expect, "debate" has ensued.

User avatar
Bruce Rioja
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 38742
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:19 pm
Location: Drifting into the arena of the unwell.

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Bruce Rioja » Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:18 pm

GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:47 am
I have gone for 5th, because I think we will finish 5th.
Burnden Paddock. If Gooner Girl's still up here, can you nip her into town to show her the Town Hall steps? That way she'll have a better understanding as to how we celebrate the unexpectedly successful conclusion of a most unlikely event? ;)
May the bridges I burn light your way

User avatar
GhostoftheBok
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6795
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:51 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by GhostoftheBok » Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:22 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:18 pm
Burnden Paddock. If Gooner Girl's still up here, can you nip her into town to show her the Town Hall steps? That way she'll have a better understanding as to how we celebrate the unexpectedly successful conclusion of a most unlikely event? ;)
Gets worse. I also think that, were we to finish 5th, we'd win the play-offs.

I think just on pure progression of logic that means I think we will get promoted - which given our current position is utterly absurd.

I'll recover my sanity when Lincoln beat us 1-2 tomorrow.

User avatar
Worthy4England
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 32273
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 6:45 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Worthy4England » Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:35 pm

GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:44 pm
On the topic of league performance, Evatt has managed to rile a few again by saying the "direct" teams might get out of League One but they're not equipped to stay in the Championship over the long term.

"You can't compete in the Championship being direct. You can't compete in the Championship being based on set plays."

We are apparently designing the side for sustained successes throughout the English football pyramid.

As you'd expect, "debate" has ensued.
I think the missing words were "only by being" - Fulham are the highest scorers of set pieces in the Champo, But then they've scored 30 more goals than their nearest competition.

User avatar
Bruce Rioja
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 38742
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:19 pm
Location: Drifting into the arena of the unwell.

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Bruce Rioja » Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:51 pm

GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:22 pm

Gets worse. I also think that, were we to finish 5th, we'd win the play-offs.
I actually agree with this. The momentum we'd have gathered to get us into that position, if it did happen, would be incredible.
May the bridges I burn light your way

User avatar
GhostoftheBok
Legend
Legend
Posts: 6795
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:51 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by GhostoftheBok » Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:04 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:51 pm
I actually agree with this. The momentum we'd have gathered to get us into that position, if it did happen, would be incredible.
Stop it. You'll only encourage me.

User avatar
Bruce Rioja
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 38742
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:19 pm
Location: Drifting into the arena of the unwell.

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by Bruce Rioja » Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:12 pm

GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:04 pm
Bruce Rioja wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:51 pm
I actually agree with this. The momentum we'd have gathered to get us into that position, if it did happen, would be incredible.
Stop it. You'll only encourage me.
Me? I've just checked my wallet to see if I've a spare tenner. 6/1 you say? :D
May the bridges I burn light your way

User avatar
sonicthewhite
Dedicated
Dedicated
Posts: 1689
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:55 pm
Location: Telford

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by sonicthewhite » Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:13 pm

Bruce Rioja wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:12 pm
GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 4:04 pm
Bruce Rioja wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:51 pm
I actually agree with this. The momentum we'd have gathered to get us into that position, if it did happen, would be incredible.
Stop it. You'll only encourage me.
Me? I've just checked my wallet to see if I've a spare tenner. 6/1 you say? :D
Mrs Sonic checked my wallet as well for a spare tenner. If I had one I certainly haven't now :lol:
Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill!

And the key to a result is a good :kettle:

User avatar
BWFC_Insane
Immortal
Immortal
Posts: 36008
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 4:07 pm

Re: Where will we finish?

Post by BWFC_Insane » Mon Feb 21, 2022 5:07 pm

GhostoftheBok wrote:
Mon Feb 21, 2022 2:44 pm
On the topic of league performance, Evatt has managed to rile a few again by saying the "direct" teams might get out of League One but they're not equipped to stay in the Championship over the long term.

"You can't compete in the Championship being direct. You can't compete in the Championship being based on set plays."

We are apparently designing the side for sustained successes throughout the English football pyramid.

As you'd expect, "debate" has ensued.
I mean as pointed out the side scoring the most set pieces currently sit top. So not sure that works out.

I’d also say that the higher you go up the pyramid the more difficult it is to have better players technically than your rivals, so the more you need to rely on stopping other teams playing their game and winning based on margins.

I’d say we saw a very good group of players go up from the championship yet struggle in the premiership under Todd because they were simply not able to stop the opposition and grind wins out at that level. But they played football.

Yet we saw Allardyce take up a lesser set of players and keep them there because they were able to accept virtually every team we played had technically better players but we found ways to stop them and play games that suited us.

That becomes more critical as you go up the leagues and your relative quality diminishes.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 76 guests