Reflecting (2 Viewers)

Didnt expect to be here, or even within a shout of the playoffs when he joined. Booked a holiday and missed both the middlesborough and sunderland home legs.

Getting to the play offs was a great achievement, overall the team did an incredible job, the winning run was incredible and they gave us some brilliant moments this year.

But i dont see posts digging out the “players”. They’re digging out Wright for 2 completely abject, gutless and pathetic performances in the two biggest games of the season and they are absolutely warranted, because every other single player gave there absolute everything and because of that, it was painstakingly obvious he wasnt

Am i right in saying that we've been the 3rd best team in the division since Lampard was appointed...sure i heard that somewhere (sky?).
That's damn good form to be fair, despite a slight ropey start and finish to the season.

Danceswithhorses said:

Am i right in saying that we've been the 3rd best team in the division since Lampard was appointed...sure i heard that somewhere (sky?).
That's damn good form to be fair, despite a slight ropey start and finish to the season.

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Since Xmas, but since Lampard came in we’ve been the 4th best team behind Leeds, Burnley and Sheff U. There’s a lot to be optimistic about going into 2025/26.

The first leg v Sunderland summed up our season unfortunately. Too many defensive mistakes have cost us this season and ultimately undone us in the playoffs.

We've done incredibly well. What gives me confidence is there are obvious areas for improvement that if we follow through with should make the team better. Avoid a slow start and we should be a force.

I have to say that I don't think we "deserved" to go up (if there is such a thing in life, let alone football), as i don't believe, overall, we are good enough. Here's my thoughts:-

1. We don't score enough goals from our forward line. Simms and Wright don't trouble defenders enough, and their ability to jump and win headers in the box is woeful for such tall guys. Wright, on his day, can be fantastic (his hat-trick against Sunderland at home was amazing), but his inconsistency is a problem. We absolutely need a top centre-forward target man. Which brings me to ...
2. Crosses. Tats, Milan, JDS, EMC are all good at getting the ball into the box, but there is rarely anyone there to meet it, and the most we can hope for is to hoover up the scraps of a poor clearance. Similarly long throws from MVE. Predictable, defendable, pointless.
3. Set-plays and corners. For all his hard work in midfield last night, Grimes was poor in this area, and we have collectively been bad at corners for several seasons, not beating the first man, or putting it too close to the keeper to make it easy for him.
4. Dovin getting injured was critical to the way we play. That terrific run between January and March was largely down to the confidence that he inspired in the rest of the team, and we could push forward a lot more because they were sure he would be able to sweep up. If he had stayed fit, i think we would have had a great chance of going up, but Lampard's insistence of sticking with Collins in the past 12 games or so cost us - not just in the goals for which he should have done better (and the back 4 have to take some blame for leaving him exposed for many of those), but also the undermining of that confidence. Wilson's return has helped steady the ship, but he is capable of howlers on his day. Aled Williams has not demonstrated he can coach a moderately-good keeper into a good one. Probably the reverse
5. Without Thomas, we are vulnerable at the back. All the way across the back, as the full-backs feel the need to come inside and cover the CBs, leaving the wings desperately exposed. Even when the CB pairing looks confident, the full-backs (especially on the left) abandon their post.
6. Substitutions: Lack of nous, lack of a plan B, too many like-for-like swaps, unable to "change it up". In this regard, Lampard has shown he is no better than Robins was. Last night, he SHOULD have seen how tired we were AND how tired the Sunderland defenders were, and should have brought on BTA for EMC to run at the defenders much earlier, along with Patterson for Rudi, who was anonymous after about 70 minutes. I think it cost us last night.

I think the great run in Jan-March (largely against lower mid-table teams) flattered to deceive. We saw how far behind Leeds we were in the only match we lost at home during that run. And we need to be that good, somehow! Our run-in form was the same as the 8 games prior to Robins being fired. It can't be all down to the keeper. The only player scoring any goals during that time was Rudi, for many of the reasons above.

I would like to see the following players shipped out: Collins, Binks, Lati, Simms, Wright. I know Sheaf is popular with a lot of you, but he is a Championship-level player, and we need a Champ-to-Prem player (if only Torp and Rudi could stay fit) if we are going to make a proper challenge for promotion. And get rid of Aled Williams.

Them's my thoughts - prepared to be challenged!

PUSB

The late goal last night, losing on penalties at Wembley two years in a row, all massive gut punches but I'll take a million of these over ever seeing us relegated to League Two or squatting in someone else's stadium or seeing someone wheeling the entire club shop on a wheelbarrow or should Sky Blue Sam not be thinner to set a good example for the kids or text a sub or whatever else. Future feels the brightest it's been for over two decades, now if we could just get the hang of starting a season like we tend to finish it

I think if Sheff U easily dispatch Sunderland it will ease it for me.

I don't think we would have gone up if we had got through anyway.

Really missed Torp. He has great vision and ability and can create things going forward. Prone to the odd giveaway but him with Grimes just behind him can open up the oppo through the middle.

Sbarcher said:

Really missed Torp. He has great vision and ability and can create things going forward. Prone to the odd giveaway but him with Grimes just behind him can open up the oppo through the middle.

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I agree. Said during the game that Torp was the player we really missed last night. That Sunderland home game with him behind Wright good evidence of that.

One of the biggest positives is the contract situation. We are i believe one of the most contracted squads in terms of length. Whilst that isn't always great in terms of getting rid of some players you may want to, you can of course accept any offer you like if you make it k own they are surplus to requirements.

More importantly it means keeping the spine of the team we have if we want to, or demanding a good price for any interested parties.

Dovin back at Xmas (short term experienced loan to cover, perhaps?)

Thomas and Kitching growing into their roles, and developing.

Rumours of this talented LB on a free. MVE hopefully staying or at least commanding a large fee.

Grimes settled in role. Rudi settled in role. Refresh up top, and maybe another CM assuming that Shead will go. Torp back. Spine of a really good side, a shrewd transfer window, and maybe we finally start the season in August rather than November.

ajsccfc said:

The late goal last night, losing on penalties at Wembley two years in a row, all massive gut punches but I'll take a million of these over ever seeing us relegated to League Two or squatting in someone else's stadium or seeing someone wheeling the entire club shop on a wheelbarrow or should Sky Blue Sam not be thinner to set a good example for the kids or text a sub or whatever else. Future feels the brightest it's been for over two decades, now if we could just get the hang of starting a season like we tend to finish it

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My feelings exactly.

We finished f*cking FIFTH in the Champ!! That is a GOOD season, everyone, and plenty to celebrate.