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devilofajob

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Great finish by Watters, wondered what happened to him from his time at Crawley. Rather against the run of play not that it matters.
Watters was great for us, wish we still had him. Genuinely interested to know what Barnsley fans think?
 

CTFCfan99

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Ipswich definitely look to have the toughest run-in of the top 4, if they go up automatically they'll have really earned it.

Barnsley's fixtures are pretty favourable and their toughest remaining games are at home, but think they might more or less have to win them all as Plymouth/Weds fixtures also look very winnable.
 

Si Robin

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I think it is probably going to be a little too much for Barnsley to do to get automatic especially as a their GD is a little off the others. With that said I wouldn't want any part of them in the playoffs whoever ends up making them.
The thing with Mickey Duff is that he learns from the past. His only playoffs as a manager he had his pants royally pulled down by Northampton when we were 2-0 up after the first leg. He won't let that happen again.

If Barnsley don't go up automatically, they will definitely go up via the playoffs.
 

PlymouthCasual

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The thing with Mickey Duff is that he learns from the past. His only playoffs as a manager he had his pants royally pulled down by Northampton when we were 2-0 up after the first leg. He won't let that happen again.

If Barnsley don't go up automatically, they will definitely go up via the playoffs.
“Definitely”

No point anybody else turning up then I suppose. What a bizarre statement
 

Jamo

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Watters was great for us, wish we still had him. Genuinely interested to know what Barnsley fans think?
I wasn't a big fan when he got a stupid and needless red card for an elbow in one of his first games (scored before that as well) and he's been very much bit part, but looked aggressive and hardworking in the cameos I'd seen - like a taller James Norwood. And last night my regard for him trebled :cool1:

Last night was ridiculous. First 3 goals in the game came out of nothing, Wednesday deserved their equaliser and I thought we'd capitulate from there - I should've known better given how good Duff is at switching things up in our favour. Made a couple of changes and barring 5 mins after 2-2 when Wednesday could've bagged, we took the initiative again and added gloss at the end. First time we've beaten them at Oakwell since 2008, long time coming. A fantastic evening. Still think we're due a wobble and for that reason top 2 is probably a bit too much of an ask, but I can dream.
 

thewwfc

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It’s always a bit ropey to think you know everything about an opposition side based purely on watching them 1 or 2 times in a season, but I would say Argyle, Sheff Wed and Barnsley all have that look of really solid, consistent sides who are defensively strong and can grind out results even if they aren’t playing that great.

And a lot of times, that’s the best foundation for promotion.

None of them played particularly shiny football against us (and you can argue that that’s because they know not to do that against a spoiler side like us) but it doesn’t matter.

I think the best sides at this level are the ones that can mix it up, they can get it down and play when they need to, but they can also do the physical stuff.

The last time Swansea were at this level, they were good enough to play pretty football and get away with it, but most sides at this level aren’t good enough to do that and still grind out the results when they come across your 10-men-behind-the-ball sides.
 

Bartonyellow

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I wasn't a big fan when he got a stupid and needless red card for an elbow in one of his first games (scored before that as well) and he's been very much bit part, but looked aggressive and hardworking in the cameos I'd seen - like a taller James Norwood. And last night my regard for him trebled :cool1:

Last night was ridiculous. First 3 goals in the game came out of nothing, Wednesday deserved their equaliser and I thought we'd capitulate from there - I should've known better given how good Duff is at switching things up in our favour. Made a couple of changes and barring 5 mins after 2-2 when Wednesday could've bagged, we took the initiative again and added gloss at the end. First time we've beaten them at Oakwell since 2008, long time coming. A fantastic evening. Still think we're due a wobble and for that reason top 2 is probably a bit too much of an ask, but I can dream.
It looked full bar the old stand - what was the attendance?
 

K-Win

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It's not bizarre - I'm just very confident in my prediction.
I'm with PC on this, Si. Surely you've seen enough seasons of play-off lotteries to be wary of making such a bold statement over two months out? Who knows what Barnsley's form will be like in May or if important players suffer an injury?

Having said that, I like someone who puts their neck on the line so all power to you.
 

UppaTowen_ITFC

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I would say Argyle, Sheff Wed and Barnsley all have that look of really solid, consistent sides who are defensively strong and can grind out results even if they aren’t playing that great.
Whilst I appreciate the point you’re making, we haven’t conceded a goal in 8 matches and have won 7 in a row. I’d say we are very much in the ‘defensively strong’ category.
 

valefan16

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Its hard to say who'd win the play offs...

We went into the end of last season in form of 8 wins and a draw in 9, but then lost 3 in a row before a last game win so form can change from now heading into them, after bottling the auto's everyone expected including most of our own fans for us to fall in the play offs...

Lost the first leg and the rest is history! Swindon had hit form going into them, won the first leg but didn't make it through so its a lottery regardless.
 

Si Robin

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I'm with PC on this, Si. Surely you've seen enough seasons of play-off lotteries to be wary of making such a bold statement over two months out? Who knows what Barnsley's form will be like in May or if important players suffer an injury?

Having said that, I like someone who puts their neck on the line so all power to you.
Oh I'm sure I'll end up looking like a plank now I've come out and said it - but I believe Duff is the best manager in this division and, arguably, the best of all 72 EFL managers.

He fucked up a couple of years ago in the playoffs - his players let him down, but he didn't instill the right attitude in them. The next season we won the division, and I called that the night we lost the playoff semi-final. The bloke is going to the top, he'll have another year with Barnsley and then a top Championship club or lower Premier League team will take the punt - probably Burnley dependant on what happens with Kompany next season.
 

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Whilst I appreciate the point you’re making, we haven’t conceded a goal in 8 matches and have won 7 in a row. I’d say we are very much in the ‘defensively strong’ category.
You could well be right, I wasn’t trying to imply that Ipswich aren’t in this category, just that I’ve only seen you play once this season.

In fairness we shat on Barnsley 3-0 earlier in the season but I’m absolutely certain that that was just a random off day for them, based on their typical results.
 

Jamo

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It looked full bar the old stand - what was the attendance?
18,377 I think, with 5,031 from down the road.

It was billed as a "sellout" because all available tickets were sold. It's still quite a way off absolute full capacity, thanks to us not being allowed to sell 1,000 seats in the North Stand (away end) and half the old West Stand (2,500 or so).
 

BRFC_Gas

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You could well be right, I wasn’t trying to imply that Ipswich aren’t in this category, just that I’ve only seen you play once this season.

In fairness we shat on Barnsley 3-0 earlier in the season but I’m absolutely certain that that was just a random off day for them, based on their typical results.
Barnsley and Ipswich have performed the best against us so far this season, although less so at the home fixtures.
I still havent seen anyone that has pissed all over us home and away yet
 

Luke Imp

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Crazy how we have gone from so many to so few options at the back.

Who have we got left as CBs?

Assuming we'll go 5 at the back if Poole is fit (unsure what his injury is?), with CM Sorensen standing in again at right wing back):
Boyes Jackson Montsma Poole Sorensen

However if Poole is out, god knows. Sorensen at RB in a 4?
Montsma and Jackson and that's it I think!

Now Virtue is back, I'd rather put Bishop at RB because he had a decent stint there for a handful of games last season.
 

PlymouthCasual

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Well, it's all got a little tight hasn't it!
Every week could potentially make or break your season going forward.

We have a few weeks until our next league fixture and the table is going to look even closer by then I am sure. Twitchy ass time
 

codaplenty

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Lincoln our visitors this weekend, nobody saw the Derby result last Saturday so it would be great if we can follow that up with another good performance. Won't be more than a goal in it either way, hopefully Fleetwood can nick it and cement that coveted mid table spot- lol
 

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Still unsure what sort of defence we will have tomorrow, although Dazzler seemed in good form in his presser.

We will have a go at Pompey like we do every game, hopefully we hit the levels we were pre last weekend where we were capable of carving sides open and creating plenty of chances but its actually taking them and then not letting them in the back end which has been a major problem.

We are creating chances, and good ones at that so hopefully law of averages suggests sooner or later we will have a game where we hit 3 or 4, not sure that's likely tomorrow but need to see a better performance to build positivity ahead of three very winnable games to follow which will define how comfy the rest of the season is.

Again we are probably one win from being sure of League One football next season so the sooner that can come the better, we need at least two of our senior centre halves fit tomorrow with Smith being one of them.

Would take a point but will probably play very well in general play and have another frustrating defeat where the back line lets us down after missing a hatful... seems to be the way its going at the moment!
 

K-Win

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Under Mousinho, we've developed the happy knack of generally beating the teams below us. We're missing Joe Morrell who is off on international duty, but Marlon Pack is back from injury and likely to slot in.

Colby Bishop has been improving all season and looks a quality striker now, at this level. If, as expected, we're still a League one team next season there will be plenty of interest from the Championship.
 

valefan16

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Under Mousinho, we've developed the happy knack of generally beating the teams below us. We're missing Joe Morrell who is off on international duty, but Marlon Pack is back from injury and likely to slot in.

Colby Bishop has been improving all season and looks a quality striker now, at this level. If, as expected, we're still a League one team next season there will be plenty of interest from the Championship.
If Smudge is fit (were screwed if he isn't) could be an interesting battle that one... he got Bishop sent off by making him react and lash out at him, so may be one to watch that.
 

K-Win

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If Smudge is fit (were screwed if he isn't) could be an interesting battle that one... he got Bishop sent off by making him react and lash out at him, so may be one to watch that.
Haven't seen that at all from Bishop since he's been with us. Generally seems pretty calm out on the pitch. Maybe he learned his lesson as he's had plenty of provocation this season.
 

valefan16

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Haven't seen that at all from Bishop since he's been with us. Generally seems pretty calm out on the pitch. Maybe he learned his lesson as he's had plenty of provocation this season.
Smudge has a part in 7 players sent off or retrospectively banned in the last 18 months or so... not sure what he does or says but each one has been a stamp, punch or elbow! He must pinch or bend fingers back or something. Imagine Bishop will be fully aware of it though this time!
 

K-Win

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Smudge has a part in 7 players sent off or retrospectively banned in the last 18 months or so... not sure what he does or says but each one has been a stamp, punch or elbow! He must pinch or bend fingers back or something. Imagine Bishop will be fully aware of it though this time!
Something's not right here. Aren't Vale the ones cheated out of a result every week? :whistle:
 

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