Welcome To The Play Off Thread...Where Dreams Are Fulfilled And Dashed...

[jhe10]

Where was Lansbury?

 

[oakroader]

Where was Lansbury?

I’ll kick who I want Lansbury was kept right away thank fuck …

 

[Caitlyn]

Ffs PRM…you pratt

Who are you talking to?

 

[BelizeHatter]

Pelly........ Not Oakys fav player.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Talking of which....... Amari'i Bell.

My, my, what a transformation a change of position brings. Id hoped at the start of the season - even last - hed slot into the left centre back role. What a revelation there. One of my players of the season, from my most criticised.

He always defended well. He still cant cross for toffee or beat a man when out wide, but boy does he step between players and find space, when he comes out with the ball into midfield. Been superb. Congrats Sir as i was a loud critic at lwb

The game in general seems to be moving toward a back three with the wider two wider needing to be ball players, who can step out and suppliment the defensive midfield allowing more attacking options from the rest. We are developing that with Bell, Osho and Burke and Locks when he isnt the fulcrum.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Seriously? He had no chance

Correct. HE had no chance

 

[Caitlyn]

Pelly........ Not Oakys fav player.

I see, I like Pelly, a legend on Orange and, being honest, not the greatest player on the planet but he tries.

I just hate moaners.

 

[jhe10]

I’ll kick who I want Lansbury was kept right away thank fuck …

Seems sensible, he looked like a red card waiting to happen even in a low-key game against us.

 

[BelizeHatter]

He does look like a walking red card........yet necer seems to get one. I love his cockiness. Sort of olayer oppostion hate.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Gearing up for Tuesday. Same side again? I think Campbell for Clark with that added energy, disruption, extra man in the box and to regain some midfield control at the cost of Clarks potential creativity. Then Clicker and Berry at 60/70mins.

Full backs have to push up and on and have good games and force back their wider players. Time for some well thought out risk v reward. Pelly and Nakamba back to normal standard please. No need for all out gung-ho, until late if needed, as the back three arent slouches but lets put the pressure on them from the get go And keep it there. I can see a real ding ding back and forth.

Five or six goal match. Luke Berry taking us to Wembley

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

I think it has to be same team, maybe Campbell for Clark like you say but the difference in the two is somewhat marginal and I could fully see if we don’t get the outcome we want people speaking in hindsight about wanting Clark’s creativity. There’s actually fairly limited things we could do differently tactically anyway because we are fully engrained as a 352 all out pressing team. Within that box you can change personnel and hopefully look a bit more “at it” and less overwhelmed than the second half Saturday but not much else. I think everyone agrees on our “best” team really.

The fundamental thing is to find a way of getting foothold in the midfield so we have a base to put pressure on their back line which is absolutely threadbare. We got dominated in the middle of the park on Saturday, Doughty and Drameh were left dealing with dangerous wide players rather than being able to do anything in attack.

I think if we don’t get the outcome we want we will reflect on the fact that our strength, attacking from wide through those fullbacks getting high and also creating overloads in midfield, is also Sunderland’s key strength with Clarke/Diallo and we couldn’t overcome that. But, let’s see

 

[Kenneth E End]

I’m not sure my nerves could handle a 5 or 6 goal match! It wouldn’t shock me however and I think there are goals in both sides. Saturdays match was definitely less cagey than the other play off matches, aside from the first L1 match.

Sunderland decided to charter an aircraft down to Luton yesterday so they won’t have the “lactate” (as Money once put it) in their legs.

For me, there has to be at least 1 change in midfield - Campbell has to come back in. They played too poorly on Saturday to all justify their places, but clearly we don’t become a bad side overnight.

I can see it being a long night, possibly heading to penalties. I think we’re 1 out of 4 this season!

Whatever happens tonight it’s been a terrific season. I feel the disappointment would be palpable especially from certain sections from our supporter base. And it would automatically put us on the back foot for next season in terms of recruiting new players. This is a huge opportunity.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Interesting that you think there goals in it. I’m thinking the opposite, we aren’t exactly prolific, don’t think we’ve scored more than 1 against a top 6 side all season. I think in a basketball type game we would get beaten.

For me the game state where we win is a 1-0 and then through penalties. Feel that sort of open game sort of suits their style imo.

 

[BelizeHatter]

We've threatened to be prolific without delivering and with the right chemistry and belief and atmosphere we could unload . Morris and Eli are due a stinker at the same time and like you say they are theeadbare, very young and maybe can fall apart. Obv that can go the other way

 

[BelizeHatter]

Not pens tho please. We are dire there. Need to get it done before that

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Yeah our penalty record isn’t so great this season and not sure about Horvath.

Although he does have a very crucial penalty save for the US in a Final so you never know. Feeling fairly sanguine about it to be honest, we’ve done unbelievably well to be in with this chance, it will be disappointing to not make the next step but what a team we’ve had and one you can fully get behind as a fan with the balls they’ve shown and the style/mentality we play with.

No matter what happens tonight I’ll be shouting myself hoarse and giving them the send off they deserve after the game

 

[Kenneth E End]

Horvath has a better penalty record than Shea. The latter’s record is appalling… like 3 from 28.

 

[oakroader]

We’re unchanged from starting eleven…

 

[BelizeHatter]

COYRRH

 

[oakroader]

Oh my god

 

[oakroader]

What a fantastic atmosphere

 

[oakroader]

We’ve got them on the ropes now
Must go for the jugular 2nd half

 

[BelizeHatter]

Another would be nice. Great display so far. Kenny rocking. Need to keep at it but perhaps ease off the full foot to the floor to conserve some energy

 

[oakroader]

They look fucked on their feet…
Cmon you hatters

 

[codaplenty]

Well done Hatters and real pleased for you Oaky. You must be going to Wembley mate. ....

 

[oakroader]

Tears rolling down my face my old friend…
Thank you

 

[oakroader]

Tears rolling down my face my old friend…
Thank you

Those blue square days seem a distant dream/nightmare now..

 

[BelizeHatter]

Fantastic display. Everyone on the tip top of their game. Heart and desire.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Where did those lethal corners suddenly come from? Weve had terrible return from corners all season, hardly scored a goal.

Kenny rocking again. Pulls the boys over the line again. Well done all of you.Well and truely earned that Wembley trip.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Whats the rules with yellows. Pelly got one in each semi. Did i see somewhere thats a final suspension? Hope not esp as tonights was so stupid