Talk of play offs!

[UpperP]

Would love to go up but can't see it. If we did manage it I would happily bank the money and make a few astute long term signings and build something long term even if we went down again. Long term sustainability should be the goal

I agree that long term sustainability is the way forward and we should be looking at the big picture. Previously I would have taken promotion every time and taken our chances. However the premier league is no place for a team that have scraped through the play offs by the skin of their teeth and are unprepared for the season ahead. Panic buying and paying experienced (has beens/mercenaries) fortunes in the hope that they will keep us up.It hurts seeing us not just getting beaten, but battered week in/week out and will only end up destroying the confidence of promising youngsters that JFH is starting to develop.
I'd much rather we finished the season strongly and the players knowing that there is nothing to fear in this division. Adding a bit of quality during the summer and making a strong start next season and improving the squad again in the January window. Finishing the season in style, wining the league with games in hand and the players confident in their own ability to take the next step. Young, hungry players, seeing us as a club on our uppers and wanting to join, rather than taking out of desperation, what's left at the bottom of the barrel.
I know this is what every fan would like to see, but another season in this league would be more beneficial than promotion, IMHO.

[James1979]

Sheff weds are only team we can really look to catch. And given goal difference we'd need to gain 10 points on them. Not going to happen. However, no harm in us all still dreaming and we may as well give it a go!

[shanns]

Would rather us be a very good championship team than a shite prem team, as would most of us,even though the money would help.

[Alanwycombe]

Been the same all season depending on the last result. Win and we can make the play off's loose and we are in a relegation fight.

Realistically we are probably a 10th-12th placed team and hopefully can kick on next year although there is going to be a lot more ins and outs this summer. If we fluked the play off's and won would we not have to buy pretty much a brand new team for next season ? Again.

Not necessarily. See Bournemouth. Prem is far worse now and standard is falling. Top six or seven......plus the rest.

[James1979]

Would rather us be a very good championship team than a shite prem team, as would most of us,even though the money would help.

If you're a good championship team, won't you normally be in mix to go up. Maybe we could agree with league that we will never accept a place in the Prem! Aim has to be in the top league and that is the Prem. I'd rather compete against the best.

[maidstone_hoop]

As others have said I would highly doubt it but not impossible. If in the next 4/5 games we can get the deficit down to around 5/6 points with 5 games to play then you never know. One team does occasionally make a last minute charge and it could be us.

However still so many positives if we don't make it. If we finish top 10 after the inconsistent season we have had plus 3 different managers and arguably a squad thats still in transition and being rebuilt then there is a lot of room for optimism next season.

We are starting to establish a core group of players again and if we can add sensibly in the summer I can see us challenging for automatics and certainly play offs.

[klonk]

it's possible, but looking at the table we'd need to take something like 25 of the available 27 points to do it... that'd be an incredible run of form for any team, even more for a team that struggle to be consistent.

[maidstone_hoop]

I reckon we need at least need 21 points. 6 wins 3 draws and I still don't know if that would do it.

[Hubble]

It's not going to happen, and that's good, because we're simply not ready, and I don't buy the 'deal with it when it happens argument' at all. I agree with the OP, let's just enjoy the rest of the season and relax. Feels good to me.

[maidstone_hoop]

It's not going to happen, and that's good, because we're simply not ready, and I don't buy the 'deal with it when it happens argument' at all. I agree with the OP, let's just enjoy the rest of the season and relax. Feels good to me.

Think your right mate. Just looked at that table and it's near on impossible. Derby and Sheff wed just need 4 or 5 wins and thats us done.

[qpr4life]

Not necessarily. See Bournemouth. Prem is far worse now and standard is falling. Top six or seven......plus the rest.

Surely the standard is getting better with teams like West Ham, Leicester in the top 6 now?

[maidstone_hoop]

Surely the standard is getting better with teams like West Ham, Leicester in the top 6 now?

The standard top 4 of previous years have all deteriorated but the likes of soton, spurs, west ham, stoke and everton have all kicked on massively imo. Tough league now and more competitive than I have ever seen it. Not far from being very similar from the championship when most games you just cant call it.

[maidstone_hoop]

Preston North End A 3

Middlesbrough H 1

Leeds A 3

Charlton H 3

Cardiff A 0

Brighton A 1

Reading H 3

Burnley A 0

Bristol City H 3

17 points for me. 67 for the season and personally I think thats a great return for JFH to build on.

[qpr4life]

Preston North End A 1

Middlesbrough H 3

Leeds A 0

Charlton H 3

Cardiff A 1

Brighton A 1

Reading H 3

Burnley A 0

Bristol City H 3

17 points for me. 67 for the season and personally I think thats a great return for JFH to build on.

15 for me; not sure how well we will do on the road.

[dogsrrs]

It will be farking hard but it's a better position to be in than the definite NOOO the the other Pr@tt left us with