We're in the playoffs and there is so much gloom on here.

I remember 2000 and the trip to Wembley v Ipswich. I remember the trip to Cardiff v Swansea. I remember the trip to Wembley v Millwall.
I was so excited by these events that it was all I could think of for weeks ahead.
We're in a similar situation now but I can't help feeling that we all believe we're beaten before we even begin.
Tomorrow is going to be very difficult and I can understand why many are hesitant about our progress, and that is reflected in the response to next Friday's game. If it was the other way around, home tomorrow, then feelings would be different. But it isn't.
I too am underwhelmed, I can't explain why, but I'm trying to put myself in the mindset of Duff and the players. How do they feel if we, the fans, have seemingly given up on them and they know that only a positive result tomorrow will sell tickets for next Friday. And it goes wrong.
I don't know how we can alter this "black dog" approach. I want us to succeed and I want a full house next Friday. I've bought my ticket but can perfectly understand why others haven't, yet. Khaled must be wondering what he has to do to drum up enthusiasm when even he knows that it all hangs on tomorrow's result.
I hope come 5pm he is dancing for joy at the prospect of next week's business !

 

Its because of the no mans land we found ourselves in, comfortably making the playoffs with games to spare, but some way off automatic promotion. Then having to wait around for the important stuff, the excitement has worn off.
Hopefully we don't do what Walsall did in 2016, missing out on autos and then throwing in the towel against a team making the playoffs later on.
We got in the playoffs comfortably for a reason and everyone needs to remember that tomorrow and next Friday.

 

I think part of it is the sequence of our results pretty much from the Ipswich game onwards we have basically ticked over and seem to have lost that verve we had mid season almost like they perhaps ran out of steam (missed Mads lots too) - hopefully it’s a case that the players had been coasting into the play offs knowing that the automatic option had gone but often it’s quite difficult to switch off and on at a games notice yet.

Again let’s hope the lads put in a stand out performance and give us a fighting chance once we get back to Oakwell.

 

Well beat Bolton away then beat them at home. Wheres the issue?

 

I agree it'll be a tough game tomorrow but am also confident we'll still be in the tie after it and everyone will feel more positive.

 

We've beaten Derby, Portsmouth, wednesday and Plymouth by big scorelines at home. Even if we have a blip, ill be more than confident we can overturn it at home

 

It’s been a bit of a weird one this end of season run in. We got in the Play offs comfortably with an outside shot of autos but fell short with a few games to go, then our form dipped.

Sheffield Wednesday fell off a cliff drastically after their loss to us, but regained decent form against poor sides with nothing to play for.

Bolton have been up & down

Peterborough have been up & down & only sneaked in on the last day.

It could well come down to which side has the best manager, & I would argue that Duff is the better manager out of the 4 teams in the play offs. But we’ll see.

 

Did they throw in the towel or were we just one of the best teams in that league from January onwards ?

 

Wendys fell off a cliff but almost sold out tickets and now selling for leppings lane lower!! We need to get some energy from somewhere. Dunno why some folk are talking like we're going to lose by 2 or 3 tomorrow, I think it'll be close.

 

We were definitely the best form team in the league from January and carried that momentum all the way to Wembley.

 

For me it’s the fact Bolton have the edge on us when it comes to league results this season plus our record head to head isn’t the best against them. Especially at their place. But everything goes out the window when it comes to the playoffs. 25% chance like the other 3

If our lads can’t get up for this game, then they’re in the wrong job

 

I don't think Walsall threw in the towel. We steam rollered them.

 

Surely it's a 33% chance. We only play a maximum of two other teams.

 

Bolton hammered us at home this season, they’re full of experience and shithousery, I hope I have to eat my words but I don’t think we have a prayer of getting to Wembley.

 

Recurring

 

21 21 31 no not a telephone number but the results of our next 3 games. The last one being against Wednesday in the final.

 

That possibly explains the amount of times we get done by refs decisions by our lack of shithousing which is a terrible state of affairs but it seems to get results for teams.

 

Quite! Just got a feeling it will be a Referees decision that determines our fate.
What am I saying!! It's not a 'feeling ' it's a strong body of evidence.

 

There is a sense of impending doom rather than optimism.

I’ve no idea why. We’ve beaten bolton at their place this season in the cup and drew there in the league. The home game which they gubbed us in, we were one down and down to ten men after ten bloody minutes. Not exactly a reasonable yard stick.

The question is, how good a result do we need tomorrow to sell out for next Friday? Do we need to win? A draw enough?

Even a loss by an odd goal making it all to play for in the second leg?

I honestly don’t know. What I will point out though is that we don’t actually have to win any of the potential three games inside 90 minutes to be promoted. Draws could do it. We are young and fit. Extra time if required might suit us.

Can’t see us being nervous about penalties either - as they’ve never had to take any to get nervous about them…

 

I think a draw at theirs will be enough, but we don’t have the defence to play for one, defensively we can’t rely on a clean sheet.