Have we got enough to get in the playoffs?

[Jonny Ingbar]

We could sneak into them. Unlikely but we could. No chance of winning them though.

I'm more concerned about next season now. I assume we're looking to buy in the summer but who of our squad will be here next year .
Ayling, McNair, Greenwood, O'Brien, Thomas and Howson all out of contract.
I'd be flabbergasted if we hang on to Hackney. McGree and Jones with just a year left on theirs so they may be sold as well.
Big rebuild and a hit and hope that the new players gel quickly and are good enough.

That's my view too.

I can understand why the club didn't throw money at players in this window, the odds of us reaching the playoffs are fairly long, even less likely we'd win them.

But I do think the club has organised itself better now than ever before when it comes to recruitment, so I have some confidence we'll bring in decent signings.

One aside though, we need to understand why we've picked up so many injuries this season, it's had a huge impact on us.

 

[Nano]

With all the players gradually returning, including those away on International duty, plus the recent new arrivals - we have the nouse and experience to kick on and get us into the play-offs. Because we have no “stand-out" “stars”, like we did last season, we may stand a better chance of over-coming the hurdles we didn't before. Remember last season, Giles, Archer, and Ramsey couldn't help push us over the line. We are better placed now.

This makes no sense. Are you saying we are a better team because we have no good players? Were the others jealous of the stars or in awe of them or something so weren't playing well and now they can play with a bit more freedom because they are surrounded by relaxing mediocrity?

We definitely aren't better placed now. We are placed drastically worse now. Last year the hurdles were the playoffs. This year we have to clear countless hurdles just to make the playoffs and if we do the hurdles there will be higher because last year we were the best team in the playoffs and this year we will be the worst.

It doesn't mean it is impossible, just far more unlikely.

 

[InglebyUTB]

No, we just can't keep players fit.

We went into the season light up top with Coburn and Lath, hoping to fix that in January.

We've come out of January with exactly the same issue.

 

[InglebyUTB]

That's my view too.

I can understand why the club didn't throw money at players in this window, the odds of us reaching the playoffs are fairly long, even less likely we'd win them.

Why are the odds long? We're 3 points short and have had injured players all season.

 

[h_m_boro]

Why are the odds long? We're 3 points short and have had injured players all season.

Consistency. And conceding poor goals.

Been the same all season, the injuries have just made things worse.

Just cannot see that team putting a run together like we did last season.

Kind of accepted a couple of months ago this was a rebuild season, we will still be in the Championship next season. No Biggie

 

[Nano]

Why are the odds long? We're 3 points short and have had injured players all season.

The odds aren't particularly long for us to reach the playoffs. 9/4 for us to finish top 6 on Bet365. Excluding Leicester (no odds available), Ipswich, Southampton and Leeds (all 1/500) that only leaves WBA at 4/6, Coventry at 6/4, us and Hull at 9/4, Sunderland at 11/4 and then Watford and Norwich at 11/2.

Those odds, taken at face value and ignoring the over-round, give us a 31% chance of making the playoffs. The likelihood of us making the playoffs is therefore lower than the likelihood of us not making them which you could describe as "long odds".

The odds of us being promoted is 12/1 which reflects the fact that even if we make the playoffs our chances of winning them are low. Our chances of winning the playoffs are lower than our chances of making the playoffs. Considering you can get 9/4 for us and Hull to make the playoffs but you can get 12/1 for us to be promoted and 20/1 for Hull to be promoted I'd say that bet is far better value.

 

[Dybuk]

Consistency. And conceding poor goals.

Been the same all season, the injuries have just made things worse.

Just cannot see that team putting a run together like we did last season.

Kind of accepted a couple of months ago this was a rebuild season, we will still be in the Championship next season. No Biggie

Next season is the rebuild season. Some really big decisions to make over the summer and some key signings to get right. We build next season ready for a push for promotion in 25/26

 

[B_G]

Why are the odds long? We're 3 points short and have had injured players all season.

Because there are so many teams involved and we are currently behind most of them.

 

[h_m_boro]

Next season is the rebuild season. Some really big decisions to make over the summer and some key signings to get right. We build next season ready for a push for promotion in 25/26

I honestly think we are 3-4 players off being a really, really good team capable of being up there and challenging all season.

Desperately need 2x CF - always feel 4 strikers is needed.

Need to replace Howson with a more mobile, dynamic CM. Possibly two, get a good young 'un in.

RB.....is Smith the long term answer? Or should we be looking for an upgrade?

Yes, we will lose some players but the core of that squad is there to challenge imo.

 

[Dybuk]

I honestly think we are 3-4 players off being a really, really good team capable of being up there and challenging all season.

Desperately need 2x CF - always feel 4 strikers is needed.

Need to replace Howson with a more mobile, dynamic CM. Possibly two, get a good young 'un in.

RB.....is Smith the long term answer? Or should we be looking for an upgrade?

Yes, we will lose some players but the core of that squad is there to challenge imo.

I disagree. We don't have the spine of the team in place at all. I suspect we'll be starting from scratch next season for central midfield with Howson being too old and Hackney going. We're still at square one for the centre forward and I'd guess that one of our two most creative wide players (McGree or Jones) will go as they're both in their last contract year. In the summer we need to make sure we get central midfiled and striker sored.
*Edit* - All that said. I think our recruitment team have proved themselves capable so I'm still optimistic

 

[h_m_boro]

I disagree. We don't have the spine of the team in place at all. I suspect we'll be starting from scratch next season for central midfield with Howson being too old and Hackney going. We're still at square one for the centre forward and I'd guess that one of our two most creative wide players (McGree or Jones) will go as they're both in their last contract year. In the summer we need to make sure we get central midfiled and striker sored.
*Edit* - All that said. I think our recruitment team have proved themselves capable so I'm still optimistic

You're not wrong - thats why I highlighted that we need "probably" 2 xCF and 2x CM....... arguably the most important positions on the pitch, and players come at a premium

Hand on heart, CM has been a problem all season with the lack of busting a gut to get back and help the defence costing us (,and that most definitely includes Hackney, the weakest element of his game). How many 25 yard worldies have we conceded this season as the player has had too much time to drive, steady himself and let fly?? Frustrating.

CF is self explanatory, think everyone knows this.

I'm pretty optimistic that, with the right mix of players in (youth/experience) we will be up there challenging.

 

[VestasBoro]

I honestly think we are 3-4 players off being a really, really good team capable of being up there and challenging all season.

Desperately need 2x CF - always feel 4 strikers is needed.

Need to replace Howson with a more mobile, dynamic CM. Possibly two, get a good young 'un in.

RB.....is Smith the long term answer? Or should we be looking for an upgrade?

Yes, we will lose some players but the core of that squad is there to challenge imo.

Striker - I think playing x1 striker means we only really need x2 GOOD ones who are fighting for that spot and then reserve striker(s) who can come in for cup games, come in during busy spells, minutes off the bench etc. I don't feel Coburn or ELL are good enough to be included in the first category so i definitely feel we need to look here in the summer. I can also see Coburn leaving in the summer.

Centre mid - I think Howson will get another year but i imagine either way we'll be looking for a central midfielder. I don't think Hackney goes in the summer, in the Jan transfer window maybe but i think we get him for a bit longer. MC may want to keep O'Brien around again if thats a possibility.

RB - I think we'll keep Ayling for next year.

 

[Dybuk]

The good thing is that we have funds ready to go for early in the summer window. IF we can get a CF and Howson, Hackney replacements plus a wide creative player early in the window we might have a promotion push.

 

[WilliamMunny]

Seems like I'm in the minority, but I still expect us to finish 5th or 6th. The fact we're in contention after 2 points from 21 at the start of the season, followed by having as many as 14 players unavailable at times over the past 3 months, is a clear indication that our best form is better than most. With players coming back to full fitness and 3 new signings in January, I think we'll hit top form in March/April and finish the season like a train.

Obviously further injuries could scupper my prediction, but we'd be really unlucky to suffer again as badly as we did in November/December. I also think Rogers will be a big miss, but I'm still confident we'll have enough provided at least one of our strikers can get fit and stay fit.

 

[homesickblues]

I cant see it but I am hoping.
We need to start next season off much better than the last two as our poor starts have effectively ruled out automatic promotion and meant we have to play catch up. I think we looked stronger last season but who knows - we may go on a good run and lets start on Sunday.

 

[r00fie1]

This makes no sense. Are you saying we are a better team because we have no good players? Were the others jealous of the stars or in awe of them or something so weren't playing well and now they can play with a bit more freedom because they are surrounded by relaxing mediocrity?

We definitely aren't better placed now. We are placed drastically worse now. Last year the hurdles were the playoffs. This year we have to clear countless hurdles just to make the playoffs and if we do the hurdles there will be higher because last year we were the best team in the playoffs and this year we will be the worst.

It doesn't mean it is impossible, just far more unlikely.

You appear to have misunderstood some assertions:

"Are you saying we are a better team because we have no good players?" [?!]

No.

"Were the others jealous [?] of the stars or in awe [?] of them or something [?] so weren't playing well and now they can play with a bit more freedom because they are surrounded by relaxing mediocrity?" [?!]

No.
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This is what I'm suggesting. It's always worth reading what's written and understand it, rather than transferring your own emotions to someone else's posts. You are obviously welcome to provide your own opinion, but you appear to have misinterpreted mine.

With all the players gradually returning, including those away on International duty, plus the recent new arrivals - we have the nouse and experience to kick on and get us into the play-offs. Because we have no “stand-out" “stars”, like we did last season, we may stand a better chance of over-coming the hurdles we didn't before. Remember last season, Giles, Archer, and Ramsey couldn't help push us over the line. We are better placed now.

* NB “Stand out” is a quote, not an assertion.

 

[Laughing]

They aren't good/consistent enough to get us the required goals for top 6 and don't have any competition for their places

This just isn't true. All season we have been slightly ahead of goals scored last season. Our strikers are not the problem. We concede too many.

In any event, to answer the main question, of course we have enough to get into the playoffs. This was my position before a ball was kicked and I have seen no reason to change my mind.

 

[Lottowyn]

I shall not expect too much of Boro for the remainder of the season.
We have some good players but we also are really suspect in a number of positions namely, at left back, at centre back and goal scoring.
Crooks looks likely to operate at striker sometimes and `I can go with that, but overall it’s now just a season for taking stock in readiness for next season.
And just a suggestion, can we have Paddy restored to centre back in Clarke’s place, I‘ve had enough of his comic defending for one season, and we don’t seem to win when he plays. Roll on next season.

 

[Nano]

You appear to have misunderstood some assertions:

No.

No.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is what I'm suggesting. It's always worth reading what's written and understand it, rather than transferring your own emotions to someone else's posts. You are obviously welcome to provide your own opinion, but you appear to have misinterpreted mine.

With all the players gradually returning, including those away on International duty, plus the recent new arrivals - we have the nouse and experience to kick on and get us into the play-offs. Because we have no “stand-out" “stars”, like we did last season, we may stand a better chance of over-coming the hurdles we didn't before. Remember last season, Giles, Archer, and Ramsey couldn't help push us over the line. We are better placed now.

* NB “Stand out” is a quote, not an assertion.

I understood it but it makes no sense. We don't have stars this year so how can our team be better placed without them? You can put it in quotes if you want but it doesn't make it untrue that Akpom was a stand-out player in this division. He scored 28 goals and was player of the year. We are undoubtedly not as good without him so there is no way we can be better placed.

 

[AytonMews]

Yes. Us and about 8 other teams for the final 2 places.

We’re more than capable of being one of those 2 teams if our injury problems improve. Australia getting beat today would be a good start!