mikeroyboy

My pre-season ramble, after our second Houdini escape was to be threatening the top six this season instead of the bottom four. My optimism soon dwindled when the booby traps kicked in. Still no funds, few players signed, a dreadful start and our hero 'released'. Debatably, the worst start of the last three seasons. Wellen's taking over and a 10pts out of 12 start has got us back on track somewhat, but still a long way to go and unseen booby traps to surface.

I apologise for the error of putting in the 2.2 to achieve 74pts for the season. It was made by taking the wrong figure from my scribblings. Of course the 1.82 is accurate and more easily achievable. You are also correct 74pts being the highest achieved in recent years. I only used the last 2yrs as a realistic target. 74pts may or may not be enough this time. The 69pt total that someone else mentioned from 3yrs ago is the lowest 6th place this century and the next lowest is 71 but that has only been enough 3 times.78 has been deeded once, 76 twice, 75 twice and 74 four, 73 three and 72 once. The grand average is 73.47 over 17 seasons. The more input the more accurate the average. Top six is certainly not as difficult has my post suggested but there are more booby traps in League football season than any of us realize. Also my ramblings are generally based on what 'is' and what's 'happened' not related to the multi-choice world of guessing the future. Sorry again for the fracas folks.

I'm happy with Wellen's appointment because of the way he has turned around team selection, tactics and moral. But expecting him to continue in his 2.5 points per game average to achieve a top six spot is extremely optimistic. The last two seasons have required an average 74pt minimum. This would require a 2.2 average from now on in. Sheffield averaged 2.17 last season amassing 100pts. Some of us can't believe our luck with the turnaround and feel entitled to become over optimistic but is very early days. There is no sign of the indicated takeover yet and fancy rumours are biting the dust at regular intervals. I'm waiting till end of January at least before reassessing whether our money troubles are over. In the meantime I'm going to enjoy the free flowing football without worrying too much about relegation, for a change. Although nothing is guaranteed in this game.

One point generally omitted from the permutations of the managerial situation is the potential response of the players to change. It is like having a complete new team since Wellens took over, rather than three or so introductions and a dramatic change of tactics. After simply scrapping for survival for years, to driving forward through midfield time after time is awesome. Whatever is going on behind the scenes it is inconceivable the players will be unaffected by anything other than Wellens remaining in charge of tactics and team selection It as not been a lucky, scrappy 4 wins on the trot. They have been achieved with planning, style, skill and panache. Wellens with anyone he is happy with to apply the same mindset is fine with me.

On reflection... Ye!

And that is the biggest exaggeration. Comfortably.

There is no reason for Gerrard to be mixing a bottle for the club. Well, apart from being dropped and likely to struggle getting back into this team. As we speak talks are taking place on ownership/investment or survival of the club. A club statement declaring talks are ongoing will leave us no wiser. If we are close to administration the club is fighting to avoid it and publicity is unlikely to help anyone apart from those buying a ticket in advance. We have been in crisis for so long it hardly seems worth worrying about. No potential investor is going to be nudged by the fans and Corney is certainly not going to rock the boat if someone is browsing. Best to enjoy the exciting, attacking football while it lasts, and pay on the day if you're nervous.

We get knocked down, but we get up again They're never going to keep us down We get knocked down, but we get up again They're never going to keep us down I'm sure there's a tune in that for us boys and girls. My sympathy goes to anyone trying to sort all this out - for everyone's benefit.

I don't know if Shez was loosing the dressing room or if Wellens has produced a master class in team selection and tactics but our spirit, enthusiasm, skill and energy did the faithful few proud tonight. They nailed it this evening.

I can't help feeling we've seen the best of him. How can he possibly top that performance? An all round, remarkable debut. He looked capable in all disciplines apart from kicking out of his hands, which he avoided apart from an amazing diagonal four foot high, 40yd kick/pass that almost culminated in a goal. Of course not kicking out of his hands could have been tactics - not unknown here in recent years.

Not much happened during the summer - again. The likely cause being behind the scenes activity on finance and ownership. Also, apprent short term contracts for some coaching staff. So another season was begun with no real identifiable effort being made to moderately improve our league position. The last two campaigns have begun with novice, underfunded managers. All efforts being put into not losing. Not losing was the basis of success but not scoring became our recipe for relegation. Twice Sheridan has pitched up and introduced a little firepower to turn draws and defeats into wins and draws with extraordinary effect. Sheridan and his staff must be be affected by what's going on. This would also transfer to the players, not least the newcomers. We have, at the moment, the most attacking midfield and forwards for some time. Alas the defence is proving inadequate while we incorporate an attacking ethos. This may well be the coaching staffs fault but Sheridan must surely realise this and so must the owners or potential owners. It is quite possible the club is in a very finely balanced position in respect of changing the manager - Sheridan could quite easily be fearing the worst. It is however early days in the season and poor as it's been we are seeing some attacking football and some quality goals from our club. A little patience is called for right now. Sheridan can see the same things as we can but with a much better chance of turning it around. January could well be another dramatic change of direction for the club - but with the hint of new owners and more than a tenner transfer budget. Keep the faith, for the time being anyway.

Player manager at Bury.

I am a optimist, I have always been optimistic, I will never cease be optimistic. The last couple of weeks is entirely due to my optimism and my optimization of our annual, successful relegation fight's. Game on... I think.

While the last week has given most of us a much needed boost after a awful start I am not counting my chickens yet. For the most part the new players appear skillful, fleet of foot and a eye for goal. However, I am minded to recall a comic postcard from the past where a trio of peahens are faced with a strutting peacock displaying his full, magnificent mating plumage. One of the peahens, huddled close together called out, 'cut the crap, just show us your willy'.

We have all been informed Corney is down the track aways with selling the club and a drawnout affair is not expected. If the fans rep had been included in an inner circle he would have been sworn to secrecy anyway. No doubt a few tidbits will materialise over the coming months. With the three loanees on 4 month ccontracts January could be very interesting.

Sorry BP. Simply scrolling down and accidentally hit the red button. I have given it back.

To eliminate doubt they need to be seen on Furtherwood Road.

Homophobic and offensive language aimed at fans by an safety steward. Something that players, owners, match officials, match stewards the majority of women, children, pensioners and the majority of multi sexually oriented fans have been listening to for decades, from people close by. And apparently without concern. A few fans here, are now personally and clearly on the receiving end from a goaded, undisciplined individual. These people are in every walk of life and are there to be shot at and are sometimes found wanting. It's being human and losing control happens to us all at sometime - virtually without exception. Whatever responsibility you carry. I think we can all rest easy it will now be suitably dealt with.

Yes thanks. The sun is shining and I watched a grandson keep a clean sheet this morning and I will be at BP in 40 minutes. By the end of January I will know whom/who our real goalkeeper will be. It could be worse - and may be. But not today.

to whom or who i t may concern we kick of at 3 or 15 What about the blood goalkeeper,

Hallelujah! After 13 weeks of confusing Saturday with Sunday I get my life back. I'm only expecting a fair to middling season but a 3-0 win on opening day, putting us top of the league for a week, would be magic.

I'm going for under our radar. Pretty much as usual.

You normally have to be dead 5yrs to be nominated for sainthood. Mother Theresa managed it in 2yrs. St. Bede waited 1,164yrs. Corney, is just a bloke keeping a bunch of skint football fans a club to support. Guys like him are two a penny.

Davies will be comfortable here, especialy under Sheridan. I'm looking forward to a big improvement in his scoring record over the last few seasons. He is another signing under the radar, another two+keepers should see us threatening the top 6 instead of the bottom 4. Apart from a goalie we have a decent squad already - compared to last season I feel blessed. Looking good for me taking account of our well publisied financial constraints.

The Fire Brigade won't be ignoring the root cause of the fire. Even down to an obvious fault in an appliance or tinkering with any such appliance.