[Westbars Spireite]

djs, on 25 April 2015 - 10:58 PM, said:

Looking today at the best team in the league by a country mile, you can see why they are the top and will do well in the championship next season.
Is the gap between us and these sort of teams that big? There were times in the game when I thought that we matched them, some of the flashes of play we had was very good indeed. Roberts hitting the bar, Clucas's chance he miscontroled six yards out, Oshea beating 2or3 and failing to shoot to name a few. We are possibly 3 maybe 4 short of that sort of intensity. The back4 are capable (Jones will need more game time and Drew would do the job) in midfield Jimmy Ryan seem to be at full stretch most of the time and came under pressure from all quarters. Gardner and Banks failed to make the impact needed and will need at that level. A top class striker is an absolute must at that level, Clucas hmm maybe given time but his effectiveness on the left would be his best influence on the team to compete.
To be perfectly honest I don't think we are that far away.
One thing I have learnt today is that there must be a full 90mins of that sort of quality which we have been missing this season.
Upwards and onwards as they say, bring on the playoffs and let's see if we can reach that sort of intensity.

Yes.

[Wooden Spoon]

djs, on 25 April 2015 - 10:58 PM, said:

Looking today at the best team in the league by a country mile, you can see why they are the top and will do well in the championship next season.
Is the gap between us and these sort of teams that big? There were times in the game when I thought that we matched them, some of the flashes of play we had was very good indeed. Roberts hitting the bar, Clucas's chance he miscontroled six yards out, Oshea beating 2or3 and failing to shoot to name a few. We are possibly 3 maybe 4 short of that sort of intensity. The back4 are capable (Jones will need more game time and Drew would do the job) in midfield Jimmy Ryan seem to be at full stretch most of the time and came under pressure from all quarters. Gardner and Banks failed to make the impact needed and will need at that level. A top class striker is an absolute must at that level, Clucas hmm maybe given time but his effectiveness on the left would be his best influence on the team to compete.
To be perfectly honest I don't think we are that far away.
One thing I have learnt today is that there must be a full 90mins of that sort of quality which we have been missing this season.
Upwards and onwards as they say, bring on the playoffs and let's see if we can reach that sort of intensity.

We have made do since Feb, and without doubt our midfield wins games, but all season we have been crying out for some quality, some power and presence up front to help carry the load. Considering all of that, its remarkable that we are in the play offs

[oohwallerwaller]

a kick in the balls, on 25 April 2015 - 11:13 PM, said:

We have made do since Feb, and without doubt our midfield wins games, but all season we have been crying out for some quality, some power and presence up front to help carry the load. Considering all of that, its remarkable that we are in the play offs

"Power and presence up front" hmmmmm although I didn't rate what I saw earlier in the season maybe PC was onto something when he wanted Higdon pre season!!!!!!

[Skywalker]

Bristol City had every attribute that you need to be a very successful side. Physically strong with plenty of height in the team, hardworking, disciplined, fluid, skilful and pacey. Easily the best side I’ve seen at the Proact this season as they had control of the game despite us enjoying large periods of possession.

This is what you can assemble with a decent manager and with one of if not the biggest budget in the league.

[Exharboroughspireite]

They were the best side I have seen in years against us. Big spine, good footballers, spread the ball well and just looked solid all round. Sometimes you have to just hold your hands up and say well done to the opposition

[plannerj]

Exharboroughspireite, on 26 April 2015 - 06:46 AM, said:

They were the best side I have seen in years against us. Big spine, good footballers, spread the ball well and just looked solid all round. Sometimes you have to just hold your hands up and say well done to the opposition

And we did just that yesterday. I thought that the recognition given to the champions yesterday by Spireites was magnificent and a credit to the Club and supporters alike. It's a good job that Bristol is not in Nottinghamshire or Yorkshire!

[Guest_freelander2_*]

Skywalker, on 26 April 2015 - 05:59 AM, said:

Bristol City had every attribute that you need to be a very successful side. Physically strong with plenty of height in the team, hardworking, disciplined, fluid, skilful and pacey. Easily the best side I’ve seen at the Proact this season as they had control of the game despite us enjoying large periods of possession.

This is what you can assemble with a decent manager and with one of if not the biggest budget in the league.

They reminded me of the Preston side that we played early on in the 2011/12 season.

They played very well yesterday & clearly the financial gulf is the difference between decent players who have the potential to be better & very good players who can perform to a high standard week in, week out.

[Phil V 72]

If Bristol are 'the next level', it does go to show how tough the step up would be.
Given that MK and Preston will likely finish on around 90 points as well, it illustrates how tough the top teams are and how difficult the play offs will be

[Skywalker]

Phil V 72, on 26 April 2015 - 06:58 AM, said:

If Bristol are 'the next level', it does go to show how tough the step up would be.
Given that MK and Preston will likely finish on around 90 points as well, it illustrates how tough the top teams are and how difficult the play offs will be

I think BC are currently performing at a higher level than any other league 1 side.

I didn’t think there was much between us and Preston in the games played against each other this season. Had Hird not been sent off I thought we could have won as we more than matched them with 10 men. We’ve had the better of our games against MK and their win earlier in the season was acquired with a player no longer there.

Swindon have been the one who have given us an a$$ kicking but their current form is woeful. That leaves Sheff Yoo who I would fancy our chances against if they were lucky enough to scrape through the play off’s.

[Phil V 72]

Skywalker, on 26 April 2015 - 07:21 AM, said:

I think BC are currently performing at a higher level than any other league 1 side.

I didn’t think there was much between us and Preston in the games played against each other this season. Had Hird not been sent off I thought we could have won as we more than matched them with 10 men. We’ve had the better of our games against MK and their win earlier in the season was acquired with a player no longer there.

Swindon have been the one who have given us an a$$ kicking but their current form is woeful. That leaves Sheff Yoo who I would fancy our chances against if they were lucky enough to scrape through the play off’s.

Agreed, but the league games now mean nothing and we go into this as massive underdogs.

Hopefully we can play with the determination and freedom of the underdog and play without fear or pressure.

I have no expectations nor any clue what's gonna happen. It's an exciting time!!

[Skywalker]

Phil V 72, on 26 April 2015 - 07:25 AM, said:

Agreed, but the league games now mean nothing and we go into this as massive underdogs.

Hopefully we can play with the determination and freedom of the underdog and play without fear or pressure.

I have no expectations nor any clue what's gonna happen. It's an exciting time!!

Absolutely mate.

My point was that we have nothing to fear from the other sides because on our day we could beat any of them.

[BigBlue]

From now on it's a lottery.... How many years gone by has the team that gets last play off place snook through? Yes quite a few. Either way it's been a great achievement, I wouldn't rule out the unbelievable though. ;-)

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

djs, on 25 April 2015 - 10:58 PM, said:

Looking today at the best team in the league by a country mile, you can see why they are the top and will do well in the championship next season.
Is the gap between us and these sort of teams that big? There were times in the game when I thought that we matched them, some of the flashes of play we had was very good indeed. Roberts hitting the bar, Clucas's chance he miscontroled six yards out, Oshea beating 2or3 and failing to shoot to name a few. We are possibly 3 maybe 4 short of that sort of intensity. The back4 are capable (Jones will need more game time and Drew would do the job) in midfield Jimmy Ryan seem to be at full stretch most of the time and came under pressure from all quarters. Gardner and Banks failed to make the impact needed and will need at that level. A top class striker is an absolute must at that level, Clucas hmm maybe given time but his effectiveness on the left would be his best influence on the team to compete.
To be perfectly honest I don't think we are that far away.
One thing I have learnt today is that there must be a full 90mins of that sort of quality which we have been missing this season.
Upwards and onwards as they say, bring on the playoffs and let's see if we can reach that sort of intensity.

They were better than us but if we managed to go up the gulf would be far greater again. We would have a massive job on our hands but bring it in and let's give it a go.

[Valley Blues]

The best side I've seen at the Proact this season was Swindon. Having said that, we were woeful that night and that maybe made them look better than they actually were. Swindon could have had six or seven that night, no complaints.

Bristol City were quite clearly a different class to us. I thought their main quality was how they hunted in packs, especially in the midfield. There was a a moment in the second half where Clucas took possession of the ball on the right hand touch line and he immediately had four Bristol players cutting off his options. They were extremely well organised and the spine if their team is very good indeed.

We didn't play badly yesterday and created opportunities against the very worthy champions of this division but they were simply too good for us on the day.

[martatcross]

Forget the last game at rammel lane I would play the youth team 😀 and who ever we play Swindon or MK we are massive underdogs nothing to lose everyone outside a 10 mile radius of Chesterfield apart from our exiles of course expect us to lose therefore there is absolutely nothing to worry about. We know on the day we can beat anyone the impossible dream is still reality, I can't wait COYB