Expectations and perspective

[Subbuteo_171]

Judging from the reaction to last night’s defeat we’ve gone from world beaters, FA Cup winners and being the team to avoid in the play offs to joining Darlington and York in the National League North. It’s funny what a good run against all expectation followed by a few away defeats does to people.

Emotions are part of football however some perspective is required given where we where when Wilder joined compared to now. Fundamentally 90% of the squad is the same, massive improvements have been made in terms of structure and style of play with resulting improvements in league position however we are in a very competitive league with a few relatively evenly matched sides going through various runs, one of which is us not being able to win away.

We should be delighted with the improvements and although we should be able to dream about play offs and Wembley, we need to understand this is the first 20 odd games under a manager and structure that for the first time in years the majority of fans are excited about and we may fall short of the play-offs this season, we may get beaten by Chelsea in the next round, we may get to the play-offs and get beaten, who knows?

So let’s have a bit of perspective, let’s enjoy the rest of the season regardless and take the rough with the smooth. It looks and feels like the start of a really good era for the club, that will end in promotion at some point in the next 2/3 seasons - it may take that long to build the squad Wilder wants to compete.

#utb

 

[Bernies_quiff]

You’ll be getting banned soon for talking sense

 

[Erimus74]

Judging from the reaction to last night’s defeat we’ve gone from world beaters, FA Cup winners and being the team to avoid in the play offs to joining Darlington and York in the National League North. It’s funny what a good run against all expectation followed by a few away defeats does to people.

Emotions are part of football however some perspective is required given where we where when Wilder joined compared to now. Fundamentally 90% of the squad is the same, massive improvements have been made in terms of structure and style of play with resulting improvements in league position however we are in a very competitive league with a few relatively evenly matched sides going through various runs, one of which is us not being able to win away.

We should be delighted with the improvements and although we should be able to dream about play offs and Wembley, we need to understand this is the first 20 odd games under a manager and structure that for the first time in years the majority of fans are excited about and we may fall short of the play-offs this season, we may get beaten by Chelsea in the next round, we may get to the play-offs and get beaten, who knows?

So let’s have a bit of perspective, let’s enjoy the rest of the season regardless and take the rough with the smooth. It looks and feels like the start of a really good era for the club, that will end in promotion at some point in the next 2/3 seasons - it may take that long to build the squad Wilder wants to compete.

#utb

Spot on, I was annoyed as the rest of us but this is the Boro we're talking about

 

[BigCityLivin]

100% Subbuteo. We were poor last night - there’s no getting away from it and Sheff Utd we’re better than us in every department. But this is the championship - it’s a slog, there will be lows and highs - surely people remember Rotherham & Charlton last time round…. Before that Forest and QPR!!!
The players looked tired last night, but a sense of perspective is needed. All the teams around us will be taking points off each other, we just need to get 6th - after that it’s a lottery!

 

[Teesste]

Nailed it.

The way we have played (at home) since Wilder has been here should give huge cause for optimism for everyone. Clearly the away performances are proving more of a challenge but at least we have a solid foundation now and we can build.

I'm excited to see where he takes us over the next couple of seasons as I can see us challenging even higher than we are now. For me our flirtation with the top 6 and the FA Cup run are massive bonuses to what was looking like a fairly turgid season last Autumn.

 

[Randy]

Spot on as usual Sub.

At the start of the season I would have been elated if we made the playoffs. That goal is still very much in sight given the randomness of this league. Top two was always out of sight, has been since November. I mentioned a few weeks ago I wouldn't even be overly disappointed if we didn't go up this season as next season could be a very special one to watch with a couple of additions in the right areas over the summer, those been an out and out number one goalkeeper, a dedicated holding midfielder and 20-25 league goals a season centre forward.