Playoffs 2020/21

[PuB]

Good luck to all those involved and I sincerely hope you get to see your teams in the flesh.

I’ll be watching for sure but my initial thoughts are that this might see Blackpool return to the championship.

 

[Bobbin']

Whatever

 

[Luke Imp]

Sunderland's form has dropped heading into the PO's and Blackpool/Oxford are pretty much neck and neck as the best. We're a mixed bag although the caveat to that our last two games have been training sessions for us.

Can't speak for other Lincoln fans but I've got that 'should we really be here' kinda feeling about the PO's, a bit of an inferiority complex I suppose. We do in the sense that with our best XI available we're a match for anyone in this division and we've been in the top 6 all season (only Hull and us have been) but Sunderland are obviously Sunderland and Blackpool/Oxford are more established at this level than we are, and all of the sides have far bigger budgets. Feels like we've gate-crashed the party rather than been invited albeit fully deserving of our place in the PO's.

 

[Laker]

First legs:

Tues 18th May, 6pm: Oxford v Blackpool
Weds 19th May, 6pm: Lincoln v Sunderland

Second legs:

Friday 21st May, 7.45pm: Blackpool v Oxford
Saturday 22nd May, 3pm: Sunderland v Lincoln

Final - Sunday 30th May, 3pm

I know nothing of the sides involved except I’ve seen Sunderland and Lincoln there or thereabouts for most of the season. I hadn’t noticed Blackpool and I get the sense Oxford are the late arrivals. From a selfish point of view, I’d prefer Blackpool to go up as Lincoln and Oxford are closer and I’d quite like a visit to SoL while we have the chance.

 

[GeneralLee]

Sunderland's form has dropped heading into the PO's and Blackpool/Oxford are pretty much neck and neck as the best. We're a mixed bag although the caveat to that our last two games have been training sessions for us.

Can't speak for other Lincoln fans but I've got that 'should we really be here' kinda feeling about the PO's, a bit of an inferiority complex I suppose. We do in the sense that with our best XI available we're a match for anyone in this division and we've been in the top 6 all season (only Hull and us have been) but Sunderland are obviously Sunderland and Blackpool/Oxford are more established at this level than we are, and all of the sides have far bigger budgets. Feels like we've gate-crashed the party rather than been invited albeit fully deserving of our place in the PO's.

Fair comment. With any unfamiliar territory, it’s bound to feel like that and I’m certain players (to a certain extent) feel the same way.

Last season felt like a real rollercoaster. The same could be said regarding this season however this time around I feel much more comfortable with Oxford United in the company of other sides in the top six and I sense that has rubbed off on the players too.

incidentally I’m far less nervous this time around although perhaps that’s due to our battle to reach the play offs, rather than the guarantee of a top six finish prior to 12 pm today.

 

[Robie]

I hope we can continue the momentum we have now that we are going straight into the playoffs rather than having a long break like last season.

 

[Shrew_fan]

Got distinct 'Shrewsbury 17/18 season' vibes about Lincoln. Hope they go one better than we did but their season has been very much like ours was - staying in the top 3 most of the season before eventually running out of steam with a small squad and failing in the play-offs.....

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Just not Sunderland please. We've played the rest in the league since returning, I'd probably vote to lose Oxford but wouldn't lose any sleep if either of the other two went up.

 

[DippyDon]

I think I'd be happiest to lose Blackpool out of the 4 in the play offs. Oxford is an easy trip which somehow I've never been able to do, Sunderland being down here is always funny although our chances of getting Grigg back probably are helped if they go up as are our hopes of promotion next year, and Lincoln is always nice to go back to for me personally. Blackpool is an excellent away day but you can get most of that with Fleetwood if you get up there in plenty of time in fairness.

 

[Davidimp]

Got distinct 'Shrewsbury 17/18 season' vibes about Lincoln. Hope they go one better than we did but their season has been very much like ours was - staying in the top 3 most of the season before eventually running out of steam with a small squad and failing in the play-offs.....

Our squad is small but the entire squad is now fit for the first time all season! When we've had most of our better players fir this season we've more than competed with 'the big teams'

 

[Davidimp]

Just not Sunderland please. We've played the rest in the league since returning, I'd probably vote to lose Oxford but wouldn't lose any sleep if either of the other two went up.

If they stick you up in the gods like they have done for last few years with away fans it's quite a bizarre watch, me and my daughter were more or less right at the back, felt like we needed oxygen!

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Nothing against Oxford as a club but would be good to see Matty Taylor gutted for the 2nd successive season.

 

[Robie]

Nothing against Oxford as a club but would be good to see Matty Taylor gutted for the 2nd successive season.

You're in the wrong forum fella.

 

[K-Win]

I hope nobody wins the play-offs

 

[Davidimp]

I hope nobody wins the play-offs

You'll be fine now the Cowleys will have a mass clear out at Portsmouth this summer you won't recognise your team come August trust me, they'll be utterly ruthless.

 

[Guernica]

You'll be fine now the Cowleys will have a mass clear out at Portsmouth this summer you won't recognise your team come August trust me, they'll be utterly ruthless.

Big period for them really, after Huddersfield and a poor end of season they'll need to hit the ground running. I thought Pompey were a shoe in for the play offs with their kind fixture list but just didn't work. Listened to a few of Danny's bits and pieces in the press and it's weird to see him saying the same things with a different badge on his top!

 

[GTFCfish]

Nothing against Oxford as a club but would be good to see Matty Taylor gutted for the 2nd successive season.

Same here, still remember that cheating bastard trying to get our keeper sent off in our play off final rather than just putting the ball in the empty not.
Odious twat.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Any of the supporters of the 4 teams lucky enough to get tickets?

 

[SF_]

Oxford & Lincoln, may Jesus be with you.

 

[Robie]

Yes I have tickets.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Same. We're allowed in 3415 next Wednesday and luckily I was successful in the ballot yesterday.

 

[GeneralLee]

I'm a little surprised there hasn't been more discussion on the upcoming playoffs in the last few days... This evening our first leg is upon us!

I'm quite happy going in as underdogs with our recent history in the playoffs hopefully lending positively to our cause. Blackpool definitely haven't seen anywhere near the best of us in the two games this season.

It looks like Sam Long is out. He is a huge part of our play even from right back so we will definitely be fielding a weakened side shoehorning Jamie Hanson or Anthony Forde in at right back, otherwise we will likely be at full strength (if Brandon Barker is fit and able which I suspect he will be).

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. It feels like we have nothing to lose considering our path to the playoffs. Cautiously optimistic... But cannot wait!

 

[Luke Imp]

Been a very quiet build-up for us tbh. After playing Saturday/Tuesday for weeks on end, it's seemed weird to have had 10 days off.

 

[Guernica]

Been a very quiet build-up for us tbh. After playing Saturday/Tuesday for weeks on end, it's seemed weird to have had 10 days off.

Found myself to be a bit nonplussed to be honest. I won't be in attendance and as a season ticket holder I've felt a touch more removed from football at the moment. Perhaps our awful play off record has also played a part. I hope we give it a go, been a great season and whilst yes, delighted we're in the mix with some big hitters, I hope the players have the attitude that we're in it to win it rather than like myself happy to be in it.

Out of the other play off teams, I'd prefer Sunderland as at the SoL we were unfortunate not to win the two games. At home, they bullied us really with an experienced team against our side which was young but also inexperienced. We really need athleticism and pace to play a big part as that's something we have over them. Concerned about McGeady crosses into Wyke as I've felt we've struggled with that at times, hopefully Walsh will help in that aspect.

More of Simon Yeo against Scunny rather than that dire Bristol Rovers games.

 

[Super_horns]

Blackpool 2 up already .

 

[Son of Cod]

Blackpool 2 up already .

Doing their playoff thang. Everyone else should just go home.

 

[Atavistic]

Oxford having their chances, but just can't seem to find the finish to get back into this. It's by no means over if they can pull one back, as Blackpool seem to have taken the foot off a little so far in the second half.

EDIT: Well, that Blackpool third surely means it's over now, and I'd be hard-pressed to see past them in the final too.

 

[Bobbin']

What was the point in Oxford finishing in the play-offs?

What a waste.

 

[K-Win]

Glad we didn't hang onto that 6th spot now. Blackpool would have beaten us comfortably too. Cheers Accy!

 

[Indian Dan]

What was the point in Oxford finishing in the play-offs?

What a waste.

I’m enjoying it!