I don't give a shit. I'm just going to say it...

[phoenix]

Playoffs.

Eat that.

Although they're clearly not ready for the Premiership yet, a top 6 finish would be a mssive boost for next year. For players and fans.

[skybluedai]

Wanker

[the boss]

to be honest, and I will, I can't see us getting anywhere close to the play-offs. I'd say we'd need to win 10 out of the last 13 and that will not happen

[Lloydy]

to be honest, and I will, I can't see us getting anywhere close to the play-offs. I'd say we'd need to win 10 out of the last 13 and that will not happen

That sounded like a prediction to me, and you know your not allowed to do that!

[phoenix]

You're probably right. But at least they're heading towards them this year. This recent run has certainly attracted my attention. I went to the Ricoh for the first time the other week. My first trip to see Coventry since I vowed never to go again. I haven't got a clue which year it was, but Strachan was still in charge and we drew 0-0 to Stockport.

I don't care if that makes me 'not a proper fan'. I'm not 'a proper fan'. I just follow Coventry because my Dad made me. The lousy bastard.

[skyblue]

The play offs this season are probably beyond us, but I think a good solid top half finish would show the team are heading in the right direction.

What impresseses me most is that we finally look like a team that is hard to beat. The defence and central midfield are forming an effective barrier that means teams have to beat us, we are not giving anywhere near as many soft goals away. With that as a foundation we can finally start building a team that can challenge higher up the league.

[Des]

Coleman has to keep this good form going as long as he can, not because of the play-offs - I think that is beyond us - but to generate plenty of feel-good factor to sell next year's season tickets.

[Terrace Guy]

With the games in hand some of the teams above us have (Cardiff have two in hand in 6th) then we are realistically a lot more than three points off the play offs. A top ten finish is definitely achievable though and if we keep the team more or less as it is (excluding Westwood who's inevitably going to move) then we have a solid foundation to build upon it and achieve a play off position next season, though with Cov it's probably best not to hope too much

[billythefish]

Why will Westwood leave? A few years ago Paddy Kenny was constantly linked with a move after getting international call ups he stayed at the Blunts (admittedly he was on drugs!).

Just not that convinced that a current Prem club will come calling for him in the off season. Looking at most of the clubs then they seem to have established first team keepers and Westwood will have a choice of either being on the bench and waiting or staying here. It depends on what happens in the summer but James will also be available and stay in the prem and most teams will take him on a free ahead of Westwood.

[skyblue025]

Well if i was the Arse i would be straight on the phone. They have 3 kepers who have made more mistakes in the 30 games this season than Westwood has made in his City career.

In my opinion he would walk straight into their first team.

If you look at Man U, Vile, Fulham, all there keepers are 38 + so i would think there will be plenty of teams watching him.

That said there have been clubs watching him for 18 months and still no bid allegedly So who knows.

[Timbo]

Some Prem clubs may have old first choice keepers but what about their understudies? Guzan has been very impressive in the Carling Cup this year for Villa. Man Utd expect Foster to take over from Van Der Saar eventually (and Kuszczaks no slouch).

As good as Westwood is he's by no means perfect. He might be better than Almunia but is he significantly better? I'm not sure. Both are great shot stoppers but prone to poor choices on crosses. If I was Arsenal I'd be looking for better.

The clubs he has been linked to (Everton, Sunderland, Spurs) aren't clubs with old keepers and Westwood would initially at least be second choice. Indeed he said a move to Spurs would be the wrong choice when we rejectd their approach on deadlone day (admittedly he would say that).

I do expect Westwood to move a Prem club in the summer but I don't believe its a foregone conclusion.

[skyblue]

Everton have been watching Westwood for a while and apparently send scouts to nearly every game he plays in, as well as to training sessions. I imagine they will bid for him in the summer. I imagine they are waiting because he is getting games here now and he only has a contract till the end of next season so they don't really need to rush in.

[dog rout 21]

With the games in hand some of the teams above us have (Cardiff have two in hand in 6th) then we are realistically a lot more than three points off the play offs. A top ten finish is definitely achievable though and if we keep the team more or less as it is (excluding Westwood who's inevitably going to move) then we have a solid foundation to build upon it and achieve a play off position next season, though with Cov it's probably best not to hope too much

had a look into it and used some fancy excel forecasts at work today, we only need to win every home game and get a draw in every away game except WBA where we can lose. Simple.

[Sky Blue Strawberry]

That almost seems possible

I'm scared

[Banksie]

So that's 17 points from the last 12 games of the season? We've got 21 points from our last 12 so it's VERY possible.

[billythefish]

The one thing that might be in our benefit is that Cardiff seem to be in a right state at the minute. Unpaid bills, possible admin, chairman and manager ot talking, players having to be sold, no money to bring in loan players, fans boycoting the games etc (shame eh). If they do fall apart then that last place might be up for grabs and anyone out of 10 clubs could get into the playoffs. After years of false dawns just cant see it being us.

[dog rout 21]

No don't get everyone excited, we need 25 from 12, that counts a win on saturday (you still coming?) then winning our 6home games and drawing our 4 away except wba, we need at least 70 points and more likely around 73 will get the last spot. Its a tough ask but we haven't got the worst run in barnsley and blackpoolchave the top 3 still to play. All in all its very unlikely but the next 4 are probably key

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Timbo]

Normally mid 70's are needed for the playoffs but sometimes it has been nearer 70 and there is no reason why this season it can't be less.

Compare the same point this season to last:
This
6 Cardiff City 32 49
7 Sheffield United 33 48
8 Blackpool 34 47
9 Middlesbrough 34 47
Last
6 Cardiff City 32 53
7 Sheffield United 33 52
8 Swansea City 34 52
9 Burnley 35 52
6th to 9th are 4/5 points down on where they were last season. Last year 6th and 7th ended up on 74 points with 8th on 68. Of course the form of the playoff contenders might pick up but if the trend continues then they could end up 6/7 points down on last season.

I've been looking at the number of points the 7th placed finisher has had over the years to indicate what 6th place needed rather than got. Most seasons its between 70 and 75 but in 05/06 the 7th placed team had 67 and in 96/97 they had 68.

Its a little early to tell but I have a feeling that 6th place will be nearer 70 points than 75 this season. Not that its likely to matter to us. As good as our current run is I don't think we are good enough to sustain it just as I didn't think our poor run would continue earlier in the season.

[bolix]

Normally mid 70's are needed for the playoffs but sometimes it has been nearer 70 and there is no reason why this season it can't be less.

Compare the same point this season to last:
This
6 Cardiff City 32 49
7 Sheffield United 33 48
8 Blackpool 34 47
9 Middlesbrough 34 47
Last
6 Cardiff City 32 53
7 Sheffield United 33 52
8 Swansea City 34 52
9 Burnley 35 52
6th to 9th are 4/5 points down on where they were last season. Last year 6th and 7th ended up on 74 points with 8th on 68. Of course the form of the playoff contenders might pick up but if the trend continues then they could end up 6/7 points down on last season.

I've been looking at the number of points the 7th placed finisher has had over the years to indicate what 6th place needed rather than got. Most seasons its between 70 and 75 but in 05/06 the 7th placed team had 67 and in 96/97 they had 68.

Its a little early to tell but I have a feeling that 6th place will be nearer 70 points than 75 this season. Not that its likely to matter to us. As good as our current run is I don't think we are good enough to sustain it just as I didn't think our poor run would continue earlier in the season.

Good and interesting analysis Statto
How many matches are there going to be with those in contention playing each other?

[CoC]

How many matches are there going to be with those in contention playing each other?

Had a quick look and these are the ones I seen,

Cardiff v Middlesbrough
Nottm Forest v Swansea
Leicester v Cardiff
Middlesbrough v Newcastle
West Brom v Blackpool
Coventry v Cardiff
Sheff Utd v Blackpool
Swansea v West Brom
Blackpool v Swansea
Cardiff v Sheff Utd
West Brom v Coventry
Newcastle v Nottm Forest
Cardiff v Leicester
West Brom v Leicester
Cardiff v Swansea
Newcastle v Sheff Utd
Nottm Forestv Cardiff
Newcastle v Blackpool
Sheff Utd v Coventry
Blackpool v Nottm Forest
West Brom v Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough v Coventry
Sheff Utd v Swansea
Leicester v Middlesbrough

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... efault.stm