Play off final Saturday 24th

[sjb]

Not having a go at anyone's opinion in particular but how anyone sat through 90 mins of that and came out with the main takeaway being that Kieffer Moore would improve us makes me glad that they are likely sat watching on their sofa like me and not involved with our transfer committee.

He's semi effectual at this level at holding the ball up and winning headers but it'd be like playing with a handicap at PL level. I'm struggling to think of a slower footballer I've ever seen, and a worse finisher.

If Harry Maguire played up front for them he'd have scored more.

Agreed. He's a donkey.

[The Shire Claret]

Agreed. He's a donkey.

Donkey is very harsh but I wouldn’t want to sign him

[BigGaz]

and Souza

There was some sort of gentlemans agreement between us and Sheffield Utd two seasons ago. He was all but signed but believe they ducked out of the race for I want to say either Benson or Zaroury on the understanding that we did the same for Souza.

They really did not like him at PL level, a lot of vitriol aimed at him which reached fever pitch when we pumped them at their place. Probably yet another example of a player that is great at champ level but no great shakes a step higher. I do think he'd be an improvement on Laurent though.

[Stacky_claret]

Not having a go at anyone's opinion in particular but how anyone sat through 90 mins of that and came out with the main takeaway being that Kieffer Moore would improve us makes me glad that they are likely sat watching on their sofa like me and not involved with our transfer committee.

He's semi effectual at this level at holding the ball up and winning headers but it'd be like playing with a handicap at PL level. I'm struggling to think of a slower footballer I've ever seen, and a worse finisher.

If Harry Maguire played up front for them he'd have scored more.

Youre spot on Harry

[Silkyskills1]

I’ve watched that 62 final back and I can’t agree with that view. Still don’t know how they got away with the foul on Blacklaw which led to the penalty and there was Jimmy Robbo’s goal that was wrongly ruled out for offside.

As for Monsieur Le Fee, I think he’d be making their fans eat humble pie as well. It’s fair to say they haven’t been over impressed with him.

Will have to agree to disagree on this one, CT. Jimmy Mc referred to the game and said words to the effect that the latter part of the season had taken its toll on us and that our overall display in the final was below standards we had set previously. Anyway, today's game didn't pan out the way it looked like it was going at half time. A dramatic turnaround that no one could have foreseen.

[houseboy]

Nah, they are the best thing since sliced bread.
Keep the season alive for half the division and bring so much drama.
Everyone knows the rules when they start.

It’s one thing knowing the rules but it’s another thing agreeing with them. It’s not as though the clubs have any choice. Football was just as exciting without them.

[Vegas Claret]

interesting no Wilder interview

[martin_p]

It’s one thing knowing the rules but it’s another thing agreeing with them. It’s not as though the clubs have any choice. Football was just as exciting without them.

It wasn’t, half the teams had nothing to play for in the last quarter of the season.

[Spijed]

Even if they kept all their best players they don't look like they have a hope of surviving unless they make wholesale changes next season.

Getting 76 points would suggest as much.

We made too many changes last year.

Sunderland's downfall will be they won't make anywhere near enough

[Rileybobs]

Even if they kept all their best players they don't look like they have a hope of surviving unless they make wholesale changes next season.

Getting 76 points would suggest as much.

We made too many changes last year.

Sunderland's downfall will be they won't make anywhere near enough

I reckon they’ll buy some players.

[NewClaret]

Not having a go at anyone's opinion in particular but how anyone sat through 90 mins of that and came out with the main takeaway being that Kieffer Moore would improve us makes me glad that they are likely sat watching on their sofa like me and not involved with our transfer committee.

He's semi effectual at this level at holding the ball up and winning headers but it'd be like playing with a handicap at PL level. I'm struggling to think of a slower footballer I've ever seen, and a worse finisher.

If Harry Maguire played up front for them he'd have scored more.

Agree.

In general, I’m really shocked at the standard of players our fans say they’d like us to sign or suggest. I don’t think there’s any players in either of those two teams that I think would significantly improve us or help us stay in the premier league.

[RVclaret]

Even if they kept all their best players they don't look like they have a hope of surviving unless they make wholesale changes next season.

Getting 76 points would suggest as much.

We made too many changes last year.

Sunderland's downfall will be they won't make anywhere near enough

Why won’t they? Their recruitment in the Champ has been fairly outstanding.

[NewClaret]

Even if they kept all their best players they don't look like they have a hope of surviving unless they make wholesale changes next season.

Getting 76 points would suggest as much.

We made too many changes last year.

Sunderland's downfall will be they won't make anywhere near enough

I expect they’ll sign a lot of players but Le Fee for £20m will eat a bit of that budget and I’m not sure he’s premier league standard unless he improves a lot with a pre-season and chance to settle in the country, etc.

I’d like to play them early while they’re a new team.

[Jakubs Tash]

Le Fee was excellent when he dropped deeper in a 442.

The quality on the pitch for Sheff Utd got less and less as the game went on with the changes and they got exactly what they deserved.

[ClaretTony]

Will Sunderland have to move away fans out of the Gods now, or will they just bend the rule like they do for Newcastle?

They said during the Coventry semi on commentary that they are moving the away fans for the 2026/27 season.

[jrgbfc]

They said during the Coventry semi on commentary that they are moving the away fans for the 2026/27 season.

Good news, ruins the game being stuck up there.

[ClaretPete001]

I have to say it was far better than the Spurs v Man Utd game and there was a lot of young talent on display.

Sunderland were poor first half but Sheffield United didn't seem to have the belief they could win after dominating the first 45 mins.

[jos]

It’s one thing knowing the rules but it’s another thing agreeing with them. It’s not as though the clubs have any choice. Football was just as exciting without them.

You’re forgetting that football is a business where cash is King, this is a money spinner.

Anyway, playoffs are good entertainment.

[claret wizard]

It wasn’t, half the teams had nothing to play for in the last quarter of the season.

I thought the Championship rhetoric this season was that with 1 week to go only 2 teams didn’t have a chance of relegation or playoffs? No play off and this season would have been wrapped up months ago.

[Steddyman]

Not having a go at anyone's opinion in particular but how anyone sat through 90 mins of that and came out with the main takeaway being that Kieffer Moore would improve us makes me glad that they are likely sat watching on their sofa like me and not involved with our transfer committee.

He's semi effectual at this level at holding the ball up and winning headers but it'd be like playing with a handicap at PL level. I'm struggling to think of a slower footballer I've ever seen, and a worse finisher.

If Harry Maguire played up front for them he'd have scored more.

I appreciate how that was worded, even though the opinion may be different.

So is Keiffer slower than Barnes then? I think he would be an excellent option off the bench when we are behind and need something from a set play.

Whenever I have seen SheffU play, he has been the most troublesome player to handle.

[BurnleyFC]

Didn’t even watch the final and have just logged in to see that Sheffield United’s play off hoodoo has continued.

Honestly, I feel for them. After being consistently better than Sunderland all season they can feel a sense of injustice.

[Roosterbooster]

They said during the Coventry semi on commentary that they are moving the away fans for the 2026/27 season.

Until Newcastle and Sunderland follow the rules, like everyone else has, they should be limited to selling away tickets at £5 maximum

Newcatle have had years, and now billions of pounds, to sort it, but can't be bothered

[Claretnick]

Only just seen the result.
Oh dear, Mr Bean won't be happy

[boatshed bill]

He is athletic and powerful, something we don't have up front and something you need in the Premier League. A younger Barns.

The younger Barnes was a predator with a brilliant shot on him. Keiffer moore is a statue by comparison.

[exilecanada]

Food for thought: Let's say Leeds and Sunderland survive in PL for a couple of years and Birmingham gain promotion with a shiny new stadium, will PL decide to shut up shop? It could make sense considering Leeds and Brum are big cities and Sunderland have a large stadium and very well supported. Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth to be sacrificed.

[BigGaz]

I appreciate how that was worded, even though the opinion may be different.

So is Keiffer slower than Barnes then? I think he would be an excellent option off the bench when we are behind and need something from a set play.

Whenever I have seen SheffU play, he has been the most troublesome player to handle.

Couldn't tell you tbh I was going to tell you that he probably is a bit quicker than Barnes but that was faint praise as Barnes probably has a decade on him, but quickly checked and was shocked to find that Moore himself is 32! I thought he was mid late twenties, but only three years between them.

I do see how he might be an option if you want to switch things up towards the end of the game but perhaps wishful thinking on my part that we might be able to get a plan b with a bit more about them.

I just thought back to our problems scoring earlier on in the season and oftentimes I felt frustrated because whoever was the '9' was never in the box when building up, or unable to keep up the pace with our flying wingers whenever we were countering, and feel like he'd have us back in that situation.

[ksrclaret]

Well done to Sunderland. I'm glad Sheff Utd fell short, although it looked hugely unlikely for most of the game.

Le Fee did finally begin to look a class above that level when he dropped back into the middle.

[Boss Hogg]

I think the 24 points thing is a bit misleading. Once play offs were secured they properly took the foot off the gas and Le Bris started mass rotating the squad, they lost like 5 in a row while we won them all, or something like that. Perhaps more relevant is they beat us and should have beat us in two games, and drew with Leeds & lost very late on. Would have preferred Sheff U to come up, Sunderland have quite a pull and some real talent.

Our game away at Sunderland is nothing to assess anything by as we were in complete disarray with what happened to the squad at short notice. Sunderland have been poor for long spells. Leeds Sheff Utd and us were by far the best teams.

[RVclaret]

Our game away at Sunderland is nothing to assess anything by as we were in complete disarray with what happened to the squad at short notice. Sunderland have been poor for long spells. Leeds Sheff Utd and us were by far the best teams.

Fair point re. us at Sunderland.

But underlying data actually has Sunderland better than Sheff U.

[ClaretTony]

Until Newcastle and Sunderland follow the rules, like everyone else has, they should be limited to selling away tickets at £5 maximum

Newcatle have had years, and now billions of pounds, to sort it, but can't be bothered

I don’t know about Sunderland because away fans used to be lower down at the other end, but at Newcastle it is officially the decision made by the Safety Advisory Group.

Personally I hate being stuck down at the front but at Newcastle it is just way too high.

[dougcollins]

The thought of us playing Moore in the PL makes me shudder.

It wouldn't have that effect on the opposition.

[Lip]

Sheff Utd v Wrexham next season,massive game for the Blunts.

[Boss Hogg]

The Championship will be a lot tougher next season with both newly promoted teams Birmingham and Wrexham sure to invest heavily.

Don’t think it will. There will be a few good teams at the top again and the rest will be very average.

[Burnleyareback2]

Trafford saves both of those Sunderland goals.

Delighted for Sunland. Nothing beats beating Sheff Uts at Wembley.

[Longsidebovril]

Not sure about that. The slow motion of the second one shows the spin taking it in .. looked like it was missing when he hit it

[Johnny L]

Not a good day for Rovers. Lost their three biggest gates next season and the players sale cash all but gone. Venkys gonna need to dig in again!!!

[Firthy]

Nothing against either team getting promoted. Sunderland deserved the win today because of their sheer tenacity, Sheff U sat back on a one goal lead and paid the price. Must be gutting for Sheff fans. Lost 1-0 to us in 2009, lost to us this season to guarantee us automatic promotion then lost again today. And regardless of the rules and knowing them at the start it must be gutting to finish 14 pts above another team and watch them get promoted.

[agreenwood]

Just seen a stat that Sheffield United won 1 and lost 6 in their games against the promoted teams.

For all the praise they received this season, it appears they were just a flat track bully.

[Roosterbooster]

At Newcastle it is officially the decision made by the Safety Advisory Group.

While that may be the case, they have been in the Premier League for 8 consecutive seasons - that's the same length of time the rule has been in place for. They have had ample time to work out a resolution with the Safety Advisory Group that doesn't leave away fans essentially watching moving dots.

They receive hundreds of millions from the Premier League every season. If they want to keep receiving it, then they should do what is required as per the rules, and if that requires investment, then so be it. Luton had to build a brand new stand in just a few weeks at a cost of over £10 million to be compliant with Premier League rules (although that wasn't to do with away fans). They weren't given an exemption for the first season, which may have seemed fair.

Why are Newcastle allowed to get away with this?

[ClaretTony]

Just seen a stat that Sheffield United won 1 and lost 6 in their games against the promoted teams.

For all the praise they received this season, it appears they were just a flat track bully.

That one win was a stoppage time winner at Bramall Lane against Sunderland too, scored by Tom Davies. I knew they'd lost both against us, won one and lost one against Sunderland but didn't know their results against Leeds.

If you produce a league table of the top four in the games against each other, it's

Leeds - 11 points (gd +4)
Burnley - 11 points (gd +3)
Sunderland - 8 points
Sheffield United - 1 point

[Jakubs Tash]

I don’t know about Sunderland because away fans used to be lower down at the other end, but at Newcastle it is officially the decision made by the Safety Advisory Group.

Personally I hate being stuck down at the front but at Newcastle it is just way too high.

At the grounds that can achieve it, the away fans should be housed in a corner of the lower tier giving fans who need to be higher up the opportunity to sit in a row near the top of the tier (a bit like a Spurs, Stoke, Derby, Hull etc). That third tier at Newcastle (and Sunderland) is way too high.

[ClaretTony]

At the grounds that can achieve it, the away fans should be housed in a corner of the lower tier giving fans who need to be higher up the opportunity to sit in a row near the top of the tier (a bit like a Spurs, Stoke, Derby, Hull etc). That third tier at Newcastle (and Sunderland) is way too high.

There is a Premier League rule that states away fans must be allocated some seats pitch side. The SAGs at Newcastle and Sunderland have said that's not possible for safety reasons.

[Socrates]

Importantly, physicality is much more important in the Premier League.

Say important some more. It might bolster your point.

[houseboy]

It wasn’t, half the teams had nothing to play for in the last quarter of the season.

Appreciate your view but disagree. Teams should be rewarded for the season not one game.

[houseboy]

You’re forgetting that football is a business where cash is King, this is a money spinner.

Anyway, playoffs are good entertainment.

I suppose you are right. People have forgotten football is supposed to be a sport. It lost its way years ago and now it seems money is all that matters. I can’t get excited about a team losing out on promotion to a team 14 points below them. Sunderland don’t deserve to be in the PL next season and I sincerely hope they go down, back to where they belong. To be fair unless they spend more money than they are allowed they will get smashed.

[martin_p]

Appreciate your view but disagree. Teams should be rewarded for the season not one game.

Sunderland had to play 48 games to get to the play-off final, same as Sheffield United.

[Ampth7]

Genuinely delighted that Sheff U have bottled it yet again!!! Wilder can **** off!

[Jakubclaret]

I suppose you are right. People have forgotten football is supposed to be a sport. It lost its way years ago and now it seems money is all that matters. I can’t get excited about a team losing out on promotion to a team 14 points below them. Sunderland don’t deserve to be in the PL next season and I sincerely hope they go down, back to where they belong. To be fair unless they spend more money than they are allowed they will get smashed.

They do deserve to be there on the basis that they have just won the playoffs. That’s the way things are decided you might not like it or agree with it but all the teams that compete do so with the knowledge & understanding that failure to go up automatically might mean going up by the playoff route. It gives the less favoured teams the belief that it’s possible in a 1 off game.

[Elizabeth]

Two going up automatically is enough for me. Like the idea though of the team just missing out being given an extra chance by playing off against teams that came lower than them.
I look at it for the entertainment value it brings. Especially to fans of those teams who earned the right to go up automatically

[Corway]

Demoralising for Sheffield and Wilder.
Difficult for Sunderland to gear up to PL standard a month less time than us. Hoping that’s one relegation place settled.