At long last, excited Barnsley fans can actually look forward to the remaining schedule of fixtures that lay ahead. With hopes and dreams, the potential rewards are there to aim for and are within our own reach.
The season is now well within its final quarter. At long last, excited Barnsley fans can actually look forward to the remaining schedule of fixtures that lay ahead. Alive with hopes and dreams, the potential rewards are in our sights and within our each. Dare we dream of a possible end-of-season hurrah at Wembley? Could we escape from League One at the first time of asking?
With only five points separating fourth placed Sheffield United to twelfth placed Doncaster, it could be a race between seven teams (including the Reds) for the [most realistic] last two spots. The latest odds with Paddy Power sees us 4/1 to finish in the top 6, and 20/1 to achieve promotion.
Bristol City may have all but guaranteed their safe berth to the Championship, as any capitulation at this stage would be one of biggest reversals of form ever seen. Of course, football folklore is being written all the time, even when the scenario might seem impossible.
What do those fans who are closest to their teams think? Is confidence in abundance throughout the top half of the division? Doing the mathematics and predictions for us, we spoke to some of our rivals in League One who gave us their low down on the climax to the 2014/15 season.
I would like to think, with the form we've shown this year, that we can reach three figures [in points] and win the league - beating Wolves' total the other year.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
Preston North End (Away, Sat 11 April) could be interesting, if the gap is closed between now and then.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
I would be disappointed if we're not top. We've been there for the majority of the season.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
Failure. We are guaranteed the play-offs now. Getting that [outcome] would be a major fail.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
Driven, togetherness on and off the field - led by the this season's best manager and influenced by the fan's passion.
Many thanks to Stu Radnedge for his contribution.
Follow on Twitter @stu_radnedge or catch his updates on The Exiled Robin.
The aim for any team is to pick up two points a game, on average, over the season. Anyone who does that is almost certainly promoted. If we keep up this impressive form then we might challenge Bristol City for top spot, but just getting out this league is the priority.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
We've got to play Bristol and Swindon, but both at Fortress Deepdale where we've only lost once all season in the league. Barnsley are flying under Johnson and this weekend's game will be tough. Saying that, there are no gimmies in this league, it's one of the closest leagues in terms of ability, as everyone is on a pretty level playing field in terms of finances. Our run in isn't that tough on paper, but as we all know; Anyone can beat Anyone.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
Head says second, but would love to pip Bristol City to top spot. Getting promoted at Port Vale would be fantastic - given their love for our main man Garner.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
Please don't mention those words! Nine play-off failures, the worst in English football. If you had offered me a play-off spot in January, when we had a horrendous month (not winning a league game) I would have probably snapped your hand off.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
A steady start that has blossomed since the return of the Jackal and the purchase of Daniel Johnson (from Aston Villa for a rumoured £50k fee).
Many thanks to Jimmy for his contribution.
Follow via Twitter @baysidepne / @pnefansteam
I don't like to speculate about points tallies, but I would have to say it will need to be pretty high for how tight the league is.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
Any game has the potential to be a banana skin at this stage of the season. The games I most worry about are the away game against Bristol City, Preston North End and the home game to MK Dons [Sat 4 April]. These games will surely decide whether or not we achieve a top two place this season.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
I hope we make second [automatic] place, but my head tells me it will be third place.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
We were considered relegation favourites [at the start of the season] so to achieve the play-offs would be a massive success. However, after being in and around the top three for the whole of this season, I think there would be a slight air of disappointment.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
A young vibrant squad that loves upsetting the odds.
Many thanks to Calvin Hothi for his contribution.
Follow via Twitter @CalvinHothi45
Hard question to answer with any certainty, but I expect us to achieve 85 points plus. Depending on Preston North End's run in and form, we might just squeak into the second automatic position, but it's the play-offs that look like being the most likely.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
If you look at our run, the stand out fixture is away to Swindon in April and that could well define our end of season position. Win or draw and we could push for the Auto's, lose and it's the play-offs. Our results in the big games this season has been great though. Other than Swindon, the Fleetwood Town fixture (Away, Tues 14 April) looks very tricky.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
My head says third or fourth, but my heart says second.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
Pre-Season, most of our supporters would have been ecstatic at the thought of the play-offs, but we went on that fantastic run of form and topped the table, which brought a great deal of optimism that we could even go on and gain an automatic place. If it is to be the play-offs for us, then whether we deem it to be successful or not will depend on the ultimate outcome, of promotion [to the Championship] or another League One Campaign.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
A season of great highs, winning against Manchester United 4-0 and some very low points like losing to Coventry and Chesterfield [three times], all in all though a season that gives us the confidence that the club continues to move in the right direction.
Many thanks to Franchise Don for his contribution.
Follow via Twitter @EMKAYdons18
Thanks for reading. If you have any views on how you think the final league table might look, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook, or leave your comments on this post below.
With only five points separating fourth placed Sheffield United to twelfth placed Doncaster, it could be a race between seven teams (including the Reds) for the [most realistic] last two spots. The latest odds with Paddy Power sees us 4/1 to finish in the top 6, and 20/1 to achieve promotion.
What do those fans who are closest to their teams think? Is confidence in abundance throughout the top half of the division? Doing the mathematics and predictions for us, we spoke to some of our rivals in League One who gave us their low down on the climax to the 2014/15 season.
Bristol City
Based on your form and any remaining fixtures, how many points do you think your team will accumulate in total this season?I would like to think, with the form we've shown this year, that we can reach three figures [in points] and win the league - beating Wolves' total the other year.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
Preston North End (Away, Sat 11 April) could be interesting, if the gap is closed between now and then.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
I would be disappointed if we're not top. We've been there for the majority of the season.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
Failure. We are guaranteed the play-offs now. Getting that [outcome] would be a major fail.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
Driven, togetherness on and off the field - led by the this season's best manager and influenced by the fan's passion.
Many thanks to Stu Radnedge for his contribution.
Follow on Twitter @stu_radnedge or catch his updates on The Exiled Robin.
Preston North End
Based on your form and any remaining fixtures, how many points do you think your team will accumulate in total this season?The aim for any team is to pick up two points a game, on average, over the season. Anyone who does that is almost certainly promoted. If we keep up this impressive form then we might challenge Bristol City for top spot, but just getting out this league is the priority.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
We've got to play Bristol and Swindon, but both at Fortress Deepdale where we've only lost once all season in the league. Barnsley are flying under Johnson and this weekend's game will be tough. Saying that, there are no gimmies in this league, it's one of the closest leagues in terms of ability, as everyone is on a pretty level playing field in terms of finances. Our run in isn't that tough on paper, but as we all know; Anyone can beat Anyone.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
Head says second, but would love to pip Bristol City to top spot. Getting promoted at Port Vale would be fantastic - given their love for our main man Garner.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
Please don't mention those words! Nine play-off failures, the worst in English football. If you had offered me a play-off spot in January, when we had a horrendous month (not winning a league game) I would have probably snapped your hand off.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
A steady start that has blossomed since the return of the Jackal and the purchase of Daniel Johnson (from Aston Villa for a rumoured £50k fee).
Many thanks to Jimmy for his contribution.
Follow via Twitter @baysidepne / @pnefansteam
Swindon Town
Based on your form and any remaining fixtures, how many points do you think your team will accumulate in total this season?I don't like to speculate about points tallies, but I would have to say it will need to be pretty high for how tight the league is.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
Any game has the potential to be a banana skin at this stage of the season. The games I most worry about are the away game against Bristol City, Preston North End and the home game to MK Dons [Sat 4 April]. These games will surely decide whether or not we achieve a top two place this season.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
I hope we make second [automatic] place, but my head tells me it will be third place.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
We were considered relegation favourites [at the start of the season] so to achieve the play-offs would be a massive success. However, after being in and around the top three for the whole of this season, I think there would be a slight air of disappointment.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
A young vibrant squad that loves upsetting the odds.
Many thanks to Calvin Hothi for his contribution.
Follow via Twitter @CalvinHothi45
MK Dons
Based on your form and any remaining fixtures, how many points do you think your team will accumulate in total this season?Hard question to answer with any certainty, but I expect us to achieve 85 points plus. Depending on Preston North End's run in and form, we might just squeak into the second automatic position, but it's the play-offs that look like being the most likely.
Are there any potential banana skins during the final leg of the League One season or any specific fixtures you fear?
If you look at our run, the stand out fixture is away to Swindon in April and that could well define our end of season position. Win or draw and we could push for the Auto's, lose and it's the play-offs. Our results in the big games this season has been great though. Other than Swindon, the Fleetwood Town fixture (Away, Tues 14 April) looks very tricky.
Where do you think your team finish in the League One table?
My head says third or fourth, but my heart says second.
Would a play-off place be considered as success or failure for your club?
Pre-Season, most of our supporters would have been ecstatic at the thought of the play-offs, but we went on that fantastic run of form and topped the table, which brought a great deal of optimism that we could even go on and gain an automatic place. If it is to be the play-offs for us, then whether we deem it to be successful or not will depend on the ultimate outcome, of promotion [to the Championship] or another League One Campaign.
Whilst it's slightly premature to be asking, can you sum up your season in a single sentence?
A season of great highs, winning against Manchester United 4-0 and some very low points like losing to Coventry and Chesterfield [three times], all in all though a season that gives us the confidence that the club continues to move in the right direction.
Many thanks to Franchise Don for his contribution.
Follow via Twitter @EMKAYdons18
Watch Out For Our Next Instalment
If you want to learn more about the perspectives offered by fans of Sheffield United, Peterborough United, Chesterfield, Fleetwood Town, Bradford City or even Doncaster Rovers, watch this space. Part two of this blog series should be live soon.Thanks for reading. If you have any views on how you think the final league table might look, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook, or leave your comments on this post below.
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