Congratulations all those that predicted we would be facing Leeds in the playoff final at Wembley with their pre season predictions..
But what a way to do it! The atmosphere was palpable, I could smell the smoke, feel the stadium shaking under the thunderous drumming against the backboards and hear the singing across the North sea. The scenes outside during the build up were absolutely intimidatingly brilliant, WBA fans and team would have felt a tremble of trepidation as they arrived at St Mary's for what was to be their last throw of the dice this season.
So it's a week today for our third meeting with Leeds hoping to complete the hattrick and return to the sunlit uplands of the premiership by winning the, allegedly, richest game in football. Promotion to the Premier League was estimated in 2024 to be worth up to £265 million to the play-off final winner (Wiki). Both team produced emphatic performances in the second legs of their semi finals and the bookies have little difference in the odds typically Leeds 6-4, Saints 7-4 with the draw, after 90 minutes, at 9-4.
Apparently there's no love lost between Leeds boss Daniel Farke and Martin after a sour end to his Norwich career, where Martin won the playoffs as captain, under the German in 2018.
Che Adams and Ross Stewart both likely to play a part and, although Stuart Armstrong will be missed the team performance against WBA made that less of a worry. A big positive for me has been the form of Alex McCarthy since coming in for Gav Baz.
It all points to a cracking atmosphere and game with both teams and sets of supporters up for it, who wouldn't be? COYR!!!
Match officials
Ref. John Brooks
Lino: Simon Bennett
Lino: Dan Robathan
In the stands: Tony Harrington
Reserve Ass. Akil Howson
VAR: Jarred Gillett (yes, it's back for this match)
VAR Ass: Darren Cann
© St Osp.
But what a way to do it! The atmosphere was palpable, I could smell the smoke, feel the stadium shaking under the thunderous drumming against the backboards and hear the singing across the North sea. The scenes outside during the build up were absolutely intimidatingly brilliant, WBA fans and team would have felt a tremble of trepidation as they arrived at St Mary's for what was to be their last throw of the dice this season.
So it's a week today for our third meeting with Leeds hoping to complete the hattrick and return to the sunlit uplands of the premiership by winning the, allegedly, richest game in football. Promotion to the Premier League was estimated in 2024 to be worth up to £265 million to the play-off final winner (Wiki). Both team produced emphatic performances in the second legs of their semi finals and the bookies have little difference in the odds typically Leeds 6-4, Saints 7-4 with the draw, after 90 minutes, at 9-4.
Apparently there's no love lost between Leeds boss Daniel Farke and Martin after a sour end to his Norwich career, where Martin won the playoffs as captain, under the German in 2018.
Che Adams and Ross Stewart both likely to play a part and, although Stuart Armstrong will be missed the team performance against WBA made that less of a worry. A big positive for me has been the form of Alex McCarthy since coming in for Gav Baz.
It all points to a cracking atmosphere and game with both teams and sets of supporters up for it, who wouldn't be? COYR!!!
Match officials
Ref. John Brooks
Lino: Simon Bennett
Lino: Dan Robathan
In the stands: Tony Harrington
Reserve Ass. Akil Howson
VAR: Jarred Gillett (yes, it's back for this match)
VAR Ass: Darren Cann
© St Osp.
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