Where do we now think we will come? All the rest of our games are winnable - in fact on paper and in the bookies I expect we are favourites to win each indiviually. Even if we do - Hull's games are roughly the same - except against Cardiff but they have 2 points cushion (not 3 as we have a better GD) and Cardiff have points in hand and need to fall off a cliff for them to miss out. It is soooooo close
It could go to the last game, with us needing to win and Hull needing to lose for us to get second spot. But in that case a draw would suit both Cardiff and Hull fine-- a predictable 0-0 draw anyone? What would happen if the ref forgot the script and gave Cardiff a penalty....?
Close - yes, between Hull and ourselves - Cardiff are too far in front now. But I seriously feel that we have an easier run-in than Hull who must be nervously contemplating both Cardiff and Barnsley, not to mention Ipswich. Cardiff are simply hard to beat and both Barnsley and Ipswich have suddenly found 'promotion' form. We, on the other hand, have to face three teams currently in free fall, one staring hard at the relegation trap door and another whose focus is on the FA cup. I think ours are all winnable - but can't say the same for Hull's. Having said that, we are probably now odds on to lose to Posh on Saturday......
I have a sneaky feeling Cardiff will lose at home to Forest - if they do the lead is 6 points assuming we win. With a game against Hull one of them has to lose points. It could yet be a close call for Cardiff
I think that would rather depend upon the make up of the play-off positions - ie who we would rather face in the knockout stage if it proved possible to engineer that. And as Leeds could well be in relegation trouble at that point, I doubt we would be too popular if we fielded an experimental side. Having said that, I'd be surprised not to see Murrray, Smith, Buaben and Bond in the starting team.
Cardiff can go up by not winning again this season, it just takes us to lose couple of our games and the odd draw for them. Therefore i feel the Hull/ Cardiff game is one we really can not expect to much in our favour from and one Malky may use some squad players in to give them a taste of the promotion. At present our home form from last three games is dire!!! pity we can't play our last five away. On paper i say it is Hull's to lose now and not just because of their points advantage. However this season has been such a wonderful suprise and being the Championship we all know anything is possible. Also Malky's comments after last weekends game if we take as honest, could mean that he could if its close, give us a helping hand in that last game by going all out to beat Hull by fielding his strongest side in an effort to stop Hull. I wonder how people would view him then? Anyhow if we win our last five...
If we play to our best we can win every game. However, one only needs to look at barnsley's result in Cardiff alst night to see that relegation threatened teams are not the best fixtures at the moment. I'd rather play against teams who have nothing to play for - though I don't think there's many in that situation are there?!
It will go to the last game where we will need to win to go up................could we, can we, will we, who knows
What worries me is the psychological impact of just missing out. Teams that finish third at the end of a very tight promotional campaign seem to do poorly in the play-offs. When we finished third and won the play-offs we didn't feel too disappointed at missing out on automatic promotion.
Trying to work this out is like doing the weekly predictions - what you want to happen and what deep down in your bones you think WILL happen are often different. I have voted for runners up but deep down I know that is a big ask and relies on Hull not us - and I think if we go into the play offs we will not be the form team so will miss out
A not too certain view from South Wales. http://cardiffcitynewsviews.wordpress.com/2013/04/11/disaster-looms-and-a-hull-of-a-finish-awaits/
I like this blogger - especially for this little gem of a sentence: "I wouldn’t rule out Watford winning all five for 15 points and 86 in total...." A man after my own heart.
In similar vein - rumblings of discontent over Malky's tactical nous - and his perseverance with HH. http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/205349-Tactics-From-The-Stands
Lets say Hull lose on the weekend and we win, then that means we have the advantage as we will be clear on difference, aand it's fair to say Hull won't catch us up on that.
You are still my favourite poster on here Lloydinio - so glad you went back to your initial Avatar - you even converted me into a LLoydy supporter I KNEW you would be in the automatic promotion camp - and would not have been surprised if you had gone for "Champions" - bet you would two or three weeks ago You are repped
