Don't get me wrong, of course you should always strive to do your best - and for us right now, that means 1st place. But this hypothetical situation is offering us certain promotion. No ifs, no buts, no risks. Of course you take it. The reality however is that this situation could never arrive, and hence we should be striving for 1st place.
Imagine the scenario where both ourselves and West Ham are guaranteed promotion, but the title is still up for grabs. Do you rest on your laurels, like Brighton did last season, or do you push on down to the wire and try and win the league? That's the kind of decision I would prefer Nigel Adkins having to make.
Ideally, we are top by a trillion points. Or second, us and A N Other (prob. West Ham) are safely away from third. An exciting end to season without real fear of failure...lovely.
Well, I can't believe that anyone would want to gamble with a certain return to the Premiership and back to back promotions! Unless they thought that accepting an offer like that would indicate a belief in supernatural influence on the result of matches. Which begs the question, if we were "given" second by the omnipotent footy Gods, which games would be made to lose? Well all I can say is, if it's Pompey, the deal is off and I will take my chances.
Some people prefer to earn the right to do things as when you are successful it gives a lot of satisfaction. If you are given it you cannot say you earned the right to be there. Lastly I am of the opinion that people make there own luck by continually trying. As they say there is no taste to nothing..........
Oh well, it was hypothetical in any case. I suppose being first of the alsorans is better than being second of the alsorans, if not by much. At least we'll have no more talk of I'd take top 6 next season.