Looking objectively at just the teams that are still fighting for promotion you have to say the final couple of weeks promise to be an amazing climax to a very exciting season. The relegation battle is probably even more of a nail-biter for the teams involved, but the next two games which immediately influence City have the makings of absolute classics: Leicester v Watford; Both teams desperate for all three points - both teams hitting form â Leicester who currently have a 1 point lead over Forest know a win for them coupled with defeat for their fierce rivals at Millwall would put Forest out of the play-off race and take a lot of the sting out of their final game at the City Ground. Watford know that defeat will end their automatic promotion hopes and a draw will present us with a mouth-watering opportunity to kill them off with a point at Barnsley. But they also know a win for them would transfer all the pressure onto City, and if it comes down to the last game their match at home to Leeds looks a lot easier than ours against Cardiff at the KC. Barnsley v City; Itâs unlikely that a defeat for Barnsley would instantly relegate them, but it is a possibility. A draw guarantees they live to fight another day, but their inferior goal difference compared to their main rivals is virtually worth another point against them. Barnsleyâs final game is a huge Yorkshire derby away at fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town which definitely wonât be pretty and could go either way. So we can be pretty sure Barnsley will be desperate for all 3 points against us and will look to attack at every opportunity. Thereâs really no need to mention how important this game is for City as Iâm sure weâve all looked at every possible connotation (to the point of mental exhaustion). Of course the Leicester v Watford result on Friday night will make our task a lot clearer, but whether we need either a point or all three for promotion this will be another monumental game and one of the biggest in our whole history. The final Saturday of the season could be more stressful than all of the preceding ones put together and I donât even want to contemplate every possible outcome, except to say that promotion at Barnsley would give us a perfect opportunity to turn the Cardiff game into the massive celebration both clubs and both sets of supporters thoroughly deserve. Final games for the teams chasing promotion: City: Barnsley â away Cardiff â home Watford: Leicester â away Leeds â home Brighton: Leeds â away Wolves â home Palace: Blackburn â away Millwall â away Peterborough â home Bolton: Cardiff â away Blackpool â home Leicester: Watford â Home Forest - away Forest: Millwall â away Leicester â home
Bloody hell - Leicester/Forest on the last day of the season with a play-off place at stake. That should be tasty.
* Note to WYP: Isn't Hull City vs. Barnsley another 'local derby'? [video=youtube;51t1OsPSdBc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51t1OsPSdBc[/video]
At least Palace are out of the automatic picture. I don't think I could have handled the extra stress of them being involved as well especially as their last 3 games don't look too bad. Mind you, I didn't think our run in was too bad either...
Your point is still valid though, because surely if our fans were as notorious as WYP made out SYP would apply similar restrictions. The only difference is that it's not a 7:45 KO, but if we take a huge following to Barnsley and the game goes off without incident it will highlight just how ridiculous the WYP decision was.
Can't wait, the atmosphere will be electric and both teams will be up for it. These are the kinds of matches City tend to relish.
At least the original was better than this... [video=youtube;FjeMDvCdrtc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjeMDvCdrtc[/video]
What does everyone think Bruce will be saying to the players to help calm their nerves. Which player do you think will be handling the pressure best. Would love Ashbee in their steadying things.
