Well, with two/one game left for every team, I think it's at the point where we can really have a great idea on where we lie and how many points we require. To stay up on 0 points in our last two games: We would require one of the following Birmingham to get one point or less in their games against Wigan and Bolton. Doncaster to lose to Leicester OR Doncaster to draw against Leicester and we lose our two games by four or less goals total. Millwall to lose at Bournemouth. Birmingham's first game against Wigan should give them zero points. Wigan need to win that game to really help their playoff chances, which would require Birmingham having to beat Bolton. Although far from impossible, with current form it is pretty unlikely to happen. Doncaster is probably the most likely to keep us safe as they are against top of the table Leicester. Even though Leicester are promoted already I do not believe that Doncaster can really hope to win it, especially as Leicester are one point off the 100 mark. I guess a draw would not be completely unbelievable, but even that should be enough to keep us safe barring a horrible last two matches for us. Millwall against Bournemouth can easily go either way. But the possibility of them losing and finishing below us just increase the odds of our survival. Honestly, the chances of one of those not happening is really bloody low. I think we've done it.
Agreed. The win at Sheffield Wed probably did the trick. To go down, it would probably need: --- No points from our final two games --- Doncaster to draw at Leicester or win if we don't slip another 4 goals GD --- Millwall to get something at home to Bournemouth --- Birmingham to get two points from their last two games While all these things are very possible, the chances of all four happening together are slim. But if we do go down, it will be because we deserve to do so. We have had enough chances to secure our tenure and have blown them. Unlike last season, when we salvaged a mediocre first three-quarters by finding (stumbling on?) a formation and personnel which worked so well that we ended up only three points off the play-offs, it is clear our present manager has not got a clue what his best team or formation is. Although we are picking up some wins despite playing crap football, I get no impression of a plan gradually coming together. Players are tried, rejected, then brought back for no apparent reason. Formations work well in one game but are rejected after the first setback. The end of the season cannot come soon enough. What is clear is that with all the players likely to leave, it will take a major rebuild to stay up next year and I cannot see RD putting in the money for that. Stand by for an influx of more eurotrash.
Ouch. I'm not a believer yet. Watford come with nothing to play for, but Blackpool showed they're up for a fight, so us getting no points in the last two games remains a real possibility. Plus, at this stage of the season, strange results abound. We need points on tuesday. Until the maths is set in stone, I won't believe.
It's a real possibility we will get no points from the two games Blackpool will get 3 V us can't see Millwall losing at home infront of a beating crowd v season over Bournemouth then we have Birmingham and Donny I think the third spot will come from us and either of those two. Birmingham won't beat Wigan so we will enter Saturday above Birmingham and Donny Can see Birmingham beating Bolton so all down to Leicester beating Donny to save us. Squeaky bum time gotta fancy Leicester BUT Donny are very Jekyll and Hyde and Leicester who knows
Another fact. Our defence and keeper are collectively in their worst bout of form all season. Watford score lots of goals, we currently concede lots of goals. Maybe go to three at the back on Tuesday night - recall Cort or Wood to play alongside a very shaky looking Morrison and Dervite. Solly and Wilson as wing backs. Fox doesn't look the best defensively, although good going forwards. What a shame that we haven't got a credible alternative to Hamer, who deserves to be dropped after a succession of errors in recent weeks. By my reckoning he has cost us at least 4 goals in our last 4 games. He is a pain in the arse, as well.
You can add to that Jackson's declining influence. Apart from declining the penalty he also let Astrid take a free-kick which was in the perfect position for JJ. QPR was his last goal, and apart from his corner kicks I don't remember him having an assist or driving the team forward. His performances have been OK, nothing special, he's usually been the one who's popped up in our hour of need.
So another disappointing defeat, loads of players being singled out for blame, but as expected no real improvement from another manager, because the squad is still predominately s***e... How many of these players will be left with us next season..?
Did you notice in the first half, we got a free kick in their half. Jackson and AA stood over the ball. Jackson turned to the dug out, and Riga made a gesture with his hands (crossing them) as if to say to Jackson 'no, don't take it'. aA needless to say put the free kick out of play.
