I might get slated for being cautiously optimistic but I reckon we'll go up automatically. Provided this is the case, who do you think will win the play offs? There's probably five to choose from, because Midd'boro are still in with a shout. So who out of West Ham, Birmingham, Blackpool, Cardiff or Middlesborough do you think will join Reading and (hopefully) us in the Premier League? Now, West Ham must be favourites having been just on the back of automatic promotion for virtually all of the last half of the season, but then, Swansea were the first 3rd place team in a long time to win the play offs. It would be brilliant if they didn't go up. Blackpool were decent twice against us, but having watched them against other teams, they haven't made that much of an impact. I think Boro and Cardiff are too inconsistent, so Birmingham anyone? More importantly, if we ended up in there, do you think we would win them? I think it would be very very tough to get over losing second place at the last minute, so who knows. Oh, and sorry if something similar has been posted before.
I think Blackpool, they are very dangerous in a one off game scenario, as proved recently. They are bang in form, Brum another BIG team with expectations, I would love to see brum and hammers fail to go up.... maybe we can sign a few of their better players.... Burke anyone ? oh and maybe Green from Hammers.....
Assuming that West Ham finish 3rd, and Cardiff (or Boro) finish 6th, then West Ham will cruise into the final. But then calling the Brum-Blackpool match-up would be a difficult call. Two very different styles of play, but both are arguably worthy of winning the play-offs.
Let's see..most likely playoff scenario= 3rd West Ham v 6th Cardiff...West Ham win 4th Birmingham v 5th Blackpool...Birmingham win West Ham v Birmingham final...Tough to call...West Ham win.. Reading, Saints, and West Ham promoted. Top three up, as it should be..!
West Ham or Birmingham. Very tough to win the play offs (are we allowed to use such rude words?). If Saints don't win promotion this weekend, I can't see them winning the play offs because of the scale of the disappointment.
Assuming WHU are in the playoffs, I expect it to be between them and Birmingham City. And I think Brum might sneak it as they are a good overall side. However, if we're talking about a couple of freak results, then Blackpool could do it again. But they'd come straight back down again. Ian Holloway has quietly, but entertainingly done very well again.
I think that it will be West Ham. Of those five, I'd like it to be Cardiff...they might not necessarily qualify as the most deserving team this year, but losing three times in a row in the playoffs (and missing the chance to make the playoffs the year previous on the second tiebreaker, by one goal) is a fate that I would not wish upon anyone.
Nor would I, apart from Cardiff. I know this is a crass generalisation, but all their fans annoy me. I think Blackpool will make it.
Cardiff deserve it , but so does the team that finish 3rd , West Hams Fans will pull them over the line , hence we have to win this weekend because they will thrash Hull .
Blackpool for me. I really like them, they have some fantastic players and despite the fact some Saints fans hate Holloway he's a great manager. It's a shame he's seen as a joke figure really because he could be a great manager for a club like Everton/Stoke etc.. and his teams seem to play decent football.
