Seeing as I don't post that often I'll bite the bullet and be Satan to TMC's God like status. Last night we achieved a 'P' berth albeit while in an automatic spot.But,with Watford currently winning and a big game on Friday there is a possibility of us entering into those 'P'. Don't get me wrong I don't want this and I'm not superstitious (hence I'm happy to write this) I'm a great believer in what will be will be. Several months ago (TMC aside) getting to the 'P' was seen as our only option of getting back to the Premier league and even then many (me included) thought it was unlikely we would progress via those. What are peoples thoughts now? Especially with the results last night putting Ipswich and Derby in pole positions to fill the rest of the slots. Personally, I think we have a real shot but every other side will believe that as well.
I would be surprised if the teams in the top 6 change between now and the end of the season - though in what order is anyone's guess and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the places aren't confirmed until just after 2pm on 2nd May.
I'd much rather we went up via autos, definitely. I just have so much confidence in Alex Neil that I don't think it'll matter too much if we have to slog it out through the play offs.
Two of the top four are going to have to pick themselves up pretty sharpish after May 2nd. I imagine AN would be good at doing that. I still think if we win all three games, we'll go up. Someone has to slip up some time surely.
Yeah. It is very unlikely that all three teams will go on and win their remaining three fixtures and I am sure one team will slip up - hopefully it won't be us. I'm fairly confident about our chances.
I've no idea how it's all going to end, but I can see at least one of the 2 auto places being decided on the last day and probably on GD. Let's hope we can keep scoring goals against our opponents!!!!
Looking at our record against the other play off teams (assuming Watford finish 2nd) - so that's us, them, Derby & Boro................... I would say 50/50, but that could change after Friday night, when i get the chance to see how good/bad Boro are. Just go to see and hope for the best that we can avoid two/three extra games, as good as it would be for me to see City play, which has been all too rare this season.
I don't fancy the play-offs as I often think those who miss out on the autos will suffer. I can see Derby building up momentum over these last few matches and being tough to beat in the play-offs. At least two of the teams will drop points in the top four. I wouldn't be surprised if all four do. I still think we can win this league and I'm confident that if we don't we're still best bet for autos. Even a draw on Friday won't be a disaster actually.
Yeah, to clarify I mean those who miss out on the autos very late on (i.e. out of the four top teams now). Derby have known that they aren't getting autos for several matches, have recovered their form to focus on securing their play-off position and therefore could be gathering momentum to time it well for the play-offs. Just speculating, but it happened when, e.g., Blackpool had a late run to make play-offs and that momentum got them through despite better teams who had been well ahead in the table for most of the season. Hope that's a bit clearer!
IMO, Derby will be tough to beat in the play offs, as they have the choice of Martin, Bent and Ince up front and they should have gone up last season, but for Greeno's heroics in goal.
Statistically the team in 3rd is the most likely to get promoted via the playoffs - 33% have over the last 21 seasons. Essentially the finishing position is not that important but teams don't suffer from coming 3rd as much as people tend to think. Form is more important.
