Championship 2018-2019

[adrenachrome]

Express and Star:

Villa hosted Middlesbrough today(sic) knowing victory would see them jump into the Championship’s top six for the first time since September.

They are also targeting four consecutive wins for the first time this season, with Smith hoping they have hit form at just the right time.

“It’s very important to be winning games in March, April and May,” he said. “We’re hoping that we haven’t given ourselves too much to do with the points we dropped in January.

“We have to move forward and look ahead now. There’s nine games to go, we need three points in each game.

“The results and performances have given us that confidence.

“Now is a great position to try and build some momentum, which we have done. But we can’t be complacent, we have to keep that going.”

[SoccerHQ]

Were we really still in the top 6 in September?

I assumed it was just August as after we won our opening two we then won a single game up to start of October (Rotherham at home) and then SB was sacked.

[PeterWithesShin]

We went 6th after beating Rotherham on the Tues, were 7th after the Weds games.

[LowerNorthStand]

Big game today Leeds v Sheff Utd

I would rather play Sheff in the play offs than Leeds tbh if we make it..

They are good (Sheff) but Leeds are better imo

[johnc]

We are now 14/1 with Sky Bet to get promoted (joint 6th favourites). A week ago we were 33/1. Things can change quickly.

11/1 now and 9/4 to get top 6.

8 of us have a tenner each at 50/1 after the Albion game.

[Damo70]

We are now in sixth position and in the play off places.

I don't know where Small Heath are as they only showed the top half of the table.

'Mind the gap'.

[jwarry]

Every chance Boro could drop out of top 6 now as only 3 points between them and 10th!

[IFWaters]

Preston got a 94th minute winner. On same points as us and on a similar run. Derby and Brizzle with games in hand so we shouldn't be complacent. Just hope for 2 weeks with no injuries and prepare for a mad April.

[Sexual Ealing]

I don't want to tempt fate - although fate is past it and proper shit nowadays - but I think we can win the next two. We are exactly the kind of side that managers like MON and Pulis don't know what to do with. I apologise for the now inevitable defeats.

The only time I've ever had a positive feeling about as and not put money on. The only time I've ever been right, obviously.

[hilts_coolerking]

We've got ahead of ourselves before, only to see it go tits up, so I'm cautious but we're definitely in the mix.

[KRS]

All we can do is keep our heads down, take each game as it comes and get the wins we need. Boro (1), Derby (1) and Bristol (2) all have games in hand so we still need 2 of them to drop points to secure a playoff spot...beating Bristol at home will complete a much needed treble over those teams.

[Ad@m]

Bollocks to all this caution!

IT IS ON!!!

[SoccerHQ]

We went 6th after beating Rotherham on the Tues, were 7th after the Weds games.

You always surprise me PWS. That Rotherham win was preceded by a 1-1 at Blackburn, a terrible 4-1 loss at Sheffield United and three draws v Ipswich, Reading and Brentford.

So odd we're barely win a game under SB and yet just be outside the top 6 yet we were even further away when we then did have 4 wins in Dean Smith's first six games.

At least it's all balanced out now.

[SoccerHQ]

Every chance Boro could drop out of top 6 now as only 3 points between them and 10th!

Their next two are Norwich and Bristol City at home.

Preston will get the last spot I think. Bring on the stripeys.....

[PeterWithesShin]

At the time there were 2 points between us in 6th and Blackburn in 13th. Brentford were 2nd and Norwich were 17th (they played on the Weds).