Championship 2018-2019

[PeterWithesShin]

It is a must win if we want any chance at the top 2, which is what he says. I doubt anyone really expects us to finish top 2 now though.

[Ads]

We had a good run, copped a very unfair result at the Albion where we lost Taylor (who has proved a lot better than Hutton there) and Grealish. We've slipped into a blip of form these past four games, where we've been slow in moving the ball and just as suspect defensively, if not more so at full back now too.

That said we've only lost one against the leaders and even the  we should have earnt a point.

5 points isn't going to get us up automatically, but we're all well aware of the squad imbalance and the defensive weaknesses.

Yesterday we had 3 right backs and a right sided centre half hopelessly out of form and playing with an injury, with a keeper that isn't good enough.

It's not the platform upon which to build anything.

But we know we're going to strengthen and we already have, while equally we know we have fire power.

I'm very confident of the Play Offs. I think by mid-February we'll be tucked into the top 6. I think the automatics are now highly unlikely, but perhaps always were.

[Ad@m]

It is a must win if we want any chance at the top 2, which is what he says. I doubt anyone really expects us to finish top 2 now though.

I struggle with the principle that any game can be a must win with half the season still to go. We could still theoretically get to 100 points.

But to say it's a must win for the playoffs is an absolute nonsense.

OPR  really is a must win if we are to have a chance of the play offs. We have to give Smnith at least two windows before we have any real idea as to how his team might look. For me I don't  expect anything from this season, it's next that will really show who and what we are.

[mr underhill]

it's not absolute nonsense at all. With our growing injury crisis it is quite possible we will lose on Tuesday and  be eight points off 6th. Why do you have to be so intolerant of other people's opinions?

[SoccerHQ]

it's not absolute nonsense at all. With our growing injury crisis it is quite possible we will lose on Tuesday and  be eight points off 6th. Why do you have to be so intolerant of other people's opinions?

Many of the clubs above us over are playing each other over next few weeks aren't they? Pretty sure Boro/Derby is soon and last time they met it was a draw so two dropped points by both right there if repeated.

Even if we don't win on Tuesday I'd be confident of 7 points from Wigan-Hull-Ipswich and that would get us very close to top 6 with said teams above dropping points.

It's certainly must win for top 2 but still far too early in the season to say that for anything else. Get to April and we're 5 points off top 6 and there are your must win games.

[Ad@m]

it's not absolute nonsense at all. With our growing injury crisis it is quite possible we will lose on Tuesday and  be eight points off 6th. Why do you have to be so intolerant of other people's opinions?

I'm not intolerant of your opinion, but "must win" is not an opinion, it's a factual statement, and to say that Tuesday is "must win" when we're 5 points off the playoffs with 63 points still to play for is demonstrable bollocks!

[mr underhill]

blimey - you'll  be telling me demonstrable bollocks is exempt from your factual statement definition next.

[footyskillz]

Gary Rowett sacked stoke city. Won 8 of 26 league matches.
Never worked out for him though only had 6 months or so.
Stoke 14th 8 points off play offs .

[Des Little]

Right, I need some help with calendar dates here people.  Last day of the season is 05 May, and play off final date is Monday 27 May.  I've been invited to a wedding on Saturday 18th May....SO if last year is anything to go by, the play off first leg would be weekend of 11/12th & second leg the following midweek, yes?

Of course, this is all subject to mus finding some form between now and then...but you have to be prepared, don't you...?

[Damo70]

Right, I need some help with calendar dates here people.  Last day of the season is 05 May, and play off final date is Monday 27 May.  I've been invited to a wedding on Saturday 18th May....SO if last year is anything to go by, the play off first leg would be weekend of 11/12th & second leg the following midweek, yes?

Of course, this is all subject to mus finding some form between now and then...but you have to be prepared, don't you...?

It is a fair while until May. Look on the bright side, in that time we could have finished in the top two and the bride and groom to be could have had second thoughts and cancelled their wedding.

[Des Little]

That's as maybe, but on the invite it doesn't say 'RSVP once you know where the Villa finish'...if only it did!

[footyskillz]

Right, I need some help with calendar dates here people.  Last day of the season is 05 May, and play off final date is Monday 27 May.  I've been invited to a wedding on Saturday 18th May....SO if last year is anything to go by, the play off first leg would be weekend of 11/12th & second leg the following midweek, yes?

Of course, this is all subject to mus finding some form between now and then...but you have to be prepared, don't you...?

Play offs in week/ weekend before 18th

The fa cup final is that day. 18th.

[KRS]

play off final date is Monday 27 May

What a shite day for the playoff final. It'll be a bank holiday so presume it would at least be a 3pm kickoff.

[Ad@m]

play off final date is Monday 27 May

What a shite day for the playoff final. It'll be a bank holiday so presume it would at least be a 3pm kickoff.

Isn't it that day every year? With the exception of world cup years where they switch the order and the Championship playoff is on the Saturday rather than the Monday?

[mr underhill]

Sadly I don't think we will be troubling it this year. With the right squad rebuilding in the summer though, I would hope Dean could spearhead us to the autos!!