Playoffs

[Deano's Mullet]

As a side note i was interested to check   how Fulham's run last season compared to ours this season...

Fulham's last 29 games in 17-18 season - W 21 D 5 L 3
Villa's last 29 games this season - W 16 D 9 L 4

I know we had a better points tally at the start of the respective runs - and we still have two games to go - but thats truly impressive form they produced. I hope we are as successful as them at Wembley should we get there.

they also went 23 unbeaten before losing the last game against Small Heath.

[JUAN PABLO]

I would start with Kenan and Green and dont think that will weaken us at all.   You can give Whelan a rest and play Conor .   

[TaxDodger]

Leeds would still have a very slim mathematical chance, so they would need to go for it. A real dilemma as they can’t just give up. But they have blown it. Beaten by a Villa ‘B’ team would just add to their demoralisation too.

Leeds will be out of it. Sheffield United will beat Ipswich and Norwich only need a draw.

They had Alioski to injury so they wont be full strength.

Even if Sheff Ut beat Ipswich there will still be a very, very outside chance and they'd need a goal difference shift of 10... improbable yes, but with playing Ipswich in the last game they would be expected to give it a go.

This could work to our favour. If they go all out attack from the start in an attempt to hammer us we'll pick them off on the break with the players we have going forward.

[shirley_villan]

I want us to finish 4th cos I'm on a stag do with 20 blues the weekend of the first leg and wont get a ticket for the away game. Other than that, I think us being away second to the bitters would suit us.

[KRS]

Dean said after the game yesterday that he had 12 players that didn't play on Friday training well and banging on his door for a game, and also that the big picture is getting promoted. If that isn't a hint that we'll be resting players against Leeds then I don't know what is. We have a squad of players that have want to play and we may need some of them in the playoffs so it makes total sense to use them. I'd be very surprised to see the likes of Jack and SJM take to the pitch next Sunday, and we need Mings, Hause and Axel fit for the playoffs so hopefully he'll have the luxury of being able to rest Mings too.

[Richard]

Totally agree about rotating now we are in the play offs but what's the EFL rule about not changing a team/squad too much ?

[Jon Crofts]

Whether we end up 4th or 5th, are we game B in the semis?

[paul_e]

Hmm that’s a good point not giving Leeds a chance to find their gear. I have no idea, however it’s such a strangely pleasant experience to have confidence (that no one is telling me is naive) that we have a manger who will make reasoned decisions, *and* squad players who who feel like they might step up and swim with our momentum/tide of a fair crack at promotion. It must be very very different wanting to get into a winning first XI rather than a faultering one.

I’ve not seen so many games in person, but yesterday I thought we missed the chasing/pressing/hungry style of Tammy, that he does a lot of work off the ball compared to Kodj’s slightly less effortfull style, I presume that’s a common view?

Hopefully he’ll back, but in his place also an interesting idea to let Keinan start and batter then let Kodj come on and stretch a more tired side...

I agree with that last line, Davis works his balls off, sadly at the expense of goal threat, but when you're scoring from all over the pitch that's less of a problem.

[KRS]

Whether we end up 4th or 5th, are we game B in the semis?

It would make sense that we are game B being 4th vs 5th, however I think this hasn’t been stated yet so they have the option of naming the fixtures as they see fit once confirmed.

[walsall villain]

Totally agree about rotating now we are in the play offs but what's the EFL rule about not changing a team/squad too much ?

You might recall Small Heath surviving relegation two years ago. This is from the bbc report.....
Huddersfield, who made 10 changes after being assured a play-off place with Tuesday's 1-0 win at Wolves

It really pissed me off at the time, not sure if there was anything done about it.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Totally agree about rotating now we are in the play offs but what's the EFL rule about not changing a team/squad too much ?

You might recall Small Heath surviving relegation two years ago. This is from the bbc report.....
Huddersfield, who made 10 changes after being assured a play-off place with Tuesday's 1-0 win at Wolves

It really pissed me off at the time, not sure if there was anything done about it.

Huddersfield got away with it but the rules were tightened as a result. 10 changes to a team will be referred to a disciplinary panel

[placeforparks]

Totally agree about rotating now we are in the play offs but what's the EFL rule about not changing a team/squad too much ?

“For any league match played on or after the fourth Thursday in March, any team sheet for a league game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the league match before.”

Millwall squad was:

Team - Steer; Elmohamady, Mings, Jedinak, Taylor; McGinn, Whelan, Grealish ©, Adomah, Kodjia, El Ghazi.
Subs: Sarkic, Green, Bjarnason, Lansbury, Elphick, Hourihane, Davis.

so you could rotate the 6 subs for 6 of the starting xi and not have any issue.

[KRS]

Resting them but keeping them in the match day squad wouldn't be a bad thing to do anyway as it keeps them in the game mentality and spirit.

[themossman]

Sure it’s been posted but ICYMI:

[Chico Hamilton III]

Didn't the original playoffs feature the 3rd from bottom top flight team and then 3 from the old second division. I remember Charlton beating Leeds in the late 80s