Playoffs

[Tony Boucher]

Dammit - thanks Marlon.  I'm trying to be a smart-arse with my travel arrangements that weekend, but foiled again!

[AV82EC]

Depending on results this weekend it may become clearer and they’ll announce it but if it goes to the final day for both 3/4th and 6th don’t expect it until May 6th.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

It’ll be announced shortly after the final whistle of the Norwich game, at the latest.

Last year we knew that we were playing in the 2nd semi before our final game of the season at Millwall, then following that game I remember being in a pub in London Bridge when the ticket info for Boro was released by the club on Twitter.

[Brassneck]

I'd rest one of them.  There is a benefit to finishing fourth and we should push for it.

If Jack or McGinn (or anyone else for that matter) has a slight knock, by all means rest them.

But they'll get all the rest they need in just over a month's time.

The benefit for finishing 4th instead of 5th is not great.  It simply gives you home advantage in the 2nd leg.  The benefit of resting players after their recent efforts outweighs the benefit of finishing 4th in my humble opinion.  Also, in reality, to finish 4th, we would need to win both of our remaining games.  We could exhaust ourselves further and still have not gained anything.

[john e]

I'd rest one of them.  There is a benefit to finishing fourth and we should push for it.

If Jack or McGinn (or anyone else for that matter) has a slight knock, by all means rest them.

But they'll get all the rest they need in just over a month's time.

The benefit for finishing 4th instead of 5th is not great.  It simply gives you home advantage in the 2nd leg.  The benefit of resting players after their recent efforts outweighs the benefit of finishing 4th in my humble opinion.  Also, in reality, to finish 4th, we would need to win both of our remaining games.  We could exhaust ourselves further and still have not gained anything.

d

a packed Villa Park in the final leg, maybe the game hanging in the balance would be a massive advantage in my view

I agree with KG keep playing our best team and try and finish above WBA
 

[nigel]

Would certainly be a psychological advantage,  too, if we over took them

[Drummond]

Or batter them first leg and then just pick them off away and batter them then too.

I recall Bradford as an easier second leg.........

[hilts_coolerking]

I can see both sides of this but on balance I'd prefer us to pick our best available side.  We can always sub people off.

[PeterWithesShin]

I had to read that last sentence twice.

[Ads]

Ha! I did a double take too.

[Toronto Villa]

I had to read that last sentence twice.

Intentionally?

[adrenachrome]

And Gazza only got an orange when he was pulled off at half time.

[The Edge]

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I'd rest Jack for Leeds and SJM against Norwich if he doesn't get booked against Leeds

I wouldn't rest either of them. Keep the momentum going. Build on what is already the best midfield pair in the league. If one of them takes a knock or sjm gets a booking then obviously that would alter the things dramatically.
Apologies for going off on a tangent here but heard some sad news today. The claret & blue gasometers in Windsor Street which have always been a marker for "our territory" are to be demolished this year. End of an era.

[Legion]

I can quite easily foresee Dirty Leeds targetting Grealish and trying to end his season. Save him for the Norwich game when they will be on the beach, so to speak. McGinn has one get out of jail card left to play. If he gets a yellow, substitute him and save him for the play-offs.

[lennythekad]

Dean’s probably got two possible line ups in his head, depending on how Sandwell get on v Rotherham on the Saturday.
If they lose (unlikely, I know), he might decide to go for it and play his strongest side. If they win, he may as well rest a few.