Championship Play-off Final : Pre-Match Thread

[Dave P]

Can’t the league scores count so we have a 7-0 head start?

[SoccerHQ]

Quietly confident for a final for once.

Feels weird.

[themossman]

Looks like it’s going to be Derby.

Pity, I’d have fancied us more against a flawed Leeds side.

Nah I prefer derby. Leeds would make the game about stuff other than football.

[themossman]

All the areas exploited by derby tonight are relative strengths for us.

[SoccerHQ]

If our midfield turns up we win.

Grealish ran the show at VP and they couldn't get near McGinn at Pride Park second half.

Over to you Villa boys.

[Ads]

Looks like it’s going to be Derby.

Pity, I’d have fancied us more against a flawed Leeds side.

Nah I prefer derby. Leeds would make the game about stuff other than football.

Leeds outplayed us at Villa Park and while the game at Elland Road was even, it was a horrible and niggly affair. We've battered Derby twice, senseless on both occasions where the scoreline flattered them.

I'd much rather play them. It will be tough, but Leeds would have been harder.

[themossman]

Let’s not forget derby were dire a few days ago. No shots on goal at home. They are a good team when they turn up but there’s a decent chance they won’t turn up.

[Dave P]

If you’d had said when we beat them 4-0 to start the 10 game run that this would be the play off final, I’d have thought you were mad.

[BC54 VFC]

There are problems and Bielsa will work them out.
A non functioning Centre forward, a left back who sees lots of the ball and-does nothing with it and a weak right wing as both Adoma and Green are ineffective.
I think we have got away with it the last 2 games and Leeds are a much more dangerous outfit than park the bus Albion.
We have all focused on the Whelan Hourihane debate but as we saw last night, that is not the problem.

Bielsa?? 

[ChicagoLion]

There are problems and Bielsa will work them out.
A non functioning Centre forward, a left back who sees lots of the ball and-does nothing with it and a weak right wing as both Adoma and Green are ineffective.
I think we have got away with it the last 2 games and Leeds are a much more dangerous outfit than park the bus Albion.
We have all focused on the Whelan Hourihane debate but as we saw last night, that is not the problem.

Bielsa?? 

Ok Frank.

[Tuscans]

HA, Pontus you jaffa.

[Steve67]

No cockiness at all.  Thoroughly professional throughout.  They have no Malone, sent off tonight, which is a bonus.  Derby have momentum, I hope we have the class to break the Wembley woe of recent years.  Shame we have to wait so long!!

[Ads]

They were dire on the weekend.

We need to be professional, prepare properly and exploit the gaps they will leave. We're a much better side, we're jammed full of confidence and know we have the measure of them.

No hubris. Just a job to do.

[Richard]

Am delighted it's Derby not just because I think we'll win. It will be a better game for starters and I won't be worried about bumping into some Neanderthal before or after the game.

[andyh]

Am delighted it's Derby not just because I think we'll win. It will be a better game for starters and I won't be worried about bumping into some Neanderthal before or after the game.

I said similar to my mates. It won’t have the same nastiness on and off the pitch had Leeds got there.

It’s going to be a tougher game then either of the league games, but it’s imminently doable.