2017 Championship Playoffs

First off, I rather enjoyed typing that post title.

Regardless of what happens in the last week, Fulham will finish in 6th place (unless of course we lose by 7 goals and Leeds wins by 7 goals; that sounds ridiculous - but in the past year Trump became President, the UK decided to leave the EU, the wrong movie was announced as Best Picture, and Fulham missed 9 PK's - so anything really is possible). Weeks ago I thought our best shot at making the playoffs would be a final day mini-playoff with Wednesday, but thank goodness we didn't need to count on that since Wednesday is guaranteed to finish above us.

If the standings stay as-is then we would face Reading. I think that would be the best first round match-up for us. I'd rather have Wednesday and Huddersfield forced to eliminate each other in the playoffs. Reading isn't a gimmie by any means but I still think they'd give us the best odds. As a refresher, we clobbered them at the Cottage 5-0, had a match called due to fog, and then lost 1-0 in one of those matches where we missed a PK. We also tried out a seldom seen 3-4-2-1 formation that we won't use again.

Wednesday has beaten Huddersfield twice this year and they are on fire, so I'd have to give them the advantage in that matchup. That makes this upcoming match a preview of a possible final in the playoffs. I wonder how that will impact either team's approach to the match.

If Reading should lose to Burton then Wednesday or Huddersfield could pass them for the third spot with a draw or a win. Huddersfield has such a poor GD that they have to hope for both Reading and Wednesday to falter, along with a victory over Cardiff, in order to have a shot at third place which they seemed to have locked up just two weeks ago.

 

I agree with everything my Right Honourable friend has said.
The playoffs are a whole new ballgame. Whatever happens, let's enjoy the journey. Yes, it would be great to make it to Wembley again (I was a senior in high school in 1975). And of course it would be euphoric to go back up with the big boys. But even if none of that happens, it HAS been a tremendous season. Again, I go back to a year ago. We were losing 3-nil at Griffin Park. Stearman, Love Bite and Jazz were attempting to help Betts keep the ball out of our net, to little avail. Rohan Ince (remember him?) somehow started ahead of Dembele, who replaced him at halftime. We were 21st, but 8 points ahead of Charlton.
Perspective.
What a difference a year makes. Shad & Tony seem to have the soccer thing somewhat figured out (unlike the Jags), and SJ has been a miracle worker. Let's hope they keep it going for many seasons to come but for now, let's enjoy the rest of THIS ride to the max.
COME. ON. YOU. WHITES!!!!!!!

 

Since I'm too lazy to search, what is the playoff schedule?

We'll see next Sunday, but Wednesday is on fire and I would not want to face them in a home and home. One shot at a neutral site? That's a different story.

 

First leg will be played on either Saturday, May 13 or Sunday, May 14. Second legs on the following Tuesday and Wednesday. Final is on Monday, May 29. Actual dates will be set after the teams are finalized. http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/april/29/play-off-dates

I also read elsewhere that beIN has TV rights in the US for the playoffs. They will show the final but earlier matches are TBD.

 

Guess I'll have to surrender and cough up the $$$ for beIN now...damn...

 

I use fuboTV to watch beIN. I pay under $100 per year (there may be a monthly option, but I just ponied up for a year). You can stream the live broadcasts on the computer or they have a streaming channel on Roku (that I use so I can use my TV which is much, much nicer than my laptop). I like this much better than giving more money to the cable company.

 

That's a possibility. We do have a Roku sitting, unused, in a box.

 

This. We have waited for this. This is much different for me than facing Atletico in the Europa finale - stress is the same but it's more joyous for me. The Championship is a drag of a campaign. However, now it is for a chance to grab the golden ring - the golden ticket in the Chocolate Factory, the opportunity to be on US TV every weekend (I'm selfish and love this aspect of promotion). My son is nervous, I'm happy - this is what 9 months of scrapping brings.

Fulham are class; the manager is class; the support is class. Whomever the opposition, it will be meaningless - Huddersfield, Reading or Wednesday are all beatable. Come on Fulham!

COYW

 

Thank god we wont be needing this, but be sure to pass the news on to your Sunderland fan friends... http://www.efl.com//news/article/20...ifollow-unveiled-for-global-fans-3703898.aspx

 

Nev, i think you should be posting this every day until it happens.

 

I think we should all email beIN sports let them know how much we want to see Fulham televised in the semi-finals! holler: beinusprogramming@bein.net

"Please keep in mind that our schedules are updated weekly on our TV Guide, reason why we have no information yet about the specific EFL Championship matches we will broadcast.
We recommend you to check our TV Guide one week prior to the event.

Let us know if you have other questions.

Regards,
Customer Services
beIN Media Group"

 

Here is the playoff first round schedule

• Fulham v Reading - Saturday, May 13 at 5:30pm
• Reading v Fulham - Tuesday, May 16 at 7:45pm

• Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday - Sunday, May 14 at Noon (thank goodness we didn't get that time slot!)
  
• Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town - Wednesday, May 17 at 7:45pm

Of the four teams, Wednesday was the only one that rested most of its starters. After official complaints about Huddersfield's lineup last week vs Birmingham (a decision that likely saved Birmingham from relegation) Huddersfield went with a typical lineup. Unfortunately their goalie was red carded for a handball outside of the box so they will be going with their back-up keeper when they face Wednesday. I think this variety of red-card is only a one game suspension.

If we look at the regular season matchups as a two-legged playoff, Fulham won against all of the other playoff teams. Reading bested Wednesday with two wins and would have gone to a shoot-out with Huddersfield. Wednesday had two wins vs Huddersfield. Huddersfield is in the worst position with only getting that shoot out vs Reading.

 

Looks like the games will be televised on Bein, the schedule doesn't have the teams announced, but Sat. 11:15 Central time coverage will start!

Who wants to meet up at Finns?

 

ah shit...its Bein 4, so online only.

 

So much for the idea that the in-form teams will succeed in the playoffs. Instead we get Huddersfield who crawled across the finish line with a negative goal differential in the regular season facing Reading who wrapped up playing the worst teams in the league and gave up more goals than relegated Wigan.

I'm not a fan of Forestieri so I took a small amount of pleasure seeing him blow it on the final penalty kick.

I really hope Huddersfield makes it to the Premier League because I ache with the desire to kick Reading's collective asses next season.

 

Well, I'm certainly happy how that panned out. Good for Huddersfield but it is crazy that they have a -2 goal difference and didn't score a single goal in the playoffs! But they, rules are rules and good luck to them next year.

 

I wonder how many times, if at all, prior to Huddersfield a team has not scored a goal in the playoffs but managed to advance.