Playoffs, Promotion, and Relegation.

Have always enjoyed the end of the season relegation battles and playoffs. Will be interesting to see who is coming and going. Who do you want to see playing in the Championship next year? the Premiership?

Prem: Looking at the table with 4 matches left (Sunderland does have a game in hand) it looks like Burnley and QPHaha need a great escape, while Leicester, Sunderland, Villa, and Hull look to be battling for the last spot. Personally, I hope Guzan's howler against Man City (the #1 worst play of the week on Sportscenter) doesn't come back to haunt, and really want the HaHa's to come down for the excitement of the SW6 Derby.

Championship Playoffs: Watford and Bournemouth are up (the later is an unbelievable story, 12k stadium and on the verge of extinction 7 short years ago). Norwich and Boro are in the playoffs, while Ipswich and Derby need only a draw to assure themselves the other two spots. Brentford and Wolves have to win and get help. Will have to wait how it all shakes before making a prediction, but do hope Brentford stays down for the exact reason I want QPR to drop.

Can't forget that League 1 will be promoting 3 teams to our division next season. Bristol City is up for sure and Preston North End control there own destiny for promotion (have a soft spot for PNE because of the McBride and Eddie Lewis connection and knowing an ex-pat who is a fan). MK Dons are nipping at their heels, while Sheffield United, Chesterfield, and Swindon Town are in the playoffs.

**Congrats to Rotherham for surviving the 3 points deduction and coming up with a huge win earlier this week to send Millwall and their classy fans to League 1.

 

It appears MK Dons must supersede Preston's result vs Colchester against Stephen Arthurworrey's already relegated Yeovil Town to be automatically promoted.

 

I have to say that I've enjoyed following football in the Championship more than I thought I would. I don't have cable, so seeing soccer is always a bit spotty - I used to watch matches at the gym while running on the treadmill, which I thought would make fitness crazy Magath happy. I've seen more of Fulham playing this year than before because of the replays and highlights that are posted.

I also like how things are more fluid. Bournemouth is a great example. Their story is amazing, but it is really only amazing here in the Championship. In the premiere league they'll just be one more team clawing for a mid-table position while the same group dominates the top. I thought that Southampton might change things this year, but everything reverted to form eventually. Here in the Championship it feels like everyone has a shot. Fighting for promotion is just as interesting as trying to claim the premiere league title, but it is legitimately attainable for many clubs although there is a fair amount of churn from the likes of QPR, Sunderland, and West Brom.

Let's hope for play-off matches with finishes like this one from 2013

 

And Bournemouth overtake Watford for the right to wear gold numerals on their kits in the Premiership next season. Whoopee.

 

An interesting lot for the playoffs, with Derby falling out the biggest shock. Gonna suck trying to beat them again next season. I think the Norwich-Ipswich matchup will be entertaining. And Brentford got in against Boro. I'm a bit conflicted about the Bees. On one hand, I don't like seeing other clubs in our vicinity doing better than us, but they've already run off their manager at the end of the season...how do you justify that if you win promotion to the richest league on the planet? Although they're supposed to be a derby rival, I'm finding myself silently rooting for them just for being dumb enough to do that.

 

For neutrals, this is a great time of the campaign. For supporters, it is the time to hide sharp objects around the house.

I'd like to see the Foxes stay up, for no other reason than it would complete an insane run-in of matches. Also, I don't give a rat's ass about Burnley or QPR, Sunderland is a "meh" for me. But they've been walkin' on a thin line for a couple of years, so, we all know how that plan of action can transpire.

With matches to spare, Chelsea were confirmed champion today. My personal ambivalence of different leagues leads me to not care one way or another (cue Blondie) regarding their success. And it still can dig at me that my son's favorite player wears #4 for Chelsea. Once again, my feelings will change after Fulham are promoted next year.

COYW

 

I continue to be dumbfounded by the seemingly numerous calls on social media, especially twitter, for Kit to be sacked. He's earned the right to get his players in for the start of next season, unlike Magath at this point last season.

 

Well, the Scum have won the title. No joy here, but I also don't understand the criticism of their style of play. Boring? Ok. A fair reason to not like them. But they won. So leave the jealousy behind and find a way to beat them next year.

 

Derby had a GD of +32 and playing the 19th place team at home only needing a draw…DOH! 0-3 loss to Reading, that my friends is a world class choke.

MK Dons take advantage of Preston North End losing on the final day by winning themselves and they get the automatic promotion.

One team that has now joined the fray in the relegation race is the free falling Magpies (cue the Geordie fans pic or the vid of the chairman Mike Ashley chugging a beer) of Newcastle. Their caretaker manager accused a player of deliberately getting a red card in their 3-0 loss to Leceister. They only sit 2 points above the drop zone, and both Hull and Sundeland have a game in hand. Add that they have the second worst GD in the entire league and it's squeaky bum time up north.

 

Did anyone except anything other than boring but winning tactics from Murinho in the stretch run?

 

I think the funniest thing about the Championship playoffs is that the winner gets to parade around Wembley with a trophy and confetti, yet they're really only celebrating third place. When do Watford and Bournemouth get their parade, celebration, and tv time?

 

Playoffs to see who's coming and going starting up today for League 1 (Chesterfield v Preston North End and Sheffield United v Swindon Town). While Brentford v Middlesborough play their first leg mañana…Come on Boro!

 

The semifinal is two-legged? Why?
Is that the same in League 1 (since Chesterfield is hosting Preston North End)?

 

My guess is the extra home match and the $$ that goes with it is the main reason. Did check and League 1 is the same. Both PNE and Swindon recorded 1 goal away wins today.

 

sorta sad. I LIKED PNE -AND their fans. Are their best days behind them a decade ago?

 

It seems pretty certain that Burnley and QPHa! will be rejoining us in the Championship. The question is, who will the third team be? Right now it's Sunderland, but Hull, Leicester, Newcastle and Villa are all within striking distance. Sherwood's got Villa on an uptick, and Leicester's won a few critical recent matches, so I'd say the Geordies, the Tigers and the Black Cats are most probable suspects. As I look at the schedule, it appears everyone has 3 matches left, except Sunderland, who have 4. Gonna be an interesting May.

 

Fred Hickey is the hero for Middlesbrough! Amorebieta scores deep - really, really, deep - in injury time to get the 2-1 win at Brentford yesterday. Advantage Middlesbrough to make it Wembley. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32566915

Ipswich and Norwich drew today. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/32566914