Oisin

Pretty much how I see it. I’d prefer to finish 4th all things being equal but would rather 5th and a full squad of fit and fresh players. The other thing the 4th-at-all-costs demand forgets is that it’s not up to us anyway … we could play a full side, get a win and still finish 5th. To me the risks of preserving with players who clearly need a rest outweigh the marginally possible reward of playing home 2nd. Bree, Jander, Fellows, Azaz and Scienza look in need of a break to me; Stewart, Larin and Stephens need managing as well. I totally understand some people will think differently, but I’m still not sure why the order of a 2 leg tie matters half as much as some seem to think. If there’s extra time, maybe … but beyond that? Certainly not enough to risk getting a tired Leo or Azaz injured for, when winning might not make any difference anyway.

Well, I know some people are very concerned about 4th v 5th but to my mind it doesn’t really matter and this is a free hit - Boro have to go for it so let’s give our guys’ tired bodies and minds a break and extra rest over Boro. I’d give half of them a good couple of days off to be honest. Not sure on the full 11 but I’d have something like Jelert Quarshie xxx Wellington xxx Bragg Robinson xxx Archer Edozie Sorry for all the fans making the trip up but I’d want all the key players on r&r

Before the season I’d have said us and Ipswich were two of the best squads in this league, and last night they both turned up. Both were a little tired and we were missing a couple of people who would have added some control (particularly Downes) but that was a great game and both sides performed really well, both sides went for it and both sets of fans added to it. Could have gone either way and naturally I’m frustrated we couldn’t hold our lead but to be honest it was a fair result. They were the best team I’ve seen here this season. I hope they go up so they’re not an obstacle in the playoffs and quite frankly as the best I’ve seen this season other than us, they deserve to. But equally on the evidence I’ve seen we’re a level above the rest of the playoff contenders and if we continue to perform as we have the last couple of months we’ll be promoted as well. Coventry deserve the title through their consistency but Saints and Ipswich are the best two teams in the league on their day - let’s hope we go and prove it 3 more times.

I have to say I think risking players in this scenario is worth it. There’s a chance. If the chance goes tomorrow than we can rest people Saturday. Im also not at all fussed about finishing 4th or 5th; I really don’t see that it matters anything like as much as people are making out. Stuff someone 3-0 at home first leg and the second leg doesn’t matter anyway 🤷🏻‍♂️ One final comment … who is the ref tomorrow and how many penalties is he giving Ipswich 😉

Bragg came off after an hour or so while Jander played the full 90. I think the midfield will probably be Bragg and Charles. I also think along the lines of @Saint Garrett - Azaz needs to play if he can.

Agree - Bree and Bragg were subbed and will be fine to start; Matsuki, Manning, Charles and Larin will be fresh. Jander, Leo and Azaz will be the most tired I suspect. Fellows too - he got through a lot of work. We could suffer a bit of a hangover from yesterday but something tells me Tonda will channel the disappointment in the right way and I actually think we’ll get a performance. I really hope the crowd are on top form as it’ll help. Last home game so we should give it our all to do our bit (I know there’ll likely be another in the playoffs)

We’d beat Wrexham in the playoffs IMHO. I’d actually worry more about Hull

What an amazing run we’ve been on - to guarantee a playoff spot with 2 games to spare was unthinkable for mucH if the season, even just a couple of weeks ago. And we are still unbeaten, in a cup semi-final and I’d still have us favourites to go up, albeit through the playoffs now and not automatically. I think I want Millwall to go up rather than Ipswich, especially as it will be replacing Spurs or West Ham. That’s going to be hilarious. I honestly think whoever falters out of Ipswich or Millwall will mentally struggle in the playoffs. I’d worry more about whoever sneaks 6th. For us now we can just enjoy Saturday, ruin things for Ipswich and give the away fans a great send-off at Preston before getting set to go again. Lots to enjoy still

Ignore me … Millwall play Tuesday as well. Im clearly getting over excited and talking rubbish 🤦🏻‍♂️

Absolutely go with the strongest possible team - if Ipswich drop points tomorrow we’ll have the chance to move second. Just applying that sort of pressure on the others will be huge I think, given the context of our run and form. Cant afford to pass the opportunity up to get ahead of Millwall and either ahead or level with Ipswich if we are to have any chance of automatic promotion. Still have to pinch myself that we’re in the mix. Unbelievable

At this stage of the season the only game that matters is the next one so I think we go as strong as possible. Hopefully Azaz is fit, in which case imho we should go Peretz Bree THB Stephens Manning Downes Jander Matsuki Azaz Leo Stewart Then again, if our cyborg manager works out a different and better way of doing things I’m not going to argue

Like everyone I keep mulling over the scenarios and I can make a case for any outcome - which in itself proves how far we’ve come. To be in with a shout from where we were is utterly remarkable. As it is I think Ipswich will falter. Whether we’re the ultimate beneficiaries or it’s Millwall or Boro remains to be seen. What is clear is that we have the form, the confidence, the options on the bench and players with an X factor. I like our chances but won’t lie and claim I’m confident we’ll do it. But imagine if we did … oh my word!

Even if Ipswich win … their next game is Boro. Mentally we have to believe we’ll beat Ipswich at home which means the gap to overhaul is 3. They need to drop points in 2-3 games. It’s unlikely but we’re not requiring a total collapse, just a wobble. I have to say if it was going to happen I’d have expected it to start at Norwich; if they beat Pompey and Boro it becomes highly improbable but I won’t start writing it off just yet. On the other hand, we’re not nailed on for playoffs yet - win tomorrow and I think it’s done but not until then. Big game. Loving the end of this season - excitement, quality football, goals and points galore. And a team and management that seems connected with the fans. It’s better than 2 years ago, most fun I’ve had in years.

Agree it should be a full house … disappointing if not Less agreement on the amount of changes, don’t think it’s necessary to do that much. Apart from GK and RB (maybe Azaz but Matsuki can play 10) we do pretty much have two players for each position. But for impetus I think changing more than 3 or 4 is excessive. Think Downes will play, maybe with Charles, back 5 unchanged except possibly Manning/Wellington. There are options across the front 4 but I see Scienza starting along with Azaz unless he’s cooked. Matsuki comes In for either Azaz or Fellows imho. Larin or Stewart?? Up to the medical team re Stewart I suspect. Win tomorrow and we’ve virtually secured a playoff place (remarkable from where we were); I hope we go strong and get it done ASAP.

It’s like giving Trump credit for the ceasefire with a prospect of reopening the straits. There was no war and a fully functioning strait before. We were an established premier league side; we’re not, are odds against being next year (though odds improving) and if we do go up have a huge job in building a competitive squad, just to get back to where we were. They’ve been a disaster. Spors looks a good appointment, January was a good window (their first that hasn’t been a total cluster) and they got lucky with Eckert - if we hadn’t reacted against O’Neil or somehow held on against QPR etc we could be floundering under another Jo es or Juric quite conceivably. I am delighted, thrilled and really optimistic about the end of this season, but am a very long way from rethinking my view of SR as being an utter shambles.