goodymatt

I think most of us are on the same journey with Tonda. Massively underwhelmed that we weren't going for a more experienced manager with past playing experience like Carrick but also aware of the recent question marks over any experienced candidate interviewed/linked. He smashed the interim period out of the park, making it difficult to not award him the job before then going on a dip of form where we all thought, "told you so". Then he's picked it back up, learning well on the job and as many posters have pointed out, our form under his management is right up there compared with the rest of the league. We are now looking at a points per game average under Tonda that compares very closely to Martin's for us in the Championship. That is pretty much the rate Boro have been achieving all season and it looks to be there or there about for automatic promotion this season. Question marks over ability to handle Premier League tactical and player demands are not of any relevance at this time. His record, given his inexperience has been and continues to be impressive and it's difficult to imagine any other replacement doing much better considering how well he is fairing against other teams during his tenure. He now moves into the business end of the season and how he handles that will be interesting.

Tonda confirmed that we won't be putting out loads of kids as the challenge and rest before this game is different to Leicester. He also confirmed that Ross will be involved, so he wasn't playing his 'tightness' down, which is great news. Welington and Robinson still injured, need more time.

Onuachu really struggled with the stamina required in English football but he would score plenty of goals in our current formation. Just don't expect any pressing from the front. He's a better striker than Larin or Downs IMO. Such a shame Rosco is so fragile as he's the best striker we have signed post Ings.

The Opta expected table has Hull 22nd on 38 points, easily the biggest over performing team this season. All this with transfer restrictions following staying up on the final day last season. Fair play to them.

Agreed. Although they have consistently over performed underlying stats all season, you do wonder if that could change between now and the end of the season. Our margin for error is very small.

I’d say our chances of reaching the playoffs are higher than 10%. Opta think 30.4% for Saints and 57.4% for Wrexham. Everyone else below us in the table predicted less than 9% chance. Feels very much like a 2 horse race for that 6th spot and we will need to win at Wrexham I think. Hull’s next 3 fixtures are tough, wonder if they will wobble. Ipswich win their games in hand and they are 2nd. Can see that last auto spot going to the final day. Wish they had done us a favour and beat Wrexham.

8 point gap for Birmingham, think that might be them out of the race now.

So you travel to watch Saints away and leave at half time when we are winning? Seems a bit strange behaviour to me.

Not solely but there are some good examples this season where managers have come in and immediately found vastly improved form, which continued over a decent sample size. Such as Tonda, Clement and Matos. Also Boro were on a downward slope under Carrick, sold couple of their best players but Edwards and now Hellberg getting so much more out of that team consistently. Lampard at Cov another example. Ipswich under McKenna. Quite a few examples.

Where do we sign?

Hull have been massively outperforming their metrics all season, I wonder if it can continue or if they will dip at the wrong time. Their game in hand is Ipswich I think. 7 points ahead of us as things stand. Wrexham beating Ipswich was a huge result for them but they do still have a lot of the chasers and the top 2 to play, as well as welcoming us to the Racecourse. That game is going to be massive if we both carry on in the same vein. Nice to hop above the rest of the chasing pack with the most winnable of games next up. Really starting to believe we can make the playoffs.

2-2 now

QPR beating Hull

I reckon he ends up in the Bundesliga next season if we don’t go up. Would be nice to keep him though!

Think Alfie said this afternoon.

If I remember correctly his purchase price doubled with interest from championship clubs and so we either missed out/walked away. He didn’t get going for a few more years but what a player he became. Shame he couldn’t have done that journey with us like many did.

We hold a one year extension option I think so don’t think we need to be making any decision before the end of the season. Ross needs to prove he can stay fit for this run of games and earn that new contract. There may be an option to reduce wages and increase duration but that’s one to speak about closer to the end of the season. No question, if he can stay fit, he’s a great striker at this level. Big if.

Correction, gone down as an OG.

Sam Edozie’s brother just equalised for Wolves

Sure we have to do our job but still would rather Wrexham drop points tonight.

2-2, great goal Bristol!

Wrexham winning puts us 4 off the playoffs, hoping Bristol can grab a late equaliser.