The Probably Boro but Hopefully Second Leg at Home Chase

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

it does

Obviously if the tie goes to penalties then I would much prefer that to be at SMS, and statistically the team at home in the second leg has a slight advantage. But on current form I would fancy us to comfortably beat Boro at home and then play out a draw (at least) at theirs, negating the need for ET & pens. 

They couldn't beat us at home earlier in the season when we were shit and they were challenging Coventry for top spot. OK they smashed us at the Riverside in Jan, but we've come and awful long way since then (and we now have a keeper who doesn't concede from scuffed shots that are straight at him).

[Willo of Whiteley]

It’s amazing how downbeat everyone is on this thread now.

Yes it currently is a very long shot.

BUT if we beat Ipswich on Tuesday then the final game of the season suddenly becomes 2nd to 5th - 80 points, 80 points, 79 points, 79 points.

That is incredible going into the final game of the season.

Four teams competing for one spot.

Millwall v Oxford, Ipswich v QPR, play-off chasing Wrexham v Middlesbrough and Preston v Saints.

Stranger things have happened.

Teams drop points every day. It’s game on!

[Lord Duckhunter]

14 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Teams drop points every day.

& Oxford drop more than most….

[sfc4prem]

14 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

if we beat Ipswich on Tuesday then the final game of the season suddenly becomes 2nd to 5th - 80 points, 80 points, 79 points, 79 points.

That is incredible going into the final game of the season.

The lovely thing about it is, if we win against Preston, Millwall, Ipswich or Middlesbrough have to win, a draw won't do.

[Harry_SFC]

I think we'll win both games but it won't be enough. As crap as Ipswich have been lately, I can't see how they don't beat a dreadful QPR team. 

[Tamesaint]

2 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

It’s amazing how downbeat everyone is on this thread now.

Yes it currently is a very long shot.

BUT if we beat Ipswich on Tuesday then the final game of the season suddenly becomes 2nd to 5th - 80 points, 80 points, 79 points, 79 points.

That is incredible going into the final game of the season.

Four teams competing for one spot.

Millwall v Oxford, Ipswich v QPR, play-off chasing Wrexham v Middlesbrough and Preston v Saints.

Stranger things have happened.

Teams drop points every day. It’s game on!

Stranger things tend to happen on the final day of the season when the pressure is on. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

In a weeks time we could be going “how the fuck have we finished second”!

Equally we could be going “I can’t believe we lost our last two games”.

Fine margins.

[saintant]

14 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

The lovely thing about it is, if we win against Preston, Millwall, Ipswich or Middlesbrough have to win, a draw won't do.

Spot on. It's improbable not impossible.

[Mboto Gorge]

39 minutes ago, saintant said:

Spot on. It's improbable not impossible.

This is where I’m at. Would be criminal not to go all out for a win against Ipswich. For starters we don’t want them celebrating promotion on our turf, and also, if we win it means that we beat Preston and the pressure is on them to win their games. We would go to Preston under zero pressure in my opinion as all eyes will be on Millwall and Ipswich with all the expectations on them to win. If they do win, we won’t exactly be gutted as it was expected anyway. Not like we’d have bottled it and be on a downer. All in all it’s no lose situation for us. But let’s at least go all out to take it to that scenario on the final day by doing our utmost to beat Ipswich and stick the pressure bang on them and Millwall on Saturday. 

Edited Monday at 09:34 by Mboto Gorge

[whelk]

These odds obviously include going up via play-offs but gives you an idea of how Ipswich are massive favourites 

[Ken Tone]

14 hours ago, sfc4prem said:

The lovely thing about it is, if we win against Preston, Millwall, Ipswich or Middlesbrough have to win, a draw won't do.

As long as we beat Ipswich,  we'll be above Middlesbrough on goal difference or goals scored, so it's very slightly better than that. If we then beat Preston,  either Ipswich or Millwall need to win, or 'Boro need not just to win, but to win by by more than we do  ...... I think! 😉 

 

[Whitey Grandad]

7 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said:

This is where I’m at. Would be criminal not to go all out for a win against Ipswich. For starters we don’t want them celebrating promotion on our turf, and also, if we win it means that we beat Preston and the pressure is on them to win their games. We would go to Preston under zero pressure in my opinion as all eyes will be on Millwall and Ipswich with all the expectations on them to win. If they do win, we won’t exactly be gutted as it was expected anyway. Not like we’d have bottled it and be on a downer. All in all it’s no lose situation for us. But let’s at least go all out to take it to that scenario on the final day by doing our utmost to beat Ipswich and stick the pressure bang on them and Millwall on Saturday. 

And don't forget that this is our last home game of the regular season. 

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, Whitey Grandad said:

And don't forget that this is our last home game of the regular season. 

Surely no lap of honour at the end though with the play offs still to come we'll have another home game 

[Badger]

3 hours ago, Football Special said:

Surely no lap of honour at the end though with the play offs still to come we'll have another home game 

Didn’t stop them two years ago. An embarrassing event in a largely empty stadium after a 1-0 defeat to Stoke. 

[Sheaf Saint]

8 hours ago, Badger said:

Didn’t stop them two years ago. An embarrassing event in a largely empty stadium after a 1-0 defeat to Stoke. 

Although I'm hoping for a better match result tonight, I still wouldn't bank on the ground being much fuller for the lap of honour. It's a midweek game that won't finish until gone 9.30 and people need to get trains etc...

[Willo of Whiteley]

Take it to the last game!

Even taken it to the last game from our position is a phenomenal effort.

[mikec]

21 hours ago, Ken Tone said:

As long as we beat Ipswich,  we'll be above Middlesbrough on goal difference or goals scored, so it's very slightly better than that. If we then beat Preston,  either Ipswich or Millwall need to win, or 'Boro need not just to win, but to win by by more than we do  ...... I think! 😉 

 

Yes 'Boro would need to win by a margin that matches or beats the combined margin of our 2 wins.  So if we win both by 1-0, they would finish above us if they win 2-0.

I doubt if 2nd place will come down to that but it could decide where we both finish in the playoff spots.

[sockeye]

 

Is it 3rd-4th place chase now? 😁

[Lighthouse]

Tonight’s match has just reaffirmed what I’ve thought all along; second was never really on and we’re better off not having to deal with Ipswich in the playoffs. They will do the business in front of their own fans at the weekend and that will be that.

It’s going to be us against Boro, I guess we’re now playing for home advantage second.

[CB Fry]

Try and finish fourth then.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Lighthouse said:

Tonight’s match has just reaffirmed what I’ve thought all along; second was never really on and we’re better off not having to deal with Ipswich in the playoffs. They will do the business in front of their own fans at the weekend and that will be that.

It’s going to be us against Boro, I guess we’re now playing for home advantage second.

totally agree. Ipswich are the team to avoid

[qwertyell]

5 minutes ago, sockeye said:

 

Is it 3rd-4th place chase now? 😁

Pointless. Play the reserves and settle for 5th. We'll be playing Boro almost certainly regardless. Might as well be fresh for it. 

[Matthew Le God]

10 minutes ago, qwertyell said:

Pointless. Play the reserves and settle for 5th. We'll be playing Boro almost certainly regardless. Might as well be fresh for it. 

Being at home in the second leg is potentially an advantage. Getting 3rd probably gets us an easier semi final. So Saturday's game is still important. 

Edited 14 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[AlexLaw76]

8 minutes ago, qwertyell said:

Pointless. Play the reserves and settle for 5th. We'll be playing Boro almost certainly regardless. Might as well be fresh for it. 

absolutey not pointless at all...

 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Rename the thread again:

“Play-Off Final Charge”

😇

[Saint NL]

Sky Bet Championship

 

Play-off semi-final first legs

6th vs 3rd - Friday May 8, kick-off 8pm

5th vs 4th - Saturday May 9, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Play-off semi-final second leg

3rd vs 6th - Monday May 11, 8pm

4th vs 5th - Tuesday May 12, 8pm

 

Final

Saturday May 2, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Not a fan of the 12:30 kick offs. But we should be aiming for out usual Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule for one more week

[Harry_SFC]

Team for the play offs?

Peretz, Bree, THB, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Jander, Matsuki, Scienza, Azaz, Larin.

That is our best 11, no question. 

[Swaythling Saint]

Best avoid Ipswich on that showing (they will win anyway) think we can take anyone else over two legs but want home advantage in the 2nd ideally and with Downes, Stephens, Matsuki back etc

[Patches O Houlihan]

38 minutes ago, Swaythling Saint said:

Best avoid Ipswich on that showing (they will win anyway) think we can take anyone else over two legs but want home advantage in the 2nd ideally and with Downes, Stephens, Matsuki back etc

To be honest I think we probably win tonights game with Downes in midfield instead of Charles. Just listened to Tonda talking to Adam Blackmore - sounds like a man who knows Archer would have been a better sub than Edozie, and that Bragg for Charles after Larin's stunner might have made a difference.

Also noticeable that the defence has been a bit less solid since the Stephens/THB partnership was broken.

[bpsaint]

17 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

To be honest I think we probably win tonights game with Downes in midfield instead of Charles. Just listened to Tonda talking to Adam Blackmore - sounds like a man who knows Archer would have been a better sub than Edozie, and that Bragg for Charles after Larin's stunner might have made a difference.

Also noticeable that the defence has been a bit less solid since the Stephens/THB partnership was broken.

Agreed - I never thought I’d ever be saying this a few months ago, but I hope Jack is back soon.

[bugenhagen]

22 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Agreed - I never thought I’d ever be saying this a few months ago, but I hope Jack is back soon.

Yep, can’t wait to get good ol’ shoehorn in there again.

I guess they are still quite useful 😃

[SNSUN]

3 hours ago, Saint NL said:

Sky Bet Championship

 

Play-off semi-final first legs

6th vs 3rd - Friday May 8, kick-off 8pm

5th vs 4th - Saturday May 9, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Play-off semi-final second leg

3rd vs 6th - Monday May 11, 8pm

4th vs 5th - Tuesday May 12, 8pm

 

Final

Saturday May 2, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Not a fan of the 12:30 kick offs. But we should be aiming for out usual Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule for one more week

That's impressive having the Final before the Semi-Finals. I'm not sure how they are going to work that, nor who would appear in it. 😁

[CB Fry]

8 hours ago, Saint NL said:

Sky Bet Championship

 

Play-off semi-final first legs

6th vs 3rd - Friday May 8, kick-off 8pm

5th vs 4th - Saturday May 9, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Play-off semi-final second leg

3rd vs 6th - Monday May 11, 8pm

4th vs 5th - Tuesday May 12, 8pm

 

Final

Saturday May 2, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Not a fan of the 12:30 kick offs. But we should be aiming for out usual Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule for one more week

The final will absolutely not kick off at 12:30pm.

More like 3 or 4

[Scoobysaint]

8 hours ago, Saint NL said:

Sky Bet Championship

 

Play-off semi-final first legs

6th vs 3rd - Friday May 8, kick-off 8pm

5th vs 4th - Saturday May 9, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Play-off semi-final second leg

3rd vs 6th - Monday May 11, 8pm

4th vs 5th - Tuesday May 12, 8pm

 

Final

Saturday May 2, kick-off 12.30pm

 

Not a fan of the 12:30 kick offs. But we should be aiming for out usual Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday schedule for one more week

I think there has been some confusion here over final day (this Saturday) and Play off final (Sat 23rd May, ko tba)

[Dman]

9 hours ago, Swaythling Saint said:

Best avoid Ipswich on that showing (they will win anyway) think we can take anyone else over two legs but want home advantage in the 2nd ideally and with Downes, Stephens, Matsuki back etc

As soon as we failed to beat Bristol city, ipswich were always the likley ones to win the leauge. 

Even if we had won last night (instead of a draw), not much changes for them - they'd have to beat QPR on the final day, which given its at home, they absolutely will do... comfortably. 

[die Mannyschaft]

10 hours ago, Swaythling Saint said:

Best avoid Ipswich on that showing (they will win anyway) think we can take anyone else over two legs but want home advantage in the 2nd ideally and with Downes, Stephens, Matsuki back etc

Yes avoid Ipswich and Millwall in playoffs. Millwall in final maybe and sits all on the day we can do another Leeds if we get there. Leeds were odds on to win but we got the result. Could get Wrexham but all these teams run at Saints which we don’t handle well. Away at Wrexham we were on frobg foot attacking but that's not our usual style 

[AlexLaw76]

Thankfully, Boro have to go for the win against Wrexham, who also have to win, which should mean they don’t “rotate”

[Sheaf Saint]

2 hours ago, CB Fry said:

The final will absolutely not kick off at 12:30pm.

More like 3 or 4

If Millwall are involved then it almost certainly will kick off around 12:30, ahead of the match starting later in the afternoon.

[Swaythling Saint]

11 hours ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

To be honest I think we probably win tonights game with Downes in midfield instead of Charles. Just listened to Tonda talking to Adam Blackmore - sounds like a man who knows Archer would have been a better sub than Edozie, and that Bragg for Charles after Larin's stunner might have made a difference.

Also noticeable that the defence has been a bit less solid since the Stephens/THB partnership was broken.

Yes did wonder why Archer didnt come on and why Charles stayed out, he looked knackered and the weak link.  The reinforcements coming back into the team will make a huge difference.

[beatlesaint]

I'm glad Ipswich are out the way. Aside from anything else they are a niggly lot and not facing them again is only good.

Whatever happens at least after Saturday the players have a 6 or 7 day rest until the first play off game and lets face it, they need that recovery time. 

I doubt whether Tonda cares if we are home or away in the first leg, I think thats more of a fan thing.

In our favour is that Wrexham have to beat Boro really so if we can win at Preston then 4th is certainly a strong possibility.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, beatlesaint said:

I'm glad Ipswich are out the way. Aside from anything else they are a niggly lot and not facing them again is only good.

Whatever happens at least after Saturday the players have a 6 or 7 day rest until the first play off game and lets face it, they need that recovery time. 

I doubt whether Tonda cares if we are home or away in the first leg, I think thats more of a fan thing.

In our favour is that Wrexham have to beat Boro really so if we can win at Preston then 4th is certainly a strong possibility.

How can it be more of a fan thing? It is a potential advantage 

[beatlesaint]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

How can it be more of a fan thing? It is a potential advantage 

If a team wins the first leg 3-0 its not much of an advantage is it?

I'm just saying that i doubt it bothers Tonda, you can hear him say "we have to play home and away so it makes no difference"  

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, beatlesaint said:

If a team wins the first leg 3-0 its not much of an advantage is it?

I'm just saying that i doubt it bothers Tonda, you can hear him say "we have to play home and away so it makes no difference"  

If you lose 3-0 in the first game you dont Deserve promotion. Rarely does that happen

Edited 1 hour ago by AlexLaw76

[beatlesaint]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

If you lose 3-0 in the first game you dont Deserve promotion. Rarely does that happen

happened last season 🤣

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Sheaf Saint said:

If Millwall are involved then it almost certainly will kick off around 12:30, ahead of the match starting later in the afternoon.

Wont make a difference. Last time Millwall were in a playoff final (2017) it was played at 3pm like every other year. 

[Graffito]

18 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

If a team wins the first leg 3-0 its not much of an advantage is it?

I'm just saying that i doubt it bothers Tonda, you can hear him say "we have to play home and away so it makes no difference"  

He regards being at home second leg as an advantage. He said so in his pre Ipswich press conference. 

[Turkish]

13 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Rename the thread again:

“Play-Off Final Charge”

😇

"The fight for fourth", surely?

[AlexLaw76]

23 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

happened last season 🤣

I said rarely, not never

 

[AlexLaw76]

9 minutes ago, Graffito said:

He regards being at home second leg as an advantage. He said so in his pre Ipswich press conference. 

What does Tonda know eh?

[Sheaf Saint]

39 minutes ago, Dman said:

Wont make a difference. Last time Millwall were in a playoff final (2017) it was played at 3pm like every other year. 

Wooosh 😉