Saints v Ipswich - Tuesday 7.45pm

[Football Special]

25 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

There's also a 3-way fight for the last playoff place involving Disney FC (a real Mickey Mouse Club 😉)

The Sky coverage will be all over that, hoping for a fairytale ending.

That's what I meant  6th place being the last play off place. Got a feeling Derby will get it. 

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, Football Special said:

That's what I meant  6th place being the last play off place. Got a feeling Derby will get it. 

Oh yeah. Sorry it's still early on a Monday morning and I mis-read your post. I assumed you were referring to the battle for second.

[LiberalCommunist]

Quite possibly, but Qpr are a little bit like Bristol, party poopers when there's no need. Could see them really frustrating Town on the last day.

Its going to be a mad last day, that's for sure. 

[Lighthouse]

1 minute ago, LiberalCommunist said:

Quite possibly, but Qpr are a little bit like Bristol, party poopers when there's no need. Could see them really frustrating Town on the last day.

Its going to be a mad last day, that's for sure. 

I doubt it, I think it'll be pretty much a non-event. Ipswich will beat QPR at home fairly comfortably and that'll be the end of it. 

[Football Special]

3 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I doubt it, I think it'll be pretty much a non-event. Ipswich will beat QPR at home fairly comfortably and that'll be the end of it. 

I remember 2012 when all Man City had to do was win at home to QPR to win the league, very nearly didn't until Aguero popped up in stoppage time, but yes that scenario of a comfortable Ipswich win is overwhelming favourite if they need it (I.e dont beat us already) 

[Sheaf Saint]

7 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I doubt it, I think it'll be pretty much a non-event. Ipswich will beat QPR at home fairly comfortably and that'll be the end of it. 

In all probability yes. But here's an idea...

If we get into a comfortable lead over them tomorrow night (and wipe out their GD advantage), how about we then sub on some fringe players who we don't mind losing to suspension for the last day/playoffs and get them to put in some crunching tackles on Ipswich's best players? 

Not that I would condone such cynical, unsporting behaviour, of course.

[Football Special]

12 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

In all probability yes. But here's an idea...

If we get into a comfortable lead over them tomorrow night (and wipe out their GD advantage), how about we then sub on some fringe players who we don't mind losing to suspension for the last day/playoffs and get them to put in some crunching tackles on Ipswich's best players? 

Not that I would condone such cynical, unsporting behaviour, of course.

i don't think Saints have even spent a minute in the top 2 all season have we?, would be hilarious if we got a late goal at Preston to get into it , not going to happen though. 

Anyone know the odds on Saints to beat Ipswich and Preston and also Ipswich / Millwall failing to beat QPR / Oxford? Must be 100/1 surely 

[Barton Saint]

Tomorrow will be our 8th game in 24 days! April has been an incredible month for everyone associated with the club 

[Sheaf Saint]

4 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Anyone know the odds on Saints to beat Ipswich and Preston and also Ipswich / Millwall failing to beat QPR / Oxford? Must be 100/1 surely 

I just tried to do an accumulator on Betfair to work it out, but they're not offering odds on ours or Ipswich's final games until after we've played each other tomorrow night.

[suewhistle]

Next Saturday we need some plants in the Ipswich crowd to start the rumour that Saints are losing 3-0 at Preston so that they give up trying for a bit; then panic when their bench tells them the truth..

[Saint Garrett]

Winning this could be really important, Firstly, obviously the off chance of us finishing 2nd but also the mental boost it will give us ahead of the playoffs to beat them.  2 massive games left, and we can rest on Saturday if we dont get the job done on Tuesday. But we'll still wanna finish 3rd or 4th to give us home adv second leg.

Wouldn't surprise me to see a few changes, but think it will be pretty much this:

Peretz;

Bree THB Stephens (if fit) Manning

Jander Bragg

Matsuki Azaz Scienza

Larin

[Dman]

Annoingly, this is now pretty much a must win for us if we want the home advantage in the play-offs. 

With that in mind, strongest side possible. 

I think all of April and Saturday will finally catch up with us and we'll get beat in this one. 

 

[a1ex2001]

21 minutes ago, Saint Garrett said:

Winning this could be really important, Firstly, obviously the off chance of us finishing 2nd but also the mental boost it will give us ahead of the playoffs to beat them.  2 massive games left, and we can rest on Saturday if we dont get the job done on Tuesday. But we'll still wanna finish 3rd or 4th to give us home adv second leg.

Wouldn't surprise me to see a few changes, but think it will be pretty much this:

Peretz;

Bree THB Stephens (if fit) Manning

Jander Bragg

Matsuki Azaz Scienza

Larin

Can see Bragg and Azaz missing out, Bragg is still so young and Azaz is clearly carrying some sort of injury and both ran themselves ragged at Wembley.  

[a1ex2001]

3 minutes ago, Dman said:

Annoingly, this is now pretty much a must win for us if we want the home advantage in the play-offs. 

With that in mind, strongest side possible. 

I think all of April and Saturday will finally catch up with us and we'll get beat in this one. 

 

The table certainly makes it look that way although we’d still be in with a shot if results went our way on the last day I’d prefer it was in our own hands, two wins should see us finish above Boro regardless of other results.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

That's what I meant  6th place being the last play off place. Got a feeling Derby will get it. 

yep, out of the 3, they have the easiest fixture. Which considering its Sheff Utd, is a pretty crazy thing to say. 

[Saint Garrett]

5 minutes ago, a1ex2001 said:

Can see Bragg and Azaz missing out, Bragg is still so young and Azaz is clearly carrying some sort of injury and both ran themselves ragged at Wembley.  

I just dont see Azaz coming out unless we don't need to win, he's probably our most important attacking player now. Especially when we don't have an alternative.

[Mattio]

Get Romeu in to break some legs 😂

[Oisin]

32 minutes ago, a1ex2001 said:

Can see Bragg and Azaz missing out, Bragg is still so young and Azaz is clearly carrying some sort of injury and both ran themselves ragged at Wembley.  

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.

[S-Clarke]

You've got to go all out for a win, the equation for us is as simple as it gets. Win both games, score a few goals (especially against Ipswich), and see what happens next weekend. It's a long shot, of course it is, but going into the last game on 79, 79, 80, 80 is a bit nuts. Even if we fail, I don't think everyone will feel deflated as if it's some glorious failure, we weren't even expected to be here a few months ago - so it's a bonus situation whatever way you think about it. We just need to give ourselves the best chance to partake in something incredibly nuts.

Edited 1 hour ago by S-Clarke

[macca155]

Not worth worrying about the autos really, what will be will be. Saints need to win both games, and rely on two teams dropping points, and make up a goal difference of 6. If it happens amazing but the odds are very low. I certainly don't think Tonda should be risking any player pursuing that goal. 

Really need to think about the play offs. Saints need to need to finish above 5th to have home advantage in the 2nd match., that is so important. That's really only happening if Saints beat Ipswich on Tuesday. That will force Middlesborough to have to go for the win against Wrexham, rather than holding out for a draw.

The defence should be fine, Manning will be fresh and Quarshie can cover if necessary. Up front Larin, Stewart, and Archer are being rotated well. Edozie and Robinson can provide cover for Fellows and Scienza.

Its the midfield I worry about. We really need Jander and Bragg to start but they must be on empty by now, both physically and emotionally.  Charles and Matsuki should be fresh but both have a tendency to leave gaps, and are not as intense when tackling. Both are way better playing further up. Just have to cross our fingers and hope they are ok. We may even see Romeu's wrecking ball act for a few minutes.

Azaz is a worry, need him fit.

Need to remember Ipswich aren't Man City and they have their own demons to deal with. No need to panic, if the crowd are behind them they should have enough to beat Ipswich.

Big big game

[Sheaf Saint]

34 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Really need to think about the play offs. Saints need to need to finish above 5th to have home advantage in the 2nd match., that is so important. That's really only happening if Saints beat Ipswich on Tuesday. That will force Middlesborough to have to go for the win against Wrexham, rather than holding out for a draw.

Boro can still get second with a win against Wrexham. There's zero chance they will be playing for a draw.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Oisin said:

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.

Jander is a machine - he'll start tomorrow. Bragg and Charles is not a good enough pair against Ipswich.

[Mr X]

1 hour ago, Mattio said:

Get Romeu in to break some legs 😂

More likely to break his own nowadays 

[Oisin]

49 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Not worth worrying about the autos really, what will be will be. Saints need to win both games, and rely on two teams dropping points, and make up a goal difference of 6. If it happens amazing but the odds are very low. I certainly don't think Tonda should be risking any player pursuing that goal. 

Really need to think about the play offs. Saints need to need to finish above 5th to have home advantage in the 2nd match., that is so important. That's really only happening if Saints beat Ipswich on Tuesday. That will force Middlesborough to have to go for the win against Wrexham, rather than holding out for a draw.

The defence should be fine, Manning will be fresh and Quarshie can cover if necessary. Up front Larin, Stewart, and Archer are being rotated well. Edozie and Robinson can provide cover for Fellows and Scienza.

Its the midfield I worry about. We really need Jander and Bragg to start but they must be on empty by now, both physically and emotionally.  Charles and Matsuki should be fresh but both have a tendency to leave gaps, and are not as intense when tackling. Both are way better playing further up. Just have to cross our fingers and hope they are ok. We may even see Romeu's wrecking ball act for a few minutes.

Azaz is a worry, need him fit.

Need to remember Ipswich aren't Man City and they have their own demons to deal with. No need to panic, if the crowd are behind them they should have enough to beat Ipswich.

Big big game

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 😉

Edited 17 minutes ago by Oisin
Typo

[mikec]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

i don't think Saints have even spent a minute in the top 2 all season have we?, would be hilarious if we got a late goal at Preston to get into it , not going to happen though. 

Anyone know the odds on Saints to beat Ipswich and Preston and also Ipswich / Millwall failing to beat QPR / Oxford? Must be 100/1 surely 

On the Betfair Exchange, the odds of Saints getting a top-2 finish (which is pretty much the same as what you're asking if you disregard Middlesbrough) are currently 23/1.