Automatic Promotion

[K-Win]

Not sure why we don't have one of these. Probably because it looked like Rotherham and Wigan were going to walk it a while back. However, the great form of MK Dons and Plymouth, plus some faltering form from Rotherham have made it interesting again.

Rotherham have three very winnable games left, plus two tricky away games (Sunderland and Pompey) with two difficult home games (Ipswich and Oxford).

Wigan's next four games are very winnable and could seal the deal for them. However, if they don't do well they will then need Ipswich and Pompey away (both may be on the beach, though?), plus Plymouth at home. Overall though, it's difficult to see Wigan slip up, although they still have 8 games to cram in.

MK Dons are on an amazing run. Their next two games look like definite wins, but they their last four games include away trips to Oxford and Plymouth plus home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Plymouth are still a long shot, but only three points off the top so definitely in the running. They have the toughest run-in though with trips to Wycombe and Wigan, plus visits from Sunderland and MK Dons. They've surprised all season though, so can't be discounted.

IMHO it looks Wigan have the accumulated points, plus the run-in to seal promotion. Although the fixture pile-up may still take its toll.

Plymouth have had an amazing season but they are big outsiders with a very tough run-in.

I think the main battle here is between Rotherham and MK Dons. The Millers have possibly hit their worst form of the season, and MK Dons are like a runaway train at the moment.

Could still be an exciting finale (for the neutral ).

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Not sure why we don't have one of these. Probably because it looked like Rotherham and Wigan were going to walk it a while back. However, the great form of MK Dons and Plymouth, plus some faltering form from Rotherham have made it interesting again.

Rotherham have three very winnable games left, plus two tricky away games (Sunderland and Pompey) with two difficult home games (Ipswich and Oxford).

Wigan's next four games are very winnable and could seal the deal for them. However, if they don't do well they will then need Ipswich and Pompey away (both may be on the beach, though?), plus Plymouth at home. Overall though, it's difficult to see Wigan slip up, although they still have 8 games to cram in.

MK Dons are on an amazing run. Their next two games look like definite wins, but they their last four games include away trips to Oxford and Plymouth plus home to Sheffield Wednesday.

Plymouth are still a long shot, but only three points off the top so definitely in the running. They have the toughest run-in though with trips to Wycombe and Wigan, plus visits from Sunderland and MK Dons. They've surprised all season though, so can't be discounted.

IMHO it looks Wigan have the accumulated points, plus the run-in to seal promotion. Although the fixture pile-up may still take its toll.

Plymouth have had an amazing season but they are big outsiders with a very tough run-in.

I think the main battle here is between Rotherham and MK Dons. The Millers have possibly hit their worst form of the season, and MK Dons are like a runaway train at the moment.

Could still be an exciting finale (for the neutral ).

Good analysis. We have now played eight games, lost one, won seven, one goal against. Think we fear nobody. Our form at Home Park is out of the park, and doubt anyone looks forward to coming down. That said injuries are just mounting up and we had a 17 and 15 year old on the bench yesterday, neither of whom have played a league game (though have played pizza cup type games). We are clearly missing Hardie who will be out for another couple of weeks. His pace frightens defences (though Garrick is actually faster according to our fitness guy) so his mere presence opens space elsewhere. Whatever the final top six positioning, Argo will have quite a say in it, positively or negatively.

 

[WhiteRussian]

I agree Wigan are going to win the league. Same points, matches in hand and playing well enough.

Plymout have a shouth at the autos, no team is out of it and as shown with ipswich v Cambridge, anyone can beat anyone on the day but, I just think it is a bit too far for them after that loss at Ipswich.

We are doing brilliantly. My worry is, being a half empty kind of person, that the wheels will come off in spectacular fasion, probably against the team we least expect it to.

I'm sure we have enough points for the playoffs now even if it does go spectacularly wrong but tbh the playoffs hold no appeal for me. Sod getting all the way to Wembly and then losing! Obviously I really want the autos but it'a still more Rotherhams to lose. If they win their matches we can't do anything to close the gap.

It's going to be interesting, thats for sure.

 

[SMH]

To get promoted we have to do one of two things, either gain more points than Rotherham between now and the close with one game more to play, or match MK Dons' points total between now and the close with two games more to play.

Having looked at the fixtures of each team if we fail to achieve either of those goals, particularly the second one, then we don't deserve promotion to be brutally honest.

 

[beaufighter]

After sitting top of the league for so long, it now looks nailed on, imho, that as of Tuesday evening we will be 3rd, and only by GD from Plymouth. After being outplayed by Sutton at Wembley for 90 mins, only to force extra time at the death and then storm those last 30 mins, my hope is that game ends up serving as a microcosm of our entire season. Everything I can cross, is crossed. Whoever goes up will have earned it for sure.

 

[DippyDon]

We’ve done our part to put the pressure on the top 2 and have rightfully jumped above the line, albeit having played more games though. I still think it’s Wigan’s and Rotherham’s to lose but given how a few months ago they looked like they’d go up at a canter we’re certainly trying to make it interesting and take it to the wire

 

[WhiteRussian]

We’ve done our part to put the pressure on the top 2 and have rightfully jumped above the line, albeit having played more games though. I still think it’s Wigan’s and Rotherham’s to lose but given how a few months ago they looked like they’d go up at a canter we’re certainly trying to make it interesting and take it to the wire

I can't see Wigan failing to go up as Champions. It's whether Rotherham continue to implode where our chances lie.

 

[K-Win]

Huge alarm bells ringing for Rotherham now. It's still technically in their hands but their form has fallen off a cliff.

They come to Fratton on Tuesday night. What with our own poor form culminating in a dreadful display at Cheltenham yesterday, this is a very winnable game for the Millers against a team whose season is over. Should be an interesting evening!

 

[DippyDon]

Yesterdays result doesn’t seem as bad given Rotherham’s loss. If they can keep dropping points so that we have a buffer large enough that I don’t constantly look over my shoulder at them that would be lovely

 

[SMH]

Sheffield Wednesday, they couldn't could they...

 

[Nuttall]

all on this weekend for me. We're away at Wycombe and Rotherham have Oxford, results have to go our way this weekend. MK are at home to Morecambe so expect they'll win although we do have a game in hand at Fleetwood on Tuesday where you would expect us to get the points. Last day we're at home and we're the best home team in the country so we'd have to be confident and I've not doubt that if it were all to play for there'd be over 30,000 inside Hillsborough, when the crowds turn up the team tends to. For me it all hinges on how badly Rotherham continue to flop but if you'd have told me 2 months ago that we'd still be in with a chance with 3 games to go i'd have snatched your hand off

 

[BarrieOwl]

all on this weekend for me. We're away at Wycombe and Rotherham have Oxford, results have to go our way this weekend. MK are at home to Morecambe so expect they'll win although we do have a game in hand at Fleetwood on Tuesday where you would expect us to get the points. Last day we're at home and we're the best home team in the country so we'd have to be confident and I've not doubt that if it were all to play for there'd be over 30,000 inside Hillsborough, when the crowds turn up the team tends to. For me it all hinges on how badly Rotherham continue to flop but if you'd have told me 2 months ago that we'd still be in with a chance with 3 games to go i'd have snatched your hand off

Don't

 

[Bartonyellow]

I think Wednesday might just run out of games - as in, if it went on for another week they would have gone up automatically.
It’s a tall order to do it with 2/3 games. But as has been said, to be in with a sniff is an achievement in itself. Pleased for big Dave - he was a good player for us towards the end of his career.
Would not want to play them in the play offs though, they look in irresistible form and would be hard to bet against them.
It’s very exciting to see. Especially for fans like me with no skin in the game, I can sit back and grab the popcorn.

 

[BarrieOwl]

A decade ago....

We ended up pipping the Blades to 2nd.

 

[Bobbin']

What a season that was.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Interesting looking at the teams in that league and where they are now.

Brentford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth & Sheff United have all been in the Premiership since that season, whereas teams like Notts County and Yeovil are now not even in the FL, whereas Hartlepool did fall out the league but have since returned and Scunthorpe have just lost their FL status last weekend. Bury no longer even exist.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Interesting looking at the teams in that league and where they are now.

Brentford, Huddersfield, Bournemouth & Sheff United have all been in the Premiership since that season, whereas teams like Notts County and Yeovil are now not even in the FL, whereas Hartlepool did fall out the league but have since returned and Scunthorpe have just lost their FL status last weekend. Bury no longer even exist.

Looks to be a lot more smaller clubs in the league then, when you compare who is there this season/ next!

 

[Arbury]

Wtf are wigan playing at, thought they’d already be planning for championship football next season but we go into the last game and there’s a chance they’ll be in the playoff’s.

KTF

 

[PuB]

Wtf are wigan playing at, thought they’d already be planning for championship football next season but we go into the last game and there’s a chance they’ll be in the playoff’s.

KTF

They’d need a 6 goal swing against them away at Shrewsbury with Rotherham and MKD both winning to mean they were in the playoffs. Doesn’t seem too likely to me.

 

[Arbury]

They’d need a 6 goal swing against them away at Shrewsbury with Rotherham and MKD both winning to mean they were in the playoffs. Doesn’t seem too likely to me.

Agreed, it’s unlikely but you just never know in football, when the pressure is on it can do strange things.

The situation reminds me of how we were last season, eventually we got promoted on the last day and I’m hoping they will to, it’s just that fear of doubt that was just an awful feeling until eventually it turned into just pure jubilation.

KTF

 

[DippyDon]

I would just like to congratulate Wigan and Rotherham on their respective promotions. We never win whilst on TV

 

[denzel ecfc]

Ar*yle on TV? Well I never, thats only the 65th time this season..

Still might find a pub in Northampton showing it to give me a giggle

 

[DippyDon]

If we get Plymouth in the play offs that’ll be 4 times this season that sky show MK Dons v Plymouth

 

[thewwfc]

Well done to Wigan and Rotherham, the latter nearly blew it at the end, but you’d have to say they deserved it, especially in a season when the points total required to bag an auto spot was so high.

 

[Laker]

Congrats Wigan and Rotherham and hard luck Dons as that was a hell of an effort today.