The Promotion Thread 2019

[BelizeHatter]

I wish you lot wouldnt assume/imply were already up........ It scares the shit out of me

 

[SF_]

Sir Aiden McGeady will drag Sunderland up automatically by himself.

 

[K-Win]

I wish you lot wouldnt assume/imply were already up........ It scares the shit out of me

Don't give me that. You love it.

 

[BelizeHatter]

I might in three or four weeks. Not yet. Someone is gonna miss out. Can still be us

 

[Hooped Wizard]

Cracking result for us yesterday following a dire result against Shrewsbury, we push on!

 

[K-Win]

Well, I suppose we're not fully out of it yet. We've suddenly bounced back into a bit of form and racked up 8 goals in three halves of footy, albeit against a League Two team in the Checkatrade and a Bradford team in turmoil.

Only problem is that everyone else at the top seems to be on a good run and don't look like slipping up. Plus we probably have one of the tougher run-ins and still need to go to Charlton and Sunderland. Burton and Wycombe away will be tough too.

Nah.... I've talked myself out of it again. As you were. Play-offs it is.

 

[Bobbin']

Cracking result for us yesterday following a dire result against Shrewsbury, we push on!

Was it?

You drew at home with a side you are trying to overtake whilst the team trying to catch you gained 2 points.

For what it’s worth, thought Donny were decent yesterday in a good game and I do think the top 6 will finish as it is. Would just question yesterday being ‘cracking’ for Donny.

 

[Hooped Wizard]

We drew against a team with a much bigger budget, who are clearly better than us after a bad loss which could have easily led to a terrible run.

I’d say it was a good result, we aren’t finishing higher than 6th anyway.

 

[K-Win]

Must be getting close to calling this for Luton now. 9 points clear of 3rd (albeit having played a game more) and no sign of letting up. Not the toughest set of fixtures in the run-in either.

Barnsley still looking good for 2nd, and sound unfortunate to have not extended their lead over Sunderland last night. Form is good and run-in fixtures not too bad.

Sunderland still have a good chance but will have a bit more of a fixture pile-up in the run-in due to the Checkatrade.

 

[Jamo]

I'm pretty satisfied with the 0-0 last night, keeps Sunderland just about at arms length, extends our unbeaten run to 17 games (and very nearly 12 months at home) and we stopped them scoring for the first time in 43 games.

Big game Friday now live on Sky vs Donny Rovers, can't wait.

 

[Craig]

Any Sunderland fan that watched that game can't be anything but delighted they came away with something.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Sunderland going to have to do it the hard way.

After this weekend they dont play for two weeks in the League, giving Barnsley and Luton the chance to stretch a lead. That could be a big, mentally tough gap to bridge in so few games, even if they have several in hand. They then have pretty much two games a week to the end of the season and an arguably tougher run in.

I can see Pompey overhauling them to be honest

 

[K-Win]

I can see Pompey overhauling them to be honest

Possibly, but we've got the same two week gap as Sunderland and still need to go to their place. Also, by the time we play them we could be out of it and just focusing on resting some players for the play-offs.

We're still a bit unconvincing at the moment. Came close to throwing away another 3 goal lead last night. In the first half of the season we'd basically won the game when we took the lead. These days we're much less secure at the back.

 

[BelizeHatter]

None of the pressure tho. That third spot is important as the 6th placed team are looking far weaker than the 4th and 5th for playoffs

 

[Bobbin']

None of the pressure tho. That third spot is important as the 6th placed team are looking far weaker than the 4th and 5th for playoffs

Exactly. I haven’t given up hope on 3rd just yet and expect us to be pushing for it all the way for that very reason.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Charlton were one of the more impressive displays against us, although have since lost their best striker. Your run in looks super tough tho. Only two of the remaining games that arent against teams fighting relegation. Those are often the tougest games. Tall ask to finish third

 

[Bobbin']

Charlton were one of the more impressive displays against us, although have since lost their best striker. Your run in looks super tough tho. Only two of the remaining games that arent against teams fighting relegation. Those are often the tougest games. Tall ask to finish third

Oh yeah, it’s a big ask but I fully expect us to make a fist of it because as you say, I think there is a real advantage of finishing 3rd this year.

I would certainly rather we do that then just take our foot off the gas and coast towards the end of the season anyway.

 

[Bucket_]

The run in.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Our run in suddenly doesn’t look as inviting as it did a couple of months ago.

 

[K-Win]

Our run in suddenly doesn’t look as inviting as it did a couple of months ago.

You're basically on your lap of honour now, Kenneth.

Second place may still be tight, though. Smart money has to be on Barnsley. If you discount the Easter weekend they are only playing once a week. Sunderland have to cram in nine games in just over a month at the end of the season. They may have the squad to handle it but that will be a real slog.

We're still in it, just. We've been up against some incredible consistency - Luton are unbeaten in 25 (Oct 13th), Barnsley 18 (Dec 8th) and Sunderland 16 (Dec 22nd). That's a freak situation, frankly!

 

[BelizeHatter]

Well done Barnsley in keeping the pressure up on Sunderland and not giving them a sniff. Hard slog and could have easily lost that but the heart to win it at the end. Walsall will be bitterly dissapointed and were unlucky to lose but when the chips are down it often doesnt go your way. Was impressed with Cauley Woodrow

 

[Jamo]

Absolutely did not deserve that win but bloody hell what scenes when we scored. Absolutely crucial as well given Portsmouth's victory this aft.

I'll be stunned if Luton don't win the title - embarrassing result for Rovers but just reinforces how unstoppable Luton are.

 

[oakroader]

And all done without our top scorer
out in Gibraltar....
What a nice headache for mick...
Keep the team that finished the game...or sacrifice someone on Collins return?
So many potential permutations to conjure with..

 

[K-Win]

So finally, finally, finally one of our promotion rivals lose a game. Been waiting 66 matches for that. Astonishing stuff.

Could have done without Sunderland's late winner, which has put them massively in the driving seat.

Luton's draw doesn't really change things for them. Just a matter of time I think.

Charlton are finishing very strongly but it's a big ask to overhaul three teams. Although third place is also a big incentive given the inconsistency of teams from 6th place down.

Barnsley still look to have the easiest run in but may have hit a rocky patch at the wrong time. Just one win from five games - and that was a pretty lucky one at Walsall.

We seem to have finally found the right blend after the January reboot, but we have a tough looking fixture list - we have to go to Burton and Sunderland, and have Coventry and Peterborough at home.

 

[Jamo]

Yeah I feel like we've probably shagged it tbh. That result has been coming for some weeks now, we've ridden our luck in recent games and contrive to miss easy chances when they come along. We've lost a massive presence and goalthreat in Kieffer Moore and if we fail to go up that for me will be the number 1 factor.

 

[K-Win]

So Sunderland's draw with Burton last night keeps things simmering nicely for the second place run-in. Here are the remaining fixtures for 2nd to 5th:

Sunderland
----------
13/04/2019 Coventry Home
19/04/2019 Doncaster Home
22/04/2019 Peterborough Away
27/04/2019 Portsmouth Home
30/04/2019 Fleetwood Away
04/05/2019 Southend Away

Barnsley
--------
13/04/2019 Fleetwood Home
19/04/2019 Shrewsbury Home
22/04/2019 Plymouth Away
27/04/2019 Blackpool Home
04/05/2019 Bristol Rovers Away

Portsmouth
----------
13/04/2019 Rochdale Home
19/04/2019 Burton Away
22/04/2019 Coventry Home
27/04/2019 Sunderland Away
30/04/2019 Peterborough Home
04/05/2019 Accrington Home

Charlton
--------
13/04/2019 Luton Home
19/04/2019 Oxford Away
22/04/2019 Scunthorpe Home
27/04/2019 Gillingham Away
04/05/2019 Rochdale Home


Huge game for Charlton on Saturday. If they can break Luton's record unbeaten run then they have four very winnable games afterwards. That would set a 91 point benchmark, which would definitely be in contention. If they don't beat Luton then I reckon they'd be out of it.

Sunderland are still in the driving seat, although you do wonder if the pressure might start to get to them in the home games especially. 40,000 fans desperate for success is a tough burden to carry for League One players.

 

[Craig]

When you look at those run ins we really do deserve to be mercilessly ridiculed if we don’t take that second spot back.

 

[Bobbin']

Happy with the position we’re in.

Written off by everyone, quietly going about our business, in a great run of form with no pressure and no heartache leading up to the play-offs. Perfect preparation.

Bloody love this team and management staff. If only our owner had the brains to allow Bowyer to replace Karlan Grant ffs.

 

[K-Win]

When you look at those run ins we really do deserve to be mercilessly ridiculed if we don’t take that second spot back.

Totally agree, but your form is worrying.

 

[K-Win]

Man, this is going to be close.

Despite yesterday's loss I reckon Luton will still go up over Easter weekend with a couple of wins.

On paper, us and Sunderland have it in our own hands. If either of us win all 5 then it's sorted. In reality, though, we both have tougher run ins than Barnsley and Charlton.

If Barnsley's form has now turned around then they have to be favourites. 4 wins should do it.

Charlton will be waiting for any slip ups and should post a 91 point benchmark with 4 likely wins.

An incredible finish, all said and done.