Match Day Thread Norwich city Versus Swansea City kick off 15:00 Saturday

Looking at Preston’s pitiable performance, I’m not sure we can rest too many players against Birmingham as it would be good to hold onto 5th.

Also, we don’t want to get complacent about the likelihood of a 8-goal swing in Hull’s favour. We’ve been beaten on the road by four goals once already this season and it’s not inconceivable that Hull hammer Plymouth.

 

I don't think he will make wholesale changes, because we are not mathematically safe, but perhaps two or 3 on the bench rather than starting to protect them from injury

 

With the 5 subs in 3 phases rule , resting Sargent & Sara our 2 stand out attacking threats with an eye on bringing them on if things go wrong would be sensible.

Set the side out defensively with Van Hooijdonk given a start .

A 0-0 would be a good result

 

The first playoff game takes place just over two weeks after the final game, so the need to rest players is less urgent, IMO. Avoiding injuries is also an issue but there's also a need to maintain match fitness and sharpness. With Barnes having Achilles problems, it could be a question of how much time Sargent and Sara play. Stacey is another who could need a bit of rest and it would be good to give Fisher more game time. Big decisions for Wagner.

 

Do yellow cards accrued reset for the play offs ?
As that could be another factor

 

I'd guess it's a clean slate for the playoffs.

 

The EFL has a disciplinary rule which sees players issued a one match ban should they accumulate five yellow cards before the 19 game mark. The next stage is a two-match ban if you have 10 cautions by the 37th game and then a three-match ban should any player pick up more than 15 in one season.

Taken from EFL Website

 

McLean is closest to that limit, sitting on 11

 

According to Sky it is just over a week after the final game of the season: https://www.skysports.com/football/...le-for-championship-league-one-and-league-two

 

So, after all, you agree with me!

What do you think that is saying other than "we are spluttering over the line"?

Teams of genuine top six quality don't "splutter over the line".

 

Yes, my mistake - the fact that it's on a Sunday made it look like two weeks. Resting players could be a factor then.

 

That should settle it then, as the most he could get in the first two playoffs is 2.

 

When does the game between 5th and 4th take place?

From: RadioTimes.com

Championship play-off semi-finals – 1st leg
Sunday 12th May

6th v 3rd (12pm) Sky Sports Football / Main Event

5th v (4th) Southampton (2:15pm) Sky Sports Football / Main Event

Some sites say the game between 5th and 4th is on the 13th but, that was apparently changed to avoid two midlands teams playing at home on the same night.

From the DailyEcho:
A change to the Championship playoff semi-finals schedule has been made by the EFL.

The first leg between the side that finishes fifth and fourth place respectively had been set to take place on Monday, May 13 with an 8pm kick-off.

The date of that game has now been moved to Sunday, May 12, with kick-off scheduled for 2.15pm.

It has been reported that this decision was made to avoid the possibility of Midlands clubs Aston Villa and West Brom Albion both playing at home on the same evening.

 

Thanks for the "like," Rick. But, you were supposed to give me a definite answer.

 

Sorry about that, CS. What you said is correct due to the potential conflict in the midlands. I didn't think there was much I could add.

 

When I was at the match, I noticed there was a Seagull that landed on the pitch near the South Stand, Wondered if it had come on to play on the Wing!

 

Tell that to the other 5 spluttering top 6 teams
In a mini 6 team league we are undefeated during the recent high pressure fixtures .

By your twisted logic none of the top 6 are genuine top 6 quality yet here we are in the top 6 .

No idea why you have to suck the fun & optimism out of life, but you are mildly amusing sometimes

 

Cricket sectarianism violence again ?