I don't think they will, but if Leeds hammer then and then fail to make it I would chance my arm against a deflated Leeds after not getting autos. Either match would be a very big test for us.
Yeah I’m banking on Leeds pipping the Binners to be honest. Either way, while I’m hopeful, I am trying not to be too optimistic…
One of the adjustments Saints have to make is to the loss of Stuart Armstrong, injured against Cardiff and now ruled out until the Euros at the earliest. The late collapse at Cardiff and latest thrashing by Leicester suggest he's a big loss to them.
Crucial game between Coventry and Hull going on now. 1-1 after 36 minutes. A draw would mean we could be in the playoffs if we at least draw against Swansea on Saturday. Edit: 1-2 now at halftime.
Yeah technically bad news for us, but we only have ourselves to blame if that result matters! Our ‘friends’ down the A140 it matters to more I think as they would likely prefer Hull to be missing out on playoffs ahead of their Saturday game
If my maths is correct, and the result stays 2-2, I don’t think a draw would be enough for us on Saturday as both Coventry and Hull could go above us on goal difference if they won their remaining matches and we lost the last one? Coventry have a very close goal difference, so three wins for them and a loss for us would see them above. Hull would need chunky wins. (and both would have to beat Ipswich, so there would be a silver lining) Interestingly the best news for Ipswich would be for both Norwich and West Brom to win on Saturday, as then both Hull and Coventry would be definitely out of the running when they play
Final home game is against Huddersfield so that looks likely. They've earned it. Leaves us likely facing Leeds unless we can beat Birmingham.
Completely agree, we should go out targeting to beat Birmingham and play a team strong enough to do it.
I don’t wholly disagree, but not sure I fully agree either - I do think all matches will be tough and said as much before, but with a slight preference against playing Leeds. However, aside from the opponent it’s always better to finish fifth in the table, on a high and not risk dropping out of the playoffs. We would be playing fourth place which we know will be the team that wasn’t good enough to challenge for autos. I’ll repeat the Swansea thread comment: “I’m unconvinced it makes too much difference which of the teams above we play. They are all going to be tough opponents, but also all of them will be in questionable form (So’ton are in the doldrums) and whether it’s Leeds or Ipswich will have had the upsetting experience of missing autos. On balance, I think I’d least like to face Leeds given the Farke factor and that their record is the best against us this season. But given our squad and form, especially if we get a solid result against Brum, we should back ourselves.”