Who's Still Up For Automatic Promotion?

[yorkshirecoast]

I honestly think the pigs will win easily. If they score first - which I expect them to - I can see Wycombe just giving up as they have nothing to play for. And as the away team, Wycombe don't even have the impetus of just wanting to put on a good display in front of their own fans.

You never know I suppose, but my thoughts are already more around how are going to get through the play offs, given the events of the last couple of weeks and our terrible form in the last 2 games.

 

[oldblade]

I honestly think the pigs will win easily. If they score first - which I expect them to - I can see Wycombe just giving up as they have nothing to play for. And as the away team, Wycombe don't even have the impetus of just wanting to put on a good display in front of their own fans.

You never know I suppose, but my thoughts are already more around how are going to get through the play offs, given the events of the last couple of weeks and our terrible form in the last 2 games.

I agree that if Wednesday score first it is game over. But if we were to score early, every Wednesday supporter in Hillsborough will know and therefore so will their players. That could apply a bit of pressure, and the longer they go without scoring the more it builds.

Very unlikely, but not impossible.

 

[Bladesman]

I no it won't happen but been dreaming all day what if? Strange things do happen but never in our favour. Just for once I'd like it to go our way .

After the last 2 weeks you might think we are due some luck.

 

[super_pig]

yep .. if we score first then the sty will be like the lane was on saturday.. half full of part timers in full on panic mode.. lets see how 'they' get on when 'they' are in the lead..
one other thing .. wycombe have one of the divisions top scorers (Beavon i think).. he's scored about 20 goals in a bottom of the table outfit without taking the penalties.. (transfer target??)

 

[oldblade]

yep .. if we score first then the sty will be like the lane was on saturday.. half full of part timers in full on panic mode.. lets see how 'they' get on when 'they' are in the lead..
one other thing .. wycombe have one of the divisions top scorers (Beavon i think).. he's scored about 20 goals in a bottom of the table outfit without taking the penalties.. (transfer target??)

Don't know about transfer target, but I hope he's on target several times on saturday!

 

[Darren]

I didn't need to plagiarise as the events at the end of that season are burned into my memory banks as emotions swung one way and then the other, with hopes of promotion looking all but certain, then impossible, then possible again! I could also have added that we lost the game before the Bolton game - 2-1 at home to Wimbledon. But I can't remember how Hull got on that day. I know they didn't lose. Anyway, we lost 2 of our last 3 games and still went up with an unlikely sequence of results going our way. I didn't really think we stood a chance until Hull drew with Bristol Rovers (I think Hull were at home in that match as well?).

From what I remember Burnley had a very good team on paper, but had very much under performed that season. With the side they had, they should have got promoted with ease. I felt promotion was very much in the balance. Hull had to go for it and Burnley had nothing to play for except professional pride. I was on holiday in Tunisia when the match was played and spent much of the following morning desperately trying to find an english newspaper.

We had gone 4 points clear after winning at Southend on 28th April with Arnott's last minute goal. Hull lost that day but still had the Burnley game in hand, however it was now in our hands. On 5th May, we lost that game v Wimbledon and Hull won, leaving us only 1 point clear with Hull having a game in hand. After the defeat v Bolton on 7th May, it looked all over with Hull 1 point behind with 2 games in hand.

Hull were at home to Bristol Rovers on the last Saturday 12th May, but from our point of view they were their ideal opponents having, as I said, still an outside chance of promotion themselves.

Burnley had been pre-season favourtites for promotion. Their manager was John Bond and he had spent a lot of money in the summer - mainly on players who had been in his first division teams at Norwich and Man City - Kevin Reeves, his son Kevin Bond and Roger Hansbury spring to mind; they also had Billy Hamilton up front who had performed heroics for N. Ireland in the 82 World Cup. Bond himself had been manager of briefly top of the league Man City as recently as 1982.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

yep .. if we score first then the sty will be like the lane was on saturday.. half full of part timers in full on panic mode.. lets see how 'they' get on when 'they' are in the lead..
one other thing .. wycombe have one of the divisions top scorers (Beavon i think).. he's scored about 20 goals in a bottom of the table outfit without taking the penalties.. (transfer target??)

Yeah, mentioned him a few weeks ago. I guess a lot will depend on which division we're in.

As it will for Lowton, McDonald etc etc etc

 

[oldblade]

We had gone 4 points clear after winning at Southend on 28th April with Arnott's last minute goal. Hull lost that day but still had the Burnley game in hand, however it was now in our hands. On 5th May, we lost that game v Wimbledon and Hull won, leaving us only 1 point clear with Hull having a game in hand. After the defeat v Bolton on 7th May, it looked all over with Hull 1 point behind with 2 games in hand.

Hull were at home to Bristol Rovers on the last Saturday 12th May, but from our point of view they were their ideal opponents having, as I said, still an outside chance of promotion themselves.

Burnley had been pre-season favourtites for promotion. Their manager was John Bond and he had spent a lot of money in the summer - mainly on players who had been in his first division teams at Norwich and Man City - Kevin Reeves, his son Kevin Bond and Roger Hansbury spring to mind; they also had Billy Hamilton up front who had performed heroics for N. Ireland in the 82 World Cup. Bond himself had been manager of briefly top of the league Man City as recently as 1982.

I saw both of our matches against Burnley that season. The first was at Turf Moor, which we lost 2-1. Burnley looked terrific and completely overran us at the start. They went 2-0 up. I can't remember exactly when both their goals came, but one was definitely in the first half and they could easily have been two or three up by then. However, we did come back into the game and created chances of our own. From what I remember Colin Morris scored our goal near to full time. But all in all, that match was a very good advertisement for third division football.

The return game at Bramall Lane was in the New Year and I think in modern times it would have been postponed. The ground was like concrete - frozen solid, and the players were playing in training shoes. It finished 0-0 and was quite an even contest, but could easily have been decided by someone slipping on the frosty ground. Burnley probably had the clearest chance towards the end. Can't remember exactly what happened, but I have a memory of them missing an absolute sitter.

 

[Darren]

I saw both of our matches against Burnley that season. The first was at Turf Moor, which we lost 2-1. Burnley looked terrific and completely overran us at the start. They went 2-0 up. I can't remember exactly when both their goals came, but one was definitely in the first half and they could easily have been two or three up by then. However, we did come back into the game and created chances of our own. From what I remember Colin Morris scored our goal near to full time. But all in all, that match was a very good advertisement for third division football.

The return game at Bramall Lane was in the New Year and I think in modern times it would have been postponed. The ground was like concrete - frozen solid, and the players were playing in training shoes. It finished 0-0 and was quite an even contest, but could easily have been decided by someone slipping on the frosty ground. Burnley probably had the clearest chance towards the end. Can't remember exactly what happened, but I have a memory of them missing an absolute sitter.

I remember the game at the Lane, but remember little about it other than that the ground was frozen solid and I can't recall either team looking like scoring.

The annying thing is that 84 was, of course, a race for 3rd place. If 3up 3 down still applied us and Wednesday would have both been up long ago this season. We have have also finished 3rd on 2 other occasions (2003 and 2009) and not gone up and, of course, have never got any benefit from getting in the play offs in a place lower than 3rd.

 

[oldblade]

Perhaps it would be better if the play offs were dispensed with!

 

[super_pig]

agree totally.. money making racket.. 46 games should be enough

 

[oldblade]

I don't really have a problem with the play offs and have never subscribed to the argument that it is unfair on the side that finishes third because we all know the rules before the season starts.

But, it does seem to have worked to our disadvantage, and from a purely self interested point of view, maybe getting rid of them but increasing the number of sides promoted /relegated to and from the Championship to 4 could be considered.

 

[Selly]

agree totally.. money making racket.. 46 games should be enough

I tend to disagree. Sport is boring if it becomes uncompetitive. Boring sport is unpopular. you need to ensure interest as late in the season as possible for as many teams as possible.

However, they do need to be looked at in terms of fairness. The team in 3rd should get some sort of an advantage other than playing the second leg at home.

5th v 6th
4th v winner of that
3rd v winner of that

Play the games the Thursday, Monday, Saturday after the last day of the season.

The only logistical problem is the selling oftickets for the 5th v 6th game. The 4th team has over a week to sell home tickets, the 3rd nearly 2 weeks.

And obviously the away team will have less tickets to sell...

 

[oldblade]

I tend to disagree. Sport is boring if it becomes uncompetitive. Boring sport is unpopular. you need to ensure interest as late in the season as possible for as many teams as possible.

However, they do need to be looked at in terms of fairness. The team in 3rd should get some sort of an advantage other than playing the second leg at home.

5th v 6th
4th v winner of that
3rd v winner of that

Play the games the Thursday, Monday, Saturday after the last day of the season.

The only logistical problem is the selling oftickets for the 5th v 6th game. The 4th team has over a week to sell home tickets, the 3rd nearly 2 weeks.

And obviously the away team will have less tickets to sell...

Or possibly just promote and relegate more teams.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Hate the play-offs, always have. Just seems a very unfair way of doing it but modern sport (not just football) seems to love the play-off in various guises (as with so many rules and regulations RL seem to have the most sensible version). Seems to me we're stuck with them (and it is mainly to do with the money, otherwise you'd just have 5 up and 5 down)

As for being still up for automatic? My default Blades setting of pessimistic bugger says no chance. However, and be honest here peeps, how many of you if we were in Wednesdays position would be expecting us to cock it up somehow on saturday? I know I would

 

[ghandi]

Or possibly just promote and relegate more teams.

I have been advocating this for sometime and mentioned it many times in various threads countering the "keep interest until end of season" argument but I would would go for 6 up and 6 down which will give a greater churn. This means the fans don't get fed -up with watching the same teams year in year out.

 

[Bladesman]

Hate the play-offs, always have. Just seems a very unfair way of doing it but modern sport (not just football) seems to love the play-off in various guises (as with so many rules and regulations RL seem to have the most sensible version). Seems to me we're stuck with them (and it is mainly to do with the money, otherwise you'd just have 5 up and 5 down)

As for being still up for automatic? My default Blades setting of pessimistic bugger says no chance. However, and be honest here peeps, how many of you if we were in Wednesdays position would be expecting us to cock it up somehow on saturday? I know I would

True if we were ahead by a point going to the last game needing a win a cock up would be certain. Especially against a team with nothing to play for.

Its a test for Wednesday to see how they cope with the pressure and if they come through it fair play to them. They have been grinding out the results lately and the pressure is really on to do the same again.

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Then again, if, and yes, it's a MASSIVE if, we do go up that way, it would probably be as good a day as any of us can remember.

 

[Darren]

True if we were ahead by a point going to the last game needing a win a cock up would be certain. Especially against a team with nothing to play for.

Its a test for Wednesday to see how they cope with the pressure and if they come through it fair play to them. They have been grinding out the results lately and the pressure is really on to do the same again.

It is for Wednesday like it was for us in 1994 and 2007 for us - all the odds in our favour and what could possibly go wrong....

On 1994, I would like to know if any club has been relegated in such a combination more unlikely circumstances- a last minute goal against us, one rival coming back from 2-0 down to win and the other getting an unlikely point away to that seasons' runners up; each of these on its own would have been unlikely - but all three?

 

[BusheyBlade]

On 1994, I would like to know if any club has been relegated in such a combination more unlikely circumstances- a last minute goal against us, one rival coming back from 2-0 down to win and the other getting an unlikely point away to that seasons' runners up; each of these on its own would have been unlikely - but all three?

I seem to recall Blackburn had scored in every home game that season yet decided to save their off day until the last day of the season and duly drawing 0-0 with Ipswich.

 

[Darren]

I seem to recall Blackburn had scored in every home game that season yet decided to save their off day until the last day of the season and duly drawing 0-0 with Ipswich.

That sounds extremely likely....

 

[Willie Carlin]

Perhaps it would be better if the play offs were dispensed with!

Agree!! It's like making a race horse run another furlong when it's got passed the winning post. Money making racket the play offs!!

 

[Darren]

I seem to recall Blackburn had scored in every home game that season yet decided to save their off day until the last day of the season and duly drawing 0-0 with Ipswich.

Having checked, it's actually not correct! They also drew 0-0 with us at home and lost 0-2 to West Ham. Going into that last game their home record was P20 W14 D4 L2, whilst Ipswich's away record was P20 W4 D7 L9 . So the latter actually had a fairly decent away record (losing less than half) for a team near the bottom.

 

[The One]

Wednesday were very lucky against Brentford to come away with a win. I know it's only wycombe but they did put three past Notts County the other day.

I'm not confident but it's a slither of hope.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I tend to disagree. Sport is boring if it becomes uncompetitive. Boring sport is unpopular. you need to ensure interest as late in the season as possible for as many teams as possible.

However, they do need to be looked at in terms of fairness. The team in 3rd should get some sort of an advantage other than playing the second leg at home.

5th v 6th
4th v winner of that
3rd v winner of that

Play the games the Thursday, Monday, Saturday after the last day of the season.

The only logistical problem is the selling oftickets for the 5th v 6th game. The 4th team has over a week to sell home tickets, the 3rd nearly 2 weeks.

And obviously the away team will have less tickets to sell...

Totally ripped off my suggestion from a couple of weeks ago

 

[gavtheblade]

The more i think about this saturday,the slightly more upbeat im feeling about the weekend.
The swine for the first time in the run-in have `the added pressure`to perform and get the result they need to get them over the line,wheras before its been a result to get them within striking distance to be able to achieve that very chance.
now its roles reversed,wednesday will be the team under pressure sat,wycombe are more than capable of coming away with a point,and have proven that they can score a goal or 2.
Its not cut and dry this yet.

 

[beechblade]

The more i think about this saturday,the slightly more upbeat im feeling about the weekend.
The swine for the first time in the run-in have `the added pressure`to perform and get the result they need to get them over the line,wheras before its been a result to get them within striking distance to be able to achieve that very chance.
now its roles reversed,wednesday will be the team under pressure sat,wycombe are more than capable of coming away with a point,and have proven that they can score a goal or 2.
Its not cut and dry this yet.

Not the only one thinking that way.

I've been saying something similar, also another thing that I feel is that everyone thinks they've already secured promotion. Every Wednesday fan I've spoke to think their up, they can't lose that game, they feel and they're expecting Wycombe to lay down and roll over, funny thing is football never does what you expect.

An added bonus would be if we can get an early lead away at Exeter. I don't expect it to be an easy game though, we know Exeter can give as good as they can take. UTB's.

 

[oldblade]

Now that would be a real sickener if Wycombe hold Wednesday to a draw and we then fail to beat Exeter!

 

[metalblade]

The pigs are probably bigger last day bottlers than we are, how many times have they needed points at swine cottage to avoid the drop on the last day ???? they always fail.
All the shit the pig fans have spouted over the last month or so about us under pressure and looking over our shoulders is now well and truly turned onto them, it will be interesting to see if their own propaganda affects them come Saturday............... you never know after-all someone wins the lottery each week.

 

[Sirius]

Perhaps it would be better if the play offs were dispensed with!

I don't like the play offs in their present format. I would feel better if,( as a poster on here has suggested) the third placed team went straight into the final.