Top 6/Promotion Thread

[Luke Imp]

Didn't realise how poor a form Barnsley were in for a PO side. I think if there were two or three games more they'd be seriously worried but I can't see a situation where Oxford *and* Lincoln sneak in at their expense.

They lost to Cambridge, scraped past Carlisle, drew with Cheltenham and Burton.

 

[K-Win]

Derby's unexpected draw at Wycombe and Peterborough's comfortable win Vs Vale has thrown the second auto spot wide open again. It's now in Bolton's hands. If they win their last 4 games they are up.

Our game on Saturday at the Toughsheet is now even more important. If we win then we secure promotion and the title. If the Trotters win then they are firmly in the driving seat for the second auto. A draw is better for us, Derby and Peterborough than Wanderers.

Peterborough's best chance is to keep winning and hope that Derby have one more slip up. That would likely mean a winner takes all game final day Vs Bolton.

If we lose at Bolton then we'd still need 4 points from our last 3 games to win promotion and the title. If we draw then we need 2 more points, so could end things Tuesday when Barnsley come to Fratton.

Derby still have an excellent chance with their run-in but that was an unconvincing performance last night.

 

[thewwfc]

Derby's unexpected draw at Wycombe and Peterborough's comfortable win Vs Vale has thrown the second auto spot wide open again.

Derby still have an excellent chance with their run-in but that was an unconvincing performance last night.

The Derby forum was in meltdown last night, all the classic, "we should be beating teams like Wycombe" etc, well lads, if you can't be arsed to turn up then that's on you, alas.

 

[White horse]

With most of the injured players now coming back in to contention and three home games coming up we need to turn the screw on Derby.Baxter coming back in Saturday made a big difference, we probably would have lost that match as he made 2 quality saves before our goal. But we lost to Portsmouth with him in goal though. Dion Charles missed an absolute sitter as he sometimes does when it was nil nil. But we are better at home however and it is in our hands now.

I think we will win on Saturday

 

[Don Tonberry]

We've got the best away record in the division and an extremely tight defence. You can come at us, but Peterborough did that and we sucker-punched them late on. I think we can do the same on Saturday. We've got nothing to fear and all the pressure will be on Bolton.

 

[folletto]

Saw a lot of Derby fans ripping into Blackett Taylor after a pretty bad miss last night. It’s a shame it’s not working out for him, he is definitely one of the best players in this league. Football is such a a confidence based game though, never understand why fans knock their own players when they’re already down.

That being said, £300k for a half season loan at this level is crazy. I feel like there’s no choice but to use the option to sign at the end of it otherwise it’s a complete waste.

 

[91SPP]

Saw a lot of Derby fans ripping into Blackett Taylor after a pretty bad miss last night. It’s a shame it’s not working out for him, he is definitely one of the best players in this league. Football is such a a confidence based game though, never understand why fans knock their own players when they’re already down.

That being said, £300k for a half season loan at this level is crazy. I feel like there’s no choice but to use the option to sign at the end of it otherwise it’s a complete waste.

There is a deal already agreed at the end of the loan - it was a workaround with our business plan with the EFL as to why we processed it as a loan.

He's been injured for the most part, played well in games up to the Wycombe game, but had a honking night on Wednesday which probably was no in small part due to him missing an open net for 6 yards after 3 minutes. He's not been a success so far, but can see why we signed him. The team has a whole have just froze up since Gayle got injured which is a shame because we suddenly, finally, looked like a team when he signed and things started to click.

We look disjointed and have done for the most part of the season. We've won games and done well to get to this point, but it's largely been driven by certain players at certain parts of the season. Waghorn got off to a flyer, then Nyambe came in and solidified everything, Collins, Bird & NML were all very good through the middle part of the season, Adams & Gayle propelled us on and since Gayle got injured we've just flatlined.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Massive day for Oxford. To got the result they got today and with us losing too, it takes the pressure off Tuesday. They've managed to turn it on consistently at the right time.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Oh no, Stevenage can't make the playoffs. What a shame.

Looks like Oxford would be guaranteed 6th place before their game at ours, so will be interesting to see what the game and atmosphere will be like

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

91 - Average Champions Portsmouth (43) [Season PPG - 97, Last 10 PPG - 97]
90 - Predicted Champions
89 -
88 - Predicted Automatic
87 - Average Automatic
86 - Derby (44) [Season PPG - 89, Last 10 PPG - 90]
85 -
84 -
83 -
82 - Bolton (43) [Season PPG - 87, Last 10 PPG - 84]
81 -
80 -
79 -
78 -
77 - Peterborough (42) [Season PPG - 84, Last 10 PPG - 85]
76 -
75 - Barnsley (43) [Season PPG - 80, Last 10 PPG - 78]
74 - Predicted Playoffs
73 - Oxford (43) [Season PPG - 78, Last 10 PPG - 78]
72 - Average Playoffs
71 -
70 - Blackpool (44) [Season PPG - 73, Last 10 PPG - 73]
69 -
68 - Lincoln (43) [Season PPG - 72, Last 10 PPG - 74]

Lets discount Stevenage as they are 6 points adrift with 2 games remaining and a big goal swing required, although they do play Oxford next...therefore, 2 of the above teams will be missing out.

Portsmouth need a point from the following games to go up, and 2 points to go up as champions as it stands. 3 tough games although Barnsley very much out of form:
Barnsley (H)
Wigan (H)
Lincoln (A)

Derby 4 points clear of 3rd place Bolton, but Bolton have a game in hand:

Derby:
Cambridge (A)
Carlisle (H)

Bolton:
Shrewsbury (H)
Port Vale (H)
Peterborough (A)

Fully expect Bolton to win the game in hand and close gap to a point. With Derby's remaining games, you would be surprised if they didn't get over the line.

Peterborough surely have a playoff place with Blackpool only able to reach 76 points (we, Lincoln, can hit 77 but very unlikely).

Barnsley SHOULD be there too, despite their form falling off a cliff. Luckily for them, there are only a handful of games remaining. If they keep up their dodgy form though, you could see Oxford leapfrogging them. They have a big game at Blackpool next weekend. If they lose at Portsmouth, a loss at Blackpool could see the gap close to 2 points with 1 game left.

Last place is currently between Oxford, Lincoln and Blackpool, however this should be put to bed this week with Oxford vs Lincoln on Tuesday, and Oxford vs Stevenage on Friday night before Blackpool play again on Saturday. Blackpools best chance may be overtaking Barnsley, but that last day at Reading will be tough.

It's certainly looking like:
Portsmouth
Derby
Bolton
Peterborough
Oxford
Barnsley

Here's remaining games for the rest:
Peterborough
Fleetwood (H)
Bristol Rovers (A)
Cheltenham (A)
Bolton (H)

Barnsley
Portsmouth (A)
Blackpool (A)
Northampton (H)

Oxford
Lincoln (H)
Stevenage (H)
Exeter (A)

Blackpool
Barnsley (H)
Reading (A)

Lincoln
Oxford (A)
Cheltenham (A)
Portsmouth (H)

 

[Luke Imp]

That's us done and dusted, we'll have to win all three of our remaining games.

Been an incredible effort to get to where we are but the lack of midfield in the last couple of months catches up with us when we play the slightly better sides with no wiggle room on the bench either.

 

[masi51]

That's us done and dusted, we'll have to win all three of our remaining games.

Been an incredible effort to get to where we are but the lack of midfield in the last couple of months catches up with us when we play the slightly better sides with no wiggle room on the bench either.

Decent run this year, but i had a feeling you would fall just short of the play-offs
And i stand by my statements on here that we would have brushed you aside over two legs in the play-offs
We was in for Taylor and Evatt not following that up as certainly cost us Automatic promotion

 

[91SPP]

I know a draw wasn’t ideal for Bolton, but they didn’t lose and have two straight forward home games now, where as much as I would like them to, I can’t see them dropping points. I’ve heavily backed a Bolton double at 1.90 on b365 because I find that ridiculous value for Shrewsbury/Port Vale at home. I know anything can happen in football, but strikes me as free money.

I said a four point cushion after this weekend would probably be enough to see us over the line. Cambridge have lost 9 of their last 14 games but probably have enough reserved for safety - an ideal game by all accounts as a team low on confidence, in poor form, with little to play for. We then end the season at home, to an already relegated side who are the worst away side in the league - albeit on that have won 3 of their last 6 away from home.

I’m still not counting my chickens, because we simply aren’t a very good team, but do finally have some belief that we will now get over the line.

 

[masi51]

I know a draw wasn’t ideal for Bolton, but they didn’t lose and have two straight forward home games now, where as much as I would like them to, I can’t see them dropping points. I’ve heavily backed a Bolton double at 1.90 on b365 because I find that ridiculous value for Shrewsbury/Port Vale at home. I know anything can happen in football, but strikes me as free money.

I said a four point cushion after this weekend would probably be enough to see us over the line. Cambridge have lost 9 of their last 14 games but probably have enough reserved for safety - an ideal game by all accounts as a team low on confidence, in poor form, with little to play for. We then end the season at home, to an already relegated side who are the worst away side in the league - albeit on that have won 3 of their last 6 away from home.

I’m still not counting my chickens, because we simply aren’t a very good team, but do finally have some belief that we will now get over the line.

We had that period since the new year that injuries hit us hard. No excuses if we fall short the best two teams will deserve to go up.
Likewise in the play-offs if someone turns us over after two legs they will deserve to go up.

 

[Super_horns]

Congratulations to Pompey on their promotion.

Well deserved .

 

[Super_horns]

Congratulations to Pompey on their promotion.

Well deserved .

 

[EricSabin]

Congratulations Pompey, best team by a mile this season

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Well done Portsmouth, I'm pleased for you. As a club, I really like you, and the punt on your manager worked. Just take it easy on us last game

 

[thewwfc]

think PFC have served their time down here, so yeah, fair enough

 

[Laker]

Congratulations Pompey, fully deserved. Done your time in the doldrums too, hope you go on and establish yourself back in the championship though I do think you’ll need a good summer.

 

[K-Win]

Cheers all. The pitch is still packed with fans. Don't think anyone's going home. It's been emotional.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

I hope you enjoy the Championship forum with the Watford and Preston fan.

 

[AmberAndy]

Well done Pompey well deserved. Enjoy your time in the championship, hope you manage to re-establish at that level.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Well done Pompey, great fans and will miss Fratton Park. I'm sure we will.meet again one day

 

[White horse]

Disappointing not to force the issue with Derby but really can't be too harsh on the team. The last 5 games have been like a microcosm of our season. Didn't play exactly brilliantly last night and again had a slow start conceding early but hit the woodwork twice and could have easily won. Same against Portsmouth where we hit the post twice. and the referee missed a handball in the last minute of injury time and could /should have given a penalty. Hit the post at Stevenage when we drew so quite unlucky, saying that we could have gone behind at both Bristol Rovers and Stevenage through utterly terrible defending errors which have been a feature all season , particularly away from home since January. Also could have conceded a penalty against Portsmouth but it was a tussle in our box, 6 of one half a dozen of the other, subjective. We all seem to miss numerous straight forward chances. Not a good combination. At home our forward play was sometimes sublime (Reading) but the away form ultimately wasn't good enough.

 

[Arbury]

Congrats Portsmouth, proper club with decent posters on the forum bar one, will miss going to fratton and also the games at the abbey where your always in full voice.

Been far from the best team I’ve seen this season but you’ve shown unbelievable consistency and are deservedly going, enjoy.

KTF.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Well in Pompey, great supporters and a group of them always stop by our way when they play these parts for a drink. The next one will be a party!

 

[masi51]

Fair play to Portsmouth, best team in a bad league.......Only team that deserved to go up.

Looks like Derby will join you,...Club certainly can kick on but will need full re-build.
The Winners of the play-offs will also struggle

 

[ALewis]

Well done Pompey and probably Derby Co too.
Actually I never thought they'd bounce back so quickly after what happened only 2 years ago, yet I don't know if they've completely solved their issues anyway.

 

[Luke Imp]

Well done Pompey, good effort with the injury issues as well. Pleased for Scully, Morrell and Poole even if they've probably not had too many appearances between them this season!

You keep on the piss until next weekend please!