Play-off Thread

[The Southbank]

Reading v Fulham
Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield

 

[Veggie Legs]

Fulham v Wednesday final I reckon. Wouldn't like to call the winner from that.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Yeah Fulham vs Wednesday final for me too. Hope Sheff Wed go up, can't be arsed with having another small London club up in the top division. Also it's about time the Prem had a Yorkshire club again. (Hull isn't Yorkshire before that old debate starts up again).

 

[Craig]

Hull isn't Yorkshire before that old debate starts up again

 

[AnkleBiter]

I think we're definitely 4th favourites. After that brilliant run that put us firmly on Newcastle and Brighton's heels, our last 10 games have been W3 D1 L6, conceding 19 goals in that time.

Our attitude changed after the automatic chase ended, but whether that's us preserving ourselves for the play offs or simply running out of steam, I'm not sure, but I fear the latter.
Can't really blame us for running out of steam considering what we're up against I suppose, and the fact that this has been our highest finish for 45 years.

Carvahal has beaten Wagner all 4 times they've faced eachother, the most concerning thing has been that we've been totally nullified in the 2 games at our place. They also come into this is really good form with their best players rested yesterday.

So yeah basically it's very difficult to put a good case forward for us Back in February when we won 6 in a row (including Brighton, Leeds and Reading) we really were the best side in the league at the time. If we can pull those kind of performances out of the bag again, then we have a chance. We have had a few individual injuries meaning that we actually haven't played what I'd call our best team since the Brighton game.

Smith Hefele Schindler Löwe
Mooy Hogg
Kachunga Brown VLP
Wells

They're all available again now. We're without Ward in goal (not sure how long the suspension is yet), but I'm really not that arsed, he's nothing special.

What this tie reminds me of is when we had Millwall in the League One semi's a few years ago. 0-0 in a stale lunchtime 1st leg at our place, before we were totally overawed at The Den in the 2nd leg. I think we'll see something similar here tbh.

As for the other tie, I really wouldn't rule out Reading, they've proved people wrong all season and deserve 3rd spot. Fulham may be pretty terrifying when they're in full throttle but Reading seem a very efficient team that know what they're doing and how to manage games.

 

[Another Walkley Owl]

Nervous already, the real business is about to start, shitting myself already.
The fact that us and Fulham are currently the form teams and we have beat Huddersfield in the last 4 games all goes out of the window now.
This is the playoffs where anything can happen, whoever goes up now will do so deservedly having had a great season.
Really hope it's us with it being our 150th year it would be a great way to commerate it. Have to say everything feels right this season with the squad a lot stronger than last season and everybody from the chairman down to fans all pulling together.
Feel this season could be our time, but sure all the other teams fans feel the same way. Would like to say good luck to all, but wouldn't really mean it, so instead I'll just say may the best team win and come on Wednesday!

 

[Ciderhead]

It is odd how little Reading are mentioned, all season and now for the playoffs, when they've been up there the whole time and are the ones that ended up 3rd. Didn't know what their form was like so I checked and they're actually top of the form table in the last 10 games!

Fulham are flying but that's a tougher call than many have it imo

 

[Luke_1884]

With you on the Reading bit, I'm sure they won't mind being written off either tbh.

 

[parmyhtfc]

10 500 sold for home leg so far

 

[Gerry Gow]

I'd like to see Wednesday do it, good club, decent fan base. It's also been a while since they were last there.

I can't call it though with the form Fulham are in!

 

[Reaper]

It might seem strange coming from a miller but i hope Wednesday get promoted because the premiership have missed having clubs like Wednesday and Leeds imo who were quite competitive for a while before they came into off field troubles which ended up relegating them both. I think it would be great to see Wednesday and Leeds competing at the top end of the premier league again and competing in Europe but their both quite long way off that atm.

 

[Ciderhead]

I hope Huddersfield can do it, seem to have gone off the boil at the wrong time though. Like Fulham but I'd miss the away day. Be good to see Wed back up there as well as said.

Not bothered about Reading. Sorry guys. Though my mate's leaving uni there in the summer so wouldn't miss the trip as much

 

[tiltontrev]

Fulham Wednesday final could make for a classic, think that's who it will be too, have a feeling it may be Wednesdays year.

Don't really mind this year, I've got no preferences good or bad for any of the clubs involved. Suppose I'd like Fulham to stay down as we always have a good day down there.

 

[blademan89]

I hope reading go up as it's the worst away trip. I'd have Wednesday as favourites as with that squad they have massively underachieved imo but have hit form at the right time. However it's the playoffs and it's the championship where any results seem possible.

 

[Nuttall]

i am feeling overly confident about this, that means it will inevitably end in disappointment.

From the outside you would say Fulham, Wednesday and Reading are all in abit of form tbh with not too much to choose between, Huddersfield have dipped but have been resting players for a few weeks now and that could be a big factor in their dip in form.

I'd say on paper we have the best squad but Reading are the ones who worry me, nobody really expecting much of them but they finished 3rd for a reason and are obviously a very efficient unit.

But its the play-offs and anything could happen, can't wait!

 

[Kilburn Ram]

Reading have been under the radar all season. I look at the table now and have to double take. Not sure how they have done it.

Heart says Wednesday or Huddersfield to go up to bring a little more interest to the PL next season.

Selfishly I'd like Reading to go up as it's a shit away day and the other three I'd like to keep. I don't think they would excite the PL though.

 

[QPR_Matt]

I could make an argument for and against all of the teams to go up or stay down; other than Fulham. I don't want them to go up. I want them to get in the final and then fuck it up.

Sheff Wed: Go up because they are a big team and their fans (certainly away) have backed them through some shit times. Plus, they are northern so means one less treck for an away game. Stay down as it is good having clubs who bring good support.

Huddersfield: Go up as they have done it on the cheap yet play some good football. Stay down as they may lose their manager and be no where near as good next year, making play offs a little easier next year (I didnt say my arguments were good ones).

Reading: Go up as our games with them are fucking dull. Stay down as they are still a local away game.

 

[Another Walkley Owl]

Fulham Reading 1 all, Mcshane just sent off. 10 mins to hang on.

 

[Nuttall]

Pretty even game that one, could go either way but got to fancy reading at home

 

[JJH]

Not a bad game, bit cagey particularly in the first half.

Fancy Reading to go through now but McShane will obviously be a massive loss.

 

[Super_horns]

Will Fulham go out on the attack away from home or sit back and wait to counter which they do well?

 

[Ciderup]

I appreciate the pressure of the situation but I was disappointed with Fulham. They don't seem to have a middle level, they're either shit hot or very very average. We, ourselves, saw both sides against them this season and I thought they were poor today. Reading did what was required and it was some strike for their goal but it's set up for a great game at Stadio Plastico / the Mad stad during the week. I can't call it but have to favour Reading I suppose.

 

[Madejski]

The media's obsession with Fulham is quite funny, especially when they aren't that good.

Going on like we've pulled out a massive shock from drawing with a team who finished 3 places below us in the league.

Have to be confident now going into the home fixture where we are far better normally. Obita being injured and McShane out are big concerns. It's the slight confidence I now have that makes me certain we will now lose..

 

[Ciderup]

The media's obsession with Fulham is quite funny, especially when they aren't that good.

Going on like we've pulled out a massive shock from drawing with a team who finished 3 places below us in the league.

Have to be confident now going into the home fixture where we are far better normally. Obita being injured and McShane out are big concerns. It's the slight confidence I now have that makes me certain we will now lose..

I didn't think anyone was belittling your team Madj, you were very good. It's more about how enigmatic Fulham can be. You finished 3rd so demand respect IMHO.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Reading have to be favourites for this tie now, surely?

If not for Al Habsi's fuck up they'd have won tonight too, and Reading are shocking away.

 

[Another Walkley Owl]

Still anybodies game in my eyes, do find it funny how people (mainly London media) wrote Reading off before the game. They finished in 3rd place Ffs, they're not mugs. Wouldn't write Fulham off yet either though.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Was embarrassing the way sky were going off about Fulham yesterday, making out like Fulham are Real Madrid and Reading had surprising kept them out for the first 30 minutes. Then with about 20 left to play Reading had an attack and the commentator said something along the lines of 'Reading proving they can still cause Fulham problems'. No shit contrary to Sky's London bias Reading actually finished 3 places and 5 points above Fulham.

As for our game I'm absolutely bricking it.

 

[Craig]

This has been dull. Reckon Wednesday will take it in the second leg.

 

[blademan89]

Wednesday had no intention of trying to score, got exactly what they went for.

 

[Walkley_Owl]

Did a job but fuck me I was bored.