New Wembley But Same Old Story

We have now lost to Burnley three times this season and they were comfortably the better side on each occasion. If they had not been involved in long cup runs, they would have probably gone up automatically. They were the better team on the day and seemed to relish the occasion and the opportunity. In contrast, we performed our usual party trick of not doing enough to win the must-win game and scratching around for excuses afterwards.

After the Sheffield derby earlier in the season, it was obvious Mike Dean was not going to give us anything that was not completely blatant. When asked about the penalty appeals Blackwell said you need those breaks to win games. Some officials would have given them but if you need the help of the referee to score goals then you do not deserve to win. For once, it would be refreshing to actually win one of these matches by what we do on the pitch rather than relying on other factors.

The atmosphere was very disappointing by our own high standards but when the manager puts out a side with only one striker up front it is hardly surprising. In such a big game that sends the wrong message to everyone. Using the 4-5-1 formation away cost us our place in the Premiership. It is quite simple if you do not score goals you will not win many matches.

At the start of the season we had James Beattie, Rob Hulse and Jon Stead and we could have done with any one of those three yesterday. Leaving out Ward was a mistake unless he was not 100% fit but once again Lupoli was criminally underused. Craig Beattie has been a disappointing loan signing and does not look like scoring goals.

Prices at the new Wembley are still a complete rip-off starting with £25 to park in the official stadium car park. When you are inside the ground you are not going to get much change from a tenner for a pie and a pint. The stadium itself is an improvement on the old Wembley but it should be with the time and money it cost to build. The roads in the surrounding area are still a nightmare to negotiate after the match regardless of what time you leave.

We can look forward to yet another season in the Championship. The parachute payments have stopped so it will be interesting to hear from McCabe and Blackwell regarding the plans for next season. As things stand the defence is sound but midfield still needs attention and a striker who can score goals would not go amiss either.

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Championship Promotion Play-Offs

The home form of Reading has been terrible so it was no surprise Birmingham got the win they needed to go up automatically. It did not matter anyway due to our inability to beat Palace who suddenly decided to perform for a change. Everyone says we are the form team but goals have been hard to come by in recent matches.

Most people would fancy our chances of getting the better of Preston over the two legs and reaching the final. When it comes to Burnley and Reading it is hard to see anything other than a win for Burnley. The worrying thing is Burnley has outplayed us twice already this season. This could work in our favour but complacency is unlikely with a place in the Premiership at stake.

The smart money will be on Burnley to win promotion via the play-offs although anything can happen in these matches. If the usual scenario is anything to go by, we will successfully negotiate Preston and then lose to Burnley at the new Wembley stadium. We have already lost two play-off finals and it is a horrible feeling so maybe it is our turn to win one for a change.

The play-offs are a lottery and all four teams will fancy their chances of going up. Regardless of form or any other factor it is simply a case of who handles the pressure and produces three performances that will deliver promotion.

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Promotion On The Final Day

Things seem to have worked out perfectly to set up a dramatic final day of the season. After losing to Burnley in such a disappointing way along with many, I thought we had blown our chance of automatic promotion. Birmingham should have things sewn up but look very nervous and find it hard to score goals. Considering we are missing some key players it is hard to believe we still have a chance of going up via second spot.

If fourth placed Reading gets maximum points against Norwich then that will set things up nicely and ensures their match against Birmingham is not a dead rubber for them. The only downside is that would probably be enough to keep the dingles up but you can’t have everything. Reading could then get second place on goal difference assuming we do not get anything at Palace.

Birmingham City is still in the driving seat and if they win it will not matter what we do. We have had more than our fair share of final day disappointment. Relegation from the Premiership was cruel under Dave Bassett and Neil Warnock. It makes you wonder whether it will be our turn to celebrate for a change. Warnock will not want to be seen to be doing us any favours so any win against Palace will have to be earned on merit.

If things do not go our way then anything can happen in the play offs but recent history suggests otherwise. Assuming we reached the final, the concern is how we always seem to freeze on the big occasion. They do not come much bigger than a final match at the new Wembley stadium to decide promotion to the Premiership.

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Massive Win Against Reading

At this stage of the season every game is vitally important but the win against Reading was a massive result. It probably ensures the automatic promotion battle is between us, Wolves and Birmingham. They may have been our bogey team for a while but Reading does not look the same outfit without Steve Sidwell in midfield.

It is highly unlikely any promotion contender will win all the remaining games so there is sure to be more twists and turns between now and the end of the season. The team is playing more like the corresponding period last season when they finished the season so strongly. If this kind of form were shown earlier in, the season and especially in the two games against the pigs we would be even better placed.

Blackwell took some stick a few months back and most of it was deserved. The style of play was one dimensional and unattractive. We seemed to be developing a habit of going missing in important games. In complete contrast, we now look more like a football team in all departments and Blackwell himself looks a more confident figure.

Like last season we may yet run out of games but we have got the momentum in our favour. Birmingham in particular will be feeling the pressure and they have to travel to Reading on the last day of the season which might make things interesting.

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