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Promotion Push
Written by akjlitfc on Friday, 20th Mar 2015 20:22

As we reach the final eight games of the season, the slump in form that we hoped would be brief has become persistent, warranting questioning from fans and pundits alike.

The results against promotion candidates such as Derby, Middlesbrough and those who shall not be named have provoked speculation as to whether or not we are good enough for promotion, or whether we will be in the play-offs at all.

In December, to even question the Town's promotion hopes would've been frowned upon, and yet, since the 1-1 draw at Southampton and the defeat at home to Derby, things don't seem to be what they might have been. Going into January in second, just one or two points off top, we all expected to be secure in the mix. However, that is not quite the case.

The last eight games that we face are mixed. Tough games against Watford and Bournemouth could shape the rest of our season with Mick suggesting, despite dismissing it last week, that we are still in with a shout of automatic promotion, or, if we dare to dream, the Championship title.

However, on current form, the above outcomes would be extremely unlikely, with Watford unbeaten in six games and Bournemouth unbeaten in five. This could leave us trailing behind looking for wins in the slightly easier games against Huddersfield, Blackpool, Cardiff and Blackburn. On the other hand, the Tuesday night game under the lights against Bolton could well have changed our fortunes.

A clean sheet for Bartosz Bialkowski and the recently shaky back four will have undoubtedly boosted confidence. This will, hopefully, be the first of many over the last few games of the term. The international call-ups for Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick, Christophe Berra and Teddy Bishop will have given them the belief that they are still the players they were in November, which should carry us home into the play-offs.

Are we good enough for the play-offs? In my opinion, although I am extremely biased, yes we are. The recent performances, despite disappointing results, have been encouraging, and signs of the forward-thinking play we were playing throughout October, November and December have been emerging.

Despite the moaning and groaning that I mentioned in my first blog, there are a few of us who have remained hopeful through it all and the support of those few, with all the above factors, should be enough to get us at least to a play-off semi-final, maybe Wembley, possibly straight to the promised land.

There are 24 points to play for. There's still many twists and turns to come yet. Get behind the lads!




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alprimo added 21:25 - Mar 20
Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A Pts GD
Watford 46 16 3 4 54 22 12 5 6 42 29 92 45
Middlesbrough 46 16 4 3 46 11 10 7 6 27 21 89 41
AFC Bournemouth 46 13 7 3 44 23 12 6 5 50 22 88 49
Norwich City 46 11 8 4 47 23 13 5 5 38 23 85 39
Derby County 46 14 6 3 47 19 10 6 7 32 25 84 35
Ipswich Town 46 15 5 3 40 17 8 7 8 31 34 81 20
Brentford 46 14 4 5 45 23 10 4 9 27 30 80 19
Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 13 6 4 40 18 8 8 7 28 32 77 18
Your predictions:

AFC Bournemouth 3 1 Birmingham City
AFC Bournemouth 2 0 Bolton Wanderers
AFC Bournemouth 1 1 Middlesbrough
AFC Bournemouth 2 0 Sheffield Wednesday
Birmingham City 1 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers 0 1 Ipswich Town
Bolton Wanderers 1 1 Norwich City
Brentford 2 0 Bolton Wanderers
Brentford 3 0 Millwall
Brentford 1 1 Nottingham Forest
Brentford 2 0 Wigan Athletic
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 1 AFC Bournemouth
Brighton and Hove Albion 0 2 Norwich City
Brighton and Hove Albion 1 2 Watford
Charlton Athletic 0 2 AFC Bournemouth
Derby County 2 0 Blackpool
Derby County 1 0 Brentford
Derby County 2 0 Reading
Derby County 1 1 Watford
Fulham 1 1 Brentford
Fulham 0 1 Middlesbrough
Huddersfield Town 0 0 Derby County
Huddersfield Town 0 1 Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town 2 2 AFC Bournemouth
Ipswich Town 3 0 Blackpool
Ipswich Town 2 1 Cardiff City
Ipswich Town 2 1 Nottingham Forest
Leeds United 0 1 Norwich City
Middlesbrough 2 0 Brighton and Hove Albion
Middlesbrough 3 0 Rotherham United
Middlesbrough 3 0 Wigan Athletic
Middlesbrough 1 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Millwall 0 2 Derby County
Millwall 0 3 Watford
Norwich City 1 1 Fulham
Norwich City 2 2 Middlesbrough
Norwich City 1 0 Nottingham Forest
Norwich City 2 0 Sheffield Wednesday
Nottingham Forest 2 2 Watford
Nottingham Forest 2 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Reading 0 2 AFC Bournemouth
Reading 0 1 Brentford
Rotherham United 0 2 Norwich City
Sheffield Wednesday 0 0 Brentford
Watford 2 0 Birmingham City
Watford 3 1 Ipswich Town
Watford 2 1 Middlesbrough
Watford 3 0 Sheffield Wednesday
Wigan Athletic 0 2 Derby County
Wigan Athletic 0 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 0 Derby County
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 1 Ipswich Town
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 0 Leeds United
Wolverhampton Wanderers 4 0 Millwall

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DurhamTownFan added 06:52 - Mar 21
Never mind that this blog is short: very well written and you've tried to rouse our spirits! A good read, steering away from the normal blogs on here which are usually just lists of players who should play more/less, or score predictions.

I'm not sure if we're good enough or not, but I think if we play well and get at least 3 or 4 points from the next two games well be well on course. Honestly don't think two draws would be good enough (especially if Brentford win two) but I feel that's what MM will aim for!
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bluesince84 added 13:31 - Mar 21
well written blog mate, short and sweet and admire your optimism. I think the next two games are it really, fail these we not only cant really make the playoffs but i would argue dont deserve too. I actually feel sorry for Tommy, interesting to not i havent read a single post on here that criticizes him personally, hes constantly played out of position, that knocks on to the other two who MUST be out of position to accommodate him. The reaction from fans at the end of this season will be fascinating. Im ok to fall short this year if we learn fro our mistakes for next year (we WILL be in the same league) but i wonder if we will. But just for arguments sake, if a solid Leicester, or an attacking watford go up and get slaughtered every week , as have been proved, what the hell would happen to us??? I would argue, go up for one season for the money only and balance the books and take the 3 years parachute payments. If you offered one season in the PL now to come down, id snap your arm from its socket.
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AwayDays added 08:58 - Mar 23
nice to see you getting some encouraging comments, wish i could say the same for my recent blog. Im with you till the end my friend. ITFC till i die.

COYB
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