Rival Watch

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Re: Rival Watch

by Stranded » 09 Mar 2021 21:32

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It’s still a huge ask.


Before the international break they play at Luton, then face Bournemouth and Cardiff.

We have Forest, Brum and QPR.

It is probably unlikely but with those fixtures by 5pm on the 20th, we could even be level with them with them still to visit the Mad Stad. Long way to go still.


Hmmm. Let’s wait and see.


Of course. Just saying, looking at the fixtures coming, you could see Swansea losing a couple and you can make the case for us winning each game.

Anyway, key is to be within 2 points of them before they visit us anything else is a bonus.

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Re: Rival Watch

by WestYorksRoyal » 09 Mar 2021 23:20

Lots of teams have had dips in form out of the blue. We recently got 1 point from 4 games; Brentford lost 4 in a row I think. The teams above will slip up; the issue is that we'll need to be close to perfect to capitalise. I don't think we will be. Solid bet for playoffs, but top 2 out of reach.

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Re: Rival Watch

by URZZZZ » 10 Mar 2021 10:48

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tidus_mi2 Not really 7pts clear, if we were to close that 6pt gap it would imply us winning 2 games and them losing 2 so the GD gap of 7 at a very minimum gets reduced to 3.


It’s still a huge ask.


Before the international break they play at Luton, then face Bournemouth and Cardiff.

We have Forest, Brum and QPR.

It is probably unlikely but with those fixtures by 5pm on the 20th, we could even be level with them with them still to visit the Mad Stad. Long way to go still.


Yeah, next three games are crucial for us

Forest have only scored 2 league goals in 12 games against the top eight in the championship, picking up 0 wins in the meantime. If you want to include a top 9 (with Boro) in, that’s 3 goals in 14 games and 0 wins so at the very least, you’d want a draw there, although it really should be a win

Birmingham have the worst home record in the league, with 3 wins, 3 draws and 11 losses (so a result percentage of just approximately 33% in their home games) - again, really got to be looking at a win here

QPR will be a bit more difficult, as they’re on decent form, they’ve had a very mixed run this season with a record of 12-10-12. Still, our record against them has improved in recent seasons as we never used to beat them!

Looking at the other teams games’ before the break, we arguably have the easiest run in as the other automatic chasing teams have at least one hard ish game before, so there’s the opportunity for us to close the gap here. What’s ironic is that we’ve all been cheering on for Swansea to lose recently, yet if we lose on Saturday, we’ll all be cheering them on to win again given they’re playing our playoff rivals

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Re: Rival Watch

by URZZZZ » 10 Mar 2021 10:50

The Royal Forester
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Their game v Luton in midweek off now too. Their only midweek window is the first week of May.

If they, have one more game postponed, they will likely have to play Tues and Thurs one week to fit them in.


Yep, their game next weekend against Coventry has also been called off

Possibility of fitting it in and around the Easter period? So an early KO on Easter Monday, a game on Wednesday evening (7th) and then back to the Saturday may be an option? Otherwise will be what you said/played after the scheduled end of the season

Regardless, I’m sure they’d have planned for this as there was always a fair chance of it happening

Don't think that is possible under the EFL rules. The last games of the season always kick off at the same time. That is to reduce the advantage of knowing before kick off exactly what can get you up, or need to avoid to go down.


Ah, fair enough

Seemed to recall a game being played beyond the last weekend a few years back but looking further into it - was a Prem game who must have different rules to the EFL

It’s a hard one though as Rotherham are likely to have something to play for at the tail end of the season, otherwise might have just been easier to skip it and award the points to the other team

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Re: Rival Watch

by Hendo » 10 Mar 2021 10:52

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Yep, their game next weekend against Coventry has also been called off

Possibility of fitting it in and around the Easter period? So an early KO on Easter Monday, a game on Wednesday evening (7th) and then back to the Saturday may be an option? Otherwise will be what you said/played after the scheduled end of the season

Regardless, I’m sure they’d have planned for this as there was always a fair chance of it happening

Don't think that is possible under the EFL rules. The last games of the season always kick off at the same time. That is to reduce the advantage of knowing before kick off exactly what can get you up, or need to avoid to go down.


Ah, fair enough

Seemed to recall a game being played beyond the last weekend a few years back but looking further into it - was a Prem game who must have different rules to the EFL

It’s a hard one though as Rotherham are likely to have something to play for at the tail end of the season, otherwise might have just been easier to skip it and award the points to the other team


I thought all Prem games were played on the same day and same time as well, maybe this game had absolutely nothing riding on it and was a bit of a one-off.


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Re: Rival Watch

by URZZZZ » 10 Mar 2021 10:55

Hendo
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The Royal Forester Don't think that is possible under the EFL rules. The last games of the season always kick off at the same time. That is to reduce the advantage of knowing before kick off exactly what can get you up, or need to avoid to go down.


Ah, fair enough

Seemed to recall a game being played beyond the last weekend a few years back but looking further into it - was a Prem game who must have different rules to the EFL

It’s a hard one though as Rotherham are likely to have something to play for at the tail end of the season, otherwise might have just been easier to skip it and award the points to the other team


I thought all Prem games were played on the same day and same time as well, maybe this game had absolutely nothing riding on it and was a bit of a one-off.


Was Man United vs Bournemouth in 2016 - it did have something riding on it as United cemented the Europa League with it

Was supposed to be played on the last day of the season like every other game but was moved because of a bomb scare - so I guess they didn’t have much of a choice

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Re: Rival Watch

by Hendo » 10 Mar 2021 10:57

URZZZZ
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Ah, fair enough

Seemed to recall a game being played beyond the last weekend a few years back but looking further into it - was a Prem game who must have different rules to the EFL

It’s a hard one though as Rotherham are likely to have something to play for at the tail end of the season, otherwise might have just been easier to skip it and award the points to the other team


I thought all Prem games were played on the same day and same time as well, maybe this game had absolutely nothing riding on it and was a bit of a one-off.


Was Man United vs Bournemouth in 2016 - it did have something riding on it as United cemented the Europa League with it

Was supposed to be played on the last day of the season like every other game but was moved because of a bomb scare - so I guess they didn’t have much of a choice


Ah yes, I remember now.

Yeah, I don't think they could do much else as the scare happened on the day close to kick-off didn't it?

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Re: Rival Watch

by URZZZZ » 10 Mar 2021 11:01

Hendo
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I thought all Prem games were played on the same day and same time as well, maybe this game had absolutely nothing riding on it and was a bit of a one-off.


Was Man United vs Bournemouth in 2016 - it did have something riding on it as United cemented the Europa League with it

Was supposed to be played on the last day of the season like every other game but was moved because of a bomb scare - so I guess they didn’t have much of a choice


Ah yes, I remember now.

Yeah, I don't think they could do much else as the scare happened on the day close to kick-off didn't it?


Yeah - something like an hour before

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Re: Rival Watch

by Stranded » 10 Mar 2021 12:01

URZZZZ
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It’s still a huge ask.


Before the international break they play at Luton, then face Bournemouth and Cardiff.

We have Forest, Brum and QPR.

It is probably unlikely but with those fixtures by 5pm on the 20th, we could even be level with them with them still to visit the Mad Stad. Long way to go still.


Yeah, next three games are crucial for us

Forest have only scored 2 league goals in 12 games against the top eight in the championship, picking up 0 wins in the meantime. If you want to include a top 9 (with Boro) in, that’s 3 goals in 14 games and 0 wins so at the very least, you’d want a draw there, although it really should be a win

Birmingham have the worst home record in the league, with 3 wins, 3 draws and 11 losses (so a result percentage of just approximately 33% in their home games) - again, really got to be looking at a win here

QPR will be a bit more difficult, as they’re on decent form, they’ve had a very mixed run this season with a record of 12-10-12. Still, our record against them has improved in recent seasons as we never used to beat them!

Looking at the other teams games’ before the break, we arguably have the easiest run in as the other automatic chasing teams have at least one hard ish game before, so there’s the opportunity for us to close the gap here. What’s ironic is that we’ve all been cheering on for Swansea to lose recently, yet if we lose on Saturday, we’ll all be cheering them on to win again given they’re playing our playoff rivals


First goal will potentially be more crucial on Saturday than usual. Forest have only scored first 10 times this year and W9 D1 of those. We all know what our record is like conceding first, well Forest's isn't great either , losing 15 of 21 games when letting in the first goal (W1 D5)


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Re: Rival Watch

by Mid Sussex Royal » 10 Mar 2021 17:12

Big game tonight with Barnsley playing their game in hand at home to Derby.

I'm hoping Rooney takes this game more seriously than at Cardiff last week when he made 8 changes and they lost 0-4; hopefully the fact they also lost on Sat, and are back on the fringes of the relegation scene means they will.

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Re: Rival Watch

by windermereROYAL » 10 Mar 2021 19:49

0-0 HT, safe to say if we want a Derby win they need to have a shot on goal so far 1(0), that's not to say Barnsley are peppering the rams goal just 4 (1).

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Re: Rival Watch

by royalp-we » 10 Mar 2021 19:58

Yep all shots outside the box, it’s been a game of hoof ball so far. Barnsley commentators getting ever so excited at everything Dike does :lol:

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Re: Rival Watch

by royalp-we » 10 Mar 2021 20:52

Barnsley flopping to ground in this. Trying to cheat a penalty. Dike booked for simulation. Ref done well there.


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Re: Rival Watch

by LUX » 10 Mar 2021 20:56

Full time nil nil, phew

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Re: Rival Watch

by royalp-we » 10 Mar 2021 20:56

0-0 FT

That was shocking

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Re: Rival Watch

by Zip » 10 Mar 2021 20:57

Derby could have won that. Barnsley very ordinary.

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Re: Rival Watch

by WestYorksRoyal » 10 Mar 2021 21:06

Derby are not a bad side these days. When are they due at the Madejski? Will be a tougher match than the opening day.

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Re: Rival Watch

by Mid Sussex Royal » 10 Mar 2021 21:13

WestYorksRoyal Derby are not a bad side these days. When are they due at the Madejski? Will be a tougher match than the opening day.


Easter Monday

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Re: Rival Watch

by Stranded » 10 Mar 2021 21:20

Big day Saturday now. If we win then, at worst we'll be 5pts clear of 7th.

Would probably plump for Barnsley & Bournemouth drawing and Cardiff beating Watford along with us winning. Open the gap below, whilst closing the gap above.

Really though, don't care too much as if we win we will be in a stronger position than we are today.

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Re: Rival Watch

by NewCorkSeth » 11 Mar 2021 07:29

Stranded Big day Saturday now. If we win then, at worst we'll be 5pts clear of 7th.

Would probably plump for Barnsley & Bournemouth drawing and Cardiff beating Watford along with us winning. Open the gap below, whilst closing the gap above.

Really though, don't care too much as if we win we will be in a stronger position than we are today.

We surely want Watford to win right?

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