To Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town. Two excellent sides that have achieved a huge points tally and go up deservedly. Well done.
Ipswich in particular have looked unstoppable in recent weeks. They don't just beat everybody, they thrash everybody. They just got stronger and stronger. It's a good job they got over the line because I really wouldn't have fancied our chances in the play offs if they had left it too late to finish top 2 and ended up in the play offs with us.
You know what? Well done Sheffield Wednesday as well. To get at least 93, potentially 96 points and not go up automatically is hugely unfortunate. It’s a huge number of points they’ve amassed, and so it has to be seen as a good achievement. Yes they’ve fallen away a little at the back end (and as a Barnsley fan that’s a little amusing) but you have to acknowledge that over 45 games so far they’ve had a great season. This year is a statistical anomaly.
Massive tally. We'll hopefully get the opportunity to complete a seasonal treble over them at the home of football at the end of next month.
Agree, no matter how much we dislike them- massively- they have been so close. Still hope we hammer them but fair play.
Was just thinking same looking at the top 4, all teams with 26 wins or more. No statistical anomaly though, just 4 teams that have pushed it to the wire.
Two great footballing sides - well done! They've built that over a few seasons - to say we stayed with them for so long after our season last year is a testament to Duff and his coaching team. Hopefully we can join them them next season
Only came up from League 2 in 19/20 too, finishing 3rd. Then a very progressive run of three seasons in league one: 18th (20/21), 7th (21/22) and now looking likely Champions this season.
I've got a feeling that Derby will beat the massives and we'll play Derby at Wembley, should be fun with both my stepsons being Derby fans...
It has been a phenomenal season for the top teams. Plymouth, Ipswich and Weds all above us on merit - but what an achievement for Duff and the squad whatever the play-off outcome. It's the number of defeats that have cost us, that consistent inability to claw something back when behind. If, buts and maybes. Playoffs will really test our mental strength and hunger for it.
Fair play to Ipswich but I’ve a lot more time for Plymouth. Huge achievement for them getting that kind of points tally when I’m confident they wouldn’t have a top 6 budget. Schumacher deserves to win manager of the year by some distance.