Have we a better chance of beating a team that's just secured promotion thanks to a Leicester win v Watford tonight or have we a better chance against a team fighting for promotion? I reckon the latter.
Oxford 5 Barnsley 1 says it all to me. Let them get promotion tonight. They'll all be buzzing, wont be able to sleep, and will all be knackered tomorrow
A team promoted will play at ease and with no pressure, a team needing promotion could be nervous. The argument could go either way. THE IMPORT FACT is that the team will learn of their promotion less than 24 before kick off, not a week before. Tonight Hull players will be around at one another house, with family and friends over, watching the game and should Leicester win some or all of them will have a few drinks to celebrate, at the very least players will be on the phone to family and friends until late and then they won't get a wink of sleep dreaming about the big time. The next day all the players will talk about their new wages, going to Old Trafford, rather than how to beat Barnsley. Had this Leicester game been on Monday I would rather them not be promoted, but with the match happening tonight it can only be a good thing imo.
Been thinking about this all week, it could go either way. On balance I hope they go up tonight, so they won't be able to sleep and maybe have the odd drink. I think that's our best chance.
Better chance of getting a win if they are still fighting, they are not playing well at the moment and nerves have kicked in. If the pressure is off I can see them putting 3 past us.
I don't think there's any point worrying about it. We're a team who needs a win regardless. I think we're the team who's going to be more nervous and could stumble as a result. If we play to our best, there is nobody we cannot beat.
Also, if they are still needing a result and we don't concede early on they will have 8,000 nervous fans on their case with huge expectations, if they are already up we are going to sit through a 90 minute party in half the ground, not good.
I am expecting Barnsley to start with a higher tempo tomorrow than the past few games, we are rested for the first time in 3/4 weeks so we will have the energy to go for it. If Hull are promoted and we come at them, pressing everything, moving the ball quickly and playing a direct game I just cant see an already promoted Hull side putting in the shift needed to break up our play. We are the hardest working team in this league, if Hull want to beat us they will have to work as hard or near enough, they won't do that if they don't need to.
As they showed against Bristol City last week, when something was at stake, they were really poor and more than a little nervous. Booed at the end by their 'fans', which is absolutely bloody ridiculous, but maybe we need that twitchy Hull to turn up. Or maybe they wouldn't play like that twice on the bounce. Key thing is, whichever version of the Tigers we get, we are MORE than capable of beating them. All about what we do on the day.
Id have though they'd be on the piss tonight if Leicester win....Only thing is I cant see that happening..where not that lucky and Leicester form as been *****
Personally I think we'd be better off if they were already promoted. Yes the argument can go both ways but IMO, if they're not already up they cannot afford to lose the game. They're not top for no good reason so they'll easily manage a draw at Oakwell. Realistically though we need a win and hopefully we'll want it more if they're already up, furthermore if they do then play with more 'freedom' they're more likely to leave gaps. In short, I think - If they're promoted: we'll win or lose If they're still fighting: we'll draw or lose
I've been thinking about this all day, and have come to the conclusion that it will be best if they need a draw. They'll still be nervous and cagey without going full pelt for the win. What an advantage it would have given us playing at 5pm though after the other results have come in.
I hope Hull are promoted by the time we play them. They're fans can have a party, they're playes can stroll about un-worried and reap the acclaim of the fans; and we can give absolutely everything to get a win. If they are promoted they won't be bothered about busting a gut or going the extra mile whereas we should be.
It's a bonus either way. They're either on the beach already coz they are up. Or the pressure is really on because Watford are now breathing down their necks and they haven't had time to steady themselves down for the match ahead, nervous. Whatever the result it benefits us IMO but Leicester winning is by far the best outcome.
