I wouldn't be scared of any of them if we approached it properly.If we really do have the best squad in the division then we should walk the play offs whoever we play. I don't think we do, but I guess this is where we find out as, with no new manager on the horizon, we really need the players to step up and take some responsibility, personally I don't think they have the mettle and we risk going out with a whimper. I hope I'm wrong but nothing at the club is giving me confidence at present.
Its going to be a bit of a lottery.
We are capable of being awful and wonderful in equal measures in a hares breath.
I'd fancy us against Boro in the semi's then SOTV in the final.
Any one know the probable dates for this lot?
Same for me. Losing to anyone but them wouldn’t feel so bad. I still haven’t got over that nightmare week not so long ago.
Us and the scum from Witton in the final is something that puts the fear of god into me.
Same for me. Losing to anyone but them wouldn’t feel so bad. I still haven’t got over that nightmare week not so long ago.Your lucky I'm still having nightmares from that weds night in April 1981.
Your lucky I'm still having nightmares from that weds night in April 1981.Thanks. I was there and had managed to erase it with steady amounts of alcohol. ☺ï¸
Play off final is Monday 27th May. I would assume the play off semis are a week or so after the conclusion of the season, which finishes on Sunday 5th May with 12.30 kick offs.Cheers mate, I'm away with my work May 14th to 23rd and going to be booking me final ticket on line from the US by the looks of it and with a bit of luck might even make both legs of the semi or more likely at least one leg
3. Leeds
4. Albion
5. Bristol
6. Boro
Villa fall away
https://www.worldfootball.net/table_calculator/eng-championship/
3. Leeds
4. Albion
5. Bristol
6. Boro
Villa fall away
https://www.worldfootball.net/table_calculator/eng-championship/
Imagine if on final day, our place is already cemented and can’t change, but Derby need a win to pip Vile for the final playoff spot ......
Blimey, my blue and white stripedTypical glass half full, have us losing 2 games! ::) ;)blinkersglasses have surpassed themselves, :o 8)
Sadly have Vile sneaking in on goal difference >:(
1 Norwich City 46 26 13 7 92:58 34 91
2 West Bromwich Albion 46 25 10 11 88:56 32 85
3 Leeds United 46 24 12 10 75:48 27 84
4 Sheffield United 46 24 11 11 75:43 32 83
5 Bristol City 46 21 13 12 61:45 16 76
6 Aston Villa 46 18 18 10 86:63 23 72
11 changes it is then. ;D also stick the Kitman up front ;D
Imagine if on final day, our place is already cemented and can’t change, but Derby need a win to pip Vile for the final playoff spot ......
11 changes it is then. ;D also stick the Kitman up front ;D
Blimey, my blue and white stripedblinkersglasses have surpassed themselves, :o 8)
Sadly have Vile sneaking in on goal difference >:(
1 Norwich City 46 26 13 7 92:58 34 91
2 West Bromwich Albion 46 25 10 11 88:56 32 85
3 Leeds United 46 24 12 10 75:48 27 84
4 Sheffield United 46 24 11 11 75:43 32 83
5 Bristol City 46 21 13 12 61:45 16 76
6 Aston Villa 46 18 18 10 86:63 23 72
Blimey, my blue and white stripedblinkersglasses have surpassed themselves, :o 8)
Sadly have Vile sneaking in on goal difference >:(
1 Norwich City 46 26 13 7 92:58 34 91
2 West Bromwich Albion 46 25 10 11 88:56 32 85
3 Leeds United 46 24 12 10 75:48 27 84
4 Sheffield United 46 24 11 11 75:43 32 83
5 Bristol City 46 21 13 12 61:45 16 76
6 Aston Villa 46 18 18 10 86:63 23 72
This squad will not make the playoffs I'll take bets off people
This squad will not make the playoffs I'll take bets off peopleBut you wouldn’t really, would you?
This squad will not make the playoffs I'll take bets off people
This could be a very expensive dozen words.
We're absolute shoe ins for top 6.
This squad will not make the playoffs I'll take bets off people
presuming we end up in playoffs. anyone know when games will be.cant see any exact dates yet.. if we finish 3rd or 4th will we be home or away in first leg?
I don't fancy us, players are weak and unconvincing. The whole club is a mess. Wouldn't surprise me if Villa turned us over.They are certainly the form team at the moment.
Pro athletes view things differently to fans. They have mates in other teams so they're not likely to be swayed in the same way we are.
And I'd be very upset if we basically gave Derby a win just to get one over on the Villa. I always want us to win.
I honestly don’t want to be in the playoffs we will only embarrass ourselves big time, & I could not face playing the seals!!! #worstnightmare
The play offs are a lottery, and we haven't even bought a ticket. We'll be the only team to ever enter the play offs with a 0% chance of winning them.Oh come on. I know we haven’t played well recently but it’s still just 2 defeats! Boro have come out of a 6 match streak losing every single game. We have every chance and fans need to believe this. I don’t get this catastrophic mindset given we have still had some good wins in our last couple of months?
Lose to Preston Saturday and our hope of making play offs under serious pressure, majority of these players aren't good enough and can't wait to get rid of these over paid knobs. Please let Dawson be first one out of door followed by Livermore.
Not really...with our hugely superior goal difference we need an absolute maximum of 78 points, assuming that Derby win all 6 of their remaining games, 76 if Boro win all of their games and 74 if Wednesday win all of theirs.
If we don’t make the playoffs from here then we really won’t deserve the opportunity.
We’re 9 points above 7th after losing the last two. We might not even need another win to guarantee a play off spot. We will limp into the playoffs and get beat convincingly. Let’s just hope it isn’t villa we play
Starting to think that our players already believe that they will reach the Play offs and have gone into 'Beach football' mode.
Starting to think that our players already believe that they will reach the Play offs and have gone into 'Beach football' mode.
Villa all day in the play offs now. Form team.......by far. We'll be embarrassed by them if we play them, bit like us vs Wolves in 2006 (oh happy day).....
Playing the way we are I do think we'll manage to stay in the play off places but it'll be in 6th place.
I'm going for:
3rd Sheff Utd
4th Villa
5th Bristol City
6th WBA
Should we somehow get solid at the back and start creating things then I think it'll be
3rd Sheff Utd
4th WBA
5th Villa
6th Bristol City
Villa all day in the play offs now. Form team.......by far. We'll be embarrassed by them if we play them, bit like us vs Wolves in 2006 (oh happy day).....
It's geared up for us to have Villa. We had a laugh beating them in the league but I think they'll have the last laugh in the play offs.
Looking pretty nailed on that it's Villa in the play offs Semi. I don't think we have a chance over 2 legs, dithering over appointing a manager has cost us, while Villa acted to get the bloke we should have appointed in the summer. Mind you, had we made a proper appointment back then we wouldn't have been in the play offs.
Looking pretty nailed on that it's Villa in the play offs Semi. I don't think we have a chance over 2 legs, dithering over appointing a manager has cost us, while Villa acted to get the bloke we should have appointed in the summer. Mind you, had we made a proper appointment back then we wouldn't have been in the play offs.
Villa have taken 1 point off us this season. Fancy us over two legs.
Still waiting to see the messianic Dean Smith achieve anything without Jack Grealish (or against us, with him.)
I admit to clutching at straws here, but I think that could work in our favour. vile fans will consider that they only have to turn up and that sometimes rubs off on the players. Complacency is a commodity I hope that the vile have in abundance.complacency? You mean arrogance as per usual? Most the ones I know are trying to work out who they’re going to be playing at Wembley.
We played them under Bruce and again when Dean Smith hadn't had much time to get his ideas across. They've just beat Bristol City without Grealish.
Doesn't matter who we appoint now, not enough time to get anything other that the very basics sorted for the play offs. All on Jenkins' head.
Villa have taken 1 point off us this season. Fancy us over two legs.
Looking pretty nailed on that it's Villa in the play offs Semi. I don't think we have a chance over 2 legs, dithering over appointing a manager has cost us, while Villa acted to get the bloke we should have appointed in the summer. Mind you, had we made a proper appointment back then we wouldn't have been in the play offs.I'd rather have them over two legs than at Wemberlee, I'd hate to lose to them there.
I'd rather have them over two legs than at Wemberlee, I'd hate to lose to them there.
Wilder said their reserves won't be trusted any longer after a 0-1 loss to Barnet in the FA Cup in January.
Vile have won 8 games on the trot , Bolton will probably be 9 . Then the rot could set in.
They could just lose momentum as the play offs begin. Millwall will be tough but they could win that one as well. Then they play Leeds away and Norwich at home , then the play offs.
There is no way they will extend their run to 14 games . After the Millwall game they will have some draws and losses.
For me its no a cert that we will play the vile in the semi final of the playoffs.
We won't catch 3rd place and 6th place won't catch us so we will finish 4th or 5th and with the viles form they will finish 4th or 5th . So bring it on !!
Here are the key dates to look out for as the season winds down:
Sunday 5 May - Final day of the Championship season 12:30KO
Saturday 11 May - Championship semi A first leg 12:30KO / Championship semi B first leg 17:15KO
Tuesday 14 May - Championship semi A second leg 19:45KO
Wednesday 15 May - Championship semi B second leg 19:45KO
Monday 27 May - Championship play-off final 15:00KO
I've got a horrible feeling derby are going to get into play offs Derby / US / vile / SUFC - going to be horrible!You've said horrible twice, can I say it again, it's horrible, I am not looking forward to this.
I'm presuming we will be in Semi final "B" if we finish forth. Is that correct?
Im on a stag do for the first leg!!I can trump that! I'll be in Memphis for the esecond leg then on my way to Albuquerque but will be back in time for the final if I can book a ticket on line from there
Ill be getting smashed watching that in Newquay
I'm presuming we will be in Semi final "B" if we finish forth. Is that correct?
Does anyone know if the home leg of the play offs will be included in the season ticket or will all season ticket holders have to purchase a ticket at a cost??You will have to pay, season ticket is only for standard league games
You will have to pay, season ticket is only for standard league games
Are you sure about that? I though it was classed as a ‘home league game’ and was added to your season ticket ..?
Are you sure about that? I though it was classed as a ‘home league game’ and was added to your season ticket ..?
They will announce A and B games once the season has ended.Depends who wins out on the choice, Sky or the Police. Sky will view us against Villa to be the bigger of the games and 5:15 is when the bigger TV audience is to be had.
I presume this is to avoid having a derby like Albion Villa being a 5:15 kick off.
Depends who wins out on the choice, Sky or the Police. Sky will view us against Villa to be the bigger of the games and 5:15 is when the bigger TV audience is to be had.Glad to see someone who is confident enough for us to make the PO's. :D
Does anyone know if the home leg of the play offs will be included in the season ticket or will all season ticket holders have to purchase a ticket at a cost??
Depends who wins out on the choice, Sky or the Police. Sky will view us against Villa to be the bigger of the games and 5:15 is when the bigger TV audience is to be had.
If we finish 4th it looks like it will be v Villa, but if we finished 3rd it could be v Pulis.
Don't know which would be the more difficult. Obvioulsy it would be a different type of game against those 2 teams.
At the risk of sounding obvious if we hope to get promoted we have to beat what's in front of us
Villa would be the hardest assignment all day long. Boro have been trash lately and their fans want Pulis goneI know how they feel.
Villa would be the hardest assignment all day long. Boro have been trash lately and their fans want Pulis goneProblem is that a rubbish performance from a Pulis side doesn’t mean a defeat for them
What's the odds of the 2nd & 3rd place teams losing their last 3 matches and us winning our last 3?unlikely as both Leeds & Sheffield United have to play Ipswich and there Sh*t
If so,were up!
unlikely as both Leeds & Sheffield United have to play Ipswich and there Sh*tbut they might lose their other two...
So annoying, we had chances vs Sheff weds, Sheffield Utd, boro etc etc to have absolutely walked promotion.But we could also have lost both Sheff Wed games, rather than draw, got a point with a handball v Villa, the forest penalty (deserved to lose both Forest games in fact), the last winner at QPR etc etc
It’s going to be Villa, I’d be trying so get the best xi sorted which I think is;
Johnstone
Dawson Bartley Hegazi
Holgate Gibbs
Brunt
Phillips Johansen
Jrod Gayle
The problem area is the midfield, against Grealish and McGinn we could be in massive trouble but going forwards we will hurt them.
looks like its going to be the Vile.A reminder that they cut our allocation at seal park to 2100 when we gave them 2800 and they robbed us for £29.00 when we only charged them £20.00 so maybe payback time?
Does anyone know if the allocation for tickets for away fans will be the same as in the league games?
A reminder that they cut our allocation at seal park to 2100 when we gave them 2800 and they robbed us for £29.00 when we only charged them £20.00 so maybe payback time?
Need to cut their allocation for Hawthorns encounter and make sure no seal gets his hands on home tickets.
It's all about practicalities and physical divisions of the stand.The 10% rule only comes into play if the clubs capacity is less than 20 thousand.
If giving them less than 10% means that the stand doesn't work in terms of divisions and safety, it won't happen sadly.
Having said that 10% of 41k is 4100 and we had 2000?
So clearly, rules are there to be broken, if you push them. If we can justify safety then give them 1350. That's an equivalent percentage to what we got at Villa.
The 10% rule only comes into play if the clubs capacity is less than 20 thousand.
Grounds over 20,000 all you are guaranteed is a minimum of 2,000 but clubs can obviously give more if they want to.
Unless there is an epic fail over the next couple of games then it will be the vile. No doubt they are in very good form at the moment and we should not be complacent with our success against them so far this season. It will be a good semi and I don't fear them at all. However I would rather meet them in the semis as opposed to troop all the way to London and get done there......I'm with you on this Mr Clad but a final at Wembley against the seals would have been one hell of a grand day out, just imagine the trains there and back let alone inside the stadium and the pubs around and about!
and we all know a derby is a great leveller :)
Premature talk of play-offs . We can still finish second. All this talk of losing to the Villa is really pi@@ing me off.
By the way Jacko, if you really think Sam Field will never play for us again, lets see the colour of your money :P
To be honest I think Derby could yet be the dark horse.
Us against the Vile, Leeds v Derby. Albion v Derby revenge for 2007??
Villa to lose to Leeds, we’ll beat Rotherham to secure 4th, play 2nd string v Derby then release the big hitters
Fully expect Villa to beat Leeds and we will relegate Rotheram. That leaves us two points behind them on the final day with both teams probably resting players. They've got Ipswich and we've got Derby so it's a long shot but we still have a chance without having to go gung ho and risk injuries.don't you mean two points a head of them? 3 points today and three points on Saturday would have cemented fourth spot and the way Leeds are playing we could have knicked third place. Experienced coach I believe would of got more out of these players than Jimmy.
don't you mean two points a head of them? 3 points today and three points on Saturday would have cemented fourth spot and the way Leeds are playing we could have knicked third place. Experienced coach I believe would of got more out of these players than Jimmy.
I think Villa will lose next week at Leeds. Leeds need it so much more. I think Villa might rest a few players from now too. WHat impact that has on their confidence who knows.Leeds have blown it big style. No chance of automatic now, given Sheff U have Ipswich to play.
Leeds have blown it big style. No chance of automatic now, given Sheff U have Ipswich to play.
Law of averages say Villa will lose soon though surely.
If I was them, I'd want to get a defeat out of the way before play-offs.
Villa's late run of form has more to do with the opposition they have been playing. Leeds won't roll over for them and will be desperate to find some form if they do have to go in the the play off lottery. Frank Lampards Derby County are the one to watch, hitting form at just the right time.
Win the next one and play a second string against Derby!
To be honest I can’t see us getting through the play offs. Most teams around us have a settled identity and each has played well against us at points this season. Whereas we don’t know what we are or where we are going. Phillips returning to midfield plus fit wing backs and the strikers playing as a two gives me hope but I think getting through in two legs could be beyond us.I think you are right that a fit and firing Phillips could well be the difference for us. I'd give him half a game against Rotherham and then wrap him in cotton wool till the playoffs.
Anything can happen in the play offs but the most settled teams and those in form usually go up. We're neither of these - we're inconsistent. However, we have the sort of firepower which should frighten any team we face. We don't need to play well to get JRod or Gayle on the score sheet. That's our strength. Therefore, we should aim for clean sheets, keeping it tight and using the strength we have up front. We cannot outplay the likes of villa as they beat us at their game.Yep, I'm far more worried about our defensive frailties. A clean sheet against Rotherham would be the minimum i'd be looking for now, and build from there. Not a chance we'd keep a clean sheet against Villa really. As it stands, i could see a 3-1 win at villa park and then a 1-1 at the hawthorns. That'd be my prediction, hope I'm wrong!
Villa do look clear favourites at the moment based on a settled team, momentum and form.
Do you think? I thought they were bang average yesterday against QPR. Gifted a penalty in the 94th minute......
I think everybody wants 'Frank Lampards Derby' to do well because of that very reason, but they are nothing special [my opinion of course].
I think it will depend on the opponents (allocation etc) but I'd take a look at the Derby sales criteria as a guide, I cant see it being much different to that one.
If Leeds lose the next 2 and we win our next 2, we go above them and they may have to play the vile lot in the first games of the play offs.
That means Leeds have to lose to Ipswich and we beat Derby. Just don't see it myself.
If Leeds draw one game we could also go above them. Once we beat Derby and Rotherham. Very much not see this happening. Think Sky would be delighted to have a Leeds vs Frank Lampard's 'Derby County' play-off.Think they want a Villa v Derby PO Final..Terry and Lampard
Who would you all rather have over two legs? For me it'd be Derby or Villa. I think Leeds would edge us over 2 legs, it'd be mega close with Villa and i think have enough quality to go past Derby over 2 legs.
Alternatively - in a one game play off final who do you fear the most? Despite saying Villa over two legs i'd say right now on current form you'd have to fear Villa in one game.
But it's the play-offs and anything can happen. Just need one good or bad game from yourselves or the opposition and that may be the difference.
........in a one game play off final who do you fear the most?.......
Now those who know me know that my Son supports the vile scum from Witton (his mother always said she would get her own back on me when we got divorced) well he phoned me this morning and said they are on a run to the Prem and noting will stop them. He even said they would surpass what the Wolves were doing this season and be in the Champions League in 2020/2021 season.
I have got to take him down a peg or two otherwise I will have the heartbreak of a vile scum on the phone and all I would be able to do is loff my head off.
SOTV
Think you've hit the nail on the head there. A lot of the games tend to be quite tight and its the odd bit of class that determines the game. That's what worries me the most. We don't always look the most solid defensively and I think that will be our downfall.
Over two legs I would fancy us against whoever finishes 6th - Derby or Bristol City. If Boro finishes 6th I think that would be a tough test for us but I would fancy us to do them over 2 legs.
Not too sure on Leeds and Villa. I actually think it would benefit us more if our 2nd game was away from home. We seem better when teams open up abit rather than sit back.
On form you would obviously say Villa will be favourites to win the play offs.
I think Matt Phillips could be a key player for us in the play offs - with him returning from injury now and getting some minutes in - he could really make the difference in a tight game. Plus keeping Gayle fit will always give us that chance of nicking a goal.
Semi finals its us v Vile you can do all the permutations you like but that is easily the highest probability,if I were Shan I would complete sacrifice a midfielder to just stop Grealish probably Field ,tell him just to follow him round everywhere and not to worry about anthing else,if we can stop Grealish we can win he has been given the freedom of the park against most teams in the vile,s winning runThat’s what I was surmising at when I asked about Fields performance on Monday. If Shan is worried about us not having young legs in midfield, this would seem his best option at sticking a spanner in the vile works. If that is the case, then he has to play in the next two games. It’s a risk. It’s going to be a high pressure situation for a lad that hasn’t had much game time. However, he may be our best option.
Just give the horrible vile 5h1t a good whack off the ball, job done !
Step forward Craig Dawson, worked on Monday against Reading.
Done it a few times this season as well.
Not that I condone it, but in this case I will allow myself an exception ;D
What if they had a similar plan for Matt Phillips? or Gayle?
Bit of a slippery slope that.
What if they had a similar plan for Matt Phillips? or Gayle?
Bit of a slippery slope that.
Alan Hutton has a made a career of itJust thinking about him doing this brings tears to my eyes and makes me cross my legs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZHgAnJAhnY
you have a point to be fair, tell Hutton to "do" someone, if he gets sent off, you lose nothing football wise !
Put Calamity Kyle on for the last 5 minutes of the first leg and tell him to wipe McGinn and Squeamish out in one go. Take one (or two) for the team so to speak :oWhat's he going to do, point em to death?
What's he going to do, point em to death?exactly what I was thinking.
It does look like its Villa in the play offs and it has looked that way for a few weeks now, but I still get the feeling that we will end up playing Derby 3 times in 10 days. Which will mean us finishing 3rd which means we win our last 2 games and Derby finishing 6th.We could also end up playing Derby if they win their last 3 games and the Vile lose to Leeds and Norwich.
It will also mean Villa beating Leeds and Leeds drawing with Ipswich last match.
Derby then need to beat Bristol City tomorrow then beat Swansea mid week.
Reading about Villa's financies this morning. They are desperate to go up this season. Knocking them out in the play offs would be really damaging...
Reading about Villa's financies this morning. They are desperate to go up this season. Knocking them out in the play offs would be really damaging...
If they don't get promoted this season, they'll be on the final tranche of parachute payments next campaign, (circa £15 million I believe).
As I understand it, they would be allowed a cumulative loss of around £30 million over a three period under FFP rules. Not sure how much their cumulative loss is so far, but allegedly they threw big bucks at the promotion attempt last season, so I'd expect them to be fairly close to the threshold.
Given that, you'd expect a fire sale of players if they fail, as you say, it would be damaging.
We could still gain automatic promotion, couldn’t we!!!
No? Not unless Bolton go out of business, and even then, very unlikely.
Very happy with today result. I have always thought home advantage second leg against the villa will be the decider between the two teams.If we play like we did in the first half today they will be out of sight come the second leg!
My slim hopes will end if Sheffield United keep their half time lead against Ipswich.
Should I be backing Leeds or Vile today (or neither)?
On the one hand, a Vile win gives us a chance of 3rd going into the final day, but obviously puts the pressure on us to get a win at Derby to keep the home/away leg seed in our favour.
A Leeds win would knock the Viles confidence but also rule out any chance of coming 3rd, and basically confirm our place against the form team in the division in the semis.
Could a draw be the best result for us?
What is the situation with all our player's out on loan at other clubs come end of season, can we use them in play offs? Thinking of Rondon especially.
I think we should give villa only 2000 tickets to as that is what they will give us
Lots of rumour's going on about ticket allocation if we play the vile scum. Villa want all the Smethwick, so we ask for the North Stand, villa say no. Stalemate. Other rumour Vile will only give us 2100 but we will give them the full away allocation ( which I believe is a load of bull ). the best one was no away fans at either game. ;D
It would be a completely ridiculous and unbelievably bad decision by Jenkins and the club to give Villa the entire Smethwick. For that reason, I fully expect it to happen.
Does anyone know which midweek/ 2nd leg date we're likely to play?
EFL haven't said if 3rd vs 6th is first or 4th vs 5th. But the dates for the diary are;
First leg - Saturday 11th May, 12.30 OR 17.30
Second leg - Tuesday 14th OR Wednesday 15th May, 19.45 (This is definitely our home leg as 3rd and 4th play home legs second)
Play off final - Monday 27th May, Time TBA
Does the Hawthorns have VAR installed? I think it can be used in the play off semi's.
Thanks. I saw the same, however by now would have hoped/ expected EFL would clarify which set of teams would have each midweek game (assuming Sky have final say though?).
Guess they'll confirm and publish after final game of season.
Sky probably pick, but they can be overruled by the police. I'd imagine that if it's Albion v Villa, the police would want that to be the early kick off, which would put the home leg on the Tuesday.
Sky probably pick, but they can be overruled by the police. I'd imagine that if it's Albion v Villa, the police would want that to be the early kick off, which would put the home leg on the Tuesday.
I didn't go to the Rotherham match but from the comments here, it doesn't seem that we are at all ready to go up to the Prem on number of levels. So we would go up, collect the money, squander it on aging pros who have become cynical and don't really care for the club just building their own retirement fund. In doing so we p*ss off our younger players who go elsewhere. We would probably get relegated straight-away but I suppose Lai could benefit either in increased management fees or selling the club to an even bigger mug.
So I'm sanguine about not going up: another year in the EFL might allow us to re-structure to a different business model and find a manager who can develop our nursery players and is experienced enough to identify some useful (but hungry) imports.
Rightly or wrongly, we lost a lot of goodwill by sacking Big Dave. Some commentators are downright antagonistic (cf Rod Liddle Sunday Times). Another year in the EFL might allow us to recover a decent reputation too.
Does the Hawthorns have VAR installed? I think it can be used in the play off semi's.......
I'm not a fan of the Prem and don't particularly look forward to getting pummelled every week, but, I don't want to lose to Villa and i don't want to lose at Wembley, so promotion it has to be!
Rest as many as possible against Derby, whilst, in the meantime, setting out a game plan for the next 2 games. Decide formation and personnel and do everything it takes to get them fired up.
Under no circumstances should the players be allowed near social media, if only to keep them away from our own fans negativity but also to just focus their minds on the job in hand.
For all the shenanigans we have gone through this season, we are still within touching distance of promotion and we should all take a minute to appreciate that.
If we can go up, beating Villa on the way, this year will go down in history boys ;)
I think a victory over the vile and then a play off final win over Derby would be the perfect end to the season and remove the hurt from a few years ago, we can worry about next season in August.
Balls, all my tickets have been as a registered person not a member this season. Sky TV for me then!
How did you find this out? I am fearing that this is the same for me.
Only speed read the club announcement regarding home allocation of tickets. Given the club's reported desire to go greener I'd have thought it'd be easier/better all around for HSTHs to add the play off game to our existing Stile Cards rather than print PDF tickets off at home. Here's hoping Kev's online rumour of the Vile having the whole of the Smeth' is just that, a rumour. Tempted to get vexed in advance just in case....... (get me Jenkins on line one).......
Log in (https://www.wbatickets.co.uk).
Click your name in the top right to see the link to personal details.
The account details page has a link to history, below the loyalty points total.
Click that and you can see a list of different transaction types, one of which is membership. Pick it and you can see your membership history.
Only speed read the club announcement regarding home allocation of tickets. Given the club's reported desire to go greener I'd have thought it'd be easier/better all around for HSTHs to add the play off game to our existing Stile Cards rather than print PDF tickets off at home. Here's hoping Kev's online rumour of the Vile having the whole of the Smeth' is just that, a rumour. Tempted to get vexed in advance just in case....... (get me Jenkins on line one).......
I've just had something warm run down the inside of my leg :o
I've been out of the loop on here for a while but when do the play-off home tickets go on sale and when are the play-off semi dates?
I think a victory over the vile and then a play off final win over Derby would be the perfect end to the season and remove the hurt from a few years ago, we can worry about next season in August.Corrrrreect sir
Wtf so if all hsth can buy 2 tickets then there will be nothing left for the members. Does this club actually want any fans?
Season ticket holders can always buy a 2nd ticket, not sure why this would be any different.
Not before fully paid up members had the chance to purchase a ticket. Eg this season Brighton away.
I think that is unfair as well, I could buy an extra ticket and give it to someone who hasn’t been to a game all season where as a member who has been to around 15 games would miss out.
You can just tell the people who make these decisions about tickets just have never been match attending fans.
You could, in theory, but as Jacko says, STH's have always been able to buy additional tickets.
When you consider, we've hardly ever had a full stadium this season, it's unlikely that members will not get a ticket.
You could, in theory, but as Jacko says, STH's have always been able to buy additional tickets.
When you consider, we've hardly ever had a full stadium this season, it's unlikely that members will not get a ticket.
You could, in theory, but as Jacko says, STH's have always been able to buy additional tickets.
When you consider, we've hardly ever had a full stadium this season, it's unlikely that members will not get a ticket.
Now matter what the club do concerning tickets some people wont be happy.
Oh come on it’s simple season ticket holders get first dips, then members and then register supporters on the database. It’s not difficult. A season ticket holder could now buy 2 tickets and take a villa fan along because he’s a mate.
Oh come on it’s simple season ticket holders get first dips, then members and then register supporters on the database. It’s not difficult. A season ticket holder could now buy 2 tickets and take a villa fan along because he’s a mate.
That is what is happening.
What if the season ticket holder has taken his kid to 15 or 16 home games? It's simple really, if you want a ticket for games like this either get a season ticket or find somebody who has got one and will get you a ticket.
Whatever system they use, people will whinge.
Or what about the fan who paid to be a member and attended 15-16 home games and away games and now cannot get a ticket due to unregistered people now attendingSurely anybody who has shown this level of support would be far better off buying a ST. If they had spent £300 on random tickets a ST must a real alternative. A close friend who lives in Majorca, and who gets back for 10-12 games a season, still has a ST to avoid this scenario developing.
Surely anybody who has shown this level of support would be far better off buying a ST. If they had spent £300 on random tickets a ST must a real alternative. A close friend who lives in Majorca, and who gets back for 10-12 games a season, still has a ST to avoid this scenario developing.
Oh come on it’s simple season ticket holders get first dips, then members and then register supporters on the database. It’s not difficult. A season ticket holder could now buy 2 tickets and take a villa fan along because he’s a mate.
I'd wager that most members know a STH anyway.
I think you need to read the statement.
I'm a HSTH, seats either side of me are also HSTH's, so if I bought a second ticket, I would have to request a move to sit by my mate.
I can't guarantee members will get a ticket, but I would be surprised if they didn't.
I would be stunned if there are any left to sell.
I would be stunned if there are any left to sell.
In the interests of everyone’s safety and security, we will continue to operate a zero-tolerance policy for anyone identified selling-on tickets to a third party. Tickets for the home areas should be occupied by home fans.
I would be stunned if there are any left to sell.
I can see your point Kirk, & I agree, it would have been better if members had been allowed to buy a ticket before STH's were allowed to buy a second.
This paragraph is taken from the statement:
From that, I would assume that there will be some mechanism to interrogate a STH who has no previous track record of buying extra tickets, to help prevent sales to opposition fans.
Kirk I can understand and appreciate where you're coming from with this and fully acknowledge that you perceive the allocations as potentially unfair. Yet thus far that's what they are - potentially unfair. You and other members may and probably will get tickets though. If all else fails I'm sure there's a HSTH somewhere on this board who'd be willing to get you one.
Now I'm not going to tell you how to think or feel as that would be rude and presumptuous, but it may be better to take a step back and see how things pan out sales wise before becoming entrenched in a mind set which sees you walking away from the Albion on anger based principle. Besides, if you end up following the Moors on a more consistent basis you'll most likely be surrounded by equally disenchanted/disaffected Blue Noses ;) .
I sympathise with you Kirk, genuinely. I am a HSTH of many years standing but only expect to be able to buy my own ticket, no extras. By the way, I think some folk need to stop and do the maths. It is my understanding that we have at least 16000 STH. How then can they all buy 2 tickets? Not possible. Take this to the next level though and it does mean that members chances are slim.
That is what is happening.No it isn't HST are getting 2 dibs before members
Just waiting for the inevitable furore about the ticket allocations for the two games against the seals you can't help but suspect the club will make a pigs ear of it!Thought I would just bump this up to the front of the thread
If the posted dates are accurate as a STH I'll only be able to make the seal park game and the final
COYB
if we get to wembley everyman and his dog should be able to get a ticket
I gotta be honest here and I know I will upset people but still. If you want tickets for big matches BUY A SEASON TICKET and attend every game.
I can't be done with excuses, I have work issues but I still find a way to get to games, one way or the other.
Get a season ticket and back the team week in, week out or do not moan when you can't get tickets when you want them.
Only speed read the club announcement regarding home allocation of tickets. Given the club's reported desire to go greener I'd have thought it'd be easier/better all around for HSTHs to add the play off game to our existing Stile Cards rather than print PDF tickets off at home. Here's hoping Kev's online rumour of the Vile having the whole of the Smeth' is just that, a rumour. Tempted to get vexed in advance just in case....... (get me Jenkins on line one).......No chance will that happen. There's no way either club or the police would want 6k of you at VP or 5k of us at yours, especially if it's the 5:30 game on the Saturday. You only have to offer 2000 tickets in the play offs, that's what us and Boro gave each other last season. I can see us and you agreeing the same and limiting the amount of away fans at each game.
Typical I’m alright response. Don’t moan when the ground is empty when we play the likes of Barnsley. The club has now destroyed its own membership scheme
No chance will that happen. There's no way either club or the police would want 6k of you at VP or 5k of us at yours, especially if it's the 5:30 game on the Saturday. You only have to offer 2000 tickets in the play offs, that's what us and Boro gave each other last season. I can see us and you agreeing the same and limiting the amount of away fans at each game.
The extra 10,000 - 15,000 "fans" will come crawling out of the woodwork.
Where are they the rest of the season?
They are on our database along with 15,000 more.
This is why we need a new West Stand we need to attract these "fans" back.
They are out there.
I'm living 100 miles away doing shift work, with most weekends at work during the season. Sorry I can't be a super fan.
A new stand won't make a blind bit of difference to my circumstances.
Me too, though even if we get to final I won’t be attempting to get a ticket, I will be working that weekend.
No. It's easy to blame the club and everyone / everything else.
We all know the score at the start of the season. Don't moan if things don't fall your way. You're not an innocent victim, you had the choice the same as everyone else to buy a season ticket. Didn't bother? Don't moan!
(Not you personally,generally)
Start the season no where was it stated season ticket holders will get 2 tickets for a play off semi final however it is stated membership gives you priority on non members for tickets. Most of these additional tickets will be to non members.
The club has just destroyed its membership scheme and in the process will result in lower attendances next season
Exactly with you on that Kirk. The whole point of loyalty points was to eradicate issues for games in high demand. To suddenly drop this stance and enable people with no booking record to get tickets through friends is shameful.
Yes, I've not been to many games this season so would hope that people that have been more often get the chance above myself, however to put on general sales effectively is unfair. I live in London and dont have the same connections to STH as many of those locally have to make use of this +1 benefit.
This club once again fails the supporters (and fully agree it's a joke what they did to STH's about renewals).
It hasn't and it won't; this play-off semi final is selling tickets the same way as every other home game this season where season ticket holders need their seats reserving (ie. cup matches).
To my knowledge loyalty points have never been used for home games?
And that is because sth had their seats and then members were able to purchase a ticket followed by people on their database. The club has just ripped up something that works.
Not true, my dad got me a ticket to the D1ngle5 play-off semi back in 2007, I wasn't a member and at the time wasn't a season ticket holder. He could have also got me tickets for all the cup games this season if demand hadn't meant I could get one on my membership.
Home or away tie?
El-gahzi red card recinded
No action on Houlihane
2 game ban for Bamford
John Percy 10 mins ago.
Baggie John the yellow card Bamford got must have been for another offence then cause I thought you couldn't be punished twice for the same offence and I thought he got the yellow card for his part in the faracas.
Different offence, he was booked for the handbags, he's been done with deceiving an official (simulation causing the red card). As an aside Hourihane escaping punishment beggars belief.
Baggie John the yellow card Bamford got must have been for another offence then cause I thought you couldn't be punished twice for the same offence and I thought he got the yellow card for his part in the faracas.
He was quite lippy to the ref Kev so I would guess dissent......
Easy option to make sure you get a ticket for the home leg, buy a season ticket for next year, the deadline as been extended to 8pm tonight. The ticket office as been inundated all day.
Easy option after 30 years I go and watch the moors since now not being a season ticket holder means I am only allowed to go and watch us play Rotherham.
The extra 10,000 - 15,000 "fans" will come crawling out of the woodwork.
Where are they the rest of the season?
They are on our database along with 15,000 more.
This is why we need a new West Stand we need to attract these "fans" back.
They are out there.
Kirk have you ever missed out on any other tickets for important games?
Still got a feeling we'll nick third and play Derby.Really can't see Leeds losing to Ipswich not if they play like they did against the Vile.
Really can't see Leeds losing to Ipswich not if they play like they did against the Vile.
With regards ticket sales, the club have deemed this route the best way to avoid fake tickets or tickets being sold on, as is the case with many concert tickets. Is it ideal? Well that depends on how far down the priority you are. I've made about 10 games this season with work and finances playing their part. That's life.
The club will know, from this season's sales, the proportion of STH's who buy additional tickets.
I suspect they have taken that into account when devising the sales plan. While, in theory, it's possible that there won't be any tickets for members, I doubt that any member who has a track record of attending games will be disappointed.
According to the club their are only 50 members who have attended 2 home games or more .... we must all be on social media or the clubs database has massively got things wrong
According to the club their are only 50 members who have attended 2 home games or more .... we must all be on social media or the clubs database has massively got things wrong
I'm one of the 50. Suspect they've got this wrong.
That is what they told me and that is why they have planned ticket sales like this
Ive heard villas first game will be the 12:30 kick off.For the last 10+ seasons Match A 3rd v 6th has been the first kick off, apart from when the police made Norwich and Ipswich kick off at 12 on the Sunday. We will be the 5:30 on the Saturday and then the Wednesday night.
I would also like to back you up on an earlier point, while it's only anecdotal evidence, I know a lot of HST holders (bearing in mind I'm not local) who will be buying a 2nd ticket.
WBA must be reading my social media posts... they have just emailed me to correct themselves there data informs them that 50 members on average buy a ticket when they qualify to buy one.
You couldn’t make it up we must have total idiots running the club from top to bottom
Idiots or not, if only 50 members on average buy a ticket when they qualify to buy one, I'd say the sales plan for the play-offs was about right, & members who have attended two or more games will get a ticket.
Are you serious saying playing Rotherham etc is the same as a final or play off semi final?
They have already told me to put a complaint into the club (but what is the point) the people on the ground know people will not get tickets
Are you serious saying playing Rotherham etc is the same as a final or play off semi final?
They have already told me to put a complaint into the club (but what is the point) the people on the ground know people will not get tickets
I would be absolutely astonished if the club have an up to date Single Customer View of our supporters. Without giving too much away, a colleague of mine approached the club to do some work and was told there wasn't the finances due to being relegated
On a personal note, I often get duplicate emails from the club, so clearly they don't have a great grasp of their customer database.
I know you've said before, that the club has been approached about analysis, but it's not difficult to do a one-off interrogation of tickets sales.
Otherwise, how do they know that on average 50 members buy match tickets?
Isn't the ticketing mechanism done by a third party? I would imagine analysis is part of the package.
Unless they are using some extremely old software id say it was a very simple report that they could print off from the system
Really wanted Derby to win tonight to ensure play off berth. They now have to beat us to ensure that you know who sneaks into play offs through the back door. Never want us to lose a game but might not cry on Sunday if we do so.
That's what I was hoping for too. Don't want pulis in there, and until routledge scored all was going so well.
I don't think boro will lose to Rotherham so Derby have to win, which I cannot bring myself to hope for.
Hopefully we can beat Derby, Boro lose or draw and Bristol win by 2 goals that way Pulis and Derby are out.
Two birds with one stone so to speak.
If we beat Derby and Boro don't win at Rotherham, then any win for Bristol away at Hull will be enough for them, in that scenario goal difference wont come into it. I can actually see this happening. With Derby seriously needing to go for it against us, if we turn up with intent on Sunday, i.e. with Gayle and Phillips starting, then the need for Derby to attack us will/should play into our hands on the counter attack. I think Boro will blow it by only drawing at Rotherham.
Don't like the thought of this. Just imagine Richard Keogh doing a few rought them up challenges in the first few minutes and either have them hiding for the remainder of the game or at serious risk of injury. Phillips in particular. Effectively a pre-season game for us and need to manage with maximising our resources for the 11th of May.
I believe Keogh went off with a groin injury on 66 minutes last night so might be missing
Fair enough. Still generally want to manage momentum with getting players to peak fitness (incl. avoiding risk of injury/suspension) for the play-offs.Definitely need to rest our most important / vulnerable players so no Phillips, Gayle, Hegazi, Gibbs or Rodriguez for me.
Definitely need to rest our most important / vulnerable players so no Phillips, Gayle, Hegazi, Gibbs or Rodriguez for me.
Bond should have a game as well and, if he does well, keep his place for the play offs. How Johnstone has survived all season is beyond me but it's not too late to change. Bond could be the difference between success and failure.
If it helps anyone, if we finish 4th then the game at vile is definitely 5.30pm and at ours on Wednesday.
So if we beat Derby, Middlesboro could get the play-off spot. We could then finish third, and face the Pulis across two legs.
But if we lose Boro can't get the last spot, but we end up playing Villa.
A draw means we might see Boro in the play-offs, but we'll play Villa.
Talk about a nightmare scenario.
So if we beat Derby, Middlesboro could get the play-off spot. We could then finish third, and face the Pulis across two legs.Villa are the only team we can play who we are unbeaten against.
But if we lose Boro can't get the last spot, but we end up playing Villa.
A draw means we might see Boro in the play-offs, but we'll play Villa.
Talk about a nightmare scenario.
Villa are the only team we can play who we are unbeaten against.Technically we all but beat you but for a last minute handball that would have been ruled out 99 times out of 100 but let's not go there again ;)
Head to head
Villa 4-2 won 1, drawn 1
Derby 1-4 lost 1, ??
Boro 2-4 lost 2
Bristol City 6-5 won 1, lost 1
Finish 4th and take the easy route ;)
Technically we all but beat you but for a last minute handball that would have been ruled out 99 times out of 100 but let's not go there again ;)
We're hoping Boro get the last spot. They haven't scored against us in the last six league meetings, barely registered a shot against us in last season's play offs and we seem to have the sign over them. Two 3-0 wins against them this season although we beat Derby 7-0 on aggregate.
I think Boro could bore their way through against Leeds and would be the easiest potential final opponents IF we got there.
No chance will Leeds lose at Ipswich so it will be us v you in the semis.
The result was a draw, nothing to do with technicalities.:-*
It was a draw.
Dress it up how you like.
It was still a draw.
Technically you haven't beat us this season.
Technically we have taken 4 points off you.
The play off games should be corkers and may the best team win so long as its us. ;)
:-*
Should be two cracking semi finals I agree and two crackling atmospheres reminiscent of the cup game in 2015.
I actually think us playing at home first will suit us with 40k hopefully spurring us on to a first leg lead. I think it would have suited you lot more to get a lead at home first leg and then come to VP and be able to play on the break.
Anyone considered this nightmare scenario?i'd be amazed if he came back, annnnnd jinx
Boro lose to Rotherham and Pulis gets the sack
We win the play offs and get promoted, yet are still technically managerless so, advert goes out for manager with proven Premier League track record.
Sweet Dreams :o
Or we could just dominate the entire VP game much like the league game, then play out an even Stevens draw at home... Much like the League game.
I'm still not convinced Bielsa won't rest his entire 1st XI on Sunday in the hopes of playing you again with last weekends debacle fresh in the players memory. Problem being, I expect us to rest the better players also (Gayle, Phillips, Hegazi, Brunt, Gibbs etc.) meaning it's unlikely we'll get the required 3 points to leap frog them.
I have just read that 10 of the squad that started the previous game must be included on Sunday. These are new EFL rules. I presume that’s squad and not team but it does make a difference to team selection
I'm being thick here,
11 players and 7 subs = the match day squad, therefore 18
10 min must be same, we can therefore change out 8
So we could start with 8 "new" players plus 3 who played in previous match
what am I missing?
finish fourth will be ideal for me in Bendorm, get to see both games, flying back home on the wednesdayshow some optimism, you'll be able to see 3 games.😁
finish fourth will be ideal for me in Bendorm, get to see both games, flying back home on the wednesday
We're in a position where our next 3 games could be against Derby :o
Our home leg has sold out already. There will be a scramble on Sunday for the few tickets where season ticket holders haven't claimed their seat.
Heard that both teams will get 2000 away tickets.
Yeah we've been told 2183 apparently so hopefully we give you the same and not a single one more
Missed it somewhere , but are the home play off leg tickets on sale from Monday?
Yes, though no idea why Albion didn't start selling them from last weekend when we knew the 2nd leg would be at The Hawthorns.Villa always sell tickets in advance
I know the specific date and opposition are not known, but it's obviously going to be on the Tuesday or Wednesday night so not sure why they didn't at least start allowing Season Ticket holders to get their seats reserved for it rather than waiting for Monday and then the rush on Tuesday when STH's can buy an extra seat.
Just seems strange when Villa have been selling theirs already for the Saturday game.
Villa always sell tickets in advanceYes but will Grealish be playing for the Vile or Barca in the final?
You can now get their champions league final tickets for 2020-2021
Yes but will Grealish be playing for the Vile or Barca in the final?He's clearly above both ...expect him to sign for Saturn
Struggling to see anything positive for this , we don't know our best 11 , we have no understanding between the core of the team , same awful defending with the same awful goals going in.
Mentally weak.
RWe do , not convinced Shan does .
I think we know our best 11.
We do , not convinced Shan does .
4 or 5 at the back ? . All over the shop mate.
The only bite we have is Livermore , that said I wouldn't be surprised to see Harper.
I say that then the next poster plucks Montero out of the air and shuffles Rodriguez back out wide.
We're going to play 352.
Johnstone
Dawson
Bartley
Hegazi
Holgate
Phillips
Brunt
Johansen
Gibbs
Rodriguez
Gayle
I just pray Livermore isn't fit.
Can't see us beating the Vile you need to do what Leeds did and put someone on Grealish we just don't have anyone who can do what Kalvin Phillips did.
I'd say Harper but the mans made his mind up and is elsewhere, Maybe Field could do the job, Definitely not Livermore though.
Sam Field marked Erikson out of it away at Spurs last season , worth a look.
Definitely not Harper he switches off too much, not disciplined enough for that role.
I'd say Harper but the mans made his mind up and is elsewhere, Maybe Field could do the job, Definitely not Livermore though.Dont get the fascination with field, dont think ive really seen him do anything, bar goal at bolton. Plays too safe, lighweight, league 1 player
Field yes I'd overlooked him. He would be ahead of Harper and Livermore for me anyways.Yes. He can tackle and his area coverage is larger than the others.
Difficult to think we'll go up on today's showing.all down to having no control what so ever in midfield and its been criminal by those in charge that they haven't addressed this problem. Jenkins and Dowling should be shown the door as they are not the people to take club forward as for lying he needs to show some sort of interest in club or he might as well say goodbye to his investment.
One thing that irked me this afternoon, but wasn't in any way surprising, was what happens when we're under the pump and the other team has momentum and a spell of forward thrust. We concede and down tools and we're overrun. We were dogs**t once they made it 2-1.
Happened against Derby at home and today. Boro' at home. Leeds away. Bristol City away. Happened against Bristol City at home as well (though we did win 4-2). I'd argue that is has happened many more times than that against sides of lesser quality who haven't capitalised on the chances they create/are gifted.
We are a patchy side. We can score and create. We also concede spells of dominance in games and that has been a theme of the season throughout.
Obviously would LOVE to see us go up but can't help but think we'll be rubbish for 25 minutes somewhere along the line and that'll do for us.
HRK has given us a real problem. Even if he's not worthy of a starting place, we can't be going into games with ony 2 regular strikers in the squad. Over 90 minutes you've got the fatigue factor, and at Wembley it could be over 120 minutes.
https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2019/may/play-offs-away-leg-ticket-details/ (https://www.wba.co.uk/news/2019/may/play-offs-away-leg-ticket-details/)
2000 tickets for the away leg and Matt Wilson has tweeted saying we will only sell 2000 tickets to villa fans
Does that mean we will move the void over and sell more tickets to home fans?
Can 2000 even be segregated? Thought it was 1800 max
we should reduce theirs to 1800 and increase size of home allocation.
If we give them 2000 the segregation area will be larger. They cannot divide the concourse in this way.
All restricting the away allocation in this way will do is reduce the capacity of the ground.
Don't have a clue what out best formation is, Personal, Players have been chopped and changed, Like it's press randomise and go from there.
How we don't have a manger is laughable, And the players are running the show it's evident.
Villa will spank us, We all know and sense it. They had numerous chances against us at home, And Grealish was't playing the 2nd game.
Jenkins needs to answer for alot. Roll on the massive clearance in the summer.
You may know that they will spank us but I don’t. Just how good do you think Villa are? I appreciate that they will be favourites but we have a chance, I really believe that.
We do , not convinced Shan does .
4 or 5 at the back ? . All over the shop mate.