The Play-off Slots Promotion Fight

[Erimus 63 550 3.2k]

We need a separate thread for rival team discussions.

Friday evening is Sunderland v Leeds. I think a draw would suit us, anything but a Sunderland win though.

[Bruce 2,524 2.1k]

Always good to have a promotion rivals thread. Far better than a mid-table rivals one or relegation rivals one. 

Not sure about Sunderland v Leeds. Unfortunately they can't both lose. 

I don't think Sunderland have the depth to maintain a promotion challenge then again I thought that of Ipswich. However Ipswich had already had nearly 2 seasons under McKenna building a team while Sunderland have been flailing. Sometimes, though, a manager just clicks and Sunderland do seem to have a core that have played together for a while. Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Bellingham, Rigg, Neil, Roberts, Mundle, Mayenda with some smart recruitment in Mepham and Browne.

I prefer our squad over theirs but if they stay on a good run with another 20 points from the next 10 games then they have to be seen as a real threat for the whole of the season.

Leeds are sort of the opposite. You expect them to be around the top 2 by the end of the season. They remind me of Bournemouth and Sheffield Utd when they went back up in the second season after relegation. Leeds have arguably the second best squad after Burnley (maybe Sheff Utd) but you get a feeling of vulnerability about them. They haven't done badly but they do feel like they haven't clicked.

I guess Leeds are going to be threat all season—no matter what—while if Sunderland falter now they could start to sink. On the basis that we want as few threats as possible then Sunderland losing is good. 

On the other hand, if we want a crabs in a bucket scenario with no team locking in the top 2, a draw hurts them both. 

A Sunderland win probably won't trigger any sort of Leeds implosion so is probably the worst option. 

So, my preference is a draw. Or one team doesn't show up, gets docked 3 points then the rescheduled match ends up with a 0-0 draw and serious fixture congestion. That's the dream scenario. 

[SouthernSmoggie 5,017 6.8k]

Early days but the table is starting to take a bit of shape now. Sheff Utd, Leeds, and Burnley all right up there already is a bit ominous - was hoping for a couple of hangovers from last season there perhaps. Personally don't expect these three to leave the top six. 

Sunderland are the surprise overperformers for now. Who knows if they'll stick around - nobody thought Ipswich would last year! 

Luton and Coventry probably the biggest disappointments, but even so they're only a couple of wins off the pack. 

[Marvanelli 939 643]

Rather Sunderland win to be honest. Their squad is ridiculously weak outside their first 11. 
 

They don’t even have a recognised striker. 
 

I think Leeds will be the team that will much more likely challenge the autos than Sunderland. 

[TeaCider24 16,744 21.9k]

Leeds win, definitely.

[SmogDane 4,133 8k]

This thread should be called "Who finishes Second", because according to @Blanco ... We are g.... .. .. .........

[Blanco 5,454 7.1k]

28 minutes ago, SmogDane said:

This thread should be called "Who finishes Second", because according to @Blanco ... We are g.... .. .. .........

We certainly are @SmogDane 🙂 

[AnglianRed 7,514 17.5k]

35 minutes ago, SmogDane said:

This thread should be called "Who finishes Second", because according to @Blanco ... We are g.... .. .. .........

 

6 minutes ago, Blanco said:

We certainly are @SmogDane 🙂 

We are...going to finish third?

 

What happened to your usual optimism? 😁

[Blanco 5,454 7.1k]

33 minutes ago, AnglianRed said:

 

We are...going to finish third?

 

What happened to your usual optimism? 😁

You have failed at Hangman @AnglianRed 🙂 

[Hammy legend 1,196 1.3k]

A draw is the ideal result,  both sides having a couple of sending offs wouldn't go wrong either.

[Aphex_Boro 1,725 6.6k]

Gruev and Ampadu both out for a while for Leeds, think they are down to the barebones a bit in midfield 

[Erimus 63 550 3.2k]

12 hours ago, Aphex_Boro said:

Gruev and Ampadu both out for a while for Leeds, think they are down to the barebones a bit in midfield 

Hallelujah. Is that inappropriate? 🤣

[dunnerzzz 44 1.4k]

Should be a good game, looking forward to S'land vs. Leeds.

Else, hard to talk about promotion rivals when the table could be flipped come March and many bosses have said their goodbyes.

[JonnyMFC 1,808 1.9k]

Can we change the thread title to Playoff rivals please 😂

[Erimus 63 550 3.2k]

1 hour ago, JonnyMFC said:

Can we change the thread title to Playoff rivals please 😂

Done that for you.

Please bear in mind that the next 4 games 3 of those being at home will show a new complexion.