A lovely little update after this weekends fixtures. I said after Pompey that this weekend was a torrid affair where we played the most difficult game of all the challengers (MK v Rotherham aside) and that 3 points was a must because all our rivals in all likelihood would also get 3 points. To have two of our rivals drop points, and two of our closest rivals at that, as well as scoring 4 and looking comfortable and dominant against a half decent Burton is a fantastic weekend that puts us in a good spot going into a blank midweek where 5 teams chasing us, and the side above us play against bottom half opposition.
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Things to note this week:
- We're now 4 points clear of 5th place. However, it should be noted that if Wednesday and Plymouth win all their games in hand both will go above us. Plymouth play Wimbledon, Pompey and Cheltenham all at home, and Wednesday play Accrington (H) and Fleetwood (A). Not out of the realm of possibilities that both could win every game in hand by any means.
- 10 points required, four teams in the bottom half left to play. Win all 4 of those and we are in the playoffs. Any extra points we can gain before the Fleetwood game would be a huge bonus too, as it lessens the pressure going into the last few games where we face two very good L1 outfits.
- Sunderland fall at the first hurdle in their incredibly easy 4 game run before Rotherham visit. 0-0 against Charlton bearing in mind how easily we dismantled them 2 weeks previous is pretty telling. In fact, Charlton faced promotion chasers in the 5 games before Sunderland, and conceded at least 2 goals each game. Sunderland still just about favourites to finish 5th because of their easy run in, but they're dropping points like its going out of fashion.
- Pompey and Ipswich (and Bolton) still quietly picking up points. After Tuesday's game Pompey go on a run of 5 games in a row against promotion chasers. They could do us a huge favour by winning some of those, especially against Plymouth and Wycombe.
