Kernow

But to say it’s out of our hands means that no matter what we do, it might not be enough. As long as there’s not a 4 goal swing in us losing to Pompey & Bolton winning their game in hand, then just matching Bolton’s results for the rest of the season would see us above them. Very much still in our hands.

Pompey 1-2 Derby NML

I'd hate to see what we would have got if -21 points, transfer embargos, academy decimated, administration and relegation is "getting away with it." We'd have been laughed at if we stayed down in League One for years and years, but now we look like we may get out in two seasons (an amazing achievement when you look at it objectively), it means we got off lightly.

That's essentially what we would ever be if we got there too. Unless things change, there's more to be said about regularly being a top-half Championship side than just scrapping it out for 17th every season.

This guy?

Possibly, but that’s only because Adams hasn’t played at the Bernabeu yet.

Is the title under this person’s username customised or is it standard for any Forest fan that signs up?

They were actually shouting “Ebouuuu”. They knew they saw something special.

I’d be happy with a point from this, oddly I think Portsmouth would take that too. They’re pretty much promoted already. I know they can’t mathematically confirm it on Tuesday, but one win will do it for them, I can’t see Bolton getting to 89 points. We are the only side with an outside chance of stopping them from winning the title, but to do that we have to win at Fratton Park. If Portsmouth get a draw, they’re up and they’re also Champions, so it’s a very good result for them too. I think we will set up to get a point and maybe pinch a win if we can. If we also come out of it without defeat and injury free, we have 8 days until our following game in which Collins can build more fitness, NML can have a bit of a rest, and Bird, Gayle & Barkhuizen are all closer to their return for the run-in. Four points from these next two and I think we’re as good as up, although if we do lose at Portsmouth, I don’t think the world is going to cave in as much as it did after the Northampton defeat.

I mentioned it on a different thread, but it wouldn’t surprise me if something was lined up pending our status as a Championship club. We’d be an extremely attractive option for someone looking to buy a football club. Debt free with a fan base and facilities all ready to go for the Premier League. It’s just the minor aspect of the playing side to address in that regard. Wasnt it mentioned early this season that Clowes was either looking for, or open to the idea of further investment? I’d be surprised if there weren’t a number of interested parties, and if we’re in the Championship rather than League One, our appeal increases astronomically.

Sending all my love, mate. You know I’m here if you need to talk about anything 🤍🖤

The title doesn’t really bother me, nobody really remembers who won the league, the key is getting out of the division and whether that’s 1st or 2nd, I’ll be just as happy. An ideal world for me would be if we went into the final game 3 points clear and something like 10 goals GD better than 3rd. Basically a situation where unless we lost to Carlisle 6-0, we’re up. A full house at Pride Park, early kick-off in some late April sunshine, then the whole afternoon to celebrate. Perfect.

The behind the goal angle for this. He is just pure class.

Not going to lie, I thought it would take more than 1 game to prove this prediction wrong.

If Carlsberg did match days… I don’t care about Portsmouth, they’re up now, and I’m happy to settle for runners-up. If we avoid defeat on Tuesday, then I think we will do it. With the goal difference, it’s essentially an extra point too.

I think it’ll be Ward at RB, Sibley at LB, Wilson RW and NML behind Washington. What I’d like to see is Ward RB, Wilson LB, NML RW and Sibley behind Washington. I think that plays into individual players’ strengths more than the first option.

Booked 4 days in Cologne for the end of June around the dates of England’s last group game. Belgium v Romania also in Cologne when we’re there. No tickets for any games but hoping I might be able to find some when over there.

Have we now got to the stage where we’re worried about potential, hypothetical suspensions for the accumulation of yellow cards next season, which may coincide with important fixtures against unknown teams in a division we may not even be in?

Derby 1-0 Blackpool Wilson

I'm pretty sure Collins will be on the bench at very least. Why have him on the pitch doing running drills against Northampton? He wasn't in the squad, he could have done running drills privately if it absolutely had to be done on that day, or he could just use the extra week to build up more fitness. It was almost a show-off to the fans that we have a striker coming back to soften the blow of losing Gayle. I don't see any other reason, when else have we had an "injured" player who wasn't in the squad warming up before a game? I don't think he will start because it would be too risky to lose him again, but if things aren't going too well at half-time, I think JC may make his return on Good Friday.

Vital we put yesterday behind us, the result is one negative but I worry the impact of yesterday will stretch beyond the result. We have to go back to a 4, and I’d bring Elder in at left back. Midfield is anyone’s guess, it’ll be 2 + Adams. Sibley could get the chance in a 10 position behind what’s almost certain to be Waghorn up top. CBT on one wing, Ward/Wilson on the other. Hopefully Collins can make the bench and Washington will have another week of fitness under his belt, which should give us a little more off the bench. It’s vital we start on the front foot and most importantly, take our chances. If that Waghorn chance about 10 minutes in went in, I think we go on to beat Northampton quite comfortably. If we concede first vs Blackpool, I’d not be confident we could turn it around to get 3 points.

What’s the best XI now then with the list of injuries mounting? I think we have to go back to a 4 when you include Bradley’s suspension, we don’t even have enough players fit to play a back 3 now. I’d probably go with Smith at right back for more defensive stability, use Ward & Wilson as options for the right wing especially with NML now out too. Hopefully Collins will be fit enough to make the bench for Blackpool, but right now I’d probably go with… Wildsmith Smith, Nelson, Cashin, Elder Hourihane Adams Sibley Wilson Waghorn CBT Not ideal to be honest, I worry there may be too long left given the amount of absences we have now.

I’d say having 3 or 4 injured at once is hard luck, yeah. TJJ is the only one I’m not surprised about given his injury record. I also think a lot had to fall “right” for us to get CBT with the loan fee and expiring contract etc. Wide areas were needed more than strikers in January, why it hasn’t worked out yet with CBT, I’m not too sure.

It's all hindsight though, isn't it. Without injuries, we'd have enough in my opinion. We have Collins, Gayle, TJJ, Washington and Waghorn. It's just typical that we haven't had more than 2 fit at once nearly all season.