Could it happen, could it?

[morty]

Based on nothing really whatsoever, I'm seeing a few journos, and even Iwan Roberts, suddenly questioning if we can make a late surge into the playoffs.

I have to say we'd barely deserve it, but I wonder what they have seen to make them change their minds?

 

[ZLF]

A mathematical possibility and something to hope for; I would be astonished if we even got close, although in theory and on paper it is feasible.  

However it needs a minimum of 18 from last 24 points available,  that is a  monumental turnaround,  esp considering that 6 of those games are against the remaining top 10 sides where our current record is 12 games played  with  W1 D3 L8 F15 A28 GD-13,  ie  just 6 points out of 36 gained. 

Sadly we dont seem to have that consistency and games are not played on paper.

 

[OldRobert]

While it's still mathematically possible some will always cling to the hope.  We know of one of those from another place.  Realistically our form just doesn't back it up as ZLF says.  We all know that promotion like relegation is won (or lost) over a season, and our form over this season just hasn't been good or consistent enough imo.

 

[hogesar]

I think having a couple of weeks distance from our last away game creates the illusion it's possible.

 

[Number 9]

Why not?

Irvine, that's why not. He's Alex Neil's man with Alex Neil's team selection and Alex Neil's tactics.

 

[Canaryboy]

Would promotion this season actually be a good thing? We'd make last seasons Villa team look good in the Premier League, and we'd basically be morally obligated to give the permanent job to Irvine. 

I guess it would reset the parachute payments, so I'd take it. The dreamer in me would much prefer we finally fixed our long standing issues this summer and went up properly next season with a team which had a chance of punching above its weight and staying up. 

I guess you can't turn your nose up at a promotion. We wouldn't be deserving of it though, probably have the worst away record of any promoted team in history if it happened. 

 

[OldRobert]

Were it to happen, how much would it cost to upgrade the squad, to stand any sort of chance of staying up?  More than we are likely to have I fear.

 

[hogesar]

Of course we want promotion. You never know how a team will perform in the Premiership. That Lambert squad should have been cannon fodder in the Premier League but it was far from it.

And irrespectively we have to consider the financial benefits and even if we came straight down again we can't afford to turn down extended Parachute Payments. 

 

[ZLF]

much better to get promoted this season than not - secures 3 more years of PL money where we can rebuild teh squad and defence.   Not getting promoted means we have a 1 year roulette stab at tight budget setting to balance the self same rebuild with a promotion target.

All theoretical anyway.

 

[Dubai Mark]

That Sheffield Wednesday match was I feel our last chance. So,despite their and others subsequent results, all above us need to crash from now and we basically need to win every game, and that just isn't going to happen.

A huge missed opportunity by a stubborn Board and naive and inept management.