Rubbernecking - Playoffs 20/21

[Ray de Galles]

They're worth a dedicated thread as we've done in the past as they are always one of the highlights of the season (especially for the neutral), even moreso this year as I presume all games should see some limited crowds allowed back in?

The full Football League fixtures are below ;

Division Two

Semi-final first leg

Bournemouth vs Brentford - Monday May 17, 6pm

Semi-final first leg

Barnsley vs Swansea City - Monday May 17, 8.15pm

Semi-final second leg

Brentford vs Bournemouth - Saturday May 22, 12.30pm

Semi-final second leg

Swansea City vs Barnsley - Saturday May 22, 5.30pm

Final - Saturday May 29, 3pm*


Division Three

Semi-final first leg

Oxford United vs Blackpool - Tuesday May 18, 6pm

Semi-final first leg

Lincoln City vs Sunderland - Wednesday May 19, 6pm

Semi-final second leg

Blackpool vs Oxford United - Friday May 21, 7.45pm

Semi-final second leg

Sunderland vs Lincoln City - Saturday May 22, 3pm

Final Sunday May 30, 3pm*


Division Four

Semi-final first leg

Newport County vs Forest Green Rovers - Tuesday May 18, 8.15pm

Semi-final first leg

Tranmere Rovers vs Morecambe - Thursday May 20, 8.15pm

Semi-final second leg

Morecambe vs Tranmere Rovers - Sunday May 23, 12.30pm

Semi-final second leg

Forest Green Rovers vs Newport County - Sunday May 23, 6.30pm

Final - Monday May 31, 3pm*


* I presume these are all pending any possible move of the CL Final to Wembley

[Satchmo Distel]

When did they stop playing the finals in reverse order, with the highest tier on the Bank Holiday Monday?

[Nesta]

They always do it in this order in international tournament years

[Antepli Ejderha]

Games in Wales might not have a crowd meaning the reverse fixture won't either to ensure there's no advantage.

Playing without fans might benefit Swansea.

Are Newport still playing in Cardiff?

[Southport Zeb]

Newport are back at Rodney Parade, but have had to give up home advantage in the second leg (which would normally go to the higher finishing side) as there is pitch repair work about to start.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Newport are back at Rodney Parade, but have had to give up home advantage in the second leg (which would normally go to the higher finishing side) as there is pitch repair work about to start.

Thanks SZ

[Ray de Galles]

Games in Wales might not have a crowd meaning the reverse fixture won't either to ensure there's no advantage.

Playing without fans might benefit Swansea.

Are Newport still playing in Cardiff?

There was hope earlier in the week that the two Welsh fixtures could be allowed.

I believe the Welsh government is planning a post-election announcement on the restrictions in the next week?

[Ray de Galles]

Bournemouth v Brentford is typical cagey opening play-off game so far, worried from a Wales Euros perspective about an injury to David Brooks. Toney is hobbling for Brentford too.

[Sean of the Shed]

Brentford really are due some good fortune this time around, but Bournemouth apart, I would not be upset by any of the other teams in this division winning promotion.

[Sporting]

What's wrong with Bournemouth?

[Sean of the Shed]

Financially doped by an oligarch.

[Ray de Galles]

Textbook length-of-the-pitch counter-attacking goal from Bournemouth after Brentford dithered over a cross with
lots of men committed up the field.

It's brought the crowd far more in to it and it's a much livelier match now.

[Sporting]

Do away goals count in these?

[ursus arctos]

No

[Satchmo Distel]

Apparently, there are around 4000 fans in Oakwell tonight. Ayew shows the value of having some actual quality in the side, which Barnsley lack. Still, early days and no away goals rule.

EDIT: Thread title = Elvis earworm

[Kevin S]

EDIT: Thread title = Elvis earworm

Well, that's alright with me.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Apparently, there are around 4000 fans in Oakwell tonight. Ayew shows the value of having some actual quality in the side, which Barnsley lack. Still, early days and no away goals rule.

EDIT: Thread title = Elvis earworm

?80k per week of quality apparently.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Couldn't watch the game, how was it?

[Amor de Cosmos]

First half was exciting-ish but the second was predictable, Swansea are pretty good at seeing games out. Your keeper saved them them on more than a few occasions though. Probably MoM.

[ursus arctos]

Particularly a finger tip save off an injury time scramble that kept Barnsley from an injury time equaliser that would have been a bit unfair on the overall run of play.

[Billy Casper]

It was my first Barnsley match live in fourteen months. I was actually sat in the away end which added to the unrealness of it all. Anyway, as an event it was fantastic - it felt so good to be back 'home' again with my dad and youngest son. The atmosphere was decent too for only having 4500ish fans in the stadium and the players were applauded off at the end for their efforts.
As mentioned earlier, the game was nothing special. One moment of expensive class settled it, but unlike UA, I thought a draw might have been a fairer result. We haven't scored against Swansea in three attempts this season though so it'll be tough in the second leg. Swansea's goalie was really good, but so too were their two central defenders.
We're nowhere near good enough for the Premier League, so if we give it a good go on Saturday but fall just short, I'll be quietly pleased.

[cantagalo]

It could well be that having done the double over Bournemouth (just as we did with Fulham last season), we again succumb in the play-offs. We were undone by Pontus Jansson overplaying by their corner flag and an astonishing miss by Bryan Mbuemo. Thomas Frank has some big decisions to make. Does he revert to four at the back now that regular full backs Dalsgaard and Henry appear to be fit again? Does he persevere with Marcus Forss up front? And how does he make sure that the right Matthias Jensen turns up rather than the wasteful, indulgent version we saw last night?

There is too much at stake in play-off games for me to enjoy them. Even if we do scrape through on Saturday, there's the prospect of more agony to come in the final.

[San Bernardhinault]

Not the best start for Oxford. 30 minutes into the home leg and we're already 2-0 down...

[Jimski]

Yeah, they look a class above us.

[San Bernardhinault]

Nef's analysis that we're not much cop against the better teams and are basically flat track bullies seems to be borne out by this performance.