Oh dear. A 3-3 draw at home to Burnley can't be called a disastrous result, but the gap that Leicester have now opened over QPR is very worrying indeed. Nine wins on the bounce mean that the Foxes already have one paw in the Premiership, and 'Arry will have to work a minor miracle to hunt them down. All of which means that the Hula Hoops are now probably playing for only one automatic promotion place.
In fact, Rangers' position is remarkably similar to West Ham's a couple of season's back, where for a long time Allardyce's men and Southampton seemed to have the two top spots there for the taking - and then along came Reading on an amazing charge to take the title and force West Ham into the playoffs. And for Reading this season, read either Nottingham Forest or Derby.
Forest look a very decent team indeed - except when they play Yeovil. And even after a stuttering performance against the Glovers, they still scored three times and came away with maximum points. In contrast to QPR, who leaked three against a declining Burnley side. Redknapp was receiving praise for his deadline day wheeler dealing but, despite his goal, it will be a bloody stupid question if Maiga proves to be the long term answer, although Doyle will probably prove a better investment.
The big worry, of course, is Financial Fair Play if QPR do miss out on promotion. As we move in to the nitty gritty part of the season, the tension will inevitably increase, and the pressure on QPR will be immense. It really will be a case of shit or bust, and that pressure will be pretty near to unbearable should 'Arry's men find themselves in the play off lottery.
Meanwhile, Derby and Forest can just get on with the job of playing. Yes promotion is the target, but it isn't essential this season - indeed, arguably, both teams might benefit from another season of team development in the lower tier, as Leicester seem to be proving this season.
Aside from who will finish in the top two, three of the playoff places appear to be close to resolved as, with the gap opened, one of QPR, Derby, Forest and Burnley would have to suffer a terrible collapse in form to miss out. But the sixth place is looking interesting, and should Wigan or Reading finally claim that place, they will prove no pushovers for the team finishing in third place.
Worrying times indeed for Fernandez - especially with a game away to Derby next week!
"Declining Burnley" eh? This is the Burnley side who are 3 points behind QPR, who have this season taken 12 points from 6 undefeated games against the top 6? Who only have Reading of the top 6 to play away from home? Who have only lost 3 times all season, and once since the beginning of December?
ReplyDeletePlease do keep writing it off, it suits us and probably helps us, all the while showing the ignorance and self-satisfaction of the author.
4 way shoot-out for automatic promotion, and even Reading can't be discounted. Write off anyone at the risk of looking a total wally.
All very well mate, but Burnley were top and are now third - and 10 points behind Leicester. Doesn't that constitute as "declining"?
DeleteLeicester fan here. Actually they're 13 points behind us. Only 10 if they win their game in hand away at Bolton. COYB
DeleteGET YOUR MATHS CORRECT KNOBHEAD,GETTING CARRIED AWAY, WE ARE 10 X POINTS BEHIND,SO WIN GAME IN HAND THAT LL BE JUST THE 7[BAD ENUFF!] STOP UR WISHFUL DREAMING & GO BACK TO SCHOOL, DO THE MATHS!!!
DeleteAs a forest fan I would like to add that if ings or vokes picked up a serious injury where would their goals come from and it will be intresting to see how WORk get on without Austin who I think is an outstanding player.its gonna be a close run thing this year
ReplyDeleteNot seen the west ham bitch for a while now! oh you actually got a win,that's why! if u actually saw the match,you'll see just how good Burnley cab be,a very strong unit,who chase lost causes and will do untiil the bitter end. Great match,enuff said.
ReplyDeleteLeicester didn't really deserve a win at loftus rd,but hey that's footy!
Good luck to Leicester etc,but we ll keep on battling,so go crawl in ur sad old west ham hole pls! And it's come on U R'S.
They are still there and shouldn't be written off. I wouldn't say you could say Burnley have declined. Overachieved! They have been a match for anyone. I'm not a Burnley fan I;m a Forest fan but write them off at your peril!! I remember the unfancied Blackpool, Yeovil etc!!!
ReplyDeleteBurnley are not as consistent as earlier in the season, and Derby having had a very good run are dropping points quite regularly, Reading are coming strong and will Austins consistancy in front of goal is bound to be missed Forest are looking strong and I think if any team finishes above them they will be UP automatic. Leicster would have to implode to throw it away..... but they did last year so you never know i guess
ReplyDeleteWhat a tool - how many weeks have Burnley been top or 2nd again and a couple of weeks at 3rd and it's all over? How many defeats? How many top ten teams despatched? And Leicester's purple patch is permanent then? Until they sit top for a while and sides stop them playing, spoiling takes over from attack. This division is wide open. Any 2 from 8 could chase down automatic and any 4 from 12 get a play off shout. Leicester have a lead that with a decent sustained run, any team could chase down - watch out for Wigan and don't rule out Reading. QPR could finish 8th for all we know and Leicester 6th. 18 games to go and it's game on, all to play for.
ReplyDeleteBurnley have slipped a little because teams are now parking the bus when they visit Turfmoor which is why we'll maybe have more freedom away from home. We've controlled games prior to QPR which was an even contest but if we keep up the momentum & have that crucial little more rub of the green like x14 Nugent pens but that would probably mean buying success we might swap with West Ham next season.
ReplyDeleteThere's more chance bashing my trolly into the Queen at Lidl's then these refs also giving QPR or Burnley 14 penalties to help challenge runaway Leicester for thr title. It's all about the race for 2nd now!
ReplyDeleteExtraordinary how people dismiss Burnley. How many teams have gone to Loftus Road and earned a point this season - and feel hard done by with a point too. I reckon Harry knows a thing a too. I am pretty damned sure he is not writing Burnley off. Not after their second half lesson on Saturday!!
ReplyDeleteWithout wishing to tempt fate, I think it's unlikely that Leicester will go into the same freefall as last season. For one thing, that experience, like the agonising play-off semi-final second leg, seems to have made the team stronger: their heads don't go down if they go behind.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of Leicester's 14 penalties, it's not a case of referees favouring City: I think I've seen all 14, and all bar a couple were nailed-on penalties (unlike the one that Knockaert missed in the above-mentioned play-off semi-final). We have some really fast and tricky attacking players - notably Jamie Vardey - and defenders can't seem to handle them. On the other hand, at least two penalties recently have been given for fouls on Vardey when he was going away from goal - make of that what you will.
I hope and believe, that Burnley will continue to prove, that it's not all about the money..Football is so much more..
ReplyDeleteHans Kr. (Norway)
Leicester fan here again. For the benefit of the shouting anonymous commentator at 17:16 the comment I was replying to was about Burnley - as was mine. We're on 66 points and burnley are on 53. That's 13 points when I last looked. Not writing off Burnley at all. Impressed with them on Saturday and I hope they pip QPR and Forest in particular. Just pointing out the facts though. Perhaps you should go back to school to learn to read English
DeleteStill a little premature for Fall Over Foxes fans to start flapping their 9" egoes becos there's 18 to go & all it takes is the refs to treat Leicester like the rest of the teams in this tight league & one of the top 6 to have a run like Reading or Norwich's unbelievable finish in the 80's. In 1972/73 Burnley won their last 6 games to snatch the title from QPR by a point with much inferior GD. - Seen it all nearly & hence it certainly aint over until the fat lady sings.
ReplyDeleteLeicester fan here. No chance of us dropping out from the no 1 spot. Confidence is too high. For me despite them being a midlands rival, I strongly fancy Forest to take the 2nd automatic. They turned us over earlier in the season and that was before they hit the 13 games unbeaten form. Derby are starting to choke, but burnley still seem ok to me. And if not forest I could see them springing a surprise. QPR are in trouble, they had a terrible transfer window and seemed to bring in players without any real thought. With Austin out injured I think they will struggle for goals.
ReplyDeleteThis blog seems to have stirred a bit of ranting and raving. At the end of the day its one persons opinion on what might happen. Nobody can predict what will happen with so many matches to go and get it spot on, and thats the way this league as been for years. But having stated all this any team at this stage of the season 10 points clear are got to favourites to get a top 2 finish. So my opinion is that there is only one other automatic promotion place left.As for playoffs, dont write anyone off in the top half of the table yet. Look at the table again at the end of march and then your predictions could be more accurate.
ReplyDeleteA quick summary to try and set things straight! Forest beat Leicester yet had hardly any of the ball, Forest bossed QPR for a straightforward 2-0 win and QPR had bossed Leicester yet QPR found themselves on the loosing side, meanwhile, Forest have still to beat a Burnley side who have amazed with their consistency beating Forest in the league cup and a draw in the league! Can they keep it up because I can see Forest easily beating most teams however will likely get a few daft draws etc, as has been the main problem, not putting the game to bed and making life much too hard work for ourselves! There really is NO stand out team in particular,and a handful of good sides, with a more consistent Leicester pulling away. As the season progresses, knowing how close the championship can be,those draws, which can easily be the result of virtually every game in the championship start to be as useful as getting beat 3-0 and will cost teams dearly! QPR have one by a single goal on 13 occasions so far, hence a few more draws could have quite easily been the outcome for QPR costing them valuable points and both Burnley and Forest have drawn a massive 11 games each. There's plenty of time for tears, tantrums and Redknapp taking a proper shafting if they fail to get promoted after spending a piss-takingly large amount and still no way near there yet! Goes to show how many of these championship managers could be a top four premiership manager with the right backing! Fingers Crossed and come on you Reds!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePlus QPR are relying on an out of form wolves player to revive their hopes and get some goals along side bringing in a player to bolster the defence who derby decided they didn't want or need? Harry sure chucked money here,there pretty much everywhere at every and anything panic striken at the thought he might just have got found out in the championship! QPR just need closing down quickly, their patience buckles, as their over inflated egos as well as wages take their toll on a side that seems one of the most pointless in the league, who is it all for, for god sakes? Some corporate toff and the odd fella who don't wanna pay around double the price to watch Chelsea or that bit too lazy to travel the distance!
ReplyDeleteForest fan, fingers crossed Forest and Leicester to finish top two, it will be the biggest party in the East Midlands for years !
ReplyDeleteA likewise maybe bigger party if Burnley missed out on the automatic but sealed promotion with an injury time winner in an East Lancs Play-Off Final. - At the basement end of the table I hope The Cow Pat minnows Yeovil can stay up.
ReplyDeleteAnxious moments for west ham too. You do not win games by parking the bus in front of the goal and time is running out. It's a pity we won't be playing you in the premiership next year.
DeleteCome on you super hoops
Grow up... and did they only teach you to write in BIG letters at school... oh and you're wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnxious times for West Ham as Carroll's ban is upheld !
ReplyDeleteJust checked the bbc sport website and it has burnley 13 points behind leicester with a game in hand.......still have to win the game in hand as well!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 00.05 what a pr!ck!!!! Little bit drunk are we? KNOB
ReplyDeleteyou are all a bunch of empty head numpties!!!......QPR are the class outft! Promotion is gauranteed
ReplyDelete