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Up, up and away
Kammy previews the post-season showdowns
Posted: 08th May 2008 11:04
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Play-offs: a great concept
Nobody wants the tag of being the 'favourites' in these games.
Chris Kamara
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The play-offs are the best thing that's ever happened to the Football League.
We had tremendous drama on the final day of the season, but we wouldn't get that without the carrot of the play-offs at the end of it.
So many seasons are kept alive by this concept. You see clubs in the relegation zone in January who go on a good run and end up winning promotion through the play-offs. It can keep your hopes and dreams alive for so much longer.
It's great for the fans because these games are so exciting and it's great for the managers because if promotion was purely decided on league position then even more of them would be getting sacked every year. It's a fabulous concept
I played in one of the first play-offs when I was a player at Swindon and I took Bradford up through the play-offs as a manager many years later.
We finished sixth that season, beating Hull on the last day to get into the play-offs. We lost 2-0 at home to Blackpool in the first leg of the semis and everybody thought it was game over for us, but we managed to win 3-0 in 90 minutes at Bloomfield Road.
I was confident we'd win the final against Notts County because I felt we were a better team than them, but you just never know if your team is going to perform on the day. That's one of the things that makes these occasions so exciting.
Our average gate at Bradford at that time was around 8,000 and we took 32,000 people to Wembley, which shows what these games mean to supporters.
Twelve teams are hoping to get to Wembley this time and all of the semi-finals and the finals are live on Sky Sports.
I'll be covering the Championship semi-finals and final as part of the Sky Sports live team and I'm really looking forward to it.
Let's take a look at the games we've got to look forward to...
Bristol City v Crystal Palace
Saturday May 10, 12pm, Sky Sports 1
Tuesday May 13, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
When I spoke to Neil Warnock in October he said he'd do well to avoid relegation with the set of players he had, but here they are in the play-offs.
Neil instilled confidence in them and realised he had better players to work with than he originally thought, particularly his defenders who weren't playing to their top level when he first arrived.
Neil feared this might be an even more difficult job than when he was at Bury, but he discovered he had a number of talented youngsters waiting in the wings and he's put them into the team at the right time. Their enthusiasm has rocketed them to where they are today.
Palace go into the play-offs as favourites because of the way they ended the season, but of course you never know what might happen.
Nobody wants the tag of being the 'favourites' in these games. Gary Johnson was jokingly trying to put pressure on Neil Warnock on Monday's Soccer Extra by saying Palace were the favourites because he wants Bristol City's players to regard themselves as outsiders and to prove people wrong.
The bookies say Palace will go through, but I think it's a tough one to call.
Hull City v Watford
Sunday May 11, 12pm, Sky Sports 1
Wednesday May 14, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Watford have only won one game in 14, but Aidy Boothroyd will be telling his players they can treat the play-offs as a clean slate.
It doesn't matter what has gone on before and his players must just focus on this three-game competition.
Hull finished one place below the automatic positions, but I don't think they'll be too disappointed going into this game.
Phil Brown knows the game that cost them was the defeat to Sheffield United and that was disappointing, but you're always likely to have one poor match in the middle of such a good run.
Unfortunately, they didn't get away with it but Brown will accept that because it was their only defeat in 11 games and he knows his players gave their all in those other games.
I don't think many people in Hull expected them to snatch second spot last weekend. Ninety per cent of people knew Stoke weren't going to lose their game against Leicester and the Hull players won't be despondent going into the Watford match.
It now comes down to who has the luck on the day, who can hold their nerve and who can handle the pressure. These games are cup finals and the biggest prize in world football is waiting at the end of them.
Doncaster v Southend
Friday May 9, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Friday May 16, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Donny will be very disappointed that they didn't secure automatic promotion because it was in their hands on the final day.
They lost out in a difficult game at Cheltenham, who needed the points to secure safety, and Sean O'Driscoll now has the task of picking his players up.
On the other hand Steve Tilson will be delighted to be in there after the poor start that Southend had.
They went on a terrific run towards the end of the season, losing only one in 15, but it's very difficult to say who will come out on top in this game.
Carlisle v Leeds
Monday May 12, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Thursday May 15, 7.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Leeds won 3-2 when these teams met just a few weeks ago so everything is pointing in their favour at this moment in time.
Gary McAllister has put together six wins from his last seven games which is his best run as Leeds manager, so that tells you they're in very good form.
There's no doubt that Dougie Freedman has made a massive impact at Elland Road and he's the one that Carlisle will fear because he's too clever for that division. Carlisle will need to snuff out his threat if they want to stop Leeds progressing.
Carlisle are another side who weren't expected to be up there at the start of the season, but they will be feeling similar to Doncaster because they've been in the automatic spots at times this season.
They were second in April and automatic promotion was theirs to lose and unfortunately they only picked up two points from their final five games and dropped out.
Maybe they didn't enjoy being in that situation because they were there to be shot at, but now they must lick their wounds and start again. I'm sure John Ward will make sure his troops come out fighting.
Rochdale v Darlington
Saturday May 10, 5pm, Sky Sports 1
Saturday May 17, 12pm, Sky Sports 1
Darlington are the only side in the League Two play-offs who might be thinking they could have gone up automatically.
They were up there for so long, but Dave Penney and his boys lost it somehow and they went on a shocking run in the last two months of the season.
So they'd be the ones you could say are going into the play-offs on a downer, but having won at Peterborough on the final day, maybe Penney has sorted that out.
They are playing a Rochdale team that are bang in form and Keith Hill has done a tremendous job there and it's another game that is really hard to call.
Stockport v Wycombe
Sunday May 11, 6pm, Sky Sports 1
Saturday May 17, 5.30pm, Sky Sports 1
Jim Gannon has achieved progression once again with Stockport. They stayed up two seasons ago, they missed out on the play-offs on the last day last season and this time they've made it.
The objective when Gannon took over was to achieve promotion, but he is delivering progression year after year so even if they don't make it they can go into next season with confidence.
They've still got a great chance this season but they'll be playing a good Wycombe side.
Like Gannon, Paul Lambert would have wanted nothing less than the play-offs from his team at the start of the season.
His second season in charge has been a good one and it will be great to see one of these two sides at Wembley.
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Comments
Stuart Clegg (Doncaster fan) says...
Do Leeds fans support their club because it is easy to spell? Carlysle indeed... Hull and Darlo to go up and of course I hope that Rovers go up too. RTID
Posted 14:29 12th May 2008
Elvio Degabriele (Manchester United fan) says...
I am a big Man United supporter, but I must say I am one hell of a Hull City supporter. I have been following them since the early times when they where in the old Third Division with great players like Mussy, Elliott, Burgess and Delaney. I really believe in this team, and I must say that I think that they will go up with Stoke and WBA. Peter Taylor and Phil Brown have done amazing work with this club, and they are bringing it where they belong...The Premiership. Looking forward to the aspect of watching Man United v Hull on telly. Com'on you Tigers!! Ian Ashbee to lead us home....
Posted 13:09 12th May 2008
Stig Nielsen (Newcastle United fan) says...
The play-offs are indeed quite special and adds a lot of excitement at the end of the season for teams that might not otherwise have anything to play for. The concept of an end of the league mini cup is absolutely fantastic. I'd love to see Hull in the Premiership next season and I'm hoping Leeds can get their act together and get a step back towards re-entering the Premiership. But whichever team clinches promotion through the play-offs you just know its going to be some nailbiting games!
Posted 12:47 12th May 2008
Tony Sarkozi (Bristol City fan) says...
Everyone has written Bristol City off game after game this season, but after todays showing, even the hardest critics have to admit, that what Bristol City have done for football this season, is only for the good of the game. For a team promoted from League One last season, they have come up and shown everyone if you have belief in your own ability and confidence in your players, then that is worth more than any million pound signing. Everyone exspected Palace to a job on City today, except Bristol of course. Its not over yet, but write Bristol City off at your peril.....Bristol can be so proud of Gary Johnson and the Boys, no matter wwhat happens from here on in!
Posted 20:01 10th May 2008
Andy Brannan (Leeds United fan) says...
If Leeds would of had the 15 points reinstated and got automatic promotion, then everyone would have said that we had cheated our way to promotion. This is the best way for Leeds to gain promotion, by beating Carlisle and then going on to win at Wembley. It will be won by hard work and endeavour, and no one can argue with that. Hang on this is Leeds United, someone will try to.
Posted 17:00 9th May 2008
Lisa Godfrey (Liverpool fan) says...
My husband is a Leeds Utd fan and I have been with him to some of the home games this season. If any fans ever deserved anything back from their club it is the Leeds fans after the loyalty and support they have shown following the demise of their club in the past few years. They have turned out in numbers that embarrass even some of the clubs in the premiership, and it is good to see this support being repaid. Just a shame they are now in the lottery that is the play-offs and that they did not quite manage automatic pomotion following the 15 point deduction and the spirit at the club that saw that overturned so quickly.
Posted 16:11 9th May 2008
Dan Southall (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...
Having only just missed out on the playoffs (Still a little bit gutted) i have to say that the championship provides the most highly entertaining of fixtures. Firstly i think Palace are premiership bound again. They have been on an unbelievable run and the hammered Burnley 5-0 on the final day. Confidence builder or what! I dont think Bristol City will stomach it in the play offs and that will be a shame because theyve had a brilliant season as well. i think it will be a Palace v Hull final on the basis that watford have been dreadfull of late, there only win in 14 coming against Wolves! League 1 Winners: Leeds, but they will need to beat Carlisle at hoome because Brunton Park is not an easy place to go to! League 2 winners: Darlington or Stockport. That will definately be the final in my opinoin. Darlington have beeb up there to long to let it slip now. Hopefully nexty season will be just as entertaining across the football league! Good luck to all Players, teams and Fans involved in the playoffs. I agree with Kammy, they are incredible. I was at Cardiff when Wolves Beat Sheff Utd and the atmosphere and feelign after the game was incomparable to anything i ve ever experienced! Long Live the Play Offs!
Posted 15:01 9th May 2008
Gavin Evans (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...
I agree with you Kammy the play off are great spectacle at the end of the season. However 75% of supporters will be in heartache hell at some point. I remember the journey back from Wembley last year, it hurt, it hurt really bad. However for the neutral (of which i am glad to say i am this year) it is a great end to the season. Cheers Kammy, enjoyed your thoughts this year. One question - how do you think Albion will fair in the Prem?
Posted 11:42 9th May 2008
Ray Mead (Watford fan) says...
I am an avid Watford fan, and although we are in the play offs I can honestly say that the football, sorry hoofball at watford has been dire to say the least and i dont know how we are there. Having said that form goes out of the window and like the last time we were in the play offs we are facing a team that got the better of us in the league encounters but we comprehensively beat them in the play offs (palace) .... I think a palace watford final that will go to penalties !!!!!
Posted 09:18 9th May 2008
Samuel Lewis (Bristol City fan) says...
I am a season ticket holder at City 'the mighty atyeo end'. City will turnover Palace if we play like we did at Sheff Utd and Preston. Lee Trundle seemed to have a poor season but on his recent form has to be a contender for best in championship. NO JOKE. City win 1 - 0 away and see the Home leg out to a 0 - 0 draw. City - Watford final......... Outcome is highly debateable COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!! GARY JOHNSON'S CIDER ARMY...... B C F C!
Posted 21:53 8th May 2008
Nathan Woolmore (West Ham United fan) says...
Palace vs Hull play off final
Posted 20:42 8th May 2008
Chris Keel (Hull City fan) says...
The Mighty Hull for the Premiership - it is where they belong!!! Never played in top flight football - until now!! Come on the black and amber army - the KC can only hold 25,000 supporters, but the whole of the city is behind you. Phil Brown - top man - should be knighted!!
Posted 19:08 8th May 2008
Ryan Linden (Leeds United fan) says...
I was at the Gillingham game and the first half we played like we did in the mid season slump. If playing infront of 38000 fans doesnt spur you on from start to finish we'll have no chance in the play-offs. We have to get a home win against carlise if we hope to get the advantage. COME ON YOU WHITES !!
Posted 17:09 8th May 2008
Richard France (Derby County fan) says...
your right kammy. The playoffs are great. Having been on the losing side and winning side watching derby in the playoffs losing against preston then winning against southampton then going to wembley (which was absolutly an amazin day out) to beat west brom. Even though derby have had a torrid season this season....wembley was worth it and nothing will beat that feeling wen that final whistle blew and when we all ran on the pitch after the southampton penalties. great concept.
Posted 15:06 8th May 2008
Dean Krol (Leeds United fan) says...
C'mon Leeds, we've waited far too long for a bit of glory and been left disappointed too many times. The fans derserve some reward so give those silly Carlysle boo boys a right royal whupping and then at Wembley stuff those bitter dummies back into Donny's mouths, we're going all the way this time. Leeds 3 Carlysle 1 Carlysle 1 Leeds 1 Final: Leeds 4 Doncaster 2 Super Leeds MOT
Posted 14:20 8th May 2008
Richard Pearson (Leeds United fan) says...
Playoff Winners:- Crystal Palace Leeds Rochdale
Posted 13:41 8th May 2008
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