Tuesday 5 May 2015 06:05, UK
Each week, Sky Sports experts review the Football League action on FL72.
This week, Sky Sports' Football League expert Peter Beagrie looks back at the major talking points from a two dramatic final days of the regular season...
Derby’s painful demise
Derby's defensive deficiencies, which we spoke about before the Reading game, were apparent on Saturday and they came back to haunt them once again. Derby were a well-oiled machine and now the wheels have well and truly fallen off. They lost some top players and game managers in important positions but it was their defensive frailties which cost them again because they kept on scoring goals through Darren Bent and Tom Ince. It’s painful to watch Derby fall out. There were mitigating circumstances, Ipswich had the hardest game on paper but Derby had all the pressure.
Norwich should prevail
My golden guinea would go for Norwich to gain promotion. Hoolahan, Hooper, Jerome, Grabban, Johnson and Redmond. They have a plethora of talent who can score goals and are offensive going forward. On big pitches, over two legs and a final I think Norwich may prevail. However, I could certainly make a point for each of the teams in the play-offs.
Blackpool’s shocking ending
The scenes at Bloomfield Road were remarkable really, you can't advocate it but I totally understand them. They were set up to fail from the start of the season with only eight players and no pre-season. The players have tried and tried it’s neither them nor the managers’ fault as far as I’m concerned, the club has been mis-managed at the highest level. The scenes we saw are so divisive for the relationship from boardroom level to the fans and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get sorted out.
Robinson’s crucial victory
MK Dons’ promotion is important for Karl Robinson's CV. It’s his first, it’s the big one, budgets have been slashed over the years and that has made things really difficult. But he has brought some great youngsters in on loan and he polished up some jewels as clubs know the way he plays and the style he encourages. The promotion has justified him staying with the Dons. He has been linked with a number of clubs, apparently, but that is justification for him staying there.
Tranmere’s silver lining
Tranmere’s relegation from the Football League is huge. But they can take comfort from the teams that are going to replace them. Most of those teams were relegated themselves a few seasons ago and, more often than not, come back stronger on a better financial basis and with the club in a better condition overall.
