Irish involvement in the Football League playoffs

[geysir]

Hughton was already more concerned with managing a 1 goal deficit than getting an equaliser, now down to 10 men.
Is Richie in at centre half?

[SwanVsDalton]

Any Championship watchers got a view on whether Towell's likely to start in the second leg? Tonight was a tough gig but would be great to see him in the home leg with a licence to attack.

[Charlie Darwin]

Sidwell went off injured and Stephens is banned for the next two games, so you'd imagine he's next in line given he came on today.

[Closed Account]

He didn't cover himself in glory last night. Looked a little over eager. Overrunning play trying to get involved.

Difficult situation to impress. Unfortunately for a lot of casual supporters, they'll remember one air shot he had from a cleared corner, was fairly embarrassing.

[DeLorean]

He did well to recover the ball that time actually. It could have been a really bad night for him had Marriner bought that penalty appeal which was a complete dive. He did look so eager to get involved and control the middle, making himself available and barking instructions. We certainly don't have to worry about him coming out of his shell anyway. James McCarthy with Towell's attitude/confidence would be some player. It was a nice pinged pass by Towell over the top that was just too long also, which resulted in Knockaert injuring himself. A bad night for everything to go wrong from a Brighton point of view. There's no away goal rule though I think so maybe not over yet.

[DeLorean]

They don't have a real like for like replacement for Thorne though so they might drop Will Hughes a little deeper which would create a vacancy further forward. It would probably be between Butterfield and Hendrick to start then but Bradley Johnson has just returned from injury too. I'm not sure how they can slot him in without upsetting the balance though, I think they'd need to (unfairly) drop Ince or Russell to accommodate him so, for me, it's between Hendrick and Butterfield.

It's Johnson that got the nod. He's seems to be playing deeper as Ince and Russell have kept their places too. Hendick on the bench.

[geysir]

He did well to recover the ball that time actually. It could have been a really bad night for him had Marriner bought that penalty appeal which was a complete dive. He did look so eager to get involved and control the middle, making himself available and barking instructions. We certainly don't have to worry about him coming out of his shell anyway. James McCarthy with Towell's attitude/confidence would be some player. It was a nice pinged pass by Towell over the top that was just too long also, which resulted in Knockaert injuring himself. A bad night for everything to go wrong from a Brighton point of view. There's no away goal rule though I think so maybe not over yet.

Towell doesn't lack confidence and authority.
He just needs competitive games in order to settle in fully, he has more than enough skill levels for that championship standard and would have little problem with reaching required fitness levels.

[DeLorean]

He'll surely get opportunities next season so, if they don't go up in particular. Not making squads isn't a great sign but things can change quickly in football.

Spineless stuff from Derby. They were slightly unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 down but their reaction was appalling. You could almost see them wallowing in self pity. It's been said here pretty often but that left back Robertson really is a fine full back. Lovely on the ball and can defend, he deserved his goal.

[geysir]

He'll surely get opportunities next season so, if they don't go up in particular. Not making squads isn't a great sign but things can change quickly in football.

I don't fully trust Hughton, when it comes to decision time he leaves all his excellent coaching at the bottom of the clipboard and resorts to his default health and safety risk assessment mode.

Spineless stuff from Derby. They were slightly unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 down but their reaction was appalling. You could almost see them wallowing in self pity. It's been said here pretty often but that left back Robertson really is a fine full back. Lovely on the ball and can defend, he deserved his goal.

Terminal with a capital T for Derby now

[SkStu]

Conor Hourihane's Barnsley leads Anthony Forde's Walsall 1-0 at halftime.

[Stuttgart88]

Westwood didn't have much to do but looked the part nonetheless. It's just a body language thing (which Stockdale lacked) and he and Randolph both have it.

[DeLorean]

So, barring some really impressive comebacks, it's looks like we're going to have:


Championship: Sheffield Wednesday* v Hull City


League 1: Barnsley v Millwall


League 2: Both ties very much in the balance (Wimbledon 1-0 Accrington / Plymouth 1-0 Portsmouth)


Conference: Grimsby promoted after beating Forest Green 3-1. Have we anybody playing with them?


(*Sorry OwlsFan)

[passinginterest]

Conference: Grimsby promoted after beating Forest Green 3-1. Have we anybody playing with them?

[/I]

30 goals for Padraig Amond, and Pat Hoban ended the season there on loan from Oxford.

[DeLorean]

A reasonable contribution I suppose.

[pineapple stu]

League 2: Both ties very much in the balance (Wimbledon 1-0 Accrington / Plymouth 1-0 Portsmouth)

Plymouth v Portsmouth isn't really in the balance - the 1-0 win was the second leg!

It was a 2-2 draw in the first leg, so Plymouth advance.

Carl McHugh (ex Dundalk) is with Plymouth. Enda Stevens (ex UCD and Pat's), Brian Murphy (ex Bohs), Michael Doyle (one senior cap in 2006 - can't remember it at all tbh) and Conor Wilkinson (current U-21 international) all knocked out.