Irish players getting promoted/relegated to/from the EPL.

**tricky_colour** · 18/04/2009, 3:59 PM

Lawrance scored for Stoke so that puts them safe I would think.
Sunderland also won.
Newcastle would be seem to be chasing Hull and Blackburn to escape relegation
They have to make up 4 points but they have a game in hand against Tottenham away tomorrow, they could do with a win.

Oh and Wolves promoted!

**SkStu** · 18/04/2009, 3:59 PM

Stoke Blackburn was the live game here today. Stoke are pretty close to guaranteeing their survival.

Whelan was outstanding today and (i would say) was better overall than Liam Lawrence who was superb but won man of the match. Delap was a little quieter than usual and Kelly was solid but unspectacular.

Andrews for Blackburn is not a premiership quality player based on that performance. Schoolboy errors of holding on to the ball too long, was directly at fault for the Stoke goal giving the ball away with a sloppy pass near his own box. Pretty unimpressive.

**Superhoops** · 18/04/2009, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Lawrance scored for Stoke so that puts them safe I would think.
Sunderland also won.
Newcastle would be seem to be chasing Hull and Blackburn to escape relegation
They have to make up 4 points but they have a game in hand against Tottenham away tomorrow, they could do with a win.

Oh and Wolves promoted!

Andy Reid setting up the goal for Cisse. Surely Reid must be back in the squad for Bulgaria.

**tricky_colour** · 18/04/2009, 5:37 PM

Just noticed Middlesbrough can escape too, that would not be very desirable.
Anyway I stole this list from someone else, relegation run-ins:-
(points and games need adjusting as were 2 games out of date)

Bolton Wanderers - Played 30 Points 34

A v Portsmouth
H v Aston Villa
A v Wigan
H v Sunderland
H v Hull
A v Man City

Hull City - Played 30 Points 33

A v Sunderland
H v Liverpool
A v Aston Villa
H v Stoke
A v Bolton
H v Man Utd

Sunderland - Played 30 Points 32

H v Hull City
A v West Bromich Albion
H v Everton
A v Bolton
A v Portsmouth
H v Chelsea

Portsmouth - Played 29 Points 32

A v Man Utd
A v Newcastle
H v Arsenal
A v Blackburn
H v Sunderland
A v Wigan

Stoke City - Played 30 Points 32

A v Fulham
H v West Ham
A v Hull
H v Wigan
A v Arsenal

Blackburn Rovers - Played 30 Points 31

A v Stoke
H v Wigan
A v Man City
H v Portsmouth
A v Chelsea
H v West Brom

Newcastle United - Played 30 Points 29

A v Tottenham
H v Portsmouth
A v Liverpool
H v Middlesbrough
H v Fulham
A v Aston Villa

Middlesbrough - Played 30 Points 27

H v Fulham
A v Arsenal
H v Man Utd
A v Newcastle
H v Aston Villa
A v West Ham

**Irish_Praha** · 18/04/2009, 5:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Overall shaping up to be a very positive promotion / relegation switch from an Irish perspective!

Very positive apart from Reading. There's no way they are going to get automatic promotion now and their form hasn't been good at all in the last few months. I would worry for them in the playoffs. They might not even finish in the top 6, although with only 2-3 games left they do have a 3 point lead and a game in hand on the two teams just outside of the playoffs.

If Birmingham hold onto 2nd I would tip Sheff UTD, the form team at the moment, to get through the play-offs. Then again Burnley have proven themselves to be a good cup side this season.

If Reading don't get promoted where will that leave Doyle and S. Hunt?
I think S. Hunt would find it easier to get a team in the Premiership when you look at his assists but who's going to take a chance on Doyle and offer the type of money Reading would be asking for? He might have to stay there another season and hopr they get promoted or he has a better season. The other Hunt and Long would stay in the championship with Reading.

**irishfan86** · 19/04/2009, 7:25 AM

Liam Lawrence was fantastic against Blackburn. Hopefully he gets a run in this Nigeria friendly and moves up the pecking order as an option for the right wing position.

Not sure if he's better than McGeady, but he need to at least be our second choice right winger ahead of the likes of Keogh (may be a forward option for us at some point but is never a winger).

**Irish_Praha** · 19/04/2009, 7:47 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Liam Lawrence was fantastic against Blackburn. Hopefully he gets a run in this Nigeria friendly and moves up the pecking order as an option for the right wing position.

Not sure if he's better than McGeady, but he need to at least be our second choice right winger ahead of the likes of Keogh (may be a forward option for us at some point but is never a winger).

Totally agree. If the likes of Keogh can make it into the starting 11 as a winger then this guy deserves at least a place in the squad. He's very physical, tall direct and strong. Exactly what we will need to ruffle some Italian feathers in the home game. If Duff and McGeady were both out of form or injured I could see Lawrence and Hunt giving the Italians a horrible time on the wings.

**The Legend** · 20/04/2009, 5:18 PM

always thought Lawrence deserved a spot ahead of the likes of Liam Miller.

**Stuttgart88** · 20/04/2009, 5:24 PM

Absolutely agree.

Square pegs should go in square holes.

I really hope he makes the Nigeria squad so Trap can get a look at him. Very good set piece taker and he's got a physical edge to his game.

Was he ever selected for an early Trap squad or a B squad? I know he was unavailable through injury a lot but I just want an idea of whether he's even been in Trap's radar (or Brady's / Givens' / Tardelli's....).

**irishultra** · 20/04/2009, 5:27 PM

the thing is doyle, hunt etc. are hardly gonna become better players by just randomly getting promoted. i'd love to to see how fahey would perform in the english top division.

**The Legend** · 20/04/2009, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

the thing is doyle, hunt etc. are hardly gonna become better players by just randomly getting promoted. i'd love to to see how fahey would perform in the english top division.

I disagree, playing every week against top opposition does make you a better player.

**tetsujin1979** · 20/04/2009, 7:54 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Was he ever selected for an early Trap squad or a B squad?

Was in the squad for Nottingham Forest, had to pull out with an injury

**Scram** · 23/04/2009, 9:05 AM

Johnathan Douglas has some chance of making the Championship! Alan Sheehan also (but may have been there already if he stayed with Leicester) Currently on loan from Leeds to Crewe

**holidaysong** · 03/05/2009, 12:34 PM

Final day in the Championship today. Fahey, Carsley and Carr start for Birmingham. Long and S. Hunt start for Reading.

Birmingham 1-0 Reading. Fahey with the goal. If it stays like that he's just scored the goal to put them up into the Premiership.

**NeilMcD** · 03/05/2009, 12:43 PM

Lets check out a thing called filmon.com. perfect reception of Sky Sports. .

**NeilMcD** · 03/05/2009, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

Final day in the Championship today. Fahey, Carsley and Carr start for Birmingham. Long and S. Hunt start for Reading.

Birmingham 1-0 Reading. Fahey with the goal. If it stays like that he's just scored the goal to put them up into the Premiership.

YOu forgot Jay Tabb also.

**NeilMcD** · 03/05/2009, 1:54 PM

St. Ledger just scored for Preston. They could be in the play offs ahead of Mc Phail's Cardiff. Burnley look comfortable to go to the play offs possibly to play Reading.