Oh come on, we're staying in second place. We'll bounce back with a home win next week, then with that momentum I think we will win away at Wednesday, at the very least take a point from them. Bristol City, I have a hard time believing they would win both of their remaining games. They could but I just dont see it. With that all said, I still believe we would win out in the playoffs, say what you will about the playoffs being a crap shoot, we would still win it. Of course I don't think it will come to that. We will hang on to second spot. Ya gotta believe!!!
We go up via automatic promotion. Three points Saturday against Swindon; Bristol City gets a draw at Barnsley, and we essentially lock up promotion next weekend (we'll have a three point lead and a +14 or +15 goal difference with a week to go. Barnsley has only been beaten at home 3 times this season (Chesterfield, Peterborough, and Brentford), with 7 wins and 12 (!) draws. Against the better teams, Barnsley has gotten at least a point at home (3-3 v. QPR, 1-0 v. Plymouth, 1-1 v. Swindon, 2-2 v. Hartlepool, 1-0 v. Brighton), so I'm going with a Bristol City draw next weekend, a Rangers home win, and QPR promotion. If both teams win next weekend, things get tougher for Rangers, but I expect us to grind out the necessary result.
In an interesting twist, Bristol City's game at Barnsley this weekend has been moved to Sunday, so as not to conflict with a march to commemorate the 20th anniversay of the miner's strike. Therefore, Bristol City will know what we've done against Swindon by the time they play. If Rangers can win on Saturday, we'll watch their game knowing that if Bristol City fails to win, we go up. If we draw or lose on Saturday, they'll know that if they win they pass us and if they win twice, they go up. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~518027,00.html
Is there any sort of "magic number" of points that assures QPR promotion, or is it too early to tell?
The only sure way is to win both remaining games. Though if we beat Swindon this weekend, then Bristol HAS to win on sunday to stay in, as a draw or loss would clinch promotion for us given our superior goal difference. But we have to beat Swindon.
That really is the big issue! One of the biggest matches in club history. We really, really have to go up - I have a feeling that a lot of s--- is going to hit the fan this summer - and it would be a lot nicer if that s--- hit when we were on our way to Division 1. I'm reasonably confident about this weekend - but Swindon are a good side with players that can put the ball in the net. Very scary, very scary. I hope the team are focused and confident about getting us two or three goals this weekend - we need to finish Swindon off if we get the chance.