Paullow

Ipswich a goal up away at Villa, despite being down to 10 men. It's one of those scenarios that will likely come back to haunt them, as is often the case. Mentality will change, Villa will likely score soon and then take the lead not long later, whereas had Ipswich not scored it would be less likely Villa score 1, 2, 3 etc. if that makes sense, but a huge shock nevertheless.

Frantic end to this Preston vs Burnley match. Just saw the 2nd half, but not bad for a 0-0. Over 1000 mins since Burnley conceded.

Some important matches in this league today. ASHINGTON vs Brighouse Sherwood vs HEATON Liversedge vs Pontefract Bishop Auckland (currently 11th, so just off this table) are away to Ossett, Consett away to Bradford PA, and Dunston home to Bridlington.

It doesn't seem great, but the top 3 are all averaging at least 2 PPG and Sunderland not far behind, so they're all on course for around 90 points at least as it stands. 70-72 points is usually enough for 6th place, so Sunderland probably only need 9 more points from their final 14 games to secure a PO spot. Leeds are looking good and you can tell that from their GD of +47, so hopefully that will be one of the autos taken up, and then either SU or Burnley take 2nd. Coventry have had 2 decent prior seasons and have now won 5 of their last 6 under big Frank so maybe they will be the team that picks up towards the end and continues their momentum into the playoffs.

Heaton 4-1 up now against Bradford (PA). Match was delayed about 20 mins at half time due to waiting for a new linesman. Looking like back to back wins after beating Dunston on Friday night. They've given themselves a good chance as they had won only 1 in about 16 prior to this mini revival. It would be nice if Ashington, Consett and Heaton all stayed up, but 4 teams do go down and it's very tight between 8 or 9 teams.

Sheff U 3 Boro 1 in the 88th minute, so as you were at the top of the Championship with all 4 (almost certainly) winning this midweek.

No.

Yeah, prime slot on a Sunday and one post in 30 minutes kind of tells you how it's going (as a spectacle). More chance of them going through, but I think you'd be a bit disappointed if you were a Plymouth fan and the likes of Salah, VDV etc. weren't even in the squad, and a few players in who they would have hardly heard of.

Longstaff is woeful mind.

Hell of a strike that, to be fair.

Didn't look in that?

Obviously influenced by the team and money going on, but B'ham are a modal price of just 3/1. Most away sides that come to SJP in the league are a lot longer odds than that. I assume they are near enough full strength?

SSN making it seem that Portsmouth got a late equaliser there with the 'late, late drama' spiel, but it was just a missed chance for Sheff U to go 3-1 up, bizarre

Alex Murphy just scored for Bolton, but they are 2-3 down.

Ah well, at least we'll definitely wear black and white in the final and it will also guarantee another European spot for the league (should we need it).

In. Just 1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8jn4521n4o Sacked by Carlisle. They signed about 12 players in this window including Dummett and a few who he worked with at Gateshead, so a bit surprising after backing him that much, bringing in his own players and then getting rid.

Spennymoor through to the quarter final of the FA Trophy with a pens win at home to Boston, they were 0-2 down, but drew 2-2. Boston are a league above after getting promoted last year, but are in the relegation zone, and Spenny were slight faves to advance, but a great achievement to make the last 8 when you have all the National Premier teams involved. QF draw tomorrow. Crook and North Shields both lost in the FA Vase, so a 5th successive year with no Northern League representation in the final (or even QF this year) after largely dominating the previous 12 years. Probably to do with all the promotions to the NPL in recent years and so many stronger sides (and players) leaving the Northern League.

They have updated now. I was following on Bet365 and it was like 93:10 or something when it went in.

Looks like they got a last second equaliser to make it 2-2, but the official account hasn't updated. It's full time though.

Each to their own, but I think it would lessen the (potential) experience. That said, You do get to play 8 different teams in the group / league stage, whereas we only played 3 different teams last year, so that would make up for it.

Depends on who comes through and who they draw. Dortmund wouldn't be the easiest L16 tie if that's who they get, and then likely to get either Liverpool or Barcelona in the QFs, assuming neither of those lose in the L16.

I prefer this new format, but I don't really like the lack of country protection. I think it worked well last time when teams couldn't play each other until at least the QFs, but here PSG will play Brest, and had Milan finished one place lower, they would have played Juventus in the last 32, and potentially playing Inter in the last 16. With potentially as many as 7 teams from England in next year, and quite likely to be 6 (Man Utd or Spurs via the Europa), there will likely be a few earlier all English clashes. It would be a bit underwhelming if we make it next year, get say Man Utd in the last 32, potentially Arsenal in the last 16 and then another PL club lined up in the QF for the winner of that tie.

Villa ahead, 3-2. That's not so good.

Yep, I'd far rather City win. Help the old coefficient and give them at least 2 more games to prep and plan for, probably be a tough tie as well.