Paullow

The playoff picture just got a lot more interesting, and it's now definitely 4 going for 2 spots. 5) Sheff Utd 72, +14 6) Luton, 72, +7 -------------------------- 7) Boro, 70, +12 8) Millwall, 69, +9 Sheff Utd vs Fulham Luton vs Reading Preston vs Boro Bournemouth vs Millwall Not sure how that impacts Sheff Utd. Fulham had been under par for a while, but are obviously the best team in the league, but they have passed 100 goals, Mitro has broken the record, and they have had a great day at home, so who knows how they will respond on the final day. Luton have the easiest fixture, but their confidence will be hit hard. Boro and Millwall obviously have to win and hope, but Boro will probably be fancying their chances of making it if they win after that result from both a Sheff U and Luton perspective. Millwall will be hoping that Bournemouth beat Nottm Forest tomorrow so that their promotion is sealed before the final day. Interesting day ahead.

4-0, Mitro. Luton's GD getting a battering.

Bulgarian football seems a bit of a mess. You've basically got 2 CSKA Sofia sides in the top flight, one buying a license from another well known team (Litex), and then Ludogorets coming from absolutely nowhere and going from 0 league titles to 11 league titles in the past 11 years

They've got guaranteed 21st Reading at home on the last day, so still in a good position, and certainly in their hands, but any further goal they concede gives Boro, and even Millwall, a bit more hope.

Just saw that Boston United conceded a 90+4 equaliser so Spennymoor have the most outside chance of still finishing top 7, but while nothing crazy like needing a huge swing, it'll take a LOT going for them. Had they beaten Guiseley who had only won 1 of their last 11 matches and got thumped 0-6 at home to Gateshead 2 weeks ago, they would have had a good chance, but they've pretty much blown it. Obviously still a hell of a lot to to in the playoffs should you get there, especially if you finish 4th-7th, and unlikely they would have gone up, but would have been nice to have extended their season.

Aye, including us, until 7 months ago

Well, the results went for Elliot and our gas friends today. Salford 2 Mansfield 2, then Port Vale 1 Newport 2, meaning that Rovers are ahead of both Mansfield and Port Vale heading into the final day, and if they win at home to relegated Scunthorpe, they don't need worry about those two. 3) Northampton, 77 points, + 20 ------------------------------------------------------ 4) Bristol Rovers, 77 points, + 15 (plus goals scored advantage) Northampton are away to lowly, but safe, Barrow. It's a shame the GD wasn't slightly closer because if Northampton won by 1 goal, you could maybe see Rovers winning by 3 or 4, but to win 6-0 or 7-0 is less realistic. Still, they just need to win their match, and see where it takes them. A couple of early goals won't harm them. Port Vale were odds on for automatic a few weeks ago, but after 3 straight defeats, they may well miss out on the playoffs altogether now with title chasing Exeter away their last match,

In some ways, it might have been better had Brackley not conceded, so they would have been 3 behind, not mathematically confirmed, albeit an insurmountable GD which couldn't be overturned unless anything dodgy went on, no pressure at all, but the opportunity to 100% officially confirm it on the final day at home. Still, massive well done to them, a great achievement, Scarborough won 2-1, so they will be joining Darlington, Spennymoor, Blyth, possibly York in the National League North next season, but NOT Gateshead.

Scarborough 2-1 Christ, Guiseley 1-0 Spennymoor, that's Moors knackered. Actually Guiseley aren't already down, so it was a harder match than it first looked, still disappointing though.

Possibly York or Spennymoor, although the latter aren't doing their playoff hopes any good being held at relegated Guiseley. Scarborough (I still kind of half see them as local, especially as I used to always go there as a lad, and the town is featured on Looked North) are 1-1, but Warrington have been down to 10 men for about 20 mins. Gateshead now 2-2. Hereford have pulled one back against Brackley, 1-2.

Forest were last in the PL in 1998/99, so have been out 23 years. I can just about remember them there, although they were a bit of a yo-yo club at the time, so wasn't really shocking stuff when they last went down, but obviously anyone under 30 won't can remember them there, so it will be good to have them back. Another big city club with good history.

Aye, they got 1 point from their first seven matches under Hughton, sacked him, and haven't looked back since. I really like Chris, but that's an astonishing turnaround.

How big is that Bournemouth vs Forest match tomorrow at 7pm? If Bournemouth win they are up, if Forest win then it's massively advantage Forest on the final day, and if they draw, then it's as you were, still advantage Bournemouth, but a tougher looking final day match. In some ways it would have been better if it was the actual final match of the season itself, but at the same time, at least we get a massively high stakes match, rather than it potentially not happening if results in match day 45 went a different way. It sounds strange, but I've warmed to Forest a bit since our takeover, and their great league and especially cup run. They are obviously a significant / traditional club and would offer the Premier League far more than some of the clubs currently there, but when the apathy was in full flow, and we were just stinking out the league looking to finish 17th, I couldn't really be bothered with another club like that buzzing and being delighted to be back, whereas now my mindset is different and I wish them well, if that makes sense.

Brackley 2-0 up, and Gateshead 0-1 down, so looking like it's going to the final day at this stage, but still time for the Heed to get the point they need. Scarborough 1 up in their final. Just realised there's a legit stream with commentary if anyone is interested. Probably not many apart from possibly @Yorkie

I share the same sentiment as others. For weeks I've been buzzing when Burnley won - cheered them on vs Southampton on Sky, punched the air when watching the Chelsea-West Ham match Vydra's goal confirmation vs Wolves came through, and was buzzing when they turned it around vs Watford, mainly to put the pressure on Everton, but realistically, it's now looking like all it's done is harm Leeds, a city I really like, and a club that I don't mind at all, and would much prefer to stay in the Premier League than either of the others . I get the fact they are poor away from home, seem to raise their game in the higher profile matches, but I just can't see Everton going down now. They might not get them, but I really could see them getting 8 or 9 points from their next 4 matches, so I am looking at it more from Burnley and Leeds perspective now. Burnley can certainly look to get 4-6 points from Newcastle and Villa at home, and while they will still be a clear underdog, if Spurs were to lose to Liverpool and Arsenal in their next 2, that Spurs away match (without the CL carrot) won't look quite as daunting, albeit still fairly tough. If Burnley get 4 points, then Leeds need 5 (depending on Everton), and that's tricky. But at the same time, player for player, Burnley are the worst side in terms of quality (if not spirit), worse team than Villa, worse team than us, and this feel good factor might run out and they might just pick up 1 or 2 points from their remaining matches, it really is so hard to call, but I do think Everton are definitely in the best position now, and they do have decent fixtures, and just more quality all over the park. England's GK, Mina, Gordon, Richarlison etc. are good players. Still, it'll be exciting watching it all unfold, and a relief that we're not involved.

What's going on with these National North and South divisions? I assume covid has affected clubs in the past few years, but looking back at 2018/19 and prior seasons, there were 22 teams in the league, and 3 went down, but why are only 1 of the 22 teams going down this year - will the leagues be 24 teams going forward? The National League and South both have odd numbers of teams, so I assume they must have lost a team along the way, but it does look a bit of a mess. A full round of fixtures at 3pm in the 5th tier and then the regional divisions. Stockport look like they are making a pigs ear of their title charge, losing 3 of their last 4 games, and if they drop points today at playoff chasing Chesterfield, the title could be in Wrexham's hands as they still have to play each other, and Stockport have other tough games after that as well. Relegation is all sorted. Gateshead can officially seal the title and promotion with a win, or if Brackley fail to win, or they can all but confirm it with a point if Brackley were to win. Spennymoor can put pressure on those above them if they beat relegated Guiseley. It's also Scarborough Athletic vs Warrington for a place in the National North next season.

He's had a cracking career, relatively, when you think about it. Mansfield born so joins the biggest team in the area / county in Forest, and plays over 200 matches for them. Gets an unlikely move to Premier League Newcastle, even if not vintage Newcastle, and is involved in 81 games there. Moves to Wigan where he is a regular for two years in the Championship, gets to live in West London for a few years at QPR, and then ends his career at his home town club, where he is presumably vice captain. Not bad at all.

It's actually a very enjoyable match. 2-2 now, and end to end. Lund, who was lucky to stay on the pitch, equalised, and then hit the bar with another header, and then Mansfield could have scored again just before as well. Mansfield have brought a lot of fans, so it's a good atmosphere, and both sides really need the win.

2-1 Mansfield thanks to a pen just before half time. Eventful half. It's so tight for automatic promotion up there, with 4 sides having some sort of chance. Advantage Mansfield as it stands, but then Port Vale play Newport at 3pm (also on Sky) and will have the chance to jump into 3rd themselves. Port Vale have Exeter away on the final day, who have the title in their own hands, Mansfield have Forest Green at home who have led the league for so long but have been struggling for a while, although still in title contention. Northampton who were in 3rd at the start of the day have lowly, but safe, Barrow away on the final day, whereas Rovers have already relegated Scunlhorpe at home, so you could still make a case for all of 4 them to go up automatically, and it'll be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Mansfield do have a big budget, so they probably have done well to get him in at this stage, so maybe a league higher, and possibly a realistic option for them if they do go up, but aye, you'd possibly think lower than the Championship going forward.

Wouldn't have been too surprised if it was a Sunderland fan pretending for all the 'different breed up there' shite, but aye, seems to be a genuine Newcastle fan, and it's grim stuff. Christ knows what he's thinking.

I was watching about 2 mins behind, just caught up now, so thought he might have got sent off or something

I've never really followed Longstaff / Mansfield's progress in the same way as I have with Anderson / Bristol R, so apart from the 5 goals, I'm not sure what the general opinion of their fans have been on him. I guess that's largely because he's almost 3 years older, still playing in L2 at 22, failed at Aberdeen etc. and almost like he's peaked at Newcastle with that Man Utd winner, and unlikely to have a future. I wonder what sort of career he goes on to have?

Early goal for Salford who have to win to keep their tiny playoff hopes alive. Matty just missed a glorious chance a minute after the above post, and I didn't realise Perch was playing. Bristol Rovers will be hoping Mansfield don't win. 1-1 - nice free kick.

Yeah, Gateshead definitely contributes to the 'one club city' factor, as well as North Tyneside, because without those, the popn is just around 300k and around the same size as Coventry or Leicester where the one club city is never mentioned, whereas with them, it's nearer 700k who's primary club will be Newcastle. Probably the obvious links between the two settlements as you say, the whole Geordie identity etc. differentiates the situation, but there are far smaller places with successful FL clubs - Forest Green, based in Nailsworth, popn 8k, will have League One football next season, Fleetwood average around 3,500 and that town's popn is only 25k and about most of those fans would be new fans, Accrington 35k popn with a lot of significant clubs around it, likewise Morecambe with the same popn. I remember when they got to the Conference play off final a few years back, I was wanting them to get promoted as it would have been really good to have another north east side in the football league, but I definitely did have those thoughts at the time of what if.