Paullow

Apologies if already been discussed, but do the strips look completely different at the back, like looks much whiter.

It is nice this lot now starting to worry about Atl Madrid vs Dortmund out of nowhere when it looked nailed on they would be playing Champions League football a few weeks ago for the first time in their history (note I specified CL, not EC). https://www.villatalk.com/topic/24158-race-for-champions-league-20232024/page/419/

Chelsea would have to win it for it to affect the league. If they finished 8th but lost to Man Utd in the final who finished 6th, and we finished 7th, we would get Conference football and Chelsea would miss out altogether if they finished outside the top 7 (this is assuming England doesn't get the 5th CL spot). Just thinking, I would be vexed if we did pip Man U to 6th, but they ended up winning the FA Cup and taking the Europa spot and we ended up in the Conference. I'd certainly take Conference football if offered right now, but it would still be annoying if this scenario happened.

Spennymoor won 5-2 tonight to move into the final playoff spot, but a very tight turnaround to the Alfreton (away) match on Saturday, which will be very tough as they still need points to secure their own playoff spot. Spenny beat Banbury who are now officially relegated, and I've mentioned it before, but after 30 games, Banbury were on 37 points, Spennymoor were on 36, and now 14 games later Spennymoor have taken 35 points, whereas Banbury have just taken 1 extra. Hell of a contrast between them.

Slight difference mind. Hashtag's record is P19 W15 D1 L3 +23 PTS 46, plus obviously got to the final. Huddersfield is P19 W2 D2 L15 -34 PTS 8 Huddersfield lost 0-2 to Forest tonight to keep the latter's tiny title hopes alive (it was still 0-0 after around 60 mins), but that result means Huddersfield are down if they lose on Sunday. They are 7 adrift with 3 to go. Their last 2 matches were very winnable (against Fylde and Stourbridge who have the worst 2 GDs in the league), but those games won't matter if they lose on Sunday. Fantastic attendance.

I think that might have been Ryan Noble, who is the same age, and I think was more highly rated back in the day, and played a few games for them as well as some Championship loans. Seem to recall he had the nickname 'Hell On' on that board. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Noble

Away goals rule was so shit, hated it. Awful if you generally watched ties as a neutral, wanted close competitive matches, and liked the prospect of extra time and penalties. That PSG-Barcelona game would have been much less intriguing if even a 0-1 win in Spain wasn't enough to keep the tie alive. I was delighted when they got rid.

Burnley scored in the 98th minute, pretty much the last kick of the game, to beat Halifax 2-1 and move to within 7 points, so the title can't be won without kicking a ball, but the situation remains that if Newcastle beat 2nd bottom Huddersfield on Sunday, who have only taken 8 points from their 18 games, the title will be secured.

Maybe not...

They have some tough remaining games, but Middlesbrough could make a late push for the playoffs if they win tonight. SkyBet had them 250/1 last night to 'win the playoffs', but then only 150/1 'to be promoted', which was a bit baffling, so I did put £3 on the former. If they got to Wembley, I'd definitely want them promoted, unlike last year when I had a similar type of bet on Sunderland.

Sky have the least interesting match in Swansea vs Stoke on their main channel which is so much better than the red button coverage. Stoke still down towards the bottom end, but you can get 16/1 on them going down, so not likely, and Swansea's season is effectively over.

Good, gritty point for them at Elland Road tonight. Leeds should have had a clear pen in the 2nd half, but I'm quite happy Sunderland got something as I really want Ipswich up. It was obviously 99.99999999% that they wouldn't finish top 6, but it's mathematically confirmed now, so it will be an 8th season outside of the top flight for them next season, which I think might be a record for them.

Spennymoor's match tonight was postponed and rescheduled for Thursday night, which isn't ideal for their big, potential 6 pointer with Alfreton at 3pm on Saturday. Rushall won, but Farsley lost, so if Darlington can beat the latter at home on Saturday, they will be safe. That's probably Blyth's best hope for survival too, Farsley losing their last two matches and Blyth kind of staying up by default as I think they will struggle for another point themselves with them having to play 2nd and 3rd, and both have something still to play for.

Feels like I made the wrong choice watching this Leeds-Sunderland match over either CL match.

Haha, Bet365 thought that Summerville free kick was in. Flashed up goal, even though ti was about half a yard wide, but hit the side netting.

Can't remember the last time I wouldn't want Sunderland not to lose, but I hope they can get so.ethimg tonight. A draw would be nice.

I don't think PP have updated their odds, as theirs (and Betfair, same company, so same odds) are all a long way apart to the rest when comparing odds for us, Chelsea and West Ham: PP are the 3rd odds and Betfair are the 6th. I don't think we will finish 6th, but I did put a few quid on us at PP, just because it's so out with all the rest, so looks a lot more value, even though I personally think between 3 and 4/1 would look more appropriate, but pretty much everywhere have Chelsea 9/2 after dropping those Sheff U points, yet 11/5 is a hell of a difference at PP.

A draw is probably the perfect result for me. We are still within one game of Man Utd, and the title no longer in Liverpool's hands. This is probably their hardest remaining match, so if they came through it, they would be fairly clear faves for the title IMO.

Good lad. Definitely not the player he was, although he did miss a lot of pens even at his best.

Don't trust Salah.

Forest and Burnley both won, so as you were at the top. Both play on Thursday. If Burnley lose and Forest don't win (both unlikely) then they title will be secure, but if neither of those happen then Newcastle can secure the title on Sunday with a win at home to Huddersfield.

Betvictor have us and Chelsea the same odds for a top 6 finish: West Ham do have Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City (final day, so may or may not be quite as daunting) to play in their final 7 games, plus two tough matches to come in Europe, but 11/4 to 25/1 seems far too big IMO.

In the National League North: Shields (S) won 7-0 to move into 5th Spennymoor just drew 1-1, could be an important point, but the playoffs are not in their hands Darlington had a huge 2-0 win, and their position suddenly looks a lot better (in terms of staying up) But Blyth lost 1-2 at home, and it's looking pretty grim for them judging by their last 2 fixtures. Got to be the favourites to go down now, unfortunately

Bet365 hadn't confirmed the new updated odds, so I had a suspicion it would be checked (without seeing it).

Looking forward to Norwich vs Ipswich at 12.30. A huge match for both and possibly a dress rehearsal for a playoff semi final, and so many other teams fans will be watching on with interest. Their run in is tough, but a half decent chance for Boro to sneak onto the playoffs if Norwich don't win.