Paullow

I think we've got the best set of fixtures that we could have. It looks like the 'big 6' bar Chelsea turned it down, or they weren't asked as the organisers didn't expect them to participate, and the likes of Leeds (confirmed), West Ham, Everton etc. would have likely been avoided due to uncertainty about their PL status, but travelling 1000s of miles to have games against Fulham and Brentford would have felt a bit underwhelming IMO, and probably wouldn't have done too much to enhance the profile, which will be high up on the list of intentions for the trip.

Is it just one club going up from the Northern League this year, or will there be another inter playoff like last year when Consett also got promoted?

Just had a look on their website and the only ex Newcastle player I recognise is Conor Newton who went on loan to St Mirren the same time as Dummett. There must be at least 5 with Sunderland connections. One of (Chairman / Owner) Geoff's sons supports Sunderland, and I assume Geoff probably will too.

https://www.foxestalk.co.uk/topic/131485-dean-smith-new-interim-manager-official/ Deano had a dream To lead a football team He came from Villa Now he’s one of our own We’re crap at the back We’ve got no attack Championship in England We’ll have to sing that

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/top-6-finish https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/to-make-the-playoffs https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/promotion https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/to-win-the-playoffs Still significant underdogs to make / win the playoffs, as expected, and an opportunity for some to make some decent money should they wish to back something they don't want to happen. Obviously if they won their next two games they would generally come in a fair bit (depending on how others did of course). Not sure why SkyBet have them 33/1 to be promoted, but 66/1 to win the playoffs. They mathematically can't finish in the top 2 so unless there's points deductions galore, they should surely be the same odds . I got 250/1 for them to win the playoffs at SB last night (which again was far higher than their general promotion odds). 100/1 seems the best odds currently for them to be promoted.

Luton and Preston are in good form, but after that, none of the other playoff contenders seem to be able to put a run together. Middlesbrough have 5 points from their last 5 games Millwall have 2 points from their last 4, and haven't scored in any of them Blackburn have 1 point from their last 3, or 4 from their last 5 Norwich have 5 points from their last 6 Coventry have 1 point in their last 3, or 7 in their last 6 WBA have 3 points from their last 4 Watford have 2 from last 4, or 6 from their last 8 So most of these teams aren't even averaging a point per game at the business end of the season. Mind, Sunderland themselves, even after today, have only won 2 or taken 10 points from their last 10, and this was their first win in 5, so a few more points, or even not conceding that last second pen to Hull the other day, and it could have looked a lot better for them.

Can't see why any Newcastle fan would want them up personally like . It's normal to want a rival to do as worse as they realistically can. They have kept their season alive, but it will still be fairly tough to make the top 6. You probably would expect them to win their next 2, but then again Norwich drew at home to Rotherham today, WBA drew at home to out of sorts QPR, after losing to Rotherham the other day, so they are not tied to win both matches, but even if they did, they probably would still have to get something away to WBA - there's just not much margin for error for them. If they did win 4 of their last 5 then, with their decent GD, they probably would get there, but then that would also be 5 wins from their last 6 matches and you'd have to say fair enough. There's no outright odds up yet with Championship matches still ongoing, but they will still be significant outsiders at the bookies to make the top 6. As Newcastle fans, it just seems that it is aligning for them at this moment.

At this stage of the game, you'd rather it was a pen and a yellow, rather than a red and free kick just outside the area.

Sheff U down to 10 men after 15 mins vs Burnley, keeper off. Still 0-0 for now.

I did actually stick £2 on Sunderland to win 'promotion' at Hills last night, 200/1. I then checked 'to win playoff' odds and SkyBet had them at 250/1, so I put another £2, so I will end up with over £900 from £4 if they do come up. Still hope they don't mind. Looking better for them now. If they do win their next game, they could be within one game. Next 2 games look very winnable, and then they have West Brom and Preston in their final 3, both away, but could make their destiny somewhat in their own hands if they get 4 or 6 points in their next 2 games. Still unlikely they will make the POs, and then to actually win them, but it'll be a lot less than 250/1 now. It's kept their season alive if nothing else.

Oh my god.

Stocksfield lad taking the penna

Late Preston goal, possibly a winner.

Rob Lee's son. Awful mistake by Notts. 3-2 Wrexham.

Local lad!

Pools level against Stevenage. Good for them, and Carlisle (and any NUFC fan with a grudge ). Hope they get a winner!

Notts!!!

A few Newcastle links here. Ben Tozer starting for Wrexham, and Kyle Cameron playing for Notts (who could have given away a pen just before) came through our academy. Langstaff being at Gateshead last year as well, and being from Stockton.

WBA ahead against QPR in a big match at both ends. I'm hoping Carlisle can at least match Stevenage and Northampton's results today - it's Carlisle vs Northampton on Saturday, currently 3rd vs 2nd and I think I'll go with me not too far away.

I'm not sure how many people have BT Sport, but I'd say those that had access to both, more people will be watching the non league match than Coventry vs Watford on the main Sky channel. The whole Ryan Reynold / Disney documentary will add a fair few, plus the fact it's ridiculously tight and a crazy end to the season. I've gone for that one.

Yep, fully deserved equaliser for Blackburn. Keeps it interesting at both ends if it stays like this.

Yep, both have matches tomorrow. Shields at relatively local Whitby, and Warrington at Marine who could still just about make the playoffs, so a good chance that it's sorted then and Saturday becomes a celebration, but if Shields lose and Warrington win tomorrow, then it could be tasty.

Wrexham vs Notts County is such a big match on BT Sport tomorrow at 3pm. Very likely to decide who wins the league. I'll be watching that over whatever Championship or League One match Sky are showing at the same time.

I did know he started when posting that, but I'm honestly not sure if I saw him touch the ball in the first half. Never heard his name mentioned anyway. Been more involved in this half, mind.