Thursday Fulham Stuff - 18/06/20...

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Tom Cairney: Fulham have 'no room for slip-ups' in promotion race, says skipper

Tom Cairney's Fulham, who are third, still have to play each of the other sides that make up the top four

Fulham captain Tom Cairney says they can still catch the top two but have "no room for slip-ups" once the Championship restarts on Saturday.

The third-placed Cottagers are six points behind West Brom and seven adrift of leaders Leeds as they prepare for the final nine games of the season.

They make their return against fourth-placed Brentford before going to Leeds.

"I don't think the best footballing side will necessarily have the most success," Cairney said.

The former Hull and Blackburn midfielder told BBC Radio London: "It will be the team that dogs it out, stays together and goes that extra mile for each other when it gets really hard."

Scott Parker's Fulham are looking to bounce back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking and seal a second promotion out of the Championship in three seasons.

The coronavirus pandemic means no games have been played for more than three months - resulting in a lack of match fitness - while all games will be played behind closed doors. But Cairney, 29, wants to put those variables to one side.

"We know the Championship is relentless but this is something I have never experienced, especially having three months out and then coming straight back into this carnage," he said.

"Everyone has got an excuse - it is easy at a time like this to say why it went wrong or why you are not performing, or why you didn't get promoted.

"You have got a big excuse and I think the team which won't look to have those excuses will be most successful, and that is what we are trying to do.

"The only way is to hit the ground running, as otherwise you'll be too far behind. There is not room for slip-ups right now."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53069066

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"More than ready" Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney fires warning to Leeds United and West Brom

Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney has fired a warning to Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion and insisted they are "more than ready" in an interview on their official website.

Cairney highlighted their recent form before the suspension of the football season, as a reason that they are optimistic ahead of the restart.

Fulham had picked up 29 points from 15 games before the break which ensured they kept in touch with the top two pacesetters in the division.

The talismanic midfielder explained: "I think it's good to get back to it and hopefully try and finish what we started."

"I think the break came at the wrong time for us really. We were top of the form table for about 15 or 16 games so hopefully we can hit the ground where we left off."

Despite Fulham's good return of points over an extended period, they had only accumulated eight points from their last five games which is the same amount as West Brom, whilst Leeds had won five in a row without conceding a goal.

With the top two in such good form, Fulham have been unable to capitalise on any shock results and still find themselves six points behind second place.

There is no doubt that the Cottagers are still in contention for an automatic promotion spot especially considering they still have to play Leeds and West Brom, but with six points to make up it does look like something of an uphill battle.

Cairney will be an important player for the London club during the remaining nine games of the season which starts with a derby against fellow promotion chasers Brentford on Saturday.



https://the72.co.uk/173401/more-than-ready-fulham-midfielder-tom-cairney-fires-warning-to-leeds-united-and-west-brom/

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The big advantage Leeds United have over West Brom and Fulham in Premier League promotion race

The 2019/20 season will resume this weekend

Leeds United have nine games to realise their Premier League dreams.

And they are in pole position to do so, with a seven-point advantage over third-placed Fulham.

No one knows how the three-month coronavirus break will affect the players, nor how empty stadiums will make a difference, either.

It will be an interesting end to the campaign, as the Whites attempt to make it back to England's top table.

Leeds are just one point above second-placed West Brom as they prepare for their first game back against Cardiff City on Sunday, knowing that all of the chasing pack could have closed the gap on them with their games on Saturday.

Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent believes Marcelo Bielsa's side have a key advantage in the race to win promotion though - their fitness.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: "Leeds to me look like a well-oiled machine, they all look like they're ripped, great condition, look like they can run all day and that's what's going to get them over the line.

"I guarantee you at some point between now and the end of the season there's going to come a point where they're not playing well and that's where that fitness and that grind and ethic are going to come out.

"I think Leeds have got it in the bag to do that this season."



https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/big-advantage-leeds-united-over-18435325

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Fulham Flutter Returns

The Fulham Flutter is returning for the rest of the season! More prizes, 15 winners each draw, and a great way to support the Fulham Foundation.

The Fulham Foundation launched the Fulham Flutter back in January 2019 to help raise much-needed funds for their work in the local area, as well as to give fans an extra bit of excitement on matchdays at half-time.

Since then, we've run 32 draws, nearly £22,000 has been raised, and 450 fans have become winners. 

Since the start of the health pandemic, Fulham FC Foundation have been working hard to adapt services to support the community. They have already provided 3,000 meals and supported more than 1,100 vulnerable people locally through a new Telephone Befriending Service. They have also delivered over 100 hours of online learning/support through their health, disability and inclusion programmes.

To celebrate the return of competitive football, we are holding online draws on the remaining home matchdays of this season. Proceeds from these draws will go towards supporting Fulham FC Foundations ongoing work in the community. However, there are many more people in need of support and for many months to come.

Help us end the season on a high by playing the Fulham Flutter online. With 15 winners every draw, it could be you!

What our previous winners have to say about the Fulham Flutter:

• "Playing the Flutter is an easy and good way to support the great work the Foundation carry out, and you never know you may win a prize that you normally can't buy." - Paul H, winner.

• "I was so stoked to have the email come through saying I had won a sign from the Riverside Stand! And on collection day it was amazing to hold something from the Cottage grounds! Truly priceless memorabilia! I play Fulham Flutter to ensure everyone in the local community has a chance in life, and to support Fulham further!" - Taylor S, winner of a Riverside sign.

• "Thank you for my signed shirt, it was a great surprise for which I am grateful. I am a huge believer in the Fulham Foundation - football should be about giving back to the community and at the forefront of that is inclusion! Sport should be available for everyone and the Fulham Foundation embodies this with passion and drive! I believe in giving back which is why I play, it's not just the great prizes, but about being and feeling part of your club and giving back." - Lee C, winner of a signed shirt.

New prizes to be won when Fulham play Brentford on Saturday:
• 15x cash prizes (up to £200)

• Signed Denis Odoi matchworn shirt

Plus every ticket to the draw counts as one auto-entry to the Monthly Mega Draw to win a massive £50,000.

To get involved, simply sign up online at fulhamflutter.com by registering your details and purchasing tickets to the draw. You will then receive your Flutter tickets via email.

The winning numbers will be released online at half-time, and winners will be informed via email.  Good luck!

T&Cs apply, players must be 16+.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/17/fulham-flutter-returns

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EFL Receive Funding To Continue Tackling Loneliness

The EFL Trust has today secured £810,000 of government funding to make onward grants to Club Community Organisations (CCOs) in 32 deprived locations across the country, with the aim of connecting more older people at risk of loneliness at a time when the Coronavirus has resulted in many individuals facing prolonged periods of isolation.

A recent study from the Office National Statistics (ONS) showed that 5% of people in Great Britain (2.6 million adults) reported that they felt lonely "often" or "always". Of those asked, 30.9% (7.4 million adults) reported their well-being had been affected through their having felt lonely in the past seven days.

The EFL Trust is one of nine organisations who will receive a share of £5 million to reduce loneliness which was pledged as part of the Chancellor's £750 million support package for charities.

The successful organisations are providing vital support for a wide range of vulnerable people at risk of loneliness at this time, including the elderly, veterans, and people with disabilities and as communities adapt to the easing of lockdown this work has never been more vital.

Club Community Organisations have a history of working with people across all generations and have a track record of connecting the people who need it most and the new grants will allow expanded activities across the country under the campaign 'Let's Tackle Loneliness Together'.

Activity will include befriending phone calls, online social groups, a pen-pal scheme, social action from young people taking part in NCS and socially distanced 'garden gate' conversations to emerge across EFL communities and reach the people who need this vital support right when they need it the most.

Mike Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the EFL Trust comments, "We are proud to have been chosen to be part of this vital mission to support the older people in our communities.

"We see this as an endorsement of the great work that our CCOs have done in this area and we know there is so much more that our network will achieve. Our Health and Wellbeing team are working hard to match the expertise of our network to the communities where it is most desperately needed and we continue to work with DCMS, NHS, Public Health England and other agencies to ensure we can all build back better after COVID-19."

For further information on the funding and the ongoing work to combat loneliness delivered by the EFL Trust and its CCOs visit - https://www.efltrust.com/the-efl-trust-network-secure-funding-to-continue-tackling-loneliness-across-the-country/



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/15/efl-receive-funding-to-tackle-loneliness

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Sync Our Fixtures

With the restart of the 19/20 EFLChampionship season upon us, don't miss a moment of the action by syncing our fixture list to your calendar.

The West London Derby kicks off the restart this Saturday as Fulham play host to promotion rivals Brentford at Craven Cottage, kick-off 12.30pm.

Supporters can ensure they're alert to all the latest fixture information by subscribing to our 2019/20 fixture list on their smartphone, tablet or desktop calendar.

If you experience any difficulties syncing the calendar please visit support.ecal.com.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/17/sync-our-fixtures

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The Tony Gale Column

It's so good to be able to write another column, as it means that football is back! I'm massively looking forward to it. We all know it's going to be different, but we've missed it so much. I'm fed up of Netflix now! I think I've watched every boxset and film on it. It was great watching the Big Match Revisited, though, and seeing some of the old Fulham games, particularly the one where we missed out on promotion against Derby County and their fans invaded the pitch. They've shown that two or three times and it's always a hysterical watch.

With no fans in the stadium, it will be a different matchday experience, but I'm sure our players will adjust. I've had that vibe before because we used to play all our reserve games at the Cottage, and that would often just have 300 people present. It may have that friendly or testimonial vibe at first, but the lads will make their own noise. This period is going to show which sides are vocal out on the pitch, because you'll actually be able to hear them. I think that with the crowd not being there it's actually going to suit teams like Fulham and Brentford because fans can get anxious when teams play out from the back and knock it about in defence. With that anxiety removed, I definitely think it will suit us in the final run-in.

Fulham versus Brentford is a very tasty fixture to kick-off the Championship again. My pal works for Watford, and they just played them recently in a friendly. He said that they looked really good but just lacked a little bit of punch up front. Brentford are the top scorers in the division, though, so we know it won't take them long to shake off that rustiness. We've seen this season how good a side they are and how well they keep the ball. Saturday could be a matter of who passes the ball better, because they play quite similar to us. They're excellent, and I must admit that I like watching them play.

Ollie Watkins is the main challenger to Aleksandar Mitrović for the golden boot, and I was quite surprised with the way he converted to playing down the middle because he was playing out on the left. He can play any of the three attacking roles really but he has turned out to be perfect when he's down the middle.

There's no denying that we've got a tough run of fixtures, but we've got an opportunity to really make a statement in our next two games against Brentford and Leeds United. The Leeds game is away which is definitely going to favour us because in that fixture their crowd really comes into play. They've got one of the most vociferous crowds around. I don't think it will be a big advantage because Leeds are a great team and you can't take that away from them, but it will be a slight advantage in that they won't have what they normally have there, which they thrive on. Their tempo relies on it because it's the crowd that gets them going, particularly at home.

This break has seen clubs welcoming back most or all of their injured players, which is just as well as this is going to be an intense period which could lead to injuries. It's vital that the players prepare and recover well in what will be one of the most important periods of their footballing lives, and it's within such a short space of time. They've got to hit the ground running and keep themselves fit and ready to play. I think that risk of injury is the reason why the league have changed the rule which now allows teams to make five substitutions in a game.

The big question is, can Fulham gatecrash the top-two? I think this next month or so is going to suit us with the way it is, because there'll be less tension amongst the players in the way they play. I'm ready for it, I'm sure Scott and the boys are ready for it, and I really think they've got a great chance.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/17/the-tony-gale-column

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Fulham's remaining fixtures ahead of Championship restart

Fulham resume their Championship campaign with a mouthwatering West London derby showdown with Brentford on Saturday.

The Cottagers are third in the table ahead of this week's restart, six points adrift of second-place West Bromwich Albion and a further point behind pacesetters Leeds United.

Scott Parker's men had some momentum on their side prior to the coronavirus-enforced shutdown after going four games without defeat, most recently drawing 1-1 away at Bristol City on March 7.

With nine games still to go, Fulham know that they are still very much in the mix for promotion back to the Premier League, just a year after dropping out of the top tier.

This weekend's crunch clash with fourth-place Brentford is quickly followed by a trip to Leeds, games that will go a long way to determining the Cottagers' automatic promotion prospects.

Fulham also still have to make the trip to neighbours Queens Park Rangers, as well as travelling to Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Wigan Athletic.

In terms of their home fixtures, Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday will join Brentford in visiting Craven Cottage during the run-in.

Fulham's remaining fixtures in full
Brentford (h) - Saturday, June 20 at 12.30pm

Leeds United (a) - Saturday, June 27 at 3pm

Queens Park Rangers (a) - Tuesday, June 30 at 6.30pm

Birmingham City (h) - Saturday, July 4 at 3pm

Nottingham Forest (a) - Tuesday, July 7 at 5pm

Cardiff City (h) - Saturday, July 11 at 3pm

West Bromwich Albion (a) - Tuesday, July 14 at 8pm*

Sheffield Wednesday (h) - Saturday, July 18 at 3pm*

Wigan Athletic (a) - Tuesday, July 21 at 7.45pm*

*Kickoff dates and times subject to change once TV schedule is finalised



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leeds-united/feature/fulhams-remaining-fixtures-ahead-of-championship-restart_402768.html

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This Favours Us, Make Statement At Leeds United, Fulham Legend Tells Cottagers

Fulham legend Tony Gale believes the Cottagers have an opportunity to make a statement when they play Leeds United at Elland Road and is sure the home team playing in front of empty stands is sure to favour Scott Parker's side.

Parker's men are scheduled to take on Marcelo Bielsa's side in their second fixture following the return of the Championship. 

Leeds sit top of the Championship table and boast a seven-point lead over third placed Fulham, with the Cottagers not having written off their chances of reeling in the Whites.

Gale knows that Leeds regularly pack out Elland Road and are roared on by the Whites faithful. As such, the Fulham legend thinks the Cottagers will have an advantage playing in front of empty stands and wants the visitors to make a statement.

"There's no denying that we've got a tough run of fixtures", Gale wrote in his column on Fulham's official site.

"But we've got an opportunity to really make a statement in our next two games against Brentford and Leeds United.

"The Leeds game is away which is definitely going to favour us because in that fixture their crowd really comes into play.

"They've got one of the most vociferous crowds around.

"I don't think it will be a big advantage because Leeds are a great team and you can't take that away from them.

"But it will be a slight advantage in that they won't have what they normally have there, which they thrive on.

"Their tempo relies on it because it's the crowd that gets them going, particularly at home."

Leeds have struggled to seal the deal when on course for promotion in previous seasons, but the Whites are in a strong position to book Premier League football for next season.



http://www.insidefutbol.com/2020/06/17/this-favours-us-make-statement-at-leeds-united-fulham-legend-tells-cottagers/459963/

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Surreal sprint facing Derby County - race for the play-offs and promotion analysed

The Championship returns at the weekend having been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic

Derby County resume their season on Saturday eyeing a late run for the play-offs.

The Championship campaign restarts having been suspended since mid-March and the Rams face Millwall at The Den in their first game back.

Derby are 12th, five points away from the top six with nine games remaining.

The table is still incredibly tight with a number of teams having an eye on making the play-offs.

We have gathered the opinions of writers covering the teams in the promotion mix as we analyse the run-in.

1. Leeds United – 71 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that promotion can be achieved and is it warranted?

Very high, in short. The Whites are the best team in the league with more than 80 percent of the season completed and have a seven-point cushion to third place.

Over a 46-match season, you are always going to finish where you deserve to. As it stands, promotion would be more than warranted for United.

The fixtures look kind too. The first two, against Cardiff City and Fulham, look the toughest. If they can escape a serious stumble in either of those it feels like they could romp it.

What was Leeds United's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Consistency, in all senses of the word, was the major strength. After a six-week blip from the turn of the year onwards, there were finally signs of recovery and a final push for promotion.

United had won five on the bounce without conceding a goal before the hiatus. They were in relentless mood.

The most troubling weakness, as with much of Marcelo Bielsa's two years here, was the lack of squad depth. If injuries or suspension were to hit, it would leave holes in the matchday squad.

Kalvin Phillips, who has recovered, and Jean-Kevin Augustin, who is newly injured, were nursing problems before the interval and the former was missed.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

The run-in is very favourable, but every United fan will tell you that doesn't mean a thing in their history. Just look back at Wigan Athletic's Good Friday visit last season.

The Fulham match at Elland Road, their only remaining top-eight opposition, looks pivotal next weekend. This weekend's visit to Cardiff will be a proper test of their lockdown training regime.

Which player – or players – will be key?

Bielsa values the team over individuals and that shows on the pitch, but it is hard to ignore Phillips's influence as their defensive midfielder. Everyone really does play their part, but Phillips, Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Jack Harrison and Ben White have been the stand-outs.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Leeds United will finish, what would be your forecast?

First. Very, very few teams will have been as motivated as them during the three-and-a-half-month hiatus. That will show and that's before you then throw in the fact it's Bielsa and the fact they have made blistering starts in each of the past two campaigns.

Then there's the aforementioned fixture run. It seems the perfect package of fixtures, fitness, motivation and outright football quality.

2. West Brom – 70 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that promotion can be achieved and is it warranted?

Strong. Albion have returned to training in fine fettle - Slaven Bilic was over the moon with the squad's fitness levels - and they appear ready to hit the ground running.

Their position is certainly justified, in fact you can't argue with it at all - they've not been out of the top two since October and have been at the summit itself for 23 game weeks out of 37.

There's a real eagerness to get back to business, ever since the club publicly spoke of the desire to finish the season on the pitch.

What was West Brom's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Their ability to score from across the field. Their top scorer is Hal Robson-Kanu, who has only ten goals to his name, but Semi Ajayi, for example has five by himself. They've used 23 different outfield players this season, and 18 of them have scored - that tells you all you need to know.

That said, defensively they can certainly sharpen up. They came through a sticky period after Christmas where they were conceding particularly soft goals, and because their full-backs love to attack, they have occasionally been caught out.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

I think the run-in is pretty favourable on paper. They play Fulham and Brentford, so in that respect it's in their hands - they can hold the pair at arm's length with results against those promotion rivals.

Elsewhere, they play Hull, QPR, Huddersfield, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday among other teams - they'll fancy themselves against all of the above.

Which player – or players – will be key?

Matheus Pereira has been Albion's player of the season this year. He's been phenomenal, an entertainer with substance to complement his style. He will have Callum Robinson, Kamil Grosicki, Matt Phillips and the returning Grady Diangana to play off him. He usually finds them!

Jake Livermore has been sensational alongside the understated Romaine Sawyers, while the aforementioned Ajayi has been a bargain addition and Robson-Kanu is enjoying the most prolific season of his career.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where West Brom will finish, what would be your forecast?

I'll be bold and say they'll go up as champions - I may be horribly wrong, of course, but I'd rather approach the rest of the campaign with a positive outlook!

They and Leeds have been the best two sides in the division unquestionably, and I think both sides at this moment would settle for promotion any which way.

Finishing first in any aspect of life is nice, though. It's been 12 years since Albion last lifted the Championship trophy - it'd be lovely, if a little strange in an empty stadium - for this group and Bilic to be able to do so next month.

3. Fulham – 64 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that promotion can be achieved and is it warranted?

High, because Fulham are in a very strong position.

As things stand, they are nine points above seventh-placed Bristol City, so it would take a mini-collapse over the next couple of months to deprive the Cottagers of a play-off spot.

Restarting their season with three points over promotion rivals Brentford, currently fourth, would be a significant boost ahead of an intense run that will see Fulham play another eight games between June 27 and July 22.

When asked about his side's play-off chances recently, Parker admitted the hectic schedule was less than ideal but said his players must embrace the challenge.

What was Fulham's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and their most troubling weakness?

There can be little argument that Fulham's biggest strength is Aleksandar Mitrovic, their main man in attack. The Serb, who fired the club to promotion in 2018, has enjoyed his best season in English football with 23 goals in 34 appearances.

The former Newcastle United forward had scored five goals in his last eight outings prior to the season being stopped, so Parker will hope his main goal threat can pick up exactly where he left off.

However, it could be argued that Fulham's biggest strength is also an alarming weakness. With Mitrovic utterly dominant in the goals department, Fulham have become heavily reliant on the 25-year-old.

In fact, there have only been eight different goalscorers for the Cottagers this term, with Tom Cairney (8), Ivan Cavaleiro (6), Bobby Reid (5), Aboubakar Kamara (4), Anthony Knockaert (3), Joe Bryan (1) and Josh Onomah (1) the only players to have scored.

Should Mitrovic suffer an injury, there would be considerable pressure on Fulham's other attackers to improve their output.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

After Brentford, they travel to leaders Leeds United before another tricky trip to face Queens Park Rangers in a west London derby.

Overall, it's a difficult run-in, but if Fulham can avoid slip-ups against the likes of Wigan and Birmingham while avoiding defeats against their play-off rivals, they will have a strong chance of clinching a top-six finish.

The trip to Forest on July 7, right in the middle of their remaining nine games, certainly stands out as a key game.

Which player – or players – will be key?

Mitrovic's goals will obviously be crucial, but the experience and leadership of Cairney will be vitally important, too.

The 29-year-old Scot played a key role in Fulham's promotion push in 2018, which culminated in him scoring the winner in the play-off final against Aston Villa.

While Alfie Mawson is back in training following the knee injury that has kept him out since January, centre-back Tim Ream's measured passing (the United States international has completed 89.5 percent of his passes this season) will be an important factor when Fulham try to maintain control during the remaining games.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Fulham will finish, what would be your forecast?

While their run-in is far from desirable, Fulham have enough talent and experience in their squad to comfortably secure a spot in the play-offs.

Mitrovic, Cairney, Ream, Denis Odoi, Kamara, Kevin McDonald are all players who helped the Cottagers navigate the play-offs and reach the Premier League two years ago, and that experience should prove invaluable over the next six weeks - fourth.

4. Brentford – 60 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that promotion can be achieved and is it warranted?

Fans cannot wait for the season to resume, and some believe the Bees can still finish in the top two automatic promotion slots.

The Brentford fans' site "Beesotted" released a podcast last week entitled ' All Bets Are Off. Automatic Promotion is Back On ', so they are clearly confident about the club reaching the Premier League.

However, making up a 10-point gap on second place with only nine games to play feels like too big a mountain to climb.

In reality, they have a great chance of securing a play-off spot as their underlying expected goal difference stats were second only to those if leaders Leeds when football was suspended in March.

What was Brentford's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Brentford's greatest strength was probably their defence. As they are joint-top in the Championship for goals scored, that might seem counter-intuitive.

However, they have only conceded more than once in seven of their 37 games, meaning they've almost always retained a chance of getting a result from a match.

Their main weakness has been a lack of consistency in front of goal. The Bees have scored three-or-more goals in 13 of their 37 league matches so far, which is at least five times more than any other team. But they've also failed to score 11 times too. Some consistency in front of goal rather than 'boom or bust' could make the difference.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

The good news for Brentford is that based on the points-per-game average of their remaining opponents – when whether the fixture is at home or away is factored in – they have the easiest run-in of the teams who are currently between second and sixth.

It's hard to know what shape clubs will be in for the final nine games, but a kind schedule can only help.

The Bees' first and last fixtures of the forthcoming mini-season are the most vital.

It's unlikely they can reel in second-placed West Brom, but beating Fulham on Saturday is vital if they are to have any hope of doing so.

Finishing the season against West Brom could also be crucial in this race... or it may be a potential dress rehearsal ahead of the play-offs.

Which player – or players - will be key?

Ollie Watkins is the second top scorer in the Championship and had claimed four goals in his previous eight matches prior to the lockdown. He will need to resume that form for Brentford to prosper.

That said, the Bees scored eight goals in their last three matches, and they were shared between seven players, so manager Thomas Frank certainly has options. He has a fully fit squad at his disposal too, which will help.

Only five players in the Championship have created more chances than Said Benrahma this season, so his input will also be crucial.

He picked up two assists in the 5-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday immediately prior to lockdown, and needs to hit the ground running now.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Brentford will finish, what would be your forecast?

I tend to look at the prediction models and bookmakers as they don't get things wildly wrong, especially this close to the end of a season.

FiveThirtyEight currently have Brentford as finishing third with 77 points, and the bookmakers are in agreement regarding their final position. In light of their relatively kind remaining fixtures, that sounds about right. They should be able to get closer to the top two, but not displace them.

5. Nottingham Forest – 60 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

Forest seem to be pretty confident - Michael Dawson even said they would be doing their best to hunt down the top two.

They definitely have a good chance of a top six finish, although so much will come down to how teams deal with playing behind closed doors and how they have been affected by the extended break. It's like a fresh start for everyone and very difficult to predict what will happen.

Forest hadn't been in the best of form immediately before matches were suspended, so they will have been able to put some distance between themselves and a couple of disappointing results.

They've been in and around the play-off spots for most of the season. If they can start well on their return, I don't see any reason why they can't stay up there.

What was Forest's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

For the most part, they have been pretty solid defensively throughout the season. They've had a fairly settled back line, plus a good goalkeeper and holding midfielders in front of them who have  done an excellent job.

Within that whole defensive set-up they've got players who have been in superb form - Joe Worrall and Tobias Figueiredo have formed a fine central defensive partnership, Brice Samba has done well in goal, Matty Cash has been arguably the best right-back in the division, Yuri Ribeiro is decent at left-back and Ben Watson, ahead of them, has been playing out of his skin.

Samba Sow, another midfielder lynchpin, is also crucial. Forest need him fully fit for the last nine games.

In terms of a weakness, they have struggled to score goals at times. Despite having plenty of attacking players in the team, Forest haven't always been as creative as you'd expect. If they can get more service to Lewis Grabban, and get players like Joe Lolley firing on all cylinders, they will be a real threat.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

Forest had been doing better on the road than at home prior to the shutdown, so it will be interesting to see if the absence of fans changes anything.

They also had a good record against teams towards the top end of the table but had found it more difficult against sides who sit back, particularly at the City Ground. The fact they've got to play a few teams chasing a top six place might help them.

They will want to get off to a strong start in the first game back, at Sheffield Wednesday. After that, fixtures against Bristol City, Fulham and Preston North End could be key. Not to mention the local East Midlands derby.

Which player – or players - will be key?

As mentioned above, the back four, goalkeeper and defensive midfielders are so important.

But it's going forward which can really make the difference. Forest need to be picking up wins, so they need to be scoring goals.

Lolley hasn't quite hit the heights of last season, although he had been improving as time wore on. If he can play to anything like the level he's capable of, it would make a huge difference.

Grabban is also crucial. He'd been shouldering the burden of Forest's main striker prior to the suspension, so no doubt will have benefitted from a break. Sow, too, is key. Forest have a great record when he plays. He's quickly adapted to English football and proved to be a real bargain. He just needs to stay fit.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where Forest will finish, what would be your forecast?

Closing the gap to the automatic spots is going to be a big stretch. I can't see anyone catching Leeds and West Brom now - although the fact it's uncharted territory for everyone, you'd never say never. Anything can happen in this crazy, action-packed month.

Forest will give it a good go, I'm sure. But think it's more likely they'll have to settle for a play-off spot.

Nothing is certain, though. They'll also have to be wary of teams below them as the table is still pretty tight. I don't think there will be much to choose between a whole bunch of teams come the final standings. I'll go with a fourth-placed finish.

6. Preston North End – 56 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

I think there's a great deal of optimism. There's no doubt that the break came at a good time for Preston, having lost four out of five. Key man Ben Pearson had suffered a hamstring injury but North End, in the end, only had to play twice without him.

For the first real time since their promotion PNE have spent a significant time in the top six spots this season, as opposed to being the ones chasing. I'd say on that basis it's definitely warranted. Their manager is confident, all the players are raring to go and with a near-enough fully fit squad this squad is more than good enough to make that top six.

What was PNE's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

If we're being brutally honest, bar away matches at Wigan and Barnsley, PNE hadn't been at their best since the turn of the year. But they had still managed to win games and pick-up results which, while not ideal, is a useful quality to have.

Alex Neil has said a few times that if you don't play great and win you should be buzzing, and PNE had done that in games against Hull, Charlton and Stoke. It's hard to pinpoint a real weakness but if we're going off the last five games prior to lockdown, crosses into the box had caused problems and led to poor goals being conceded.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

I do think it's hard to judge the run-in when teams haven't played for so long. You really don't know who is going to adapt to behind closed doors and come out firing, but on paper there are certainly a few games that catch the eye.

The first, at Luton, is a game PNE will be desperate to win. Bristol City on the final day looks very likely to have something riding on it, while three away games at Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Brentford in the space of 10 days could be decisive.

Which player – or players – will be key?

A certain Yorkshire fanbase will feel differently but in Ben Pearson, North End fans feel they have the best defensive midfielder in the league and I'd have to agree with them.

Pearson playing all nine games will be absolutely crucial - their record without him in the team is worse and he is the heartbeat of the side. Daniel Johnson and Tom Barkhuizen have been exceptional in the final third, while Declan Rudd's form between the sticks will hopefully continue. A rejuvenated Scott Sinclair would be a treat, too.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly PNE will finish, what would be your forecast?

Sixth. I think this squad will do well in behind closed-doors matches. They're a tight-knit group that won't struggle at all with pulling each other through games, when there's no atmosphere and crowd to feed off.

PNE are one of the fittest teams in the league, and another thing is the pressure from the home crowd. That was something Neil had commented on in their last game - this group have never carried this expectation on their shoulders before and with behind-closed-doors, I don't think the pressure will feel quite the same inside the stadium. It might just free them up a little bit.

7. Bristol City – 55 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

It's starting to climb. And there are grounds for optimism: Benik Afobe is back from injury, the fixtures aren't too daunting, City are currently seventh and still have Preston (in sixth) to play as well as other play-off contenders, and the Robins also have a big squad to deal with the gruelling run of games approaching with time having been afforded for City's three January signings to have gelled with their team-mates more.

Supporters are positive - but also a little downhearted that, with their team having such a bright future, they can't be at games to help see this through.

What was City's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

The club's away form, the fourth best in the Championship across the course of the season. This may have been evened out however with fans now not at games, with the Bundesliga showing a sure slant of results going for the visiting sides.

City didn't have the best record at home - 17th on home results only - but maybe conversely not having their fans there will help Lee Johnson's side.

They're not a great attacking side but, weirdly, are the eighth-highest scorers in the division. However, they do struggle to break opposition teams down when they choose to sit deep and surrender possession and look more natural and comfortable when counter-attacking.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

On paper the fixtures are rather straightforward, if book-ended by two huge ties against Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End. In fact, City play five of the six teams directly around them. In some respects everything is in their hands at the moment.

While the final game against Preston could certainly be seen as a decider for the final play-off spot, as the clubs currently sixth and seventh meet.

Which player – or players - will be key?

The returning Benik Afobe is a huge plus for the Robins. He hit three goals in five games before picking up an ACL knee injury last September. But it's not just what he may bring. He seemed to get the best from close pal Kasey Palmer as well - and the duo linking up is a very tasty proposition for City fans as we go into these final nine games.

Away from the final third, City are traditionally a good defensive side under Johnson but need to tighten up at the back, and key defender Tomas Kalas will have a big role to play as he should now be back to full fitness having struggled all season.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where City will finish, what would be your forecast?

Sixth. I'm always positive about City's chances and they have a lot going for them as we play out the final nine games.

Certainly if the Robins can get something immediately from Ewood Park then I fancy them to do well.

8. Millwall – 54 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

Typically, the race for the top six is fiercely congested. While Millwall are only two points behind Preston, they are ahead of Cardiff City only on goal difference and just one point better off than Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City.

Prior to lockdown, Rowett admitted it will likely take 72 points to secure a top-six berth. If that prediction turns out to be true, Millwall will need to take 18 points from a possible 27 when the season resumes.

Reaching that figure will be a big ask. Millwall managed it in 2018, but it was only enough to finish eighth.

What was Millwall's biggest strength prior to lockdown and their most troubling weakness?

While Rowett has sought to implement a more attack-minded approach since taking the reins in October, Millwall still shine more at the other end of the pitch.

Only Leeds United, Fulham and Forest can better their 12 clean sheets, while the Lions have managed to keep their goals conceded per game at a respectable 1.1, ranking them sixth in the division.

Of course, it would be reductive to concentrate merely on their defensive solidity. In their most recent game, they demonstrated considerable counter-attacking prowess en route to a convincing 3-0 win over Forest, with top scorer Matt Smith netting a 13-minute hat-trick.

If the 31-year-old quickly rediscovers that form, Millwall will stand a fighting chance.

But while the form of Smith and Jed Wallace has been encouraging, Millwall simply have not shown enough firepower to dominate games.

In fact, only four teams have scored fewer goals than them this term, all four of whom are 19th or lower.

How do you rate their run-in and do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

The most encouraging aspect of Millwall's run-in is not having to play any of the teams currently above them in the table.

The final four fixtures are comprised of away games against Hull City and Queens Park Rangers, and Blackburn and Huddersfield Town at home.

Taking advantage of it, especially the five remaining home fixtures, will be key to Millwall's chances of the play-offs.

Which player – or players – will be key?

As previously mentioned, the attacking talents of Smith and Wallace are crucial. Between them, they have scored 21 and assisted a further 13 for an astonishing 77% of Millwall's 44 goals.

Some of the goalscoring burden must be shouldered by Tom Bradshaw, who has netted eight times but not since New Year's Day.

At the other end, Shaun Hutchinson will continue to be a key figure at the heart of Rowett's defence, while the manager will be hoping for a series of commanding performances from midfield pairing Jayson Molumby and Ryan Woods, both of whom impressed in the games leading up to lockdown.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Cardiff City will finish, what would be your forecast?

Will Millwall squeeze in? Only time will tell, but with a favourable run-in, they will certainly be hoping to build some momentum once they return to action on Saturday.

However, the Lions have been unable to win more than two games on the spin this season, so a late-season jump up the standings seems unlikely.

Rowett has led teams into the play-offs on three occasions (twice with Burton Albion and once at Derby) so Millwall will certainly draw on his considerable experience in this department but I fear they may just miss out – seventh.

9. Cardiff City – 54 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

There appears to be a split right down the middle. Some are extremely hopeful, others far less convinced.

The trouble is, at the start of the campaign, the Bluebirds were tipped to bounce straight back up, even in the automatic places. But has felt like an almighty battle to just get to within two points of the play-offs, in truth.

But they certainly have the squad and the depth, which will be vital given the added substitutions allowed, to break into that top six, but face a big challenge against Leeds United first up, which will be a crucial yardstick, you feel.

What was Cardiff City's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Their biggest strength was being very difficult to beat.

As you'd expect from a Cardiff side, they are very stern, defensively, and good at both ends of the pitch at the set piece.

Their biggest weakness was starting slowly. So often they put themselves behind the eight ball early on and have to claw their way back, which is why they have ended up with so many draws this season, no team has had more.

So they need to fly out of the traps in each of these last nine matches, how they start games will be very important.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

The first match against table-topping Leeds United is huge.

If they win that, it's a potential springboard to a top-six spot, because the confidence they will get from that will be immeasurable.

Also, the small matter of a Severnside derby strikes me as a big fixture, too, both that game and the Leeds game have the potential to boost or flatten City's hopes.

Win both and they are on the right track, lose both and it will be desperately tough to recover from.

Which player will be key?

Lee Tomlin has been the best player for Cardiff City this season by a country mile.

We thought his season was over when he sustained a nasty knee injury pre-lockdown, forcing him to miss the final four fixtures.

But he is now back and raring to go, which is a huge, huge bonus for the Bluebirds.

He is joint top scorer and has the most assists, both seven, for the club and his contribution in the final third is unrivalled in this squad.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Cardiff City will finish, what would be your forecast?

That is incredibly tough.

The thing is, the league table doesn't lie. And I don't think you would find many Bluebirds who would quibble with a league position of ninth at the moment.

The truth is, this is a sprint finish. Anything can happen; injuries, suspensions, last-minute winners, the fifth substitute scoring an own goal. It's a minefield.

But, if I were to be nailed down to a position, I think Cardiff City's fixture list is very, very difficult and they will have to play far better than what they have done.

I have a feeling it might be a bridge too far, perhaps even as agonisingly close as seventh.

10. Blackburn Rovers – 53 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

Critics condemned Blackburn Rovers to mid-table mediocrity when Bradley Dack was stretchered off with an ACL injury over the festive period, and yet Tony Mowbray's side have proven that there is more to them than just their slick-haired talisman.

Mowbray has made no secret of his play-off ambitions and the consensus amongst the squad is that a top-six finish is well within their reach. Despite sitting just three points adrift of the play-off places, Rovers are deemed outsiders and it's the underdog tag that will suit Mowbray's squad.

A 5-0 drubbing of Sheffield Wednesday in January - just a week after the Owls had defeated league leaders Leeds United - was evidence of Rovers at their ruthless best and if they're firing on all cylinders heading into the final nine fixtures, they will be confident of securing a play-off spot come the end of the season.

What was Blackburn's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Ignoring the 3-0 defeat to Derby prior to lockdown, Rovers' defence has been the springboard for success so far this season.

On-loan goalkeeper Christian Walton has kept 12 clean sheets - three in the last six matches - and has blossomed following a nervy start to the season.

Injuries had made Mowbray's life difficult in terms of defensive selection but since the turn of the year he has found consistency in a regular back four, with Darragh Lenihan and Tosin Adarabioyo forming an impenetrable partnership at the heart of the defence while the accompanying full-backs of Ryan Nyambe and Amari'i Bell grow from strength-to-strength.

Rovers' biggest issue lies in their lack of width. Stewart Downing, Joe Rankin-Costello and Harry Chapman are Mowbray's only recognised wide midfielders and the manager has utilised Sam Gallagher in the right-wing position, which has drawn its fair share of criticism.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

I don't think they could have asked for a bigger fixture to make a return to action with as they host Bristol City. Lose, and Rovers face playing catch-up for the remainder of the campaign. Win and they'll be three points closer to the top six with a psychological advantage over at least one of their rivals.

Home games against Leeds United and West Brom will severely test Mowbray's squad, although Rovers have fared well against tougher opposition. It's weaker opposition that have posed the most frustrating challenge. Against Wigan Athletic and Barnsley, Rovers will rely on the creative talent of Lewis Holtby to carve opportunities against opposition that are likely to sit deeper and nullify the pace of Adam Armstrong in attack.

Which player - or players - will be key?

Armstrong has carried the weight of Rovers' goal scoring supply in light of Dack's absence and was in menacing form before the lockdown. The former Newcastle United striker can beat defenders, get in behind with his pace and stores the odd spectacular strike in his locker.

The effect of Lenihan's two-game suspension for the Swansea and Derby fixtures were visible for all to see. Five goals conceded in two games and Rovers lacked the discipline and organisation that he brings to the team. Adarabioyo, for all his plaudits, looked lost without the Republic of Ireland international by his side.

Lewis Travis - a product of the Rovers academy - has been consistently one of the club's best performers and his energy in midfield will be vital to the success of Mowbray's team.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where Blackburn will finish, what would be your forecast?

My heart would love me to say Rovers will sneak a sixth-place finish, but if I was to be realistic I would argue that they will finish around eighth.

I think fixtures against play-off rivals such as Bristol City, Cardiff and Millwall could all end in draws, and that's where points will be dropped.

11. Swansea City – 53 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

Before the restart, Swansea find themselves just three points adrift of the top six. And the vast majority of the Jack Army would have taken being in that position at the beginning of the campaign, despite the club's remarkable start to the campaign, which it's safe to say was completely unexpected.

It's going to be a very tough ask, and I don't think any fan is fully confident that Steve Cooper's men will secure a play-off place. But while they're in the running, you can never rule it out. A good result here and there along with a slip-up or two could dramatically change things.

What was Swansea's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Swansea have massively improved defensively compared to their first season back in the second tier. They have been far stronger at keeping out set-pieces, and with the likes of Joe Rodon and Ben Cabango now fully fit, they'll hope to continue their positive record in that department.

As for a weakness, they shipped too many late goals prior to lockdown, most notably against Hull, Fulham and Blackburn in February.

It could well be down to a lack of experience, so game management could be key in ensuring they get more points from matches in the run-in.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

On paper, they have a favourable start, with strugglers Middlesbrough and Luton being the first two opponents. But things quickly turn more difficult with tests against Millwall, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday.

Swansea then face promotion hopefuls Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City before ending the campaign at Reading, so it's clear to see that they'll need to cause an upset or two if they are to finish in the top six.

Which player – or players - will be key?

Andre Ayew is going to be vitally important. He is the club's top scorer this term and brings some much needed experience to what is a very youthful squad.

Rhian Brewster is set to lead the line for the Swans' remaining matches, so his goals will be crucial too. He has already netted four times in 11 appearances since joining on loan from Liverpool, so he can be confident of adding to his tally over the remaining weeks.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where Swansea will finish, what would be your forecast?

I went with 10th at the beginning of the campaign, so I'll have to stick to that, despite the fact the optimist in me says they'll now finish a few spots higher!

With only Mike van der Hoorn injured at present, the Swans can be far more confident of doing the business. But realistically, it looks to be a battle between around six or seven sides for the final play-off berth. It's a very tall order.

12. Derby County – 51 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

The Championship was an unpredictable division before lockdown and it promises to be more unpredictable, more crazy when it restarts given that we are about to enter unchartered waters with matches being played behind closed doors.

How will players/teams handle the strange circumstances? Nobody knows the answer, and that is why there is all to play for.

Derby are five points away from a play-off place with 27 points up for grabs. A fast restart, wins in their first two games for example, would change the picture just as a slow start would also.

The odds are against Derby finishing in the top six, but I have covered enough Championship football down the years to know not to rule anything out. It is going to be a surreal but fascinating nine-game sprint.

What was Derby County's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Their form. They had lost only three of 14 league games stretching back to Boxing Day and beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 and Blackburn Rovers 3-0 in the two games before lockdown.

They were also scoring plenty of goals - 28 in those 14 matches - and skipper Wayne Rooney was having a big impact on the team while a number of young players had started to blossom.

At times they looked vulnerable defensively as only three clean sheets in the last 20 league games suggests.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

They have four games at home and five away, although I don't see that being a factor given that all matches will be behind closed doors. They do have to play five of the top six teams - Leeds, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Preston North End - and so they can have a huge bearing on the promotion/play-off races.

Their run-in looks tough, but it will be tough for their opponents also if Derby can show the form they did before the Championship campaign was suspended.

Which player - or players - will be key?

Rooney has made a huge impact since arriving and his influence and ability has played a significant part in the improvement in Derby's form and points' return since the turn of the year. He can run a game, as he showed in the 4-0 demolition of Stoke City at the end of January and will be a key figure in the remaining nine league games.

The youngsters around him - Max Bird, Jason Knight and Louie Sibley - have benefitted from Rooney's presence and it will be interesting to see if they pick up where they left off before the season was halted.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where Derby County will finish, what would be your forecast?

I believe they will close the gap and I wouldn't totally rule out a push for a play-off spot, but there are five teams between them and the top six which means not only will Derby have to win games, others will have to falter.

My head tells me it is a bridge too far, and so I will split the difference and go for a ninth-place finish which after all the changes on the pitch this season, and turmoil off the pitch, would probably be about right and would carry the promise/hope of progress next season.

13th. QPR – 50 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

The club's official Twitter account released the confirmed fixtures last week and the majority of replies saw fans naturally excited for the return of games...and eagerly looking up the table. Indeed, a whole host of them seem convinced that a play-off spot is within touching distance and that QPR can overhaul seven sides to snare sixth place.

With just nine games remaining that might seem like a pipe dream, but there are two reasons why at least some of those fans feel the optimism is justified: before the league's shutdown, Rangers had the second-best form in the league, with Mark Warburton's side unbeaten in six. Secondly, the majority of games remaining for The Rs are against bottom-half clubs.

What was QPR's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

As noted, QPR had confidence and form prior to the lockdown, having made up six points in the last six games played on sixth-place Preston North End.

The most troubling weakness was unquestionably their propensity to concede off set-pieces. QPR have let in a whopping 17 goals from set plays this term — only two clubs, struggling duo Wigan and Huddersfield, have conceded more — as well as a further eight from the penalty spot, the joint-highest in the division.

They only rank fifth for conceding fouls in general across the Championship, so it's clear that dangerous set-piece opportunities are being conceded with regularity and then not defended properly at all.

Good form unfortunately won't be relevant three months after the last game; will defending set pieces have improved in the same period?

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

To be clear, regardless of how favourable the fixtures are, QPR face an uphill battle to regain that many points and overtake that many teams.

Their final game is away to West Brom, who themselves are second, so sixth might already need to be assured before the final day if QPR genuinely want a shot at promotion.

74 and 75 points have been needed to secure sixth in the Championship over the last two campaigns—a similar number this term means Rangers need 24 points from the 27 available, an almost impossible task to suddenly find such consistency at this stage, and in these circumstances.

Simply put, even if the final points haul needed for sixth is lower, they'll need to be near-perfect and hope for slip-ups elsewhere from rivals while also beating fellow play-off hopefuls Millwall in their last home match.

Which player – or players - will be key?

Eberechi Eze has been one of the best players in the Championship this season and will need to pick up where he left off, hauling his team to victories if they want a top-six finish.

Eze has 12 goals and eight assists in the league this term, the highest in both categories for any player still at the club this term, and his phenomenal output down the wing will need to be reproduced game after game.

At the other end of the pitch, Grant Hall is the defensive leader who needs to be right on his game to keep opponents out and QPR in with a shout of winning each game. No slip-ups from him or his back line can be accommodated at this stage.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly QPR will finish, what would be your forecast?

The interrupted season perhaps occurred at the worst time for QPR, with confidence no doubt growing after hauling in the points and starting to climb the table.

No doubt they have the attacking ability in the team to see off several of their upcoming opponents, given they face five of the current bottom six, but even so there are simply too many teams above them to rise all the way into the top six themselves.

Any higher than a 10th-place finish would be a remarkable feat, and would hint at what the team might be capable of next season if they can make a good start.

14. Reading – 48 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

Even the most optimistic fan will admit it's a tough ask but it's certainly not completely out of the question for Reading. They need to make up eight points over the remaining nine games so you'd think they would need to win six or seven of them to be in the running.

There has certainly been an improvement under Mark Bowen and he has the luxury of a large squad to call upon for the final few weeks.

Given the poor start to the season, a top six spot would mean the season has been a huge success.

What was Reading's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

Going forward, Reading have a good variety of options to choose from and most importantly, they are adaptable players too. In George Puscas and Lucas Joao they have two strikers with very different qualities.

And behind them, the likes of John Swift and Ovie Ejaria are arguably two of the most creative players in the league. Throw in the hugely talented teenager Michael Olise and there is an impressive array of talent in the final third.

The team's weakness is probably a lack of pace as not many players have what you would call 'genuine pace'. And defensively, they are still prone to the odd lapse which can be extremely costly. A 3-0 horror show at the end of February at home to Wigan showed the mistakes are not a thing of the past just yet.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

It's a fairly decent set of fixtures in all honesty. A long trip up to Blackburn could prove tricky for the final away day while home games against Brentford and Swansea will be tough tests.

But overall I think the fixture list is pretty kind to them.

Which player – or players - will be key?

As mentioned above the attacking players - the most important being Lucas Joao. He has been out injured since New Year's Day but is now back in the fold. He is key to how the side plays and linking the play up with the creative players.

Having George Puscas around too to potentially come on as a sub for the final 30 minutes is a real plus too - not many defenders will enjoy that.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Reading will finish, what would be your forecast?

Tenth - I think the play-offs are probably going to be out of reach but they should give it a decent go. Anything in the top half would be respectable and given the fixture list, I can see four or five wins coming and most fans would be happy with 10th I'd say.

15. Sheffield Wednesday – 48 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that the play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

Wednesday were on a woeful run of form when coronavirus struck so optimism levels are not high around Hillsborough ahead of the resumption of the Championship season.

For Wednesday, their immediate priority must be to rediscover a winning formula. They have recorded just two league victories since Christmas to slip into the bottom half of the table.

Are the play-offs a realistic goal? Probably not as Wednesday have little margin for error. Eight points separate them from sixth-placed Preston North End with nine fixtures left to play.

Their ongoing battle with the English Football League could also throw a big spanner in the works of their promotion dream. Should Wednesday be found guilty of a misconduct charge over the coming weeks, they could be hit with a significant points deduction and become embroiled in the relegation scrap.

What was Sheffield Wednesday's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

There were few crumbs of comfort before lockdown. They were struggling to click at both ends of the pitch and the enforced break came at a good time.

A glaring weakness in their armoury was their defence. Wednesday have conceded 24 goals in 2020, with only fourth-from-bottom Hull City having let in more in the second-tier.

A lack of continuity in selection has contributed to their defensive problems. Boss Garry Monk has frequently tinkered with their formation and personnel in an attempt to turn around their fortunes.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

Very tough. Wednesday still have to play five of the top 10 in their run-in. Home dates with lowly Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough could be key if Wednesday require points to guarantee their Championship status.

Which player – or players - will be key?

Steven Fletcher has been their main man, hitting 13 goals in the best year of his club career. He gives the Owls a real focal point in attack. His experience and leadership qualities will be pivotal if Wednesday are to finish strongly.

The return of Massimo Luongo in midfield boosts Garry Monk's options. The Australian international has not featured since January due to injury and has been sorely missed in the centre.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where exactly Wednesday will finish, what would be your forecast?

Given we don't know yet the outcome of the EFL charge, it's impossible to predict with any degree of certainty.

But I fear Wednesday could end up nervously looking over their shoulders in the final weeks of the season rather than contemplating a late promotion push.

16. Birmingham City – 47 points
What's the level of optimism at the club that play-offs can be achieved and is it warranted?

It's all but off the table barring a miraculous run of form in the final nine matches. In truth it's been that way for several months now.

The focus at Blues is very much on the search for Pep Clotet's successor while getting through this mini-season without any major hiccups.

What was Birmingham's biggest strength prior to lockdown, and most troubling weakness?

The side's biggest strength since January has been the same - the partnership upfront of Scott Hogan and Lukas Jutkiewicz. Hogan has scored seven goals in eight Championship games since his loan move from Aston Villa while Jutkiewicz has benefited from having such a talented and in-form player next to him.

The biggest weakness is failing to see games out. In the weeks prior to lockdown, Hogan's goals against QPR and Reading might have stood for more had Blues not surrendered leads on both occasions. Blues have been ahead in matches 22 times this season but secured only 12 wins from those positions.

How do you rate their run-in, do any fixtures stand out as being crucial?

The run-in is probably more important for Blues' opponents than themselves regarding the promotion race. Saturday's derby against West Brom is big not only because of its local significance but because Blues could deny Albion going top of the league.

Blues also play Fulham, Swansea, Preston and Derby County in the coming weeks.

Which player – or players - will be key?

Hogan is the biggest danger at the moment and if he continues in the same vein, speculation over a permanent stay at St Andrew's will continue to swirl.

Jeremie Bela's return from injury is a big boost and of course, all eyes will be on Jude Bellingham as he finishes off a stunning breakthrough season.

If we had to nail you down for a prediction as to where Birmingham will finish, what would be your forecast (and why)?

15th. The run-in isn't easy but Blues will pick up a couple of surprise results along the way.



https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-play-offs-championship-4237950

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Report: Fulham still seeking £10 million for Liverpool talent Harvey Elliott

The 17-year-old is expected to sign a three-year professional deal at Liverpool next month.

Fulham are still hoping to receive a fee as high as £10 million for Liverpool talent Harvey Elliott, according to the Daily Mail.

Liverpool snapped up the teenager from Craven Cottage in July 2019, just two months after the teenager became the youngest ever Premier League player.

He has since impressed for Liverpool and already been a feature of the club's first-team this season, playing seven times including a first Premier League appearance.

Jurgen Klopp is a massive fan of the player. As he told the press earlier this season, as relayed by the Liverpool Echo, he considers Elliott an 'exceptional talent' and it is clear the teenager is penciled in for a long-term first-team future at Anfield.

But he will not be cheap. Liverpool's signing of Elliott is still subject to a tribunal to establish compensation for his former team.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Fulham still hope to receive up to £10 million for the player, especially given his immediate impact on Merseyside.

Elliott, who will reportedly (The Mirror) sign a three-year professional deal at the start of July, has not yet had a compensation fee confirmed for his move.

Last year The Times suggested Fulham were happy to settle for £7 million, which would still break the record for a tribunal settled fee, the £6.5 million Liverpool paid Burnley for Danny Ings.

It is just another expense that Liverpool undoubtedly have to plan for in a summer where money is likely to be tight.

Hopefully, whatever fee Liverpool end up paying for Elliott, it ends up proving worth it.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-fulham-still-seeking-10-million-for-liverpool-talent-harvey-elliott/

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Coronavirus: Twelve positive cases detected at EFL clubs in past week

Brentford are scheduled to return to Championship action against Fulham on Saturday

Twelve individuals from English Football League clubs have tested positive for coronavirus in the past week.

The EFL said eight cases came from six Championship clubs, with Brentford publicly confirming one case.

The other four positive tests came at two League One clubs, from which only the four play-off entrants were involved in the testing process.

There were no positive results from the tests at four League Two clubs.

More than 2,600 players and staff from EFL clubs were tested during the past week, including 2,213 connected to Championship teams.

Championship side Bristol City said on Tuesday that one person from their club had tested positive for coronavirus, while League One Oxford United confirmed on 12 June that two people had tested positive from their club.

Those who returned positive results must self-isolate away from their respective clubs, as per EFL guidelines.

Players and staff at EFL clubs are tested twice per week, with different protocols implemented dependent on the nature of the positive tests.

The League Two play-offs get under way on Thursday with two semi-final first leg matches, while Championship fixtures are set to resume on Saturday.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53081102