The nPower Championship Promotion/Relegation

So here we are at the business end of the season. This has been one of the best seasons in some time, with the openness making it very unpredictable. At the start of the season, the two favourites were Bristol City (then under Steve Coppell) and Middlesbrough after their heavy spending spree recreating the Scotland XI.


Having looked certain of Promotion for some time have been QPR. In the top two for months, if they get at least a point this weekend they are promoted. This is of course dependant on the results of the FA investigation due to come out on May 3rd about their fielding of a player signed illegally using a third party agent. I suspect the FA are waiting for them to be clear of Cardiff and Norwich by enough that they can dock them 10 points without too much uproar.
That brings me on to Cardiff and Norwich themselves. Both have had great seasons, especially Norwich, this being their first year back in the Championship after their one year cameo on League 1. Both have scored fairly freely this campaign, especially that man people love to hate, Grant Holt. Personally I admit he's a good player, but the few times I've seen him play he's deserved a red card on each appearance, but I've never seen him get sent off. He is undoubtedly a great goalscorer for Norwich though, scoring so many vital goals usually late on to secure the points.
Although it is interesting to see the outcome of the QPR case and how this affects the automatic spaces, the most intriguing battle is that for 6th place. 
Reading Swansea and Norwich/Cardiff are secured a Play Off place, but Nottingham Forest's space is under siege from 3 teams currently, although only a few of weeks ago anybody down to 12th had a reasonable chance. Leeds, having slipped up against Crystal Palace in what seems oddly like an annual tradition; last season Leeds were 22 points ahead of Millwall in the second automatic promotion place in League 1, and Millwall ended up overtaking them for a short period after a dire run of form from the Yorkshire men.
In between these two teams are Burnley, who were expected to mount a strong charge having the quality in their squad and large funds at their disposal due to Premier League parachute payments.

Table Couresy of BBC Sport

Millwall have remained largely under the radar, and our fans will be quick to say that's just how we like it. We are now just two points from that sixth spot, and in fact were in 6th for a small period on Monday whilst Bristol City were holding Forest to a 2-2 draw, which Forest ended up winning 3-2. If they were to get anything less than 2 wins, and Millwall were also to get 2 wins then the Lions would occupy 6th, and have a third consecutive play off campaign to deal with. 
At the other end of the table, it was confirmed that Preston North End were relegated on Monday. Scunthorpe losing means they are as good as down, with a -40 goal difference they would have to make up 17 goals and 6 points to reach 21st place. Crystal Palace in 20th are as good as safe now after their perhaps surprising victory over Leeds at home. It is even more surprising that Palace have a higher win percentage at home than Leeds do, considering their positions in the league.
Doncaster are still not yet safe, although are also 6 points from the drop with a superior goal difference to the teams below them. I feel this pretty much condemns Sheffield United to League 1 football next year along with Scunthorpe and Preston. 


I feel special mention should be made for my team, Millwall, along with Norwich and Leeds. I personally predicted at the beginning of the season that The Lions would finish in the top 10, but did not expect us to be finishing so well, and to be honest would have been happy with simply avoiding the drop. Norwich have exceeded our achievements and Leeds have always been in and around, and for three newly promoted teams to take such a difficult league by storm is very impressive. I hope Millwall can get the play offs, although would not be surprised if the play off positions in 2 weeks are the same as they are now. Good luck to the teams that get promoted, it is even tougher to cut it in the Premier League. I feel that the Championship will be more difficult next season, especially for Millwall - who I feel have ridden a lot of this season on momentum from the Play Off Final victory against Swindon last year. Although that is not to say our squad is not capable enough of Championship football. There are also some big teams entering this division. Southampton have a lot of money to spend, and with the impending teams from the Premier League (hopefully including West Ham) it will be tough. 


So far it's been a great season, and I hope it ends well too.