15 points and counting

Barnsley eaed their relegation worries last night by seeing Palace off 3-1 at Oakwell. The win lifts them up to 19th on 43 points with Plymouth Argyle (20th).  That leaves us effectively 15 points adrift from Norwich City, although we do have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Preston are out of the play-off places and are now a couple of points behind Burnely who drew at Ipswich last night.  They are level with Cardiff on points but the Bluebirds have three mathces in hand and play one of them this evening at home to Watford, so should be beyond Preston's grasp soon. That means Saturday becomes enormously important for Preston and why I fear they will be too determined for us. If we were to lose against Preston, then we would go to St. Mary's at least 15 points behind (Norwich are at Birmingham on saturday and Forest entertain Wolves) with six to play. Defeat there would condemn us mathematically.

On a lighter note, I am going to wander up to the Rectory Field this evening to have a few pints at The Club and see Blackheath's 150 year celebration game against a Barbarians side which should be an entertaining and stress-free sporting spectacle. It's £12 (adults) to get in and everyone is welcome.