earthworm
Jack Burkitt
http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,15231_6138901,00.html
He thinks we're going out at the 1st hurdle.
He thinks we're going out at the 1st hurdle.
At the start of the season you would never have predicted Nottingham Forest and Blackpool as one of the playoff semi-finals, but they're there on merit and are now just three games away from the Premier League.
I don't want to pat myself on the back too much but I did mention Blackpool about seven games ago, and the run they were on. They're no respecters of reputations in the brave 4-3-3 formation they play. Ian Holloway brought in loan players that would work better in this system and he's stuck to his beliefs, even in times where it wasn't working as best it could.
DJ Campbell, centre, has hit six goals in as many games, but remains an injury doubt
The Seasiders lost only once in their final eight games, and that was away to Newcastle. Yet even in that game they went to St James' Park and played in an open manner, such was the belief they could get a result.
Some of Ollie's loan signings have been superb. Seamus Coleman - the young Irish full-back from Everton - is a tremendous player. If you play 4-3-3 you've got to have an attacking full-back and he's been a revelation for them.
The fact Dave Jones has managed to get over 40 games out of Jay Bothroyd speaks volumes. Bothroyd has been a nomad for most of his career, but he's actually been captain on occasions this season, something that would have been unheard of in the past.Peter Beagrie
Quotes of the week
CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
Blackpool v Nottm Forest
Sat, 12.30pm, Sky Sports HD 1
Leicester v Cardiff
Sun, 1pm, Sky Sports HD1
The other one is DJ Campbell, who is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for the first leg. He has scored six goals in as many games, and Nigel Pearson - manager of his parent club, Leicester - has been coming in for some stick for loaning him out. But you've got to remember that when the deal was agreed Blackpool weren't their playoff rivals. At least Leicester put in a clause saying DJ cannot face them should both reach the final!
Superstition
Blackpool have done the double over Forest in the league this year, winning 3-1 when they met at Bloomfield Road last month. They've only lost four games at home, while Forest have only won four on the road, the worst record of any side in the top 10.
For those who are superstitious, I think Blackpool fit the bill of playoff winners of recent years. Hull also play in orange, while Burnley's system is similar to their own, and like those two Blackpool are total underdogs. I think they've got a real chance against Forest.
Blackpool may have beaten Forest at the City Ground but Billy Davies' side have an impressive home record, going 19 games unbeaten, and they've won seven of their last eight, conceding in just one of those.
Nottingham Forest have a great defensive record but the fitness of midfielder Paul McKenna is vital to their chances. He is a pivotal player for them and has been the difference between victory and defeat on many occasions this season. Forest haven't looked the same side in his absence.
Outstanding
I'd like to say in a game like this that the form book goes out the window, but the fact Blackpool have done the double over Forest will stick in the visitors' minds. But if Paul Anderson is on his game for Forest he can hit Blackpool on the break when they push bodies forward. He has lightening pace.
Even though everybody will probably disagree with me, I'm putting Blackpool as favourites. They possess the biggest match-winner in Charlie Adam, who has created and scored vital goals from midfield this season, and his dead-ball delivery will cause Forest problems. He is the outstanding talent on show.
It's going to be a fascinating game. The pressure is on Forest. They looked odds on to take the second automatic spot when they beat West Brom at the Hawthorns in January, but then they couldn't buy a win. Their away form has been terrible - that needs to improve dramatically if they are to get past the Seasiders.
Bluebirds fluency can foil Foxes
I don't think Sunday's game at the Walkers Stadium is any easier to call, despite the so-called experts in the media claiming it's cut and dried.
Leicester are a strong and organised side. It looked as though they had capitulated towards the end of March when they went five games without a win, but then all of a sudden won five on the bounce.
They scored 13 goals during that winning streak, in contrast to the start of the season where they winning games 1-0 and 2-1. The Championship is a league that rewards consistency, and that's why the Foxes are in the top six.
To be in with the chance of gaining consecutive promotions speaks volumes for the job Nigel Pearson is doing at Leicester. He keeps everything understated - you can't tell whether he's winning 3-0 or losing 3-0! But it works as he keeps the players' feet on the ground.
Obviously a massive loss for Leicester is Steve Howard, who got stupidly sent off against Watford. He will be eligible for the final with the Foxes make it that far so he will have everything crossed that his teammates can get past Cardiff. The return of Matty Fryatt is a big boost though. He's missed the vast majority of the season yet is still joint-top scorer.
Perfection
At times Cardiff have been outstanding this season, especially Peter Whittingham. To hit 20 league goals is a superb return. Dave Jones has moved Joe Ledley into a more central role, and because Whittingham is such a good reader of the game he's times his runs into the area to perfection.
We talk about Jones and what kind of job he has done at Cardiff. Well the fact he has managed to get over 40 games out of Jay Bothroyd speaks volumes. Bothroyd has been a nomad for most of his career and nobody has been able to get the best out of him. But he's actually been captain on occasions for Cardiff this year, something that would have been unheard of in the past.
They say the most important part of a striker's game is attacking the space, but with Bothroyd the most important part is the space between his ears. He looks to have sorted that at the moment, scoring 13 goals this season and he's a pivotal part of the kind of game Cardiff play. He holds the ball up and lets Whittingham and Chris Burke run off him.
High-scoring
As far as I was concerned Michael Chopra was very lucky to get into the Championship team of the season, but with 19 goals in all competitions you cannot write him off. And on their day, Cardiff are one of the most fluent teams in their division. They've scored 73 goals in the Championship, the fourth best tally in the division. At the back they lost Roger Johnson but have shored things up with the likes of Anthony Gerrard and Mark Hudson.
Cardiff have been given a stay of execution over the £1.9m tax bill, which has been adjourned until June 16. By that time could find themselves in the Premier League, and that debt will be small change to them.
You just wonder whether that's a sign that this is going to be Cardiff's year. They've been in the top six all season, have a new stadium, their chairman is heading for pastures new in the summer. They might have a little bit too much for Leicester.
