After last nights drubbing for the South Yorkshire plodders can we still get automatic promotion?


I reckon we can.


The news today is that both Steve Stone and Killa are making quicker progress than expected and although Stone is a long way off he could now be back for the season run in while Killa could be back for Palace at the beginning of March. On top of that Frazer Richardson is back in training and we should finally get clearance this week for Joel Griffiths, so providing competition down the right hand side.


I think the current top six are now nailed on barring any total collapse, all are in good form and everybody below is too inconsistent, but any one of The Whites, Watford or Sheff U could still get that second automatic promotion spot (Reading are not catchable) even though we are still 11 points behind.
The next week could be crucial: We have Derby away at the weekend and then Watford next Tuesday at Elland Road, at the same time as we are playing Watford, Sheff U is at home to Reading. Before those matches, next Tuesday, Watford is at home to Coventry and Sheff U away at Plymouth. If we do our job by beating Derby & Watford and Plymouth can get a draw with Sheff U they will be on the slippery slope before they meet Reading.


It could come down to the last day of the season - Leeds away at Preston and the blunts at home to Palace!!!


Optimistic yes, out of the question – no.