So 0-0 in a match that the Whites should have won and needed to win if we still want to catch The Blunts and get automatic promotion. As it is, form team Watford made the most of Sheff Utd’s dropped points with another big win. We'll have to beat them at home on Tuesday and hope that Reading do their stuff against the aforementioned blunts at the same time. If things go our way it is still all on for that second spot.

Yet another training ground injury meant Richard Cresswell was unable to play or even make the bench, following on from Frazer Richardson and Eirik Bakke last week it is becoming a bit of worry.
Hulse and Blake both injury doubts earlier in the week started up front for us and we had chances early and should have had a penalty when Rob Hulse was blatantly pushed in the box.


HT 0-0.


The second half went pretty much as the first with both teams having half chances but the better ones falling to us. We had a second penalty appeal waved away after another crap challenge from Hajto on sub Moore who at that time was looking lively. It was at this point that although we looked dangerous I had the feeing we were not going to get one and we didn’t.


FT 0-0.


We really need to be beating these teams if we want automatic promotion but to put an optimistic slant on it we have lost a few of these sort of games already this season, Sheff W, Brighton, Crewe and it does keep the unbeaten run going.


P.S. Credit to the Derby fans 27,000 for a team dicing with relegation.


Big match on Tuesday, certainly one we don't want to lose. Can’t wait, lets have no more training ground injuries though.

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.