Tigers stung by Hornets

REMEMBER Jimmy Glass? He is the goalkeeper who scored for Carlisle in 1999 to secure their league participation for another season. It’s incredible how often the leagues create dramas that keep fans on tenterhooks until the fnal seconds. A single goal in the dying seconds of the season can change the fortunes for hundreds of thousands and make individuals a household name, writes Abu George.

Remarkably, last Saturday, Brentford and Doncaster may have eclipsed this historic moment. Entering the match, Doncaster required a point to secure the title, while Brentford needed all three to leapfrog them for promotion. To complicate matters, Bournemouth were also in the mix.

Imagine, after a nervous match it’s the 94th minute and the score is 0-0. If it stays that way then Bournemouth claim the title on goal-difference and Doncaster are promoted in second. Yet the referee points to the spot and Brentford have their chance. Italian substitute, Marcello Trotta, claims the ball from regular penalty-taker, Kevin O’Connor.

Remarkably, the ball hits the crossbar and is cleared. Billy Paynter races the length of the feld before crossing to James Coppinger to tap in and secure Doncaster the title.

The English Premier League may well have been decided, as they have been in Germany and effectively in Spain, although there are still many clubs involved at the ‘business end’ of the season.

Promotions and relegations have been decided in the lower divisions while Reading and QPR played out a draw that suggested that both teams had decided they had already been relegated. QPR’s leading fanzine, a Kick Up the R’s, appears to be sending them a message their team deserves.

But who will replace them in making the trip to Arsenal or Anfeld next season?

The now red-shirted Cardiff Bluebirds secured the Championship leaving the Tigers to fght it out with the Hornets for automatic elevation to the Premier League.

The Tigers from Hull appeared to have secured the remaining promotion place when they required only four points from their remaining three matches. However, following an unexpected defeat against relegation-threatened Barnsley, they have it all to do in the toughest of circumstances. Hull has failed to score in their last three matches including a defeat against almost-doomed Wolves.

Five thousand fans made the journey across Yorkshire to face their local rivals. The police turned more away, although the only safety concerns appeared to be the foods of tears from Hull fans.

Our editor will certainly be hoping that the Cardiff promotion party is still in full swing. A Hull victory at home against the Champions could see both sets of supporters celebrating.

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding Watford’s transfer dealings this season as they have found and exploited a loophole in the regulations. Previously clubs have operated on the basis that they are permitted only fve loan signings in a match day squad. However, international loan signings do not count towards this domestic total.

Watford have actually made an incredible 14 loan signings this season, only one of which came from another club in the UK. Of these, 12 have come from either Udinese or Grenada, two clubs owned by the same Pozzo family that bought into Watford last summer.

Indeed the previous ownership of Watford gives Hull fans further cause for feeling victimised. Former owner, Laurence Bassini, along with the club, were found guilty in March of breaches of football league rules, ironically relating to transfer dealings. While the league deemed that they had, as a result of these misdemeanours, received an unfair sporting advantage, they did not impose either a fne or a points deduction, which was well within their remit.

If they secure promotion then Hull will feel as though they have been stung where it hurts.

Whoever fails to make it is guaranteed a preferential draw in the play-offs. Below them, Brighton secured at least ffth thanks to a late winner at Leeds in a match that saw three red cards, perhaps indicating the tension.

Crystal Palace have a fnal day home game (where they have scored more goals than any other club) against lowly Peterborough.

Of the three remaining teams fghting for the last place Bolton look to have the best chance. Bolton’s six wins in their last 10 sees them enter the fnal round as the form-team in the division. Having secured the most wins at home with the exception of Cardiff they will be confdent against an erratic Blackpool who have shown indifferent form since Paul Ince took charge.

The fnal fxture of note is a mouth-watering East Midlands derby between Nottingham Forest and Leicester. If results go their way elsewhere then this could be a winner-takes-all clash between two sides that have stuttered in recent weeks. While one team will claim local bragging rights I expect both teams to leave the City Ground with suntan lotion packed.

At the bottom, Barnsley still need at least a point away at Huddersfeld on the fnal day as they currently sit below Peterborough on goal difference. The Posh have a tough-looking game at Crystal Palace with Ian Holloway seeking promotion with his new club.

Wolves appear doomed needing to win comfortably at Brighton and hope that two other results also go their way. This is quite a fall from grace for a side only relegated from the top fight last season and still boasting international players coveted by Premier League clubs.

The likes of Doyle and Johnson were frequently linked with multi-million pound transfers and yet have failed to deliver. If they do go down then they will become the frst club to suffer a double-dip in successive seasons having similarly suffered in the 1980s.

Barnsley recently calculated that relegation would cost them £6 million, although at least Wolves still have the cushion of the parachute payments from the Premier league, which, coupled with the sale of their most valuable assets, should go that much further in the third tier.

Technically, seven teams are trying to avoid the drop, although realistically it appears to be between Barnsley, Peterborough, Millwall and Sheffeld Wednesday.

Bizarrely, there were also seven teams fearful of relegation in the second division with Aldershot fnishing bottom.The Edgar David’s revolution at Barnet also ended in tears.

However, all eyes will be on the Championship on Saturday at 2.45pm (Bahrain time). Watford’s Honorary Life President, Elton John, may well be at his piano playing Tell me when the whistle blows although to which set of fans will he fnish with Curtains?