If we had two points more and in the driving seat would you be happier about Saturday?

[Giraffe]

I feel happier going into the game in the knowledge that it is not ours to blow. That pressure may mount on Reading, particularly if they start the game badly.

 

[Simster]

Halftime on Saturday will be huge. The impact of hearing who's ahead, behind or level will potentially kill one team with the pressure. All that "we will avoid the scores" rubbish will be a lie.

Let's hope we're up, and Reading are down at halftime, and that the pressure pays off.

I don't really agree with this. If you were manager of Reading, you'd tell them from the outset they need to win the game and if you do, it is job done. It doesn't matter what is going on in the other game, it doesn't matter if it's 0-0 at half time, it's all about the result at 90 mins. Ultimately, it's all about whether they play well enough to beat a good Burnley side at home.

I think anyone would rather have that pressure than the pressure of trying to fire up your players to win *in case* the other match goes our way.

 

[Baldseagull]

I think that if we lose to Forest, there may be some comfort if Reading win, meaning our result was immaterial, but other than that I would rather we had the power in our own hands.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Hoping the Reading players are now starting to get VERY nervous.

Not nearly so much pressure on ours.

 

[Prince Monolulu]

Would sooner be 4 points clear of Reading prior to Saturday.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

I was reading a brief preview of the play off position earlier and it said, and I quote 'Reading have to match or better Brighton's result at Notts Forest.' Of course it doesn't change anything, but it just sounded better with the onus being on them.

The onus is on them. If they win, there's nothing we can do about it.

I've just posted elsewhere, though, that it is an achievement for us to be where we are after the summer we had last year, and where we were 3 or 4 years ago. Seeing that Reading are on parachute payments, recent premiership squad etc etc, it will be comparative failure, in my view, for them to squeak in to 6th place.

In Ashley Barnes we trust...... and yes, I did always like him.

 

[pasty]

I'd be happier if Burnley had 6 points less, so in theory Derby could still have caught them, so they would need to win to guarantee promotion.

 

[symyjym]

I like the fact that we have to win and it is still Readings to lose.

 

[Triggaaar]

If we had two points more and in the driving seat would you be happier about Saturday?

Wow, you may have out-done ROTR for stupid question of the month there. No offence like.

 

[stripeyshark]

Not at all. But those points could prove to mean a happier Sunday!

 

[drew]

Wow, you may have out-done ROTR for stupid question of the month there. No offence like.

Beat me to it! This weeks award for stating the bleeding obvious goes to Giraffe!

 

[Bold Seagull]

I'd be happier if Burnley had 6 points less, so in theory Derby could still have caught them, so they would need to win to guarantee promotion.

Not sure I buy that. They would be playing with all sorts of pressure on them making it a tense game. Instead, Burnley go there with pride at stake which is can be a massive motivator. They are right now already preparing for the Premier League, they will not want to go out on a defeat. I know it's easy to think they go there with nothing to play for, but for the first time this season, they play with absolute freedom and enjoyment. I think it's better for us they've already secured 2nd I really do.*



*they will undoubtedly now play as if already on their holidays......

 

[Ernest]

We have no chance of 6th place so I'm not bothered about Saturday

 

[symyjym]

Not sure I buy that. They would be playing with all sorts of pressure on them making it a tense game. Instead, Burnley go there with pride at stake which is can be a massive motivator. They are right now already preparing for the Premier League, they will not want to go out on a defeat. I know it's easy to think they go there with nothing to play for, but for the first time this season, they play with absolute freedom and enjoyment. I think it's better for us they've already secured 2nd I really do.*

*they will undoubtedly now play as if already on their holidays......

Yep the players are still playing for their future and have something to prove on a personal level. To pummel Ex Prem Reading would be a bonus farewell present to the Championship.

 

[Triggaaar]

Not sure I buy that. They would be playing with all sorts of pressure on them making it a tense game. Instead, Burnley go there with pride at stake which is can be a massive motivator. They are right now already preparing for the Premier League, they will not want to go out on a defeat. I know it's easy to think they go there with nothing to play for, but for the first time this season, they play with absolute freedom and enjoyment. I think it's better for us they've already secured 2nd I really do.*



*they will undoubtedly now play as if already on their holidays......

Fair point. I only hope they don't try to give a chance to those not normally in the starting 11. They know this is a big game for other clubs, so no doubt they'll be professional - as will Forest.

 

[fat old seagull]

Personally I wouldn't. Still think it is mentally difficult when the pressure is only on you to win. If we had to go to Forest knowing a win does it I think we might bottle. however knowing that a win may or may not do it might actually help us a little to get the right result.

Whilst in Reading they face the mental hazard of it being in their hands to lose. If Burnley are up for it and make a good start that could play on this mental weakness.

Sorry mate, that sounds like the untrustworthy voice of optimism. But I would dearly love it to be true

 

[London Irish]

Football fan logic this? Somewhere on the scale in between belief in homeopathy and UFOs

 

[BrianWade4]

Obviously, yes. Means we are on control of our destinity

 

[Invicta]

Yep - no brainer