27 potential outcomes

Exactly, so Bolton would be very foolish to take it easy on Saturday and give Luton that chance.
If they roll over on purpose and we end up missing out then I really hope they regret it.

 

I dont think they'll be taking it easy. It's a very tough play offs to call because none of the current 4 really have great form going into it, all have a lot of key injuries, none exactly play free flowing football.

 

Agree that it's entirely in Bolton's interests to keep Luton out and therefore there's no suggestion they'll roll over for them. What i do think is quite plausible is they rest a couple of players, subconsciously take their foot off the gas knowing there are bigger games ahead and in doing so hand the impetus over to Luton.

 

Luton are second only to Lincoln in form at the moment, unbeaten in 10. The current play off teams are way behind the promoted two and are limping over the line.

The table showing the highest ranked team getting promoted is more tied into a team missing out but being way better than the rest by 10 to 20 points. Come Saturday 2 points could easily cover the 3rd to 6th. Meaning form is more important than a weighted 3rd place team as good as those who have already won promotion.

For example Sheff Wed won the play off in 22/23 but they did so with 96 points. They were streets ahead of the rest.

 

We just know that at one point on Saturday it will flash up on the Sky coverage of City’s match, Bolton 0-1 Luton. We will still be drawing and thinking oh no!

 

I had a look yesterday and I got to when the division changed names to League One, and there has never been a play offs where all 4 teams have taken 50% or less points from their last calendar month (usually 6 or 7 games). There's always one or two that have iffy results but never all 4. And even if us and Bolton win, Stockport and Stevenage draw, that would be the case, that all 4 play off teams go into the play offs with similar iffy form at best.

There's a very real scenario to play out where the L1 play offs have no on fire team, no form team and little rhythm going for them and the teams are going to have to find some magic somehow.

 

I'd prefer that and I guess teams like Bolton will to. If Bolton allow Luton into the play offs I think they will live to regret it.

 

I think this Opta 95% certain for us to qualify is far too high, it doesn’t take into account pressure in games or how competitive Bolton will be. Schumacher makes the right noises as how much they want to win but will his players have that 100% commitment with play offs round the corner, I know Luton will. It’s going to be a very tense afternoon and hopefully when the music stops we’ll be in the top 6.

 

So nice that 79/80 didn't happen again, and we did what we had to in our own match.

RCB