Likewise. I started watching during the days of the old First Division and I too look forward to the day when the likes of Oldham, Luton and Notts Country return to the top flight, if ever. These clubs have faced Premiership exile for 2 decades now. Unlike back then, the wealth disparity between clubs in the top flight and the rest of the league is huge now and it will be an uphill task for them to survive their first season back. I doubt you'll see a repeat of feats from clubs like Blackburn or Newcastle who finished in the top quarter of the league in their first seasons back. These days, just escaping relegation is a victory in itself. I can see why given that it's also pretty hard for clubs who go down to bounce right back up. Middlesbrough are going to finish just above the relegation zone and Portsmouth aren't too far away either.

I'd like to see West Ham stave of relegation. I've had a soft spot for them for some time now. Anyone remember facist and controversial striker, Paolo Di Canio's show of sportsmanship? To say that Di Canio has a temper is an understatement which made his display for fair play even more surprising. It was against Everton that keeper Paul Gerrard got injured and lay on the pitch prone as the ball was played to Di Canio who was faced with an open goal. In a move that stunned everyone, he caught the ball and pointed to the injured keeper instead of smashing it into an empty net. Won himself a FIFA Fairplay award for that too.

I think Ian Holloway has done a great job at Blackpool and I'd like to see them stay up. With a squad that hardly anyone would notice if they walked by them on a street, he's managed get some pretty good results especially at home, including a victory against Man Utd.

I don't think Wolves and Wigan have done much to justify their place in the top flight. Martinez is a nice guy but he's never really transformed Wigan from Premiership strugglers into anything. If they do go down, I reckon they'll struggle in the Championship as well especially when you consider that players like Al-Habsi, Rodallega and N'Zogbia are unlikely to stay.

sorry.i thought you probably know lansbury,another upcoming prospect from arsenal academy.the boy who scored against tottenham earlier in carling cup.

for me it would be wolves and west ham.

wolves because i think they're just not good enough for premier league.not consistent enough to stay on top flight.

west ham because i think they should get relegated few seasons ago due to the tevez saga.

i would like to save wigan.they are inconsistent,just like wolves,but when they're on fire,they can beat anyone they want.

IIRC for 1season, they played with Proton (away kit) and Lotus (home kit) on their shirt..

and they put Proton logo on corner flag..

FORESTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAA..........
Lol just coz i'm currently based in nottingham

I remember watching that game.. At first I was cursing.. "WTF?".. before I realize the keeper is lying injured.
Had much respect for him after watching that.

FINAL RESULTS:
QPR ESCAPE POINTS DEDUCTION AND ARE PROMOTED AS CHAMPIONS..
NORWICH WIN THE SECOND AUTOMATIC PROMOTION PLACE..

CARDIFF, SWANSEA, READING AND NOTTINGHAM FOREST GO INTO THE PLAYOFFS..

Playoff Semi Finals:
CARDIFF CITY VS READING
SWANSEA CITY VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST

This post has been edited by dxjb: May 8 2011, 12:36 AM

Friday 13 May 2011

English nPower Chmpionship Play-off Semi Finals 1st Leg
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS SWANSEA CITY
ASTRO SUPERSPORT (CH811) 2.40 am LIVE

Saturday 14 May 2011

English nPower Chmpionship Play-off Semi Finals 1st Leg
READING VS CARDIFF CITY
ASTRO SUPERSPORT (CH811) 2.40 am LIVE

Tuesday 17 May 2011

English nPower Chmpionship Play-off Semi Finals 2nd Leg
SWANSEA CITY VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST
ASTRO SUPERSPORT (CH811) 2.40 am LIVE

Wednesday 18 May 2011

English nPower Chmpionship Play-off Semi Finals 2nd Leg
CARDIFF CITY VS READING
ASTRO SUPERSPORT (CH811) 2.40 am LIVE

This post has been edited by dxjb: May 8 2011, 03:14 PM

Cardiff should be able to get promoted. But I think they playoff for few years already everytime also failed to get promoted.

since leeds wont b coming back anymore i putting my money on forest 4 the old time 79-80 european glory sakes

not 4getting this famous victory against the mighty catalan in the super cup while messi is not even born yet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_UEFA_Super_Cup

2nd choice will b cardiff since it is managed the 1malaysia way hahaha

Yup..my 1sst choice also Forest..coz it would complete the return of the Premier League old boys after QPR and Norwich..and coz I love their ground..would be great to see Premier League football there again..

N I remember Portugal vs Czech Republic there I think in Euro 96..wonderful team, wonderful ground for historic reasons..

2nd choice would be Cardiff..3rd Swansea..but my 4th choice and least favourite are Reading (because they were recently in the Premier League and usually play Premier League teams in the cups) but they are the in-fprm team at the monent..

Dont forget the play off semi-finals are LIVE on Astro..good time for us to see these teams..

MATCHDAY REMINDER: 13 & 14 MAY 2011 (early Friday and early Saturday morning matches)

Friday 13 May 2011
NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS SWANSEA CITY
ASTRO SUPERSPORT (CH811) 2.40 am LIVE

Saturday 14 May 2011
READING VS CARDIFF CITY
ASTRO SUPERSPORT (CH811) 2.40 am LIVE

Tune in and watch who will continue their journey to join QPR and Norwich as the newcomer to the Premier League next season!!!

READING~~~!!

RESULT: SEMI-FINAL 1st LEG

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-0 SWANSEA CITY
READING 0-0 CARDIFF CITY

This post has been edited by dxjb: May 15 2011, 10:38 PM

if draw means wad? means the other 2 teams have higher chance to enter?

or theres second leg? which will in turns go to AET and PK if draw again like FA.

kan atas tu dah tulis 2 leg
macam semi > final > champion promoted

This post has been edited by nanamiwashio: May 13 2011, 03:59 PM

This is 2 leg play off semi finals..the next leg is on Monday and Tuesday night (early Tuesday and Wednesday morning Malaysia)
Away goals rule apply only after extra time..mean is 90 minutes, they dont count..extra time and penalty apply if necessary)

There is a one off final..on May 30 at Wembley..

swansea 3 forest 1 there goes another season wait 4 forest 2 try again climb back 2 bpl

S britton 28
S dobbie 33
F earnshaw 80
S pratley 90

all goals here
http://www.101greatgoals.com/live-video-up.../93974/#respond

This post has been edited by skylinelover: May 17 2011, 06:10 AM

aihh Leeds couldn't make it. now N.Forest.

I can see Swansea vs Cardiff

well swansea it self is good for the epl.more and more older clubs are making it back.hoping to see the tangerines survive too.

as for leeds would love to have a go at them again in the league but as of now 2nd tier is what they are worth.

I watched Swansea vs. Forest. What a game. Forest are desperately unlucky with a penalty shout and three denials by the tiang. They dominated and were far more threatening but in the end, it was two good individual efforts that put Swansea through (the third was again, bad luck, when the Forest player slipped and let the Swansea dude pick up the ball and put it into the empty goal).

If Swansea does not improve from that game, I think an all-Welsh final will sea Cardiff through.