Many thanks to Jamie Jamieson who tackled our questions with 3 games left to play and he has been pretty accurate so far with his predictions, lets hope he gets his final one wrong. Many Thanks James.
1 – Do your pre-season expectations for your team match the reality of where you are in the League 1 table?
Absolutely not. I would have been more than happy with a mid-table finish, but this season has totally outweighed expectations and it’s been brilliant to see. The recruitment last summer was exceptional.
2 – With about a month left in the fixtures calendar, where do you see your club ending up in the League 1 table, and in the same manner where do you think the MK Dons will finish up?
As I write this with 3 games left to play, I think we will just finish inside the play off places, probably 6th. I think MK will finish 3rd but have put themselves in a tremendous position to potentially gate crash the top 2 as Rotherham have not been playing that well lately. However, I expect Paul Warne’s experience of getting his teams promoted from this league before will work in his favour.
3 –The playoff picture is still very confused, who do you see going up as of right, and the four clubs to make the playoffs, and indeed the playoff winners?
I think Wigan will win the league and Rotherham as runners up. MK Dons, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, and Plymouth Argyle will likely make up the play offs. This would mean Mk and Plymouth playing each other again in the play offs a few days later! However, I certainly wouldn’t rule out Wycombe getting 6th place. A lot can still happen with teams feeling the pressure as the finishing line gets closer. As for who will win the play offs? That is impossible to say, and I should really go with my team but I don’t want to jinx it. I’m going to say Sheffield Wednesday as they look in really good form.
4 – At the other end of the table the race for survival is also on, who do you think will get relegated?
Crewe, Doncaster, AFC Wimbledon, and Gillingham for the drop. I have a feeling Cole Stockton’s goals will keep Morecambe up. The teams down the bottom have been so poor this season.
5 – Who for you is the best player in League 1?
Barry Bannan and Scott Twine have really stood out for me, but Bannan just gets the nod. He’s got that swagger and really shouldn’t be playing in league 1.
6 – Who are the best and worst teams you have played this season?
Crewe are definitely the worst I’ve seen. Wigan are the best side all round but the best performance I witnessed was when Sheffield Wednesday destroyed us 4-2 at Hillsborough. Barry Bannan totally ran the show that game.
7 – All fans love an away day; can you tell us the best and worst grounds you have visited and why?
I really enjoyed Portman Road even though we lost 1-0! A proper stadium that can generate an awesome atmosphere. It would be fitting for the Premier league. As for the worst, I’d say probably the Priestfield Stadium. That scaffolding away end is a shocker and a totally miserable experience on a rainy day. Having said that we did win there 2-0 this season for the first time in decades!
8 – Can you tell us the style of play we can expect to see from your team?
We always set up 3-5-2 and play through the thirds with our wing backs getting forward at every opportunity. We are especially dangerous on the counterattack with our midfield being very adept at breaking up attacks and hitting teams with pace on the break. Our central midfield trio of Jordan Houghton, Danny Mayor and Panutche Camara have been a revelation this season as well as our solid defence and Mike Cooper in goal has been fantastic. Think we’ve kept 18 clean sheets. The pace and finishing ability of Ryan Hardie in attack has been crucial to our success this season too
9 – Can you give us a player from each team that you feel will have the greatest influence on the result of the game?
Scott Twine for MK and Danny Mayor for us. When Danny is really on his game, the rest of the team usually clicks and plays well. I haven’t seen much of Twine but the little I have he looks to have all the attributes to play at the highest level.
10 – Thanks for taking part, all we need now is your prediction for the game?
I’ll go 2-1 to Argyle. There could be so much riding on this game, with automatic promotion at stake, or so little with both sides secure in the playoffs. Whatever happens it’s been a fantastic season for both clubs. It’s been great to see both teams playing attractive winning football in such a competitive league alongside so many big clubs.
