Like The Fox On The Run

With Leicester City surging into promotion contention in the Championship, Nobes looks at other clubs who have come up with a late run to win promotion.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's Leicester are the form side in the Championship

Sure, Steve Claridge may have predicted as much on the BBC's The Football League Show, but so did our very own Doctor Lakes last month - Leicester City are on the march.

In fact, since Sven-Goran Eriksson took charge at the Walkers, no Championship side has done better than the Foxes with the Swede collecting 43 points from his 22 games at the helm.

Now lying 7th and just five points off the top two, City, who were propping up the rest of the division in the first few weeks under Paulo Sousa, are firmly in the promotion mix.

After his team's recent 4-1 loss in the East Midlands, Barnsley boss Mark Robins declared Leicester the best side in the division - and current form backs his judgement.

Should they indeed gain entry back to the Premier League though, they won't be the first side to win promotion off the back of a storming second half season run.

Here's my look at how some of their potential predecessors managed to do it.


Birmingham City - 2001/2

Perennial top six candidates, Birmingham parted company with long-serving boss Trevor Francis in 2001.

They then made an enemy for life in Simon Jordan in poaching Crystal Palace boss Steve Bruce to turn around their fortunes.

However, with nine games of the season remaining, it appeared promotion in his first season at the helm would be beyond former Blues player Bruce.

Not so. A combination of a late run coupled with rivals Preston, Burnley, and Coventry wobbling saw City get back into contention.

Five wins and four draws from their remaining matches secured 5th place and a shot in the play-offs.

There they saw off Millwall over two legs. Then they recovered from a goal behind to defeat Norwich on penalties in the final at the Millennium Stadium and reach the Premier League for the first time in their history.



Wrexham - 2002/3

When the Red Dragons went down to a loss at struggling Exeter at the beginning of March they were still just three points off 3rd in a congested top half of League Two.

However, they were a mammoth 21 points behind league leaders Hartlepool with only 42 points left to play for.

They dropped just eight of those points though, winning ten and drawing four, to finish the season promoted in 3rd.

They ended up three points off top of the table Rushden, a single point behind Hartlepool, and with the largest goal difference in the league.

It earned boss Denis Smith the Manager of the Year award in the basement division. In truth, had the season gone of for a couple more weeks, Wrexham would have been crowned Champions.

Remember when this man used to have the Midas touch? No, seriously.

Crystal Palace - 2003/4

God bless Iain Dowie.

You don't hear those words very often, but the remarkable run his Crystal Palace team went on in 2004 has provided great comfort to many a Championship club and boss since.

Should their side be struggling at Christmas, you can guarantee - in an appeal for more time to turn things around - that they will mention the dramatic turnaround in fortunes Dowie engineered in South London.

True, the Eagles were in the relegation zone at the start of December, but soon surged up the table until, with ten games left, they were just five points shy of the top six.

In those last ten, they won seven and drew one to end up 6th, having only moved into the play off positions for the first time in the penultimate round of fixtures.

Once in the play offs they saw off Sunderland on penalties in the semi finals before earning a sweet victory over Capital rivals West Ham in the final to end the season promoted to the top flight.



Sunderland - 2006/7

It was a run which made Roy Keane a legend on Wearside and established managerial credentials gradually destroyed over 18 months as Ipswich manager.

Still, before we discovered Keane's scouting network was reserved simply for former players, Irishmen, or Manchester United youngsters, he seemed to have the Midas touch in 2007.

The Black Cats rounded off 2006 sitting in 12th after a 1-0 loss to Preston at the Stadium Of Light. They sat six points off the play offs and a massive 16 behind leaders Birmingham.

However, in their final 20 games, Keane's charges won 16 and drew 3 to oust Birmingham from the top after game 42 and stay there to secure the league title and promotion.

The original late run and Blackpool play off win came under Simon Grayson

Blackpool - 2006/7

If Ian Holloway guiding Blackpool to play off success last term was a surprise, their promotion in 2007 was every bit as unexpected, and owed much to a good late run.

The Seasiders had only just avoided relegation the previous season and seemed to be in for a year of mid table mediocrity in League One.

A loss to Millwall in the back end of the campaign left them 10th, a full 12 points off second place.

However, Simon Grayson's men then went on a storming run of 11 wins and two draws to end up in 3rd spot, just two points off promoted Bristol City.

In truth, there was only going to be one winner in the play offs that season. Blackpool swotted aside Oldham in the semi finals before putting surprise package Yeovil to the sword 2-0 in the final.



Bristol Rovers - 2006/7

Clearly 2007 was the year of late runs, with Bristol Rovers filling that particular role in the basement division to win promotion.

When the Gas suffered a 2-1 defeat at Boston, they sat 16th in League Two with only 11 games of the season remaining.

Nobody could have envisaged what was to happen next. Rovers discovered a run of form and won eight and drew two in the run-in.

It culminated in them finishing 6th and they saw off play off veterans Lincoln over two legs to make the final.

There a 3-1 win at Wembley over Shrewsbury secured them the most unlikeliest of promotions to the third tier.

Coming to a concert hall near you soon - Phil Brown on top of the world in 2008

Hull City - 2007/8

Remember when Phil Brown wasn't known for being that eccentric orange-skinned man who enjoys berating his players on the pitch and singing badly?

I know, it seems hard to believe now, but Brown was making a name for himself in East Yorkshire - first saving Hull from relegation from the Championship and then progressing them up the table.

When they lost to table topping Bristol City at the beginning of March, the Tigers sat 11 points off 3rd place with 12 games of the campaign left to play.

Eight of those games were won, and another drawn, as Brown guided City to 3rd place, just four points behind promoted Stoke.

They went into the play offs strong favourites and, after casting aside Watford over two legs, a 1-0 win over, appropriately, Bristol City secured them top flight status for the first time in the club's history.



Notts County - 2009/10

Now, you might be spotting a pattern here - as well as rejoicing that we have the play offs in English football. Late run of form, qualify for play offs, win them.

You're not wrong. However, in the case of Notts County they didn't leave their chances to the end of season lottery.

In truth, County had been the title favourites last season with an expensively assembled squad that nobody thought they could afford - and they were right. They were also right about them winning the league though.

Notts did it the hard way, however. Their third manager of the season, Steve Cotterill, took over at Meadow Lane with them 7th in the division, trailing leaders Rochdale by a full 14 points.

In Cotterill's 18 games in charge, the Magpies won 14 and drew three of them. Coupled with Dale imploding, they secured the title by a decisive ten point margin.



While 14 games may be too few for Sven's men to close the ten point gap separating them and Championship leaders QPR, current form suggests that just points, rather than any other sides, will separate the Foxes and the Rs come May.

All or Nothing

After Blackpool seal promotion to the Premier League with their play-off victory against Cardiff, Nobes considers what the future could hold for both teams.

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway celebrates his team's play-off final triumph

To the neutral it probably didn't sound like the kind of final to get the pulse racing.

Indeed, money men aspiring to engineer a 39th top flight game played across the cities of Asia would have been less than impressed at the prospect of one of Blackpool or Cardiff joining England's elite.

It wouldn't have taken long for either party to change their pre-match conceptions. Insane, madness, and mental were just a few of the descriptions I saw used to describe the flurry of first half goals at Wembley on Saturday.

True, the mistakes which allowed Blackpool to lead 3-2 at the interval would have put shame to a pub team's back line. However, for sheer entertainment value, it made for a spectacle rarely surpassed in the top flight.

Aside from the usual talk of the glamour and riches of the Premier League awaiting the winner though, there was another underlying feeling about this year's final. For both Blackpool and Cardiff it was now, or never.

Indeed, those connected with the Welsh club even went as far as describing the clash as 'win or bust' for City. Bluebirds fans will now be hoping that was nothing more than typical pre-match hyperbole.

For the Lancashire outfit, perhaps their tenacity in twice coming from behind was evidence of their belief that, if they were to make the promised land, then they'd never have a better opportunity.

Now though, two clubs who went toe-to-toe in North London go their separate, and very different, ways for at least the next 12 months.

It would have been very tempting as the strains of the Dave Clark Five and 'Glad All Over' blasted out of the Wembley PA system for Blackpool to get too caught up in the Premier League odyssey they are now embarking on.

For a side who were one of the pre-season favourites for the drop from the Championship, a fixture list next term including the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United represents heady days indeed.

However, it is now crucial that their Latvian benefactor, Valeri Belokon, and chairman Karl Oyston ensure this Tangerine dream doesn't become a nightmare.

Encouragingly, Oyston has come out and said that pressing ahead with the construction of a fourth stand at Bloomfield Road will be a priority.

The third stand - dedicated to club legend Jimmy Armfield - was only opened at the tail end of the campaign. Until then, the club had been restricted to crowds around the 8,000 mark.

It's a further indication of the achievement Holloway has managed this term with a squad built on the cheap and the second lowest average attendances in the division.

In truth, just remaining amongst England's top-44 clubs is an achievement for the club in their current state. Now they'll be attempting to stay in the top-20.

Blackpool have only recently completed a third permanent stand at Bloomfield Road

Unsurprisingly, bookies already have Blackpool as strong favourites for an instant return in 12 months time.

Some observers have compared their meteoric rise to the top flight from nowhere to that of another Lancashire club last season - Burnley.

Despite the Clarets dropping straight back down though, such a comparison still being made in a year's time would not be such a bad thing for Pool.

Burnley have not 'bet on the farm' in the words of chairman Barry Kilby. They added modestly, and sensibly, to their promotion squad and the riches of the Premier League will stand them in good stead for the future.

Blackpool must spend their Premier League money, estimated to be around £90 million, in a similar fashion - using it to build a fourth stand and provide an improvement on training facilities Holloway described as a "horrible environment."

While their progress from the basement division has been rapid on the pitch, they have struggled to keep up with progress off it. Building an infrastructure that can help establish them in the Championship - not the Premier League - must be their primary aim.

After all, they need not look far for all the warning signs they need of what can happen when you win promotion and spend your money unwisely.

Bradford's signing of foreign stars on big wages crippled the club financially and relegation from the top flight was the beginning of a tumble down the divisions. They are languishing in League Two ten years later.

Another side from the other side of the Pennines, Hull City, are now in a similar position as they gear up for life in the Championship next season. The Tigers have a wage bill which threatens to tip them into financial peril.

It might sound like a defeatist attitude to simply take the money and run, but it is simply sensible.

By all means enjoy the top flight and the glamour it brings though. Judging by t-shirts on show at Wembley declaring 'Bye Bye Preston', Tangerines fans will also revel lauding it over their hated rivals from down the M55 - who are still to grace the Premier League.

As are Cardiff. For Dave Jones's side, after the most agonising of defeats, a summer of upheaval surely awaits.

The club is about to be transferred into the new ownership of a Malaysian consortium backed by billionaire businessman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun.

It's a move which will signal the end of chairman Peter Ridsdale's tenure at the club. Unfortunately for the controversial former Leeds man, he will forever be haunted by the financial meltdown he presided over at Elland Road.

Despite leaving City with debts estimated between £15 million and £30 million though, he has overseen a move to new training facilities and, most importantly, a new 25,000 stadium geared for the Premier League.

Cardiff City players contemplate missing out on the Premier League

Saturday's defeat is also likely to see departures on the playing front, with much sought-after midfielders Joe Ledley and Peter Whittingham leaving the club.

Striking trio Michael Chopra, Jay Bothroyd, and Ross McCormack could also be in demand.

For Jones, a manager who, despite his sometimes prickly attitude in post-match interviews, is well liked and respected, a major rebuilding job could be on the horizon.

He is already the division's longest serving manager - having been at the Welsh club since 2005 - and saw Wembley's final as the culmination of many year's work towards the Premier League.

Despite his experience of losing in the 2002 play-offs with Wolves only to triumph in them 12 months later, he will be aware that losing play-off finalists tend to find it hard to bounce back.

Sheffield United - beaten by Burnley in the final last year - only managed to finish 8th this time around.

He will also know that Cardiff have never had a better opportunity to make it back into the top flight after almost 50 years away.

Bristol City, another side never to have played in the Premier League, have only managed two mid-table finishes since losing the 2008 final to Hull.

Preston, too, have twice been losers in the final in the past decade and now, after a 17th placed finish this term, appear a long way from the top flight.

Barnsley, albeit having enjoyed one season in the Premier League, were defeated by Ipswich in the 2000 final and haven't finished in the Championship's top half since.

When the opportunity arises, smaller clubs must take it. When everything comes together and clicks, like Blackpool this term, and Hull and Watford in previous years - you must grab your chance to sit at football's top table. How long before Cardiff come as close again?

Well, if Jones remains at the helm then perhaps, with their new stadium and added financial backing, defeat at the national stadium need only be a temporary blip in Cardiff's Premier League ambitions.

More urgently however, the club - who have been dogged by financial problems throughout the season - have a date at the High Court next month to answer a winding up order.

Such was the thin line between success and failure - it is a meeting they will now be approaching with less confidence than had they beaten Blackpool at the weekend.

It is also the kind of scenario the Seasiders must strive that their Premier League jackpot ensures they never get into. Heavy losses on the pitch next season pale into insignificance compared to heavy losses off it.

Promotion has given this proud old club and their passionate support a chance to rebuild themselves for the future. They have taken the first opportunity with promotion, now they mustn't waste this next one.

Relegation next season may hurt temporarily, but the long term future for Blackpool can be promising and ensure they can feel glad - all over again.

Championship Play Off Final: Preview

Championship Play Off Final

Blackpool vs. Cardiff City

Saturday May 22, 15:00, Wembley

So it all comes down to this. The £40 million match. The most profitable game in football. And it will include DJ Campbell. Or does he prefer to be known as Dudley these days?

I'll try my best to hide my disgust and disappointment but I can't help but feel as if the Championship has been slightly cheated with this final.

A team who are in serious amounts of debt as they have continued to spend way beyond their means against a team who are unable to fill a stadium that has a smaller capacity than my father's shed.

Not that I'm bitter at them doing better than Forest.

Still, lets take nothing away from either team. They deserve to be in this final. Why? Because they are in the final. That means they were good enough to progress to the final. Do you follow?

On to the game. Blackpool vs. Cardiff may not get most people's pulses racing, but this is going to be a very exciting games between two teams who know how to find the back of the net.

I'm predicting full throttle action with goals a-plenty. Between them, these two teams have racked up 147 goals in the league.

Blackpool progressed to the final by beating Nottingham Forest 6-4 on aggregate, with four of those goals coming at the City Ground.

The previously mentioned Campbell managed to bag a hat-trick on that occasion so he will certainly be a player to watch out for but the man Cardiff most need to be aware of is Charlie Adam.

The lad spells goals - if you're dyslexic - and is one of the reasons Ian Holloway's Tangerines managed to get into the play-offs.

He's scored 17 league goals - including the play-offs - so far and with Denzel Junior (DJ) Campbell hitting a hat-trick in the semi-finals, they don't look short up top.

Ian Holloway will be leading his boys out and don't be too surprised if he turns up in a tangerine suit. The former QPR and Leicester boss is a bit of a joker but he knows how to produce a good team.

Only Leicester fans can have genuine complaints about his managerial quality and I can imagine a few of the Premier League higher-ups are concerned about his potential presence in the top-flight.

Both games between Blackpool and Cardiff this season have ended 1-1

I have a little bit of a soft spot for Blackpool, despite having Lakes constantly bleating about how disgusting and disgraceful they are. However, I have absolutely no time for Cardiff.

I don't like their chairman, I don't like their manager, I don't like their players and I don't like their fans. I'm not a fan of their financial policy and am fearful that in a few years time, Cardiff City may be in serious trouble as a result of today's splurges.

However, these splurges have produced goals. They have two of the top six scorers in the division — Peter Whittingham with 22 goals and Michael Chopra on 17 goals, and they have the surprisingly impressive Bothroyd chipping in as well.

They'll be tough to contain but they do have a tendency to bottle it on the grand stage. A month or so ago, it looked likely that Cardiff were going to drop out of the play-offs altogether.

No-one seemed surprised because they have developed a reputation of leaving before the party has finished. However, they put a tasty run together and now find themselves in pole position for promotion.

I don't expect a cagey affair and, as already mentioned, I'm expecting goals.

It may not be the high profile final fans were hoping for but Blackpool and Cardiff fans alike won't give two hoots about them. It's got passion, it's got drama and it will have excitement.

Whoever goes up is going to come straight back down with a black eye and a sore arse but they don't want to mess up this opportunity because it could very well be their last chance for a while to make it into the big time.

Turls' Prediction: Cardiff City 3 Blackpool 2

Championship Play Offs: Ties Preview

After an in-depth look at the four teams involved, we now take a look at the ties in question.

Nobes previews the two Championship play off semi finals - and sticks his neck on the line over who will contest the final.




Nottingham Forest vs. Blackpool

First leg: Saturday May 8, 12:45, Bloomfield Road
Second leg: Tuesday May 11, 19:45, City Ground

Form (last six games):

Nottingham Forest: DWLWDD
Blackpool: DWWLWW

Previous meetings:

Blackpool 3-1 Nottingham Forest, April 17, Bloomfield Road
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Blackpool, September 19, City Ground

The tie:

Having sneaked into the top six in the final two weeks of the season, surprise package Blackpool are now just three games away from the Premier League.

Ian Holloway's revolution by the seaside has transformed one of the pre-season favourites for the drop into a team who have battled all term for a play-off place.

Standing between them and a shot at promotion at Wembley are Nottingham Forest.

The men from the City Ground posed the only real threat to Newcastle and West Brom's domination of the division this season, but Billy Davies's side utlimately had to settle for a spot in the end of season lottery.

Ironically, their opponents were the last team to beat them on home soil - and the only team to take six points off them this term. An element of revenge will no doubt be on the mind of the former Preston boss therefore.

This is a match-up between two teams whose home form is much better than their results on the road. Forest haven't won away in 11, and only recently lost on a visit to Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders almost always score at home, but have proved vulnerable on their travels, and will need to take some kind of lead to protect into the second leg if they're to stand a chance.

Play-off encounters are usually tighter than regular games during the season, and the fact the two teams have met recently could also be a factor.

However, with Forest being so strong at home and playing the second leg there, they may just have too much for Blackpool.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest





Cardiff City vs. Leicester City
First leg: Sunday May 9, 13:15, Walkers Stadium
Second leg: Wednesday May 12, 19:45, Cardiff City Stadium

Form (last six games):

Cardiff City: LWWDDW
Leicester City: WWWWWL

Previous meetings:

Cardiff City 2-1 Leicester City, March 30, Cardiff City Stadium
Leicester City 1-0 Cardiff City, March 13, Walkers Stadium

The tie:

It's almost been impossible to separate Cardiff and Leicester this season. They both won their home games against one in the regular season - matches which happened in the space of three weeks.

The two clubs also finished level on points after 46 matches - with Cardiff having a superior goal difference of just three.

All of which means that deciding who will have the edge over two play-off ties is very difficult to call.

Do Cardiff have the advantage playing at home in the second leg? Do Leicester actually prefer making the most out of a home advantage in the first game and taking a lead to Wales to defend?

This one could go all the way into extra time and penalties - they might even need to toss a coin to decide who goes to Wembley. Leicester look favourites so, because strange things happen in the play-offs, I'll go for Cardiff.

Prediction: Cardiff City

Championship Play Offs: Teams Preview

The Championship play-offs kick off this weekend. We'll take a closer look at the matches later in the week.

First of all, Nobes takes a look at the four teams fighting it out for a place in next season's Premier League.

Final top of the table:

.............................P.....GD.....PTS
1. Newcastle..........46.....55......102
2. West Brom.........46.....41.......91
--------------------------------------------
3. Nottm. Forest.....46.....25.......79
4. Cardiff...............46.....19.......76
5. Leicester............46.....16.......76
6. Blackpool...........46.....16.......70
--------------------------------------------
7. Swansea............46......3........69





Nottingham Forest






Story of the season:

After narrowly avoiding the drop last term, Forest have been rejuvenated under the wily Billy Davies.

An expensive summer rebuilding job took time to settle in, but the team went on a 20-match unbeaten run from September to January lifting them right into the automatic promotion mix.

Ultimately, they were unable to last the pace with Newcastle and West Brom, but comfortably took 3rd place.

Manager:

Billy Davies kept up his proud record of never finishing outside the top six in the Championship when in charge for a full season. The 45-year-old is now embarking on his fourth play-off campaign.

He twice lost with Preston, in the 2005 final and 2006 semis, and was promoted with Derby through the play-offs in 2007.

A passionate Scot, he is known for his attention to detail on the training ground and fiery temperament on the touchline. Tactically very shrewd.

Strength:

Forest have turned the City Ground into a fortress. They have lost just three times on home soil and are unbeaten there since September - a run of 19 matches.

They've also conceded just 13 goals at home this season, including keeping clean sheets in nine of their last ten City Ground contests.

The experience of manager Davies in play-off situations must also count in their favour.

Weakness:

Davies's men were the last professional team to be unbeaten away from home this season. However, after going 13 games without defeat on the road, they've failed to win any of their last 11 away matches.

Having finished third, Forest will also have pressure on them - and expectations will be high that they can improve upon their disappointing play-off record and return to the top flight.

Key players:

Forest have conceded just 40 goals in their 46 games, and have an excellent defensive unit - including keeper Lee Camp [left]. His performances this season have led to him being suggested for the England World Cup squad.

He's also taken as captain after a long-term injury to influential midfield man Paul McKenna.

That also increases the importance of winger Paul Anderson. The former Liverpool man has shown glimpses of pure quality this term and his pace can electrify any encounter.

Powerful and pacy striker Dexter Blackstock - who's found the back of the net 14 times this season - could also play an important role.

Play-off history:

Forest have appeared in the play-offs twice - losing in the semi finals both times.

In 2002/3, under Paul Hart, they lost to Sheffield United 5-4 over the two legs in the Championship play-offs.

In 2006/7, Colin Calderwood's Forest team threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 5-2 in the second leg to Yeovil in the League One play-offs.

Top flight pedigree

Unbelievably, promotion to the Premier League would see Forest make their first appearance in the top flight since 1999.

The former English and European Champions were constant members of the top flight during the '80s and most of the '90s.

They have fallen on harder times recently - including a three year spell in League One - but can still legitimately claim to be at home in the Premier League.





Cardiff City






Story of the season:

One of the pre-season favourites for the top six, Cardiff have, for once, lived up to their billing and consistently held down a play-off spot this term.

They missed out on the top six by the narrowest of margins on the final day last season. However, this time they have put off-field financial worries aside and shown greater resilience.

Rarely out of the top six, they have shown the typical attacking flair and quality associated with their play to take 4th.

Manager:

Dave Jones has been in charge in the Welsh capital for five seasons, and has finally taken them into the play-offs.

The Scouser has experience in the end of season lottery - taking Wolverhampton Wanderers into the play-offs twice - winning them the second time around.

At 53, he is the oldest manager in the play-offs, and likes to encourage his team to play good football and entertain.

Strength:

Quite simply, on their day, Cardiff have the ability to score plenty of goals and beat anyone in the division.

They hit Derby and Bristol City for six, and scored four past Sheffield United, Scunthorpe, Watford, Peterborough, and play-off opponents Leicester.

A rich array of attacking quality up-front, in midfield, and out wide makes containing them a difficult prospect.

Weakness:
Even with them making the top six this term, Cardiff have still shown the kind of brittleness associated with previous campaigns.

Throwing away a 4-0 lead at struggling Peterborough was typical of their ability to squander good positions. A willingness to play good football can often lead them to being exposed at the back too.

Key players:

With Cardiff's attacking emphasis, striker Michael Chopra can always be guaranteed good service and plenty of opportunities. He's found the back of the net 19 times.

City's top scorer though is actually midfielder Peter Whittingham [left]. The left winger and dead-ball specialist has notched up an outstanding 23 goals for the Bluebirds this term.

At the back, summer signing from Walsall, Anthony Gerrard, has matured into an excellent centre back whose presence at the back will be important if Cardiff are to prosper.

Play-off history:

This may be Cardiff's first time in the Championship play-offs, but they've appeared twice in the end of season lottery in the lower leagues.

In 1996/7 they lost out to Northampton in the League Two play-offs in the semi finals.

However, they had more success in League One in 2003. After seeing off Severnside rivals Bristol City in the semis, they defeated QPR in the final to seal promotion to the Championship.

Top flight pedigree:

Cardiff have never played in the Premier League. Indeed, it's been 48 years since City appeared in the top flight of English football.

During the '80s and '90s, City struggled along in the lower two tiers before winning promotion to the Championship in 2003.

That's where they have remained ever since - flirting with the play-offs on occasions and holding down a comfortable mid-table position.





Leicester City






Story of the season:

The Foxes were last season's League One winners, and have continued their form this term as they have mounted a second successive promotion campaign.

They've never dropped lower than 10th, and were always in the running for the play offs.

A run of four straight defeats late on threatened their top six position, but City recovered to win their last five games and secure 5th spot.

Manager:

Nigel Pearson has been the architect of Leicester's renaissance after taking charge of the club in 2008.

City walked away with the League One title in his first season at the helm, and the step-up in division hasn't stopped them from continuing the same impressive form.

A talented coach, he has marshalled a team who work very hard and are well organised. His record in the transfer market has also been very good.

Strength:

A side with an excellent work ethic and organisation, who have the ability to play good football, but also deal with the physical side of the game.

Leicester also have a group of players who are used to winning and have developed a great team spirit and unity over the past two years.

Five successive wins also means they come into the play-offs in good form.

Weakness:

Pearson is the only one of the four managers to have never experienced play-off football before. Can he prepare his side for the mental battle ahead in dealing with the pressure?

Given their form, winning mentality, play-off history, and impressive home record, it could be argued too that Leicester are the favourites. Can they handle that title?

Key Players:

Joint top scorer Matty Fryatt [left] is returning from injury and is always a reliable source of goals for the Foxes - particularly in key games where chances may be few and far between.

Midfield man Richie Wellens has been a steadying presence on the ball for City this term and has the vision and guile that may be needed to open up a tight encounter.

Andy King has had another excellent season - getting into double figures in the scoring charts.


Play-off history:

Leicester are looking to make it a hat-trick of promotions via the Championship play-offs.

They've actually made the play-offs five times, losing the 1992 final to Blackburn and the 1993 final to Swindon.

However, they were finally promoted in the 1994 final under Brian Little after beating local rivals Derby County 2-1.

Two years later, and this time under Martin O'Neill, they were 2-1 victors over Crystal Palace at Wembley to gain promotion again.

Top flight pedigree:

After promotion in 1994, Leicester were instantly relegated but bounced back at the first attempt. That heralded the start of six successive seasons in the top flight before relegation in 2002.

They once again bounced back at the first time of asking, but were immediately relegated. Before this season, they've rarely looked like returning to the Premier League, and even suffered relegation to League One in 2008.





Blackpool






Story of the season:

The surprise package of the Championship. Despite having one of the smallest budgets and crowds in the division, the Seasiders have been a revelation.

They made a solid start to the season, without ever looking like top six challengers. However, by Christmas, they were firmly in the play off race.

An inconsistent spell at the start of 2010 left them five points off the play-offs with eight to play.

Six wins from seven saw them edge out Swansea on the penultimate weekend and a last day draw secured them 6th and the final play-off berth.

Manager:

After a disastrous tenure at Leicester, Ian Holloway has rebuilt his reputation with Blackpool.

Tipped to struggle before a ball had been kicked, the popular Bristolian was backed in the transfer market - including the signing of midfielder Charlie Adam for £500,000.

After a reputation for producing effective if dour sides at Plymouth and QPR, Holloway has the Tangerines playing an attractive, adventurous style of play which has won as many plaudits as points.

Strength:

They are massive underdogs. Nobody expected Blackpool to be in the play-offs, and their hopes looked dead and buried a couple of months ago.

They now come into the play-offs in good form and have turned Bloomfield Road into a difficult place for opponents to visit - only faiing to score once at home all season.

They will also be pleased with facing Forest - they are the only side to do the 'double' over the East Midlands side this term.

Weakness:

How much more can they give? Holloway has overachieved getting Pool this far - can they continue their fairytale over two legs in the pressure cooker environment of the play-offs?

They've also lost more games away from home than any other top six side - and must travel for the all-important second leg.

Key players:

The driving force behind Pool's play-off charge has been former Rangers man Charlie Adam [left]. With 17 goals and numerous assists to his name this term, he will be vital to any hope they have of promotion.

Keeper Matt Gilks has taken over as the Number 1 at Bloomfield Road. An excellent shot stopper, he may be called upon regularly in the play-offs.

Veteran striker Brett Ormerod - in his second spell at the club - has been in typically good scoring form with 12 goals over the campaign. His goals could be key again.


Play-off history:

The Seasiders are appearing in the play-offs for the sixth time and have had a mixed bag of results.

They lost the 1991 League Two final to Torquay on penalties, but 12 months later were victorious at the same stage on spot kicks against Scunthorpe.

Their next taste of the play-offs came in 1996, where Sam Allardyce's Blackpool threw away a 2-0 first leg advantage to lose to Bradford 3-2 in the semis.

In 2001, they were promoted from League Two via the play-offs under Steve McMahon after a 4-2 win over Leyton Orient in the final.

Most recently, they gained promotion to the Championship after beating Yeovil 2-0 in the 2007 final to win the League One play-offs under Simon Grayson.

Top flight pedigree:

Promotion to the Premier League would be a first for Blackpool. The Lancashire team haven't played in the top flight of English football since 1971.

Since then, they've tumbled all the way down to the lower reaches of the basement division and, before their 2007 promotion to the Championship, yo-yoed between the bottom two divisions in the Football League.


We'll have an in-depth look at the two Championship play-off ties later in the week.

Big Match Revew - Plymouth 0 Blackpool 2

...

Championship

Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Blackpool

Saturday March 27, Home Park, (Att: 10,614)

Two goals in four second half minutes were enough for Blackpool to keep alive their play-off ambitions and put a big dent in Plymouth's Championship survival hopes.

The home side had the better of the opportunities in the first period and arguably should have taken the lead.

Bradley Wright-Phillips twice denied by a combination of goalkeeper and defence after some good work on the right hand side by Jamie Mackie.

Pool improved after the interval though and were infortunate not to go in-front when Charlie Adam's curling effort from outside the box struck the upright and bounced away to safety.

However, the Lancashire side's top scorer wasn't to be denied his 16th goal of the season. Adam picked up a neat backheel from Stephen Dobbie to fire the ball low past David Stockdale in the Plymouth goal.

That was with just 12 minutes remaining, and not long after the Seasiders had sealed the points. This time Adam's ball through unleashing Dobbie to cooly smash home.

The game was up for Plymouth - who look increasingly likely to be relegated. However, a happy return to Home Park keeps Ian Holloway and Blackpool in touch with the top six.

Big Match Preview

Championship

Plymouth Argyle vs. Blackpool

Saturday March 27, 15:00, Home Park

Play-off chasing Blackpool make the long trip down to the South West to face a Plymouth side desperately trying to climb out of the Championship's relegation zone.

With points so precious to both teams, there'll be added spice with the return of Seasiders boss Ian Holloway to a club he acrimonioulsy left in 2007.

The Pilgrims are now under the management of Paul Mariner, who took charge just before Christmas after Paul Sturrock was removed due to poor results.

Things have improved marginally under the new man, but Argyle still go into Saturday's game five points adrift of safety with time running out.

Their cause was boosted by an impressive 2-0 win at Mariner's old club Ipswich in midweek. However, it's their form at Home Park which will determine their fate come May.

That makes the visit of Blackpool a must-win for the Devon side, despite their opponent's lofty position.

Plymouth will therefore be hoping top scorer Jamie Mackie can add to his eight goals this term and take advantage of opponents who have struggled on the road.

Paul Mariner is battling to keep Plymouth in next's season Championship

They're likely to face a Pool team full of confidence though after they recorded their biggest win of the season on Tuesday night.

A stunning 5-1 win at Bloomfield Road against high flying Swansea re-ignited Holloway's men's play-off challenge. They'll now be hoping to put a run together - starting with recording their first away win since Boxing Day.

Indeed, the Tangerines have suffered defeat in four of their last five games on the road. A goalless draw at Lancashire rivals Preston represents their only positive result away from home.

If they are to make a late push for the top six - they currently sit five points off the play-offs - then the experienced Holloway will expect to beat his struggling former side.

The undoubted star man in the Blackpool side this season has been former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam. The big-money summer signing has been worth every penny - notching 15 goals of his own and creating numerous others.

With the experienced duo of Ben Burgess and Brett Ormerod up front, if Adam is on his game then the Plymouth defence can be sure of a tough examination.

It's the time of the season though where the greater needs often tells - and Plymouth's is that. The Argyle faithful will also be desperate to beat their former manager's new team.

They have made themselves harder to beat on home soil and, if they can quieten Blackpool's attacking verve, then they can collect a priceless three points.

Nobes' Prediction: Plymouth Argyle 2 Blackpool 1

Big Match Review - Leicester 2 Blackpool 1

Championship

Leicester City 2-1 Blackpool

Saturday September 12, Walkers Stadium (Att: 22,827)

A goal in each half from Matty Fryatt was enough to earn all three points for Leicester as the Foxes moved into the top six of the Championship and inflicted a first defeat on former manager Ian Holloway's Blackpool.

It was the away side who started the game brightly though. Midfielder Keith Southern's strike from the edge of the box hit the post and the rebound from Jason Euell was pushed away by home keeper Chris Weale.

Back came Leicester, and Steve Howard saw his goalbound header saved by Paul Rachubka in the Seasiders goal. However, he was powerless to stop Fryatt putting the hosts ahead when the striker latched onto a quickly taken free-kick to slot the ball home.

However, Blackpool were level just five minutes later. Jay-Emmanuel Thomas won the ball back in midfield before realeasing Charlie Adam whose mazy run took him through the Leicester defence and past Weale to slide in the equaliser.

City could have gone into half time in the lead though. Dany N'Guessan's header went narrowly wide of Rachubka's upright, and then Matt Oakley's free-kick hit it.

However, they weren't to be denied in the second period. A mistake at the back allowing Fryatt to run onto the ball, keep his compsoure, and round Rachubka to fire Leicester to their first win over Pool in 43 years.

Big Match Preview

Championship
Leicester City vs. Blackpool
Saturday September 12, 15:00, Walkers Stadium

Ian Holloway takes his Blackpool side back to former club Leicester this weekend in a clash between two sides who have made encouraging starts to their respective Championship campaigns.

The experienced Bristolian joined the Seasiders over the summer after caretaker boss Tony Parkes failed to agree a permanent contract at the club. And, after successive fights against the drop in the past two years, the club have made an unbeaten start to this season.

Backed by the wealth of Latvian businessman Valeri Belokon, the former QPR boss has already broken the club's transfer fee record with the £500,000 signing of Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam.

It's a sign of the ambition at Bloomfield Road, with the long-awaited South Stand nearing completion, and the team looking to establish themselves in the top half of the Championship.

Four successive league draws were followed by a 3-0 win over Coventry, and the team in Tangerine have also progressed through to the Third Round of the League Cup after a thumping 4-1 win over Wigan.

Former Foxes boss Holloway took over at Blackpool in the summer

The trip to the East Midlands is likely to provide Pool with one of their toughest examinations to date though. Leicester are unbeaten at home in nearly a year and, after a positive start themselves, lie 8th - a place and a point above the Lancashire side.

Nigel Pearson's men ran away with the League One title last season, and have taken the momentum forwards to the beginning of this term. The Foxes have won both of their home games, against Swansea and Barnsley, and secured solid draws at Ipswich and Sheffield United.

However, they'll be looking to bounce back against Blackpool after suffering their first loss of the campaign last time out - a 1-0 defeat at top-of-the-table Newcastle.

City boast a good mix of youth and experience in their side, centre halves Jack Hobbs and Wayne Brown providing a solid base, and the strike duo of Matty Fryatt and Steve Howard is a classic little man-big man combination.

With the guile of Ricky Wellens and Matt Oakley in midfield and pace out wide from Lloyd Dyer and Dany N'Guessan, Leicester look well placed for a challenge for the top six.

It promises to be a clash of two confident sides at the Walkers, and with the added spice of Holloway's return to a club he endured an ill-fated spell with, all the ingredients are there.

Blackpool have made a solid start to the new season, but the international break probably came at the wrong time for them. And with Leicester desperate to get back to winning ways, it may well be an unhappy return for 'Ollie.'

Nobes' Prediction: Leicester City 2 Blackpool 1