Palace v Watford.

Well at least we now know the play-off finalists. As you know I was dreading Leicester getting to the final and you know my prediction of a Brighton v Leicester final was way off line. That's why I don't gamble, my heart rules my head and as such I'd always be in debt to the bookie.

Pleased for Ollie though, he seems to have knack of getting to Wembley. But I do believe he wouldn't have achieved it with us this time. Towards the end of time with us I felt he had run out of ideas and enthusiasm for the club. Not really surprising having put up with the chairman for so long. I won't put the kybosh on him by predicting a Palace win, but I wish him all the best.

In a short time Wigan take on the mighty Arsenal at the Emirates and need a win to give them a fighting chance of staying up. Their last game is against Villa who are also fighting for their premiership lives. Martinez is the past master of pulling off the impossible and he will need all his guile and motivation to do it this time. Genuine nice guy and again I wish him all the best for tonight.

 

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Congrats to Wigan.....

It's good to see the underdog come through in one of the few competitions where this can happen. It's what dreams are made of. You don't get picked in the original line up and become the hero when you come on as sub to score a cracking winning goal. Well done Ben Watson. In a game that was tight you just knew one goal would decide it. Man City really didn't look like they had it in them to win it, but although Wigan had plenty of possession they seemed to take an age to move forward. At times understandably, they looked nervous when they had the ball and were guilty of taking an extra touch rather than hitting the ball earlier. McManaman was one of the main culprits for this, taking on Glichy too many times instead of moving quicker. But he was Wigan's most dangerous player and was named Man of the Match. It was good to see Dave Whelan's return to Wembley being a happier occasion than last time he was there as a player, when a broken leg ended his playing career. I'm also pleased for Roberto Martinez, a genuinely nice guy, to add ther FA Cup to his CV. Whether he stays next season or is enticed away only time will tell. But quite rightly he's concentrating on keeping Wigan in the premiership. Good luck to him.

The championship first leg play-offs are out the way with Leicester taking a 1-0 goal lead to Watford tomorrow, with  Palace and Brighton still with everything to play for at 0-0. Hope I'm wrong but I can see a Brighton v Leicester final. Just hope if that happens Brighton come out on top.

A season to forget, roll on next season....

Pleased this season's out the way. We ended with a 2-2 draw away at Bolton, which in the end was a bit disappointing considering we were 2-0 up and playing some lovely football. They got one back through Eagles and got their equaliser by way of a massive deflection. So we went in 2-2, like I said disappointing.

So now it's contract renewal time, with 37 players currently out of contract (not an ideal situation) it should be interesting to see who we retain and who are shown the door. According to Will Watt of the Gazette we'll have 14 players retained with a number of deals on the table for others. Rumour has it Ian Evatt might be released. I don't think his injury problems have helped his cause much.

This is the quietest end to a season we've known for a couple of years having been involved in play-offs previously. Although it'll be a hat-trick for Ollie with his Palace side making it, together with Brighton, Leicester (Ollie's bogey side) and Watford. I have a horrible feeling Leicester could just do it. Don't like them or their manager, but having scraped into the play-offs on Saturday at the expense of Bolton, they could end doing what we did when we got promoted. I think Zola's Watford have blown it and so could have Brighton despite having a decent run of late.

Bit of breaking news with the announcement of Fergie's retirement at ManU and with David Moyes being made his replacement. I bet Bill Kenwright and the Everton fans are gutted losing him after 11 years, but as we know anything can happen in football.

With Wolves sacking Dean Saunders and Kenny Jackett leaving Millwall, the close season should be an interesting time. As for me I'll be keeping myself busy building a brick garage after getting rid of an old asbestos and wood monstrosity.