Anyone else think it's too close to call!!!

[Scarface]

One single game, so many factors that could influence the result (one piece of brilliance, one stupid blunder, one bad decision from the ref....), teams that are so close together in league performances......

I can't predict which way it'll go.

Let's face it, had it not been a stupid Cardiff goal keeping error and some brainless defending we may not even be at Wembley. Any non RTG will admit that Swansea over the season were the better side and they would be favourites, but it's a final and as Birmingham proved against Arsenal anything can happen.

For us to win I think we'll probably need a fantastic performance from every player and then an element of luck.

It is more than possible though and this is coming from a glass half empty bloke.

[Snowball]

One single game, so many factors that could influence the result (one piece of brilliance, one stupid blunder, one bad decision from the ref....), teams that are so close together in league performances......

I can't predict which way it'll go.

Let's face it, had it not been a stupid Cardiff goal keeping error and some brainless defending we may not even be at Wembley. Any non RTG will admit that Swansea over the season were the better side and they would be favourites, but it's a final and as Birmingham proved against Arsenal anything can happen.

For us to win I think we'll probably need a fantastic performance from every player and then an element of luck.

It is more than possible though and this is coming from a glass half empty bloke.

Disagree. We weren't much for 15 games but have been noticeably
better than Swansea since game 16, and took a further step up
when Elwood came into the side.

[PREMIERSHIP_ROYAL]

My head says Reading due to the incredible run we went on after xmas and the confidence in the squad after beating Cardiff so convincingly.

But my heart reminds me that im a Reading fan and shouldnt really get my hopes up and to just enjoy it while it lasts

[Great Knolly]

it's too close to call.

[Ian Royal]

Both teams are very close in terms of quality at the moment... but that doesn't mean it'll be a close result. If we let Swansea dominate possession and sneak a goal we'll have to go for it and could lose heavily. Likewise if we get our noses ahead, as Swansea go for it more and more, we are a team that excels at quick break aways and piling on the goals late on.

[SWLR]

Baker St to Wembley Central and walk up Olympic Way, or
Marleybone to Wembley Station and short stroll to West Stand.

Too close to call.... Met Line is the one I know best so will stick with that.

Also:

Amersham to Wemb Cent, or
Beaconsfield to Wemb Station.

Decisions/ Decisions

[200 Miles]

just hope penalties have been practiced at length

[Platypuss]

just hope penalties have been practiced at length

About 12 yards, I'd hope.

[Snowball]

Both teams are very close in terms of quality at the moment... but that doesn't mean it'll be a close result. If we let Swansea dominate possession and sneak a goal we'll have to go for it and could lose heavily. Likewise if we get our noses ahead, as Swansea go for it more and more, we are a team that excels at quick break aways and piling on the goals late on.

How many times this season have we lost heavily?

I'd say none




1-3 QPR (losing 2-1 until the 71st minute)
1-3 Boro (Boro goal in the 24th second)

Other than that, including playing three Premiership sides
all our defeats have been by a single goal.

1-2 Norwich (winner in 94th minute, playing with 10 men)
0-1 Swansea
0-1 Swansea
0-1 QPR
0-1 Bristol
1-2 Scunthorpe (a season ago!)
2-3 Sheffield United.

0-1 Manchester City (FA Cup) In next year's Champions League

[Schards#2]

Away defeats:

Reading - 5

Swansea - 11

Is an interesting stat

[LUX]

agreed Schards. Obviously Swansea are pretty good, but they had some horrific away results this season.

[Alan Partridge]

Both sides on their day I'd say Swansea are the better team but in a one off game when there isn't THAT much between the sides who knows. Bit of a contrast in styles which always makes for a good game.

My gut feeling is Reading are going to win, due something in playoffs.

[Ian Royal]

Away defeats:

Reading - 5

Swansea - 11

Is an interesting stat

Sadly so is Away wins:

Reading - 8

Swansea - 9

Draws don't count for squat in the play off final.

[Red]

Away defeats:

Reading - 5

Swansea - 11

Is an interesting stat

Sadly so is Away wins:

Reading - 8

Swansea - 9

Draws don't count for squat in the play off final.

Neither do previous results.

[rfc2001]

Don't want to sound a pessimist, but I think it will be either a Swansea romp, or Reading scraping it.

But reading are really efficient in what they do,

I do however think we can grind it out and win.

Set pieces should be heavily focused on, as their team isn't blessed with height

[Big Ern]

Would say that Swansea are slight favourites, 60% Swansea and 40% Reading. I have a strange feeling that things are different now and we might do it, but my heart says Swansea still.

[Sarah Star]

Away defeats:

Reading - 5

Swansea - 11

Is an interesting stat

Sadly so is Away wins:

Reading - 8

Swansea - 9

Draws don't count for squat in the play off final.

I'd say draws do count though. Hold out for a draw and it's into penalties... OK, so then it's a lottery.

[KC Royal]

Too close to call in respect of;

My head says - Swansea win
My heart says - Reading win


I felt exactly the same at Cardiff!

Pretty much the same as me... though my head said extra-time against Cardiff once Bellamy was ruled out of the 2nd leg.

My gut feeling on a matchday seems to be uncannily accurate a lot of the time, over the last 5 years anyway.

My head is slightly more in favour of Reading than it was a week ago. We're the underdogs imo, and a 2 week break doesn't suit us, especially away. We're a team that thrives on games in quick succession when in form. But taking each club away from home has given me a bit more confidence. All in all, thinking 2-1 Swansea, extra-time if Kebe comes off the bench.

Low expectations has worked fine this year and no pressure to win is preferable anyway for me.

Been to Wembley 4 times (1 old, 3 new) for England games, all enjoyable days, so there's a lot riding on this for me! Although seeing Reading in a Wembley final is something i'm not sure i ever thought i would see so i'm just going to soak in as much of the day as possible.