By singingshiver
May 12 2003

This weekend saw the start of what could be the most entertaining and closest division 1 playoffs in recent years. Sheffield United, Reading, Wolves and Nottingham Forest all have a great chance of celebrating promotion at the Millenium Stadium come May 26th. Lets have a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the four teams in question.

Sheffield United finished the highest of the four teams and have proven to be a very difficult team to beat. They are strong all round and Michael Brown is a real gem in the midfield, playing along side the veteran Stuart Mcall. They have been consistent for most the season and had phenomenal success in both cup competitions. Just ask any Liverpool or Arsenal fan what they think of Sheffield United and you will find it hard to find any negative comments. If it wasn’t for David Seaman’s unbelievable save in the FA Cup semi final, would Sheffield United be playing in this years FA Cup final? The only concern with Neil Warnock’s team is whether they have run out of steam considering the amount of games they have played this season. The other playoff contenders should be a little less tired and this may prove to be Sheffield’s biggest downfall.
My Prediction: Losing Playoff finalists

Reading have been the real surprise package of the season. I don’t think anyone would have predicted they would reach the playoffs immediately after getting promoted from the second division. I am sure every Walsall fan remembers the playoff final in 2001, but Reading have shown tremendous spirit to bounce back. A big part of this success is down to Alan Pardew. He has worked wonders at the Madjeski Stadium and built a team that plays good football and really believe in themselves. Reading bring a sense of unpredictability about them to the playoffs which makes it even more interesting. They have at times scored goals for fun and pulled off some real surprise results, but at other times they have played awful and suffered some poor defeats. Will there ability to switch off during games cost them dearly when it matters most?
My Prediction: Losing semi finalists

Wolves are probably the team most people expected to be in the promotion race when the season started last August. They blew automatic promotion last year when they seemed certainties to win the division at one stage. Dave Jones came in for a lot of criticism at the start of the season as Wolves started the season slowly, but full credit to him and his staff because they have really got the club focused on promotion again. They have a good blend of experience and youth and have the best attacking and defensive record out of the four teams in the playoffs. With Kenny Miller a revelation, Nathan Blake back from injury, Paul Ince pulling the strings in midfield and Dennis Irwin influential at the back, its hard to see a weak spot. Maybe the biggest problem Wolves face is psychologically? I am sure the fans are very nervous right now and are remembering what has happened to them in recent years. Dave Jones will be feeling the pressure and faces a hard job to keep this pressure off the players.
My Prediction: Success at the Millenium Stadium

Nottingham Forest probably go into the playoffs with the worst form after 8 defeats in 14 games. Despite there poor run, they played very well earlier in the season and got the points on the board when it matters. They have the ability to pick up points when they really need to and have a very strong forward line in Darren Huckerby, David Johnson and Marlon Harewood. Everyone knows they are a team of youth, but with Des Walker and Ricardo Scimeca in the team they have good leaders to help the younger members of the squad. Paul Hart is a proud man and will want his players to give a good account for themselves, but deep down he must know they are the real outsiders for promotion. There lack of experience could cost them dearly and if any of the more experienced members of the team are out injured they may struggle on and off the pitch.
My Prediction: Losing semi finalists