Just as matters in League One are coming to a head, the EFL Championship 2024-5 campaign is also reaching its conclusion. So, what? We’re not getting promoted. And we’re not going to be relegated. We’re just bumbling around mid-table until the curtain falls on this term. What does the division above have to do with us? Well, it’s soon to be depositing three sides upon us who haven’t made the grade. And will therefore come to the Lamex as equals next year.
But who are they? What day is it? And why can’t we all just get along?
Championship 2024-5 relegation: Runners and riders
24. Plymouth Argyle – P42, Pts 40
Forgive us if we don’t get too excited by the prospect of this one. The Pilgrims, as we speak, are three points adrift with 12 to play for. If they fail to escape, it’s another bloody long trip down to Devon. And we all know how we fare at Exeter City. Secondly, we really did become rather tired of always conceding in stoppage time down there. Five visits, four defeats. Sigh.
Plus, Josh Widdecombe annoys us.
Still to play:
Middlesbrough (8th, A); Coventry City (6th, H); Preston NE (16th, A); Leeds United (1st, H)
23. Luton Town – P42, Pts 40
Another one we aren’t chomping at the bit for. Sure, the localness of the fixture will be a bit of a pull and should swell the coffers… if Sky Sports don’t move the game. Which they likely will. But we didn’t buy into the supposed rivalry last time and most folk on both sides of the fence aren’t interest. It’s not their fault Watford are better than them. It’s not our fault we’re better than Barnet and Woking and Hitchin Town. But they’re up against it here.
Still to play:
Derby County (21st, A); Bristol City (5th, H); Coventry City (6th, H); West Brom (7th, A)
22. Cardiff City – P42, Pts 42
Our editor would bloody love this one; such is the length of time since last visiting the Diff. The Bluebirds’ issue ain’t so much losing games in the grand scheme of things. It’s just that they can’t really win. Nine victories is as many as Plymouth have managed so far – and ain’t no-one doing worse than that. You have the feeling they have the attributes needed to pull themselves out of the mire.
Still to play:
Sheffield United (3rd, A); Oxford United (17th, H); West Brom (7th, H); Norwich City (13th, A)
21. Derby County – P42, Pts 43
Again, no thank you. We had the pleasure of their company last season and we’re not really fussed about having it back. Mind you, it’d be a kick in the teeth for their fans if they ended up back in the third tier at the first time of asking. We’re struggling to care, to be honest. It’s quite interesting, perhaps, to see the Rams face relegation rivals in three of their final four.
Still to play:
Luton Town (21st, H); West Brom (7th, A); Hull City (19th, A); Stoke City (18th, H)
19. Hull City – P42, Pts 45
Apart from our FA Cup triumph a few years ago, Hull City would be a nice shiny new one for Boro’. And that appeals to us. While the Tigers have flirted with the drop for a few weeks (if not months), it kinda feels as if they have too much about themselves to plunge. They’re on the right side of the dotted line and their highest-placed opponent still to play is Swansea City in 12th. Everyone else seems to have West Brom!
Still to play:
Swansea City (12th, A); Preston NE (16th, H); Derby County (20th, H); Portsmouth (18th, A)
18. Portsmouth – P42, Pts 46
This is an ‘insert opinion’ here, kind of thing. Pompey are definitely a ‘been there, done that’ side for us; 14 previous encounters serving up five wins and six defeats. Our record down at Fratton Park is a bit pants (one win from six), but show us how many League One venues we have a higher win count than defeat. Anyway, it’s almost irrelevant as the relatively kind list of fixtures they need to negotiate should throw up a handful of points to secure them.
Still to play:
Norwich City (13th, A); Watford (11th, H); Sheffield Wednesday (14th, A); Hull City (19th, H)
Any others?
Well, technically – yes. Stoke City are only a point ahead of Pompey, with Oxford United one more point further on. And, again, another point ahead of them are Preston North End; QPR then at the 50-point mark. That’s 10 points clear of Plymouth, with everyone else above the Rs in 15th mathematically unable to finish bottom. In reality, we don’t see how any of these teams could get dragged into the battle for survival. But it isn’t a done deal. Yet.
This Easter weekend will go a long way to settling some bets, however.
Championship 2024-5: Who do we think are coming down?
Hard to see past the current bottom two, to be honest: Plymouth and Luton. Plus Derby.
