Saw it on Twitter the other day that the “business end of the season” had been formally declared. About time too given that there is actually title races that immediately jump out at you in the Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League.
However, it is not just about the battle for glory and lifting trophies come the end of the season. Elsewhere, the focus on remaining in the league that a team is currently holding a spot within also becomes a pre-occupation. In this context, the fight to avoid relegation from the Championship down into League One is currently exercising the minds of a number of clubs.
Eight to be exact! Whilst it is all over for Rotherham (who are 19 points from safety with just 21 left to play for), from London to all the way up north teams are exchanging nervous glances at the league table.
At the time of writing, Millwall, Stoke, QPR, Blackburn, Plymouth, Birmingham, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday were all separated by just five points with seven games to play. In true Apprentice style, by the end of the season two will be ‘fired’ from the division. Only six will remain.
On Good Friday, QPR took on Birmingham.
Given that we’ve already used the phrase ‘business end of the season’, we may as well tick off another one whilst we’re at it. This game, of course, comfortably met the definition of relegation ‘six-pointer’!
Birmingham arrived in London for a crucial fixture against relegation rivals QPR with yet another new boss. They were architects of their own disarray earlier in the season with the debacle that followed bringing in Wayne Rooney. They have been unfortunate in recent weeks with the circumstances surrounding Tony Mowbray’s illness. Gary Rowett has now come back to try and steer the club to safety.
After 62 minutes, it was looking promising. Junior Bacuna had put them in front. However, that joy was short-lived when Steve Cook lifted the home side with a leveller just three minutes later.
From there it became a bit of a grind and it looked like both sides would be set for a frustrating draw when the 90 minutes came and went with the score still locked at 1-1. However, our favourite minute was on the horizon!
90+2. GOAL!
The home fans sent into raptures as QPR grabbed a late lead. A thunderous shot from QPR defender Jimmy Dunne was *commentator cliché alert* enough to win a game three times over! He sent a rocket over the goalkeeper and into pretty much the top corner to spark delirium in the stands.
An absolutely crucial victory was secured. The consequence of which was to move QPR four points away from the relegation zone and leave their opponents on the day hovering outside merely on goal difference. Below is how the table looked at full-time:
The only thing guaranteed between now and the ultimate end of the season is more Championship chaos! QPR still have to play both Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more late drama as the twists and turns of this relegation battle play out between now and 4th May.