2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Barry Cooper)
Don Goodman admits the battle to stay in the Championship is incredible as the final two games of a pulsating season loom large for a host of clubs still desperate for survival. Hull City's 2-1 win over Preston North End on Monday was huge for Ruben Selles' men, especially given Luton Town and Derby County both won below them. And the Tigers go into their clash with the Rams on Saturday two points clear of the two clubs, though their goal difference is significantly better than the Hatters.
Cardiff City's 1-1 draw with Oxford United means the Bluebirds are three points from safety along with Plymouth Argyle, but both have poor goal differences, while the Tigers' success against North End has dragged the Lillywhites into bother. Goodman has picked out that huge MKM Stadium clash on Saturday afternoon as pivotal, with City knowing victory over the resurgent Rams will guarantee their survival. A point would be enough if the Hatters lose at home to Coventry City in the early kick-off.
"Well, it's incredible because there have been teams like Oxford who you thought, well, they're safe a couple of weeks ago, and then all of a sudden, they get dragged into it," Goodman said on Sky Sports. "There are teams like Plymouth and Luton who you thought had no chance, and then they pick themselves up. It's an incredible battle.
"I mean, look, Plymouth, fair play to them because I think we've written them off several times and they keep plucking out results and fighting, and they deserve enormous credit because they're trying to rise from the dead here really and I think the thing that will count against them is the goal difference (-37). "It's far and away the worst when you look at that, which means that they've got to win both of their games to have any hope. They play Leeds United in the final game of the season, who may be chasing the league title.
"And Cardiff (-23 goal difference), I mean, just when they thought they were going to get a precious three points, Cameron Brannagan rifles in an absolute rocket with Oxford United's only shot on target in the game and it's ripped away from Cardiff, which really puts them on the back foot and like Plymouth, you feel that they're going to have to win both of their games and they haven't won a game in six, so again it looks like a little bit of a tall order. "From there up, take your pick. I think Derby have got an enormous game against Hull City .
You wouldn't want to be the loser of that particular tie, but I think from there it's impossible to call. I've put my neck on the line a little bit with Plymouth and Cardiff, considering how this Championship never ceases to amaze you, but certainly the other place is massively up for grabs.".
