Championship Playoff Final

I was listening to a piece this morning where the Championship Playoff final tomorrow was described as the richest match on the planet which serves to prove how significant remaining in the Premier League is – never mind our history and longevity in the top tier.

I was also reading an article about Coventry who play Luton tomorrow and which included the following rather depressing read:

"The Sky Blues have also endured a tough time since their relegation from the Premier League in 2001, a demotion that ended a 34-year run of top-flight football for the club.

The 22 years the club spent outside the top flight have been turbulent, to say the least.

They moved from their home of 106 years, Highfield Road, to a brand new, 32,609-capacity stadium on the outskirts of the city — from which they were evicted. Twice.

The club even came within a whisker of folding completely. Twice. " etc etc.

Now I know Coventry don't perhaps quite have the cachet of Everton (although even that is diminishing before our eyes) but those of us of a certain vintage will recall Coventry as an established and regular opponent and their league placings before dropping out were not wildly different from ours of the past few seasons, but it is simply appalling to consider that the piece might be written in the future about the Royal Blue of Everton rather than the sky blue of Coventry.

The runes are looking favourable so I am superstitiously feeling a pretty good, although intensely nervous, vibe about Sunday but I do worry it may be down to the failure of Leicester and Leeds rather than our own result on the day.

Let's pray we end up the full 5 points clear of the drop and I can dispel the prospect of passing one or other of the Sky Blues or the Hatters going in the opposite direction.

52 hours to go....

Living not too far from Luton so knowing quite a few of their fans, I have a bit of an interest in this one but the football romantic in me would like to see Coventry back in the top flight too.

Just praying that we're not the ones to make way for whichever is successful.

I think Coventry benefitted from having a football and business wise chairman all those years ago. Jimmy Hill set the pattern for Coventry's rise in the top league and staying there.

Luton are well used to promotion and relegation over the years.

Kim,

Yeah I remember that cracking cup final when they beat Spurs. Later they had a good team for a while under Strachan.

But yeah Coventry CIty, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and fellow founders Derby County all show how mismanagement can destroy great clubs.

Dave(#3); Didn't Hill want to rename Coventry after a second hand car sales firm? Another over opinionated TV personality.

For me, born in Luton, raised in Merseyside, today COYH, tomorrow COYB!

Apropos of nothing and unrelated to Everton, the entire nation of Germany must be going into shock right now. Everybody was tuning in today to celebrate somebody besides Bayern winning the Bundesliga.

I casually support Dortmund because they always have one of the top Yanks in their squad (currently Gio Reyna) and play cool music, and all they had to do was win today at home against mid-table Mainz to take the title. They're completely choking, down 0-2 while Bayern are winning away at Koln. And they don't have Keane, Dele, Richarlison or DCL.

But they do have a goal back now. 1-2.

Not sure how much interest this one will generate but I've opened up the Live Forum.

Not one for predictions myself but I feel confident in saying one thing is for certain at this point: Everton will be playing one of these two teams next season.

I wouldn't be too sure about that, Michael.

Erstwhile Everton youth Jake Bidwell in for Coventry City.

Looking him up, he's 30 years old now and has carved out a nice living in the Championship for the last 8-9 years.

Kevin, which part aren't you too sure about?

If we stay up we will be playing the winners of the playoff final. If we are “R” we will be playing the losers of the playoff final.

Not too difficult to understand what Michael means.

Rob, some folks just require more detailed explanations!

Musiala's late winner gives Bayern its 11th straight title. Dortmund with a historic choke at home.

Luton impressive. Losing their captain in the early minutes, still dominating the game.

Borussia Dortmund blew it today losing to Mainz 25 points below them.

We can't count our chickens - anything is possible.

Normally we are awful but without both full backs and our main striker we are likely to be even worse.

Very worried.

Extra Time at Wembley. Wow.

Ceeeemon Coventry!

Not rooting for the Yank, Dale?

Exceptionally low on quality this.

Feels like a charity match.

Thankfully turned down a ticket at the Luton end last minute. Imagine one of these replacing us. They won't get 10 points in the Premier League.

Exhaustion, Kunal. Nothing left in a lot of these guys.

Thought it was poor from the off, Mike. Luton should have been at least 3 up.

Just seems this has been very low on quality compared to playoffs in previous seasons.

Kunal, it's a big pitch in hot weather, and they have played nearly 120 minutes.

Kunal, true, these are teams that got through on hard work and teamwork. There's no quality Premier League players out there on the level of what we saw last season with Garner and Brennan Johnson at Forest and Mitrovic at Fulham. Either club will have to add quality going up.

And of course Luton would need a stadium!

Mike,

I've got a thing for Wednesday and Coventry from the 90s when the Premier League adopted me.

WOW.

Decided on a blunder, and then ruled out for handball. Extraordinary.

And so to penalties.

Luton or Coventry will have to surpass Forest transfers of 30 odd players if they've even got a sniff of staying up.

Kenilworth road would need the upgrade but probably similar to Bournemouth.

Dale, agree I also like both those teams, it takes me back to Uni days, when more people supported their local teams, not just Man and Liverpool.

Some exhibition of penalty taking so far

So, we play Luton next season

I could tell that poor guy was gonna miss as soon as he stepped up. A substitute right back.

Great Luton story though. Top-flight to down to non-league and all the way back up.

Been to kenilworth road, Brent. Was looking forward to going to the Ricoh Arena, as never been there. Hopefully Coventry get up next season.

Rob, you've been EVERYWHERE.

Rob the way we have messed about this season you still my get to the Ricoh Arena. Hope not Rob

One thing I will say the people who run Luton and Coventry are 'fans' of those respective clubs. A board which have looked to progress there clubs every season and have stuck by those clubs through the tough times.

We need a people who run our club that are passionate and want the best for Everton.

Alan (5), yes Jimmy Hill did seek to change the club's name. I think the name he wanted was 'Coventry Talbot', so incorporating a club sponsor. He was going to embody the company's name in a redesigned club shirt. A man ahead of his time was Jimmy.