We've got the whole World in our hands . . . the permutations.

For weeks now the complicated permutations of this will we/won't we season have been growing increasingly more complicated. If we beat them then they will be so many points behind with only so many games to go, and if they lose there then we only need to do this and then we are nearly there.

Well now it is simple. Win the last 2 matches and Stoke are up (or even a win and a draw). Full stop. No ifs, no buts.

It could be more complicated than that, but why does it need to be? Surely if we play like we can as we did in the second half at Coventry and for the first hour on Saturday, then we will win both of our last 2 matches and go up? What danger can the already relegated bottom club and a very erratic team just above the drop zone pose to us? Okay, if you insist here is the complicated bit:-

If we win on Saturday, Bristol City are out of it and Hull must win to take it to the last game otherwise we are promoted. If Hull do win as well then a point against Leicester OR Hull failing to win at Portman Road would then be enough for promotion.

If we draw with Colchester then only a Bristol City win would keep them in contention, but they would need to win their last match and hope we lose to overtake us on the last day. Hull would need at least a point to stay in the hunt or we would be up. A Hull point would mean winning their last match whilst Stoke lose, a Hull victory would mean a better result than us would take them up in May.

If we lose at Layer Road then winning the last match becomes vital.  Again only a Bristol City win would keep them in contention, although this time a win in their last match against PNE would send them above us if we lost OR drew with Leicester.  A defeat for Hull would mean a draw v Leicester would be enough (provided Bristol City did not overtake us), whereas a point for Hull would mean they were still behind us but would overtake us on the last day by winning if we lost OR drew.  A victory for Hull would take them above us into second place and take matters out of our hands.  In this case we would nee a better result than them on the last day to snatch the place away.

Still with me?  Basically it is in our hands, and only Stoke City FC can throw this away.  What about WBA and Watford?  West Brazilwich look to be safe as only 2 defeats would land them in peril, and I refuse to mention a battle for the title until after Colchester.  Watford are out of it (and possibly the playoffs if they don't improve soon).

All ther is left to say really is this is the best chance we have had for a quarter of a century, so don't blow it and in the immortal words of Pottermouth "Just do it!" Ta-ra.