This meansmore. Though in truth, this meansmoremoney. Probably not enough money. But a lot of money nonetheless. The long weekend stretching ahead involves English football turning its attention to Wembley and the Football League playoffs. Step forward, David Prutton, Andy Hinchcliffe and, of course, Gary Weaver, the poet laureate of portentous commentary, teeth gritted in anticipation that the very next moment could be the one that changes destiny, changes history, becomes time for heroes. Unleash the Weavergasm.
First up, the big one, Saturday’s Championship decider between Sheffield United and Sunderland. The cash prize most recently quoted is £170m. The most valuable game in football, they say. The target is thebest league in the world™. The lucky winners trouser a load of cash by gaining entry to a competition likely beyond their capabilities. It was only this week Manchester United and Spurs were serving up their Bigger Vase turkey of a final, with the honour of getting gubbed each week in Bigger Cup’s mega-group stage next season heading to Tottenham.
Coincidentally, the winning manager in Bilbao, Ange Postecoglou, seemingly modelled his flamin’ tactics on those of 100% Blade Chris Wilder, who will lead out his beloved club at Wembley. It wouldn’t take too much to transpose Richarlison’s role as chief agitator at San Mamés to a Wilder team. Not that he is without tactical innovations; who can forgetthose overlapping centre-backsof six years ago? Everyone thinks they know what to expect from a Wilder team, though this current group is much changed from the doomed relegation team he inherited last season for his second spell at Blades. They will give everything for the cause, run their hearts out and defend like demons. So would you if Wilder was waiting for you in the dressing room. Régis Le Bris, Sunderland’s manager who sounds like he should be a high-end West End restaurateur, has proved himself the best of the Eurocrat designer coaches in the Championship.
The attack-minded Le Bris commandsa set of sparkling young guns, including Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham. Chat to fans of either finalist, and the excitement of playing in the Premier League is tempered by recent experience and the terrible record of recently promoted teams. “We are really aligned, really together on the plan and we’re going to attack the Premier League in our way, so it’s really exciting,” roared Russell Martin, while signing a new contract following Southampton’s playoff win a year ago. “We’re not going to go mental,” Luton manager Rob Edwards cheered two years back in the aftermath of victory at Wembley. “We have to play to our strengths which is what we’ve tried to keep going since I’ve come in.” Neither went well. This meansmore …of the same?
Ben Fisher will be at Wembley on Saturday to answer Matchday live reader questions about the playoff final in the buildup to the game. If you have a burning desire to ask him something, emailMatchday.live@theguardian.com.
Join John Brewin from 7.45pm BST for hot Serie A title-deciding clockwatch coverage of Como 0-0 Inter and Napoli 0-0 Cagliari.
Send letters tothe.boss@theguardian.com.Today’s letter o’ the day winner is … Colin Reed, who lands some Football Weekly merch. We’ll be in touch. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewedhere.
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