While promotion was confirmed with two games to go, all eyes were obviously on the intriguing battle with Burnley to see who would be crowned champions and it panned out the way I thought it would in the end.
I definitely thought Burnley had the harder of the last two games – their last game with Millwall obviously proving a test with the Lions knowing that a win would cement a playoff spot. Alas, this wasn’t to be, with the Lancashire side edging out a victory.
So, we go up as champions on what is an incredible 100 points – tied with Burnley but with a far better goal difference, having scored the most in the league, though to be fair to the Clarets, they had the meanest defence by quite a distance.
Until the last minute of injury time though against Plymouth Argyle, it was Burnley who were in the driving seat. As we have done so many times, we came from behind, leaving it late with Manor Salomon goal probably sending a rumble around Plymouth with our fans being sent into absolute delirium.
The way in which we came from behind, against what I thought was a tricky Plymouth side, basically summed up our season. The ‘never say die’ attitude of every single player, the way in which we kept on playing the type of football we have been all season – the team spirit, everything.
All of this was on display – certainly for our final three games – I mean, we had scored 10 goals in the two games previous to this without conceding. Thumping Stoke City 6-0 at Elland Road confirmed our promotion and then the celebrations really began after our 4-0 hammering of Bristol City – indeed, our last home game.
Sensational End Of Season Form
We rounded off the season with champion-like form. Unbeaten in 11 games and with six wins on the bounce – simply stunning. I was a bit concerned when it looked like we were faltering a bit – three draws even saw us slip briefly to third, but to be honest, I was always confident that we would win the league – even back then.
Playing the best football in the league and, arguably the best the Championship has seen since the last time we were there with Marcelo Bielsa, we have looked absolutely frightening going forward.
There was also plenty of other things for fans to celebrate. We have scored the most goals in Europe across the main leagues and I was really happy to see Joel Piroe win the Championship top scorer award as well, with 19 goals in 46 games and I genuinely think he can be a nuisance in the Premier League and have a similar impact that Patrick Bamford has last time.
Forward Momentum The Key
I can’t wait until the fixtures are announced now and the summer will be amazing. Paraag Marathe has worked miracles – when we sold first Archie Gray, followed by Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter last summer, I feared the worst but wow – it’s like they’re all a distant memory.
How we reinvested the money – even securing Solomon without spending anything, apart from locking in a buy-option, wow, there was some cracking business.
I’m kind of lost for words. Largie Ramazani, Ao Tanaka, Jay Rothwell – another brilliant loan signing – we have literally dismantled other teams this season and now, momentum has to be key to moving forward.
Yeah, without a doubt, we’ll make some signings, but I think the way in which Marathe was able to bring the right kind of players in last summer – and not just the right players, but also ones which probably made everyone forget about Summerville and Rutter, was a masterstroke.
I think the same will happen and, now with plans in place for a stadium expansion, the only way is up now, for our fantastic club.
