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Talking points with Wembley seven days away

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As we prepare for our biggest game in over five years in just seven days` time, we take a look at the main talking points heading into the play-off final against Huddersfield??

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The bookies still see us as underdogs – Despite the fact we finished third, two places ahead of Huddersfield with a better goal difference, the bookmakers still hold our opponents as slight favourites. You can`t deny Huddersfield are a fantastic side and without doubt deserve to be in the final , but the underdog tag has suited us very nicely in recent months. Throughout our history we have always relished as the underdog, so we`ll do it again!

The new ownership news has been put on the back burner – The news of our new ownership was announced half-way through our second leg against Fulham last week, so was understandably not the hottest topic of discussion. The Chinese investors have completed a majority takeover, and reportedly have deep pockets (we have heard that before though!). However, it`s hard to look longer-term until we know what division we are in next season, so it`s best to focus on the short-term for the time being.

Getting Obita back will be important – Obita injured his ankle in the first leg at Fulham and was unavailable for the second leg, and no one seems to have any idea whether he`ll make the final at Wembley. Assuming Stam sticks with his back five next week, Blackett will deputise in his absence, which he did well enough last week. However, Blackett looks much more comfortable on the left side of the back three, where he played very well in the first leg against a pacey Fulham attack, and Huddersfield will pose the same type of threat. For that reason, having Obita back will be a massive boost.

It is on course for a sell-out – As of the weekend, we reportedly sold close to 35,000 tickets, leaving just after 3,000 tickets left. If that is the case, there is no reason why it shouldn`t sell out before next week, with Huddersfield selling the same amount. It`s brilliant that two teams with similar sized fanbases, which aren`t that big, are close to selling out the national stadium in what should be a superb game of football.

With the growing strength of the Championship, this could be a massive chance – Without trying to be a pessimist, this could be an unbelievable opportunity to make that jump to the Premier League, when teams in the Championship are getting stronger by year, and teams in the Premier League are coming back down with strong sides. There is probably more confidence about the place compared to the Swansea game six years ago and without disrespecting Huddersfield, who will be thinking the same thing, this is a great opportunity.

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