Filed under: Reading, Swansea, Championship, Premier League, Football
Blackpool's relegation from the Premier League was one year to the day, and almost to the hour, from their glorious promotion celebration at Wembley.There was utter devastation for Ian Holloway's team and Birmingham after finishing in the bottom three when the campaign ended.
But get ready for one more twist. When everyone has calmed down after the thrills of Survival Sunday, there is another domestic fixture to get the blood pumping.
It is called the Championship play-off final but essentially it is a Premier League match as either Reading or Swansea will be in the top flight next season, joining QPR and Norwich as the clubs to replace Blackpool, Birmingham and West Ham.
The fact the fixture seems to be shunted around every year and tagged onto the end of the season by eight full days is a shame in some ways.
The Football League should have taken their showpiece to Old Trafford, as they did with the League One and Two finals this season, or found another suitable venue and played the game within 24 or 48 hours of what turned out to be the most spectacular final day in Premier League history - at least, as far as relegation is concerned.
Yet, quite frankly, it does not matter where the match is played, it will be another nerve-jangling day for football fans. And it will provide plenty of entertainment.
Think of the relegation battle and how Wolves needed a goal to edge them ahead of Birmingham on goals scored, then how Alex McLeish's men had to go for broke in the final three minutes of normal time.
It will be the same again as either Reading or Swansea will probably have to chase the game at some point. If it remains a stalemate, can fans cope with a penalty shoot-out after the drama they have felt already?
"It's going to be a really hard game against Swansea but the boys are all buzzing for it," said Reading midfielder Jem Karacan. "We're going to put our hearts on the line, do it for the fans, do it for ourselves. We want to get back to the Premier League and what a way to do it.
"It's a dream to play at Wembley. We've got 90 more minutes to get there and there's a lot more preparation to come. We'll be ready and we want to get to the Premier League. Every year you watch the play-off final and you think what a way to get up."
And what a terrible way to lose. Between now and kick-off, expect the mind-games to take over. This week will test the patience of players as it seems like a long time until the game.
Swansea feel they have stolen a march already, by booking the hotel Blackpool stayed in last year ahead of their victory.
"It's vital that we look after the small details," said manager Brendan Rodgers. "We are trying to give the players the best chance to prepare and it's important to get the planning right for a game like this."
This week, Swansea will be training at Arsenal's London Colney HQ.
Next season, they will be hoping to face Arsene Wenger's team in the Premier League.
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