Championship play-off chaos awaits four very different contenders

25-Jul-2020 13:00:55 | The Guardian

Swansea and Cardiff are outliers compared to Brentford and Fulham, but all will believe they can make it to Wembley

One of the most striking images from a wonderfully chaotic climax to the regular Championship season came not on the pitch but in the west stand concourse at the Madejski Stadium, which doubled up as a changing room on Wednesday. Beneath the fluorescent lighting, cable trays and electrical tracking, Swansea players and staff, surrounded by supporters’ flags that had been taped to the walls, formed a giant team huddle, with coach Steve Cooper leading the debrief after his youthful side squeezed into the play-offs on goal difference at Nottingham Forest’s expense on an extraordinary evening.

On recent away trips Swansea have, owing to social distancing regulations, held pre-match team talks everywhere from media suites (Middlesbrough) to 4G pitches (Millwall) and even a lounge bar (Birmingham), but now they are playing for the prize of changing at Wembley next month.

CardiffCity

Championship play-off chaos awaits four very different contenders