Other league 1 matches

So the ultimate best case scenario tonight is we win and we find ourselves sat in 3rd place assured of the play offs and everyone around us losing almost securing a second leg at home.

3rd Bradford 75 pts
4th Bolton 74 pts
5th Stockport 71 pts
6th Stevenage 68 pts
7th Plymouth 66 pts
8th Luton 65 pts

The worse case Scenario would see the league table like this and we bottle faster than Arsenal.

3rd Bolton 74 pts
4th Stockport 74 pts
5th Bradford 72 pts
6th Stevenage 71 pts
7th Plymouth 69 pts
8th Luton 68 pts

Tonight is massive, and we can't effect what goes on elsewhere but we must not lose tonight. however going into a game not to lose gives flashbacks to Carlisle in the play offs. It can be put to bed with a win tonight, losing might just start a complete collapse last seen in 2008/9 when we beat Aldershot 5-0 to see us sat in 4th place with 8 games to go, we then lost 5 and drew 3 and we ended up finishing 9th.

What is most frustrating is we were actually all but guaranteed with 2 minutes to play on Saturday, but after we went 2-1 we just sat back invited pressure and got what we deserved. i guess the bonus tonight is that the same pressure is on Plymouth tonight who know it's do or die, where as Barnsley were relatively pressure free playing out the season.

 

I might be being naive but when we are looking reasonably comfortable I wish we wouldn't disrupt our formation by making late defensive substitutions with only 5 or 10 minutes to go.

 

It always scares me to death when we do stuff like that. How many times did Hughes cost us stupid points (and the game) by trying to defend a goal lead rather than killing the game.

Plymouth are coming here to try and win, where as I can see us going out not to lose, and that is my biggest worry.

 

I think GA bottled it on Saturday. We were on 88 minutes when he brought Evan’s on and expected him to steady the ship. It had the opposite effect. I get the game management antics, but bringing players on to hold the defensive line was wrong as it disrupted the team. Hopefully he will reflect on that intervention and bite his nails like the rest of us.

 

I think it is all part of GA 's defensive football career , he always brings on a defender to try and tighten things up and it always seems to have the opposite affect.
I could be wrong and that is just my take on it, bur surely a 2 goal lead heading into stoppage time is better than trying to cling on.

 

what nails ? i am down to my knuckles

 

So we are all cheering Rotherham, Barnsley and Mansfield on tonight .

 

100%. I'm not bothered if they win but if they could all manage a draw, it would be very much appreciated.

 

Can you somehow convey this message to Mr Alexander please?

 

I think part of the problem with this is that as we go defensive we lose our prime method of getting the ball out - the long diagonal ball hitting the wingback/wide attacking midfielder. We invite pressure into ourselves and we are basically hoping for the final whistle to come as quickly as possible. We should, broadly, keep our shape and keep playing our normal way, but just be a bit more savvy with holding onto the ball, getting into the corner etc.

 

He’s done it for most of our games when winning this season and to be fair it usually works.

 

It has worked but I think there is an argument that it has worked in spite of the substitutions rather than because of them. We invariably end up spending the remainder of the game penned in our own half defending our box.

 

Well, let's hope that if HE does it, IT does work!

 

Can't wait for tonight. More pressure on Plymouth to win and these moments come around not enough

 

Is it ever straight forward with us ????,
Wouldnt be shocked if we needed something from the last game.

A huge chance to seal the dealtonight just get it done

 

Never seen a team that often defend deep against ten men …..

 

It’s just nice to have the opportunity as opposed to mid table mediocrity ? Up the City!

 

Wow Stockport lost to Cloughie at home . County 0-1 Mansfield .

 

Nice one

 

I had a funny feeling they would lose to Mansfield who are a difficult team to deal with. They always do well against the better teams.