Play Off Requirements

he sort that out bud then we are deffo looking at the automatics we have 3 out of next 4 away from home which should be a concern but when our form is that poor at home then it’s a blessing as things stand ...........

 

Just looking at our final three matches and it’s an exceptional tough finish to the season. We are unlucky to have got Gillingham twice after their January transformation we play them Northampton and Leyton Orient who hopefully might be on holiday after Winning the league. I hope we have a few spare points in hand but it’s going to be difficult

 

I wonder if playing a confident Gillingham does us a favour, actually.

We've played several teams on form lately, and none of them beat us.

You know who did beat us?

Barrow and Rochdale, both on stinking form and desperate for a scruffy win.

 

Stop it!! You're dry humour is too much for my fat sides as they keep splitting.

 

Stop it!! You're dry humour is too much for my fat sides as they keep splitting.

As soon as you said "I've virtually given up on automatic" then the rest of the article becomes redundant. I wonder if Bolton and Bristol Rovers, from the last couple of seasons had the same attitude?

Me? Since the start of this year, based on form, team set up, rival performances etc it will be a disappointment if we don't make the autos.

 

Agree here (we really are going to stop this - I prefer the days about arguing about Edin )

I think it's fairly simple. Teams on form are more likely to come at us - which is fine as if it's a 'toe to toe' confrontation then we're winning 20 out of the 23 matches. Walsall as classic example. They had a go, but we were more streetwise.

Unfortunately, it's L2 so it isn't that simple. So we've had to cope with the Doncaster, Crewe, Wimbledon, Rochdale and Barrow approaches.

Note that three of these have changed their manager, with one other likely to do so if results don't improve and the final team (Barrow) would have taken 15th in L2 at the start of the season - so it's a tactic that doesn't really get you anywhere other than L2 survival. Meanwhile we're the victims.

 

Park. Calm yourself.

Gillingham will be safe.

I'm not convinced with this 'great Northampton' narrative (our home, er, performance against them was easily up there with Adams worst, i.e. Exeter last season) plus at their place the onus is on them attacking.

Orient will be promoted - after all it's the last match.

It's the away games at Walsall in particular, Newport and Swindon that worry me the most - although the former are incapable of playing a tight game, i..e 3-3 draw likely!!

 

7/10. Amuses me how fans seem to airbrush the terrible last five years ( 'highlighted' by a wonderful rant from Stuart in November (I think) 2020 after our usual defeat at Oldham, where even this happy clapper was googling Conference grounds)

I think it's bonkers of anyone to think that we were going to do an Orient. They've improved year on year, having happy memories of a recent promotion and don't quite have our fan exception - but have still spent money.

We forget the unique pressure of having to perform in front of 17K and the expectation we demand.

Something Hughes now realises, i.e. Stubbs and Clayton have been outstanding signings.

i.e. it takes at least two windows to get it correct.

If it means next season, so be it. The ship has been 'righted' and is on the correct course.

 

18 points for 10 and 9 from the last 4, is consistent. And it's certainly consistent enough for this L2 season. Carlisle, based on points per match, have not gained 1pt on us since they beat us and we've closed the gap in the last four matches.

Problem is several fans and assume you, think that it's only consistent if we're taking 25 points from ever 10 matches.

Top 7? Top 3 is just as realistic.

 

We've taken 27 points from 15 away matches. Our points per game, away from home, is 2nd to Northampton, marginally less.

This includes the last four matches going to Wimbledon, Stockport, Stevenage and Doncaster and conceding just two goals.

Yet 3 out of the next 4 away from home, should be a concern?

I'm convinced, some fans are still in a state of shock that started around January 2018 and can't get out of it.

 

We’ve simply (not simply done however) got to get over these banana skin performances and results which keep making us step back two steps. I genuinely believe had we beaten Barrow (or at least not lost) we could have started a much needed run. That performance and result stops the momentum and we have start again with two away games.

Hughes has to very quickly find a way of stopping this, as it’s been the issue all season.

Easier said than done I appreciate, but Leyton Orient have shown all season it’s achievable.