Other league 1 matches

Luton dropping points would've been helpful. There's no denying it. We want this play off spot wrapped up as soon as possible and this result isn't helping.

 

At the end of the day WE should dictate the way forward and not rely on others . We have done that too much thus far?

 

Stockport winning, so closer to us. Also means that Exeter are more likely to be fighting for their lives on the final day.
Luton can get to 76 points if they win their remaining four games which is certainly possible given the games they have left.
I honestly think we may struggle to get 5 points from our remaining games tbh. Our form is patchy, we’re seriously struggling to score goals and without Bobby and Tyreik our creativity is very limited. I think it’s going to be serious squeaky bum time and could go to the final game against a fired-up Exeter.

 

We should, but will we? I’m not convinced. I think we’ll be hanging on.

 

After last season’s tense run in which shredded my nerves, I thought at least this season should be calm unless we were in a relegation fight. However back to the tension and stress again,but let’s be honest it’s great to still have something to fight for and stress about the other results.

 

We are 7 points ahead with 4 games left, totally in our hands and we will do it unless we lose every game.

 

Simply get the job done Saturday and we will be fine

 

Yes exactly this! You you can guarantee both Luton and Plymouth would far rather be in our position than theirs. I honestly fancy is to beat Barnsley on Saturday

 

Barnsley have lost 0-1 to Doncaster and 0-3 to Plymouth in their last 2 home games, and just 1 win in their last 8 - absolutely nothing to play for. We have to go there and get the 3pts and losing is out of the question. A point wouldnt be a disaster but Plymouth coming to VP worrys me and I can see us struggling like we did against Stevenage.

From next 2 games
0-1pts - a disaster
2pts - keeps us ticking
3pts - comfortable enough
4pts - dont see anyone catching us

Barnsley vs Bradford
Bolton vs Huddersfield
Wimbledon vs Plymouth
Exeter vs Stockport
Mansfield vs Luton
Stevenage vs Lincoln

I can see 1 or 2 around us dropping pts there tbh. If they all win and we dont then pressure is really on.

 

Stockport at Wimbledon last night and Exeter on Saturday is a lot of traveling in 4 days which could take its toll. Wonder if they'll stay based down south for the next few days?

 

My hope is that Exeter are safe by the final game. Wimbledon are in complete freefall and have so many injuries they are recalling loanees from lower non- league sides.

I could easily see them taking last last relegation spot

 

Dont forget they were in London on Sunday too. They possibly fly to Exeter from Manchester.

We need that Exeter win! That said if they are down on last day then that benefits us too.

 

Cant call saturday really. Barnsley sounds like a toxic club at the minute with so many off the field issues, Hourihane is all but gone at the end of the seaosn and the budgets are slashed for next season, so it's on one hand a good time to play them but on another, it's City. We dont do things easily. It sounds like Jack Shepherd is a shambolic defender lately, the bits i've seen of them this season, he looks like a donkey at the back in a red shirt.

I think a win is enough for us and we are in the top 6 with 74. Luton will start fading soon, they cant keep up momentum and fitness playing as often as they have lately. Stevenage might not do too much this weekend with Lincoln winning the title with a win. Wimbledon have so many fitness issues and are dropping like a stone at the minute, was hoping they would offer something against a weak Stockport defence but they didnt, Exeter with their form forward might.

 

I did like Shepherd and if we are still L1 next season then I wouldnt be against his return on a freebie. Weve seen a decent player there and GA knows his strengths. I get the feeling he never wanted to return to Barnsley and wanted to continue his journey here.

 

I've watched a full match of there's maybe 2 or 3 times this season and other than that it's been clips, but he looks nothing like the lad we had in L2, he looks really dumb on the ball and dumb with his defending when i've seen him and refs aren't buying that fake dive he does anymore. Barnsley play a back 4, maybe he needs some protection in a back 5 with the way he plays? He's 25 in the mid-season break, i think he's probably at the point where he'll be looking for first team football and i don't think he gets that here. Probably drops to L2 or maybe if a Grimsby/Salford type comes up he might get a L1 move.

 

Shepherd looked good for us in league two, maybe the step up to league one has been hard for him, or as some said he might not be enjoying his time there
Either way i would not go back for him. Hopefully being the top end of league one all year might make the better players look a little more favourably at us, although as always , money will be the most important factor.

 

They are playing Shep as a left full back now. What have they done to him?

 

Some players are just better in a back 5 than a back 4. As others have said, he has been played in a LB role as well this term. I think better players bring better out of you as well and some players their face just doesn't fit at a club. Weve seen enough over the years!

Look out how Tyriek Wright and Baldwin have improved at L1 level - I also remember concern over Sarcevic and whether he could manage L1 football based on previous seasons. Their performances this term are better than last years IMO. Shepherd is a decent age, we know what we can offer (albeit L2) and available for free so I'd take a chance on him. Kelly will be off and Tilt needs competition.

This isnt about bringing an ex player back, that's lazy, I just really liked him last term (apart from his diving!)

PS, I really liked Scott Banks as well

 

Shame how that injury has just stunted Banks. Sounds like he has something in him still at Barnsley but they have to manage his minutes nowadays, rarely plays over an hour. I thought he was going to be a right prospect at one point.

 

is anyone else getting unhealthily obsessed with this: https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co63/england-league-one/standings-calculator/ ?

I feel like I have plotted every permutation of results!