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Post by stevek192 on Apr 18, 2016 8:36:44 GMT
So after the excitement on Saturday when the results came in and with them all going in our favour we now find ourselves with promotion back in our own hands. One thing that is very clear in the last few weeks is that dropping even one point at the moment can mean back to 5th with Portsmouth also breathing down our necks- it is that close! So the importance of winning ourselves and then looking at the other results comes to the fore. Being the holding club is a very different pressure to being the chasing club as is playing away against any team in this division and with Stevenage needing a point to mathematically stay up it is far from an easy fixture - they were in fact the last team to beat us at the Mem so they kind of owe us one!
The other fixtures that are important are
Hartlepool v Accrington
Leyton Orient v Plymouth
Newport v Oxford
York v Portsmouth
To be completely honest it is difficult to see beyond a big Oxford win and a Portsmouth win even taking into account their less than impressive results at the weekend so the importance of a win for us is clear to see. Who would want to be Accrington going to Hartlepool on a cold Tuesday night? Hartlepool are very much an inform team but Accrington are experts at pinching the away win at places like this and Plymouth will be in fine mood after their win at Portsmouth and could well do the same at Leyton Orient but there again for Orient it is very much a case of having to get a result to stand a chance of the Play offs.
So to Team Selection tomorrow night. Personally I would go unchanged as it is the type of game where we should be looking to attack from the start and I see no point in replacing the disappointing Montano with an unfit Liam Lawrence who is the only other contender for that position. Of course Darrell will see all the players in training and he will see if any players are perhaps struggling with the two games in 4 days. Certainly in the position we find ourselves in this should not be a problem. I think we could well have 1200 supporters behind us tomorrow night in a total crowd not far off 4000 so lets get behind them. UTG
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Post by gashead1979 on Apr 18, 2016 8:55:51 GMT
Exciting times, one i'd hoped for but not realistically expected. Saying this, for me there will be an air of disappointment if we failed to snatch one of the top 3 places from this position.
You only have to look at Plymouths forum to see how easily things can change, suicidal one Saturday, talk of autos the next.
I think the way to look at it is just to look at our games, all 4 certainly winnable, and if we do we are up.
I wonder how much the experience of last seasons exploits and pressures of the play off games will help with the nerves now?
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Thatslife
"Decisions are made by those who turn up"
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 669 
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Post by Thatslife on Apr 18, 2016 10:45:09 GMT
Let's face it, we were lucky against Yeovile, we could so easily have dropped points. I don't believe we are playing at the top our form but we are still getting the points. I think we need to step up a gear against the lower teams in the league and so I would like to see this team selection below.
Mildy
Leads Locks Macca Browner
Easter Lines Clark
Taylor
McBurnie Gaffney
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Post by gashead1979 on Apr 18, 2016 10:56:25 GMT
Let's face it, we were lucky against Yeovile, we could so easily have dropped points. I don't believe we are playing at the top our form but we are still getting the points. I think we need to step up a gear against the lower teams in the league and so I would like to see this team selection below. Mildy Leads Locks Macca Browner Easter Lines Clark Taylor McBurnie Gaffney
We could have dropped points but we didn't, that is the main thing. Northampton, Oxford, Accy and Portsmouth all dropped points, teams will at this stage and its a good sign we can play badly and still win. I am more worried about the away matches, the so called 'easier' games.
I agree we didn't play well on Saturday but they had decent form of late and being rivals of sorts it was always going to be an aim to dent our promotion push, same will apply vrs Exeter.
I would like to have seen McBurnie get more game time but this crucial stage in the season is it wise to experiment with him up top and Easter in midfield?
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Post by singupgas on Apr 18, 2016 11:00:49 GMT
Couldn't agree more with the above, our performance on Saturday wasn't overly convincing and think DC knew that himself. But i imagine that there is a bit of nerves amongst the players. Hopefully DC can settle the team and tell them to play our own game like we have been doing stringing a great run of results together.
Like i've said in other threads, naturally as a side were much better taking the game to the opposition, parking the bus and inviting pressure is not something we excel at. We have nothing to be afraid of.
And as fans we really need to up the volume for remaining games, it will lift the players tenfold and also settle any nerves to know that we are behind them and know they can do it.
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warehamgas
Predictions League
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,433
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Post by warehamgas on Apr 18, 2016 11:30:56 GMT
Yes. Forget about others, forget about Exeter. Just concentrate on beating Stevenage and then move on. I'm sure DC will have a plan (or two just in case he needs plan B) to beat Stevenage. Let's hope it works out. With the options we have esp in attack with McB, Easter and Harrison on bench it should be about us and not worrying about what others do.
UTG!
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Post by falsenumber9 on Apr 18, 2016 11:34:34 GMT
Let's face it, we were lucky against Yeovile, we could so easily have dropped points. I don't believe we are playing at the top our form but we are still getting the points. I think we need to step up a gear against the lower teams in the league and so I would like to see this team selection below. Mildy Leads Locks Macca Browner Easter Lines Clark Taylor McBurnie Gaffney Four strikers on the pitch. What could possibly go wrong? |
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warehamgas
Predictions League
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,433
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Post by warehamgas on Apr 18, 2016 11:36:53 GMT
I hope we see an unchanged side although Lee M might be in with a shout now he's fit. He gives a better balance IMO. But as has been said DC sees them training and after lots of games recently perhaps he might tinker with it. I hope Montano is kept in but we trust DC to get it right.
UTG!
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Post by p4perlant3rn on Apr 18, 2016 12:33:41 GMT
Let's face it, we were lucky against Yeovile, we could so easily have dropped points. I don't believe we are playing at the top our form but we are still getting the points. I think we need to step up a gear against the lower teams in the league and so I would like to see this team selection below. Mildy Leads Locks Macca Browner Easter Lines Clark Taylor McBurnie Gaffney Four strikers on the pitch. What could possibly go wrong? Agreed. All we would need is Mcgleish and Zebroski on the wings and Buckle in charge and it would be like the good times of old. |
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Post by gasheadnaboo on Apr 18, 2016 12:35:59 GMT
Let Stevenage start against Lawrence, then hit them with Montano in the second half. Certainly proven to be an effective tactic thus far, similar roles for Ellis and Easter.
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Post by p4perlant3rn on Apr 18, 2016 12:36:10 GMT
I hope we see an unchanged side although Lee M might be in with a shout now he's fit. He gives a better balance IMO. But as has been said DC sees them training and after lots of games recently perhaps he might tinker with it. I hope Montano is kept in but we trust DC to get it right. UTG! Still really struggle to understand the affection for Montano. He was dreadful again on Saturday and really leaves us weak on the left side. I would start with Lawrence and use him as an option from the bench if needed. |
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Post by singupgas on Apr 18, 2016 13:47:58 GMT
I hope we see an unchanged side although Lee M might be in with a shout now he's fit. He gives a better balance IMO. But as has been said DC sees them training and after lots of games recently perhaps he might tinker with it. I hope Montano is kept in but we trust DC to get it right. UTG! Still really struggle to understand the affection for Montano. He was dreadful again on Saturday and really leaves us weak on the left side. I would start with Lawrence and use him as an option from the bench if needed. Disagree, think he was playing well then was dropped for no reason really other than Lawrence became available again. Think he was probably thinking what he had to do to stay in the team. Good to have him back and hopefully he can settle again in the side. |
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Post by severnbeachline on Apr 18, 2016 14:06:59 GMT
To be completely honest it is difficult to see beyond a big Oxford win Disagree. Newport have turned us (1-4) and Portsmouth (0-3) over this season and beaten w**ky Wanderers home and away. They can cause upsets. |
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Post by hungerfordgas on Apr 18, 2016 19:39:58 GMT
Exciting times, one i'd hoped for but not realistically expected. Saying this, for me there will be an air of disappointment if we failed to snatch one of the top 3 places from this position. You only have to look at Plymouths forum to see how easily things can change, suicidal one Saturday, talk of autos the next. I think the way to look at it is just to look at our games, all 4 certainly winnable, and if we do we are up.I wonder how much the experience of last seasons exploits and pressures of the play off games will help with the nerves now? Unless Oxford and Accrington also win their last four, then we have to rely on Accrington not winning their games by 5 or more goals than us! |
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2016 19:50:42 GMT
Unless Oxford and Accrington also win their last four, then we have to rely on Accrington not winning their games by 5 or more goals than us! True enough. But I don't think all three of us winning all four games each is likely. Somone will slip up at some stage, maybe all three. If one of the three finishes with four wins I feel sure they WILL go up as others won't. Based on that we just have to win our games. Or win more than our rivals. And that was always thus, obviously. So I return to Astavjevs' (the sarcastic forum member not the Latvian forward) point. One game at a time, try to win the game. We can debate endless permutations, but the best team with a little luck will get the most points and get promoted. That's still the game! |
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Post by gashead1979 on Apr 19, 2016 7:37:12 GMT
Unless Oxford and Accrington also win their last four, then we have to rely on Accrington not winning their games by 5 or more goals than us! True enough. But I don't think all three of us winning all four games each is likely. Somone will slip up at some stage, maybe all three. If one of the three finishes with four wins I feel sure they WILL go up as others won't. Based on that we just have to win our games. Or win more than our rivals. And that was always thus, obviously. So I return to Astavjevs' (the sarcastic forum member not the Latvian forward) point. One game at a time, try to win the game. We can debate endless permutations, but the best team with a little luck will get the most points and get promoted. That's still the game!
I've done bit of predicting (for what its worth) and 9 points would be enough although I feel we will get 10 minimum.
Then again who'd have thought Portsmouth would lose to Plymouth given the form both had? who had Luton down to beat Oxford?
As my accumulators prove, predicting any result is bloody difficult, even the easy looking games become more difficult with pressure on us and off the opposition.
Lets enjoy the ride and see where it leads us, if not the autos we get a 2nd bite of the cherry in the play offs.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,263
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Post by kingswood Polak on Apr 19, 2016 12:32:26 GMT
True enough. But I don't think all three of us winning all four games each is likely. Somone will slip up at some stage, maybe all three. If one of the three finishes with four wins I feel sure they WILL go up as others won't. Based on that we just have to win our games. Or win more than our rivals. And that was always thus, obviously. So I return to Astavjevs' (the sarcastic forum member not the Latvian forward) point. One game at a time, try to win the game. We can debate endless permutations, but the best team with a little luck will get the most points and get promoted. That's still the game!
I've done bit of predicting (for what its worth) and 9 points would be enough although I feel we will get 10 minimum.
Then again who'd have thought Portsmouth would lose to Plymouth given the form both had? who had Luton down to beat Oxford?
As my accumulators prove, predicting any result is bloody difficult, even the easy looking games become more difficult with pressure on us and off the opposition.
Lets enjoy the ride and see where it leads us, if not the autos we get a 2nd bite of the cherry in the play offs.
It would be nice if we didn't have to go through the nerves of the play off though eh mucker. One of my red friends was saying how they went up as champions and that coming top was what it was all about but it certainly hasn't done them much good. I honestly would be overjoyed if I can have a summer enjoying the fact that we have already been promoted. Also, I think it would work better for DC and in planning for next season. Personally, I think we will do it but I think the one game that could see us slip up is V Exeter. They habe some decent players and prefer to play it on the deck. I never thought we would be top 7 at start of this season and would have happily taken a play off spot but now I am greedily eyeing up an automatic promotion. It really would be a dream come true, to have back to back promotions & I can see the fear in the eyes of my Ted friends |
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