National League Play-off Thread 2017/18

[Luke Imp]

Hell of a bottle by you lot, or at least it seems so. I can't remember how many points you were in the PO's by, mind.

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

Always a surprise result in these kind of scenarios, given Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet’s opponents, I can’t see where it’s going to come from.

3 points and a favour from Wrexham is all I can hope for. Hope...

 

[iesty wfc]

Hell of a bottle by you lot, or at least it seems so. I can't remember how many points you were in the PO's by, mind.

we were comfortably in it at one point with no risk of dropping out, but good form from the chasing pack and our heads going have left us in this situation

even the players have been in the press saying we have bottled it

depending who we have as manager next year though i am hopeful that we will be there or thereabouts again next season though. Chesterfield and likely Barnet coming down dont concern me too much, Salford could be another Fylde.

 

[Joe.]

Well Saturday should be alright.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

we were comfortably in it at one point with no risk of dropping out, but good form from the chasing pack and our heads going have left us in this situation

even the players have been in the press saying we have bottled it

depending who we have as manager next year though i am hopeful that we will be there or thereabouts again next season though. Chesterfield and likely Barnet coming down dont concern me too much, Salford could be another Fylde.

Had Keates stayed, you would have been in the mix with us and Sutton for 3rd

 

[Leewilson]

Update 6

Confirmed

2nd) Tranmere - 82
Chester (A) WON
Gateshead (H) WON
Aldershot (H) WON
Dover (A) WON
Halifax (A) WON
Solihull (H) LOST
Hartlepool (H)
Initial verdict: Will be absolutely fine. Games in hand a fairly favourable run in. Expect them to finish strongly in either 2nd or 3rd.
Update1: Looking very comfortable for 2nd or 3rd.
Update 2: Flying.
Update 3: All but mathematical now
Update 4: In the Play Offs at least. Can they keep winning and chase down Macc?
Update 5: Will finish 2nd
Update 6: Prepping for the Play Offs.

3rd) Sutton - 76
Hartlepool (H) DREW
Maidenhead (A) LOST
Ebbsfleet (A) WON
Aldershot (H)
Update 2: Well I have to include them now that they're making a pigs ear of it. Should be fine but it's tight enough to be uncertain.
Update 3: Need 1 win or a few draws to be sure. Limping into the play offs.
Update 4: Big trouble now. Away to an in-form Ebbsfleet next and could well lose on the final day too. Wrexham will be eyeing 4 points to jump above them.
Update 5: Indifferent form but a big win away at Ebbsfleet confirms their spot. Match vs Aldershot on the last day is for the important 3rd place and a game less to play.

4th) Aldershot - 75
Maidenhead (H) WON
Tranmere (A) LOSE
Gateshead (H) WON
Barrow (H) DREW
Sutton (A)
Initial verdict: Bang out of form and with 2 very tough looking away games. Important they get a win or two at home but could get dragged into a battle for 7th if they're not careful.
Update1: Essential late win. 2 more wins to make sure.
Update 2: Night off. Other results weren't too bad. Still in their hands.
Update 3: Other results have helped them massively. Two winnable games to come before the final day and should make the play offs
Update 4: Pretty much there now. Win against Barrow would give them the best chance of 3rd and a game less.
Update 5: 99% there. Only a defeat to Sutton and wins for all the teams down to Bromley could deny them a spot.
Update 6: Confirmed. Will be targeting 3rd.

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In the race

5th) Ebbsfleet - 73
Macclesfield (H) DRAW
Wrexham (H) WON
Barrow (A) WON
Eastleigh (A) WON
Sutton (H) LOSE
Gateshead (A) WON
Torquay (A)
Initial verdict: They have the games in hand but have been inconsistent all season. Some very tough games in that run in at home to the pace setters and away to teams fighting for their life. Will just miss out.
Update1: Little margain for error now. Need to win 5/6 ideally. Looking too big an ask.
Update 2: Shut up Lee. Beating Wrexham has put them right back in it now. Still a big ask with 4 away games but with others out of form, they have a chance (until update 3 where I look a back and forth ****).
Update 3: Still looks hard with 3 away games to come but they're in form whereas others aren't, plus they have 4 games compared to others who just have 2. 2 more wins could do it.
Update 4: String some wins together and this is what happens in an inconsistent league. An out of form Sutton next. Looking more secure than a few in the 4th-7th spots. Surely can't mess it up now?
Update 5: Just when you think the momentum's with them, they go and lose to an out of form side. Game in hand could prove crucial. 4 points should be enough.
Update 6: Almost there now. A defeat coupled with the 3 below all winning would mean they miss out though. Torquay are in disarray so they should be fine.

6th) Fylde - 72
Sutton (H) WON
Torquay (A) WON
Maidstone (A) LOSE
Solihull (H) DREW
Wrexham (A)
Initial verdict: Have taken advantage of other's failings to be right in contention. Could go down to the final game vs Wrexham for a play off spot. Gut feeling is they'll just miss out.
Update 1: Cracking win gives them a great chance. Final game vs Wrexham is looking like the decider.
Update 2: Hit form at the right time. Might not even need the final game vs Wrexham now.
Update 3: Surprising defeat. Two tough games to end. A win against Solihull basically gets them in. A loss and it's all on the final day with Wrexham.
Update 4: Another with a night off. Win Saturday and they're there. If not, it comes down to the Wrexham match on the final day.
Update 5: Will be kicking themselves for not securing the spot already. Their goal difference could be crucial if they lose/drew to Wrexham.
Update 6: Anything but a loss will do it. A Wrexham win though and they'll probably miss out to Bromley or Dover.

7th) Boreham Wood - 72
Halifax (A) LOST
Macclesfield (H) LOST
Chester (H) WIN
Bromley (A) LOST
Guiseley (H)
Initial verdict: No problem for these lot. Probably a 4th/5th finish on the cards.
Update1: Damaging loss. If they lose to Macc, it’ll be a nervy end.
Update 2: Lost form at the wrong time. In real danger of missing out. Need 2 wins to get in. I think they'll squeak it.
Update 3: Massively important win. A win against Guiseley on the final day should seal it if they stumble next week.
Update 4: Night off with not much change. Avoiding defeat away to Bromley should all but confirm them in the top 7.
Update 5: Dropped form massively. Easiest game available on the final day though which should confirm them in the Play Offs.
Update 6: Would have picked this as their final match. In their hands.

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8th) Bromley - 70
Gateshead (H) DRAW
Chester (A) LOSE
Woking (A) WON
Daggers (H) WON
Boreham Wood (H) WON
Barrow (H) DRAW
Maidenhead (A)
Initial verdict: A hard one to call. They have the games in hand and not the worst run in. If they can navigate the Chester/Woking games, 3 home games in a row could be the momentum they need to surge for 7th. I think they could sneak it.
Update1: Damaging draw. Need 5/6 now. Possible due to fixtures but looking more unlikely now.
Update 2: Think they're gone now. Need 5 wins which is possible but recent form is too up and down to be realistic.
Update 3: Win today keeps their small hopes alive. Winner of Bromley vs Daggers on Tuesday gives themselves a chance. Draw kills both.
Update 4: Won the battle of the outsiders to give themselves a fighting chance. Ideally need 7 points from their final 3. That would probably be enough due to their goal difference. Win on Saturday and they'll believe!
Update 5: Here comes the late surge predicted (ignore update 2....). Decent goal difference could mean 4 points are enough.
Update 6: Missed a big chance to put it in their own hands. A win away to Maidenhead though and any slip ups from the 3 above will see them in.

9th) Dover - 70
Torquay (H) WON
Maidenhead (A) LOSE
Tranmere (H) LOSE
Gateshead (H) WON
Woking (A)
Initial verdict: Had a real chance to surge into the play offs but may have missed their chance after losing a few games. Games against relegation candidates will decide their fate. May just sneak it.
Update1: Vital win. In their hands looking at their fixtures.
Update 2: Night off. Will be happy with other results largely. Right in their hands now.
Update 3: They keep blowing their chance to get in the top 7. Need to win the next 2 or else I think they'll miss out to Ebbsfleet.
Update 4: Lost form at the wrong time. Still in this courtesy of two kind final games. Win both and they could well nick a spot if others falter. Form table suggests otherwise though.
Update 5: Have given themselves a chance on the final day. A win vs Woking would take them very close to getting in.
Update 6: Looking more unlikely now. Need 2 out of the 4 ahead of them to slip up on the final day. Not sure they will.


Sorry Wrexham and Daggers. I had to delete you due to going over 10,000 characters. Quite frankly, you both should have performed better so it's your own fault.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Sorry Wrexham and Daggers. I had to delete you due to going over 10,000 characters. Quite frankly, you both should have performed better so it's your own fault.

Deleted almost as quick as Wrexham’s target 10k.

 

[EnglishRed]

This thread is depressing. So 1 point from our last 6 games (im writijg off the Fylde game already) wasn't good enough then no?

 

[EnglishRed]

While Tranmere could win the league having been top less than 100 hours all season.

Tranmere won the league in July 2016 anyway. They've just been toying with us all up till now.

 

[Pablosammy]

Sorry Wrexham and Daggers. I had to delete you due to going over 10,000 characters. Quite frankly, you both should have performed better so it's your own fault.

I feel sick thinking about yet another Tranmere playoff attempt. Hopefully it's 6th time lucky for me...

 

[Joe.]

I feel sick thinking about yet another Tranmere playoff attempt. Hopefully it's 6th time lucky for me...

You think losing to FGR was bad... You could end up losing to AFC Fylde, Boreham Wood or Ebbsfleet! Admittedly, we're more a traditional club at this level than the other two, but the point still stands.

 

[Pablosammy]

You think losing to FGR was bad... You could end up losing to AFC Fylde, Boreham Wood or Ebbsfleet! Admittedly, we're more a traditional club at this level than the other two, but the point still stands.

We have to get to Wembley first! As an aside, the last time I saw us lose at home in the playoffs was against Hartlepool trying to get back into the Championship. How both clubs have fallen.

Do you think you'd have a decent crowd at Wembley?

 

[Joe.]

We have to get to Wembley first! As an aside, the last time I saw us lose at home in the playoffs was against Hartlepool trying to get back into the Championship. How both clubs have fallen.

Do you think you'd have a decent crowd at Wembley?

Ouch!

I'd like to think it would be respectable. We took 26,000 to Wembley for the FA Trophy in 2008. I think Gravesend and Northfleet would really get behind the club should there be an opportunity to reach L2.

 

[Pablosammy]

Ouch!

I'd like to think it would be respectable. We took 26,000 to Wembley for the FA Trophy in 2008. I think Gravesend and Northfleet would really get behind the club should there be an opportunity to reach L2.

Bloody hell, you'd outnumber us 2 to 1 if it was against us

 

[Joe.]

Bloody hell, you'd outnumber us 2 to 1 if it was against us

Not quite sure we would get that many a second time, but I would imagine at least 10-15k. Locals, who wouldn't normally bother, are showing a massive interest at the moment. Some of the people going to Torquay tomorrow I've never heard of for fucks sake. Some of whom are already down there and have been since yesyerday!

A fair few of the 26k were to do with MyFC, that boosted it massively. People were going to the game from all over the world. A lot of them are still fans, despite MyFC going. We have this Italian guy who comes over for at least half of the home games.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

So it’s;

Tranmere vs (Aldershot vs Ebbsfleet)
Sutton vs (Boring Wood vs Fylde)

Going with four home wins and a Grimsby fan to get triggered by any talk of Tranmeres attendance as my prediction..

 

[doveranddover]

Our chairman has predicted Tranmere to win the playoffs. Make of that what you will

 

[Pablosammy]

Our chairman has predicted Tranmere to win the playoffs. Make of that what you will

It's guaranteed, then!

 

[RLC]

Our chairman has predicted Tranmere to win the playoffs. Make of that what you will

We are probably doomed then, if his weather forecasting is anything to go by.........

 

[Tranmerewhite]

People talk about the “big” mentality needed for the playoffs. We have McNulty, Buxton and Cook, so no issues there.

 

[Master D]

There's not a chance the National League will let Tranmere go up. There's a basket case of a club in Chesterfield coming down who'll do nothing next season plus historical tinpotters Morecambe or Barnet.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

There's not a chance the National League will let Tranmere go up. There's a basket case of a club in Chesterfield coming down who'll do nothing next season plus historical tinpotters Morecambe or Barnet.

Especially not given our season ticket sales and therefore you’d assume attendances are going to be well up.

Can see it now, 2-0 up vs Sutton and they get 5 penalties* whilst Norwood has a 30 yard screamer disallowed because it might have injured the keeper.

*Davies saves two of them.

 

[Joe.]

Don't fancy us to beat Aldershot if I'm honest, but you never know.

 

[Master D]

Especially not given our season ticket sales and therefore you’d assume attendances are going to be well up.

Can see it now, 2-0 up vs Sutton and they get 5 penalties* whilst Norwood has a 30 yard screamer disallowed because it might have injured the keeper.

*Davies saves two of them.

A Tranmere v Sutton final would be interesting. One side not allowed to go up, the other doesn't want to be but will end up reffed up and RUIN their club in the process.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

A Tranmere v Sutton final would be interesting. One side not allowed to go up, the other doesn't want to be but will end up reffed up and RUIN their club in the process.

Just shake on a 2-1 Tranmere Win before kick off, in the best interests of both teams.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Don't fancy us to beat Aldershot if I'm honest, but you never know.

I think you have a chance, we've stumbled into the playoffs while you have momentum.

How many do you reckon you will bring on Wednesday?

 

[Joe.]

I think you have a chance, we've stumbled into the playoffs while you have momentum.

How many do you reckon you will bring on Wednesday?

I would hope a decent number. 7pm kick off is shite though.

I reckon anything between 400 and 800. We had almost 300 for the league game. We getting the East Bank?

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

What is with the 7pm kick offs. Awful time.

 

[doveranddover]

It was because games couldn’t exactly clash with the Champions League & Europa League games!

 

[Soup Ladle]

It was because games couldn’t exactly clash with the Champions League & Europa League games!

Ah yes the Europa League, the competition that ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE Cares about.