National League Play offs Thread 2016. Who will win?

[The Jovial Forester]

Not long back after a mammoth coach ride and a long walk up a big hill. All worth it, tidy performance against a Dover side who didn't seem to turn up. Hope they pick the same "don't shoot" tactics Saturday.

 

[LeWhites]

Woken up with a fresh sense of optimism and a heavy head. If we have Braham-Barrett and Raggett back by Saturday and put Bellamy in the middle of the park instead of Kinnear Jnr I fancy us to turn this around.

 

[Si Robin]

I'm worried for Dover when they're hoping for Craig Braham-Barrett to be fit. How that bloke earns anything playing football is a mystery to me.

 

[LeWhites]

I'm worried for Dover when they're hoping for Craig Braham-Barrett to be fit. How that bloke earns anything playing football is a mystery to me.

He's not had a bad game for us yet, looks solid. Aswad Thomas just ball watches and doesn't seem interested - see last night & the home fixture vs Cheltenham.

Bizarre from Kinnear to pick somebody who has been out for months in a game so important

 

[B2TF]

112 fans? What a joke. I hate this league, really properly hate it. Bring in some FFP rules so this can't happen again.

Won't happen, the Conference board is stuffed with representatives & former staff members of these outfits.
When the Football League clubs voted for a promotion/relegation system in 1986, no one anticipated the phenomenon of the newly rich amusing themselves in competing to drive some Tin Pot outfit they've adopted as a hobby, into the greatest league in the world at the expense of the REAL football clubs that dropped out. Clubs like Stepford Whores FC are taking the absolute piss out of the Grimsbys, Halifaxs,Wrexhams, Chesters, Tranmeres and Stockports. An argument along the lines "if the real clubs ran themselves properly the situation wouldn't occur" doesn't hold water either - those clubs ARE run properly. It's the money clubs that aren't: "you want a new striker? I'll just write you a cheque for that, there you go". Time for a rethink on the whole concept.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Mmm salty BELT tears.

 

[veggieeater]

Cant be salty, they taste a litle bitter.

So IF FGR Braintree or Dover do go up they replace the REAL football club errm Dagenham & Redbridge.

 

[UpnDown]

Cant be salty, they taste a litle bitter.

So IF FGR Braintree or Dover do go up they replace the REAL football club errm Dagenham & Redbridge.

Even Dagenham would've taken more than 112 to the biggest game in their history! Tin........ pot

 

[stupot]

Though as I work down there Dover are my adopted team, I like to think of myself as a neutral, and unquestionably the better side on the night did deserve to win, but more so because Dover were, not so much poor but predictable.
This has happened so many times this year, when the whole team just goes into hoof it mode, and how Payne and Miller score any goals never mind 40 between them when playing like that I don't know. They just didn't get the ball down at all, and expecting Miller to beat Clough in the air either directly or from flick ons is frankly crazy, and yes in that respect, as he bloody should do he owned the latter, yet when Dover did get the ball to their forwards feet, especially Miller, Cloughs defensive limitations were really shown up, and thats what they must do more of Saturday.
Personally I thought on the night, FGR were average but Dover were poor and am sure both can lift their games and in the latters case will have to at the weekend, so nothing is settled as yet and if FG fans think it is, it could be their downfall .
It might also help Dover, if Ragget is back Saturday, in fact it will, as his replacement Orlu, a real bovril type player among Dover fans was beyond dreadful last night.
He gave away so many needless fouls and must have headed it sideways 4,5 times, a right horror show....OMG!
Talking about horror shows as others have said, on another night FGR could have had two, but most certainly one sending off, and quite how the referee missed the two footed lunge, heaven only knows, but to blame the official for the loss would be absurd.
TheDover supporters will not like this, but in a truly brilliant season for the club, am afraid you have to blame the manager for both his selection but more importantly the tactics used, which were not only a throw back to the 80's but were just so easy for FGR to ward off. It will have to be a different story in the return if they have any chance of turning this around which after seeing some of the games where they have played so well, they can still do

 

[LeWhites]

Though as I work down there Dover are my adopted team, I like to think of myself as a neutral, and unquestionably the better side on the night did deserve to win, but more so because Dover were, not so much poor but predictable.
This has happened so many times this year, when the whole team just goes into hoof it mode, and how Payne and Miller score any goals never mind 40 between them when playing like that I don't know. They just didn't get the ball down at all, and expecting Miller to beat Clough in the air either directly or from flick ons is frankly crazy, and yes in that respect, as he bloody should do he owned the latter, yet when Dover did get the ball to their forwards feet, especially Miller, Cloughs defensive limitations were really shown up, and thats what they must do more of Saturday.
Personally I thought on the night, FGR were average but Dover were poor and am sure both can lift their games and in the latters case will have to at the weekend, so nothing is settled as yet and if FG fans think it is, it could be their downfall .
It might also help Dover, if Ragget is back Saturday, in fact it will, as his replacement Orlu, a real bovril type player among Dover fans was beyond dreadful last night.
He gave away so many needless fouls and must have headed it sideways 4,5 times, a right horror show....OMG!
Talking about horror shows as others have said, on another night FGR could have had two, but most certainly one sending off, and quite how the referee missed the two footed lunge, heaven only knows, but to blame the official for the loss would be absurd.
TheDover supporters will not like this, but in a truly brilliant season for the club, am afraid you have to blame the manager for both his selection but more importantly the tactics used, which were not only a throw back to the 80's but were just so easy for FGR to ward off. It will have to be a different story in the return if they have any chance of turning this around which after seeing some of the games where they have played so well, they can still do

Weird comment, that. Given the injuries to Raggett and Braham-Barrett we had nobody on the bench who would have played any better than the side we put out - except maybe Sterling in for Thomas. The thing with CK's football is when we play bad, it is awful and bordering on unwatchable - however the same tactics sometimes click and we score 3 or 4 with ease.

We created chances, Miller should've scored in the first half but for an incredible save. With Raggett in the side we'll win more in the air both attacking and defending set pieces. Miller did well against Clough and like you say, had the beating of him when he got the ball down. Where we shine is getting the ball out to the wings quickly (call it long ball/hoof ball if you will), with Payne and Modeste using their pace and linking up with Deverdics and Miller in the middle. It's worked more often than not this season - harsh to blame Kinnear for sticking to what has been a successful tactic all season.

In the second half Forest Green never really looked like scoring and even their first half goal came from an absolute gift from our defence - the ball should've been cleared at least 4 times before finding the net.

Whilst it would be absurd to blame the referee for the defeat, the match would have turned out differently had the red cards been shown when they could/should have been - particularly given that it is over two legs.

As a side note, who was that massive lump in the Forest Green technical area kicking the ball away whenever it came near him and "warming up" for the entire second half? I thought only the manager was allowed in the technical area?

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Certainly don't imagine the tie is over, was expecting much more from Dover but it didn't happen for them last night. It might well do Saturday.
Saw KMB dive in but not exactly how bad, otherwise I thought his only failing on the night had been pulling out of challenges. Maybe he should stick to that.

 

[pontoonlew]

Capacity increased to 1,000, hurrah.

 

[Pablosammy]

Mmm salty BELT tears.

I'm sure we'll be seeing Crap Upstart Nonleague Team tears before long...

 

[FGRJC]

Even Dagenham would've taken more than 112 to the biggest game in their history! Tin........ pot

Of course they would of you idiot they're about an hour and a half closer to Dover -_- muppet.

And Dover can't moan about injuries, we now have wedgebury, jj, Kelly all out now so that's a pointless excuse.

 

[LeWhites]

Of course they would of you idiot they're about an hour and a half closer to Dover -_- muppet.

And Dover can't moan about injuries, we now have wedgebury, jj, Kelly all out now so that's a pointless excuse.

And it's hardly surprising that you with your enormous budget have more strength in depth than we do...

 

[The Jovial Forester]

I'm sure we'll be seeing Crap Upstart Nonleague Team tears before long...

We're happy to give you some remaining interest in the season

 

[EnglishRed]

I'd written or a long post about crowd sizes but it's been done to death.

Let's see how many Braintree take to Grimsby.

 

[EnglishRed]

As a matter of interest though, what's the deal with FFP for promoted clubs? I believe in league 2 you are restricted to 55% of your turnover for player wages. I'd imagine (and correct me if I'm wrong) that FGR in particular and possibly Grmsby too are currently well north of this? And will this severely limit Dover and Braintree? Obviously you bring in more from tv money and solidarity payments etc but they'll be severely hampered through low gate receipts, merchandise sales etc?

 

[Chris FGR]

I'd written or a long post about crowd sizes but it's been done to death.

Let's see how many Braintree take to Grimsby.

Which is at the weekend, with a week to sort out bookings. We only knew short notice, had problems with fans getting through to book on Bank holiday Monday and a long midweek trip at short notice is difficult for a lot of people to sort out at. I was lucky to be able to, but not everyone has flexible hours. I know quite a few who just couldn't get time off.

If the away leg had been on Saturday, we'd have taken at least 400+. Like we have to other big weekend games in the past, like Grays in 09-10 for example.

 

[EnglishRed]

Which is at the weekend, with a week to sort out bookings. We only knew short notice, had problems with fans getting through to book on Bank holiday Monday and a long midweek trip at short notice is difficult for a lot of people to sort out at short notice. I was lucky to be able to, but not everyone has flexible hours. I know quite a few who just couldn't get time off.

If the away leg had been on Saturday, we'd have taken at least 400+. Like we have to other big weekend games in the past, like Grays in 09-10 for example.

I understand. Im not about to take the piss out of FGR for crowd sizes in play offs containing Dover and Braintree.

Edit: are Braintree not at Grimsby tonight?

 

[Harrier94]

I understand. Im not about to take the piss out of FGR for crowd sizes in play offs containing Dover and Braintree.

Edit: are Braintree not at Grimsby tonight?

Yes it's Grimsby v Braintree tonight so that point about having a week and it being a weekend is mute.

 

[rudebwoyben]

As a matter of interest though, what's the deal with FFP for promoted clubs? I believe in league 2 you are restricted to 55% of your turnover for player wages. I'd imagine (and correct me if I'm wrong) that FGR in particular and possibly Grmsby too are currently well north of this? And will this severely limit Dover and Braintree? Obviously you bring in more from tv money and solidarity payments etc but they'll be severely hampered through low gate receipts, merchandise sales etc?

I'd imagine the solidarity payments for Braintree if they were in League 2 would massively increase their budget, possibly doubling it.

 

[Chris FGR]

Yes it's Grimsby v Braintree tonight so that point about having a week and it being a weekend is mute.

You're right. My mistake. Had forgotten that Grimsby had somehow managed to finish below a part time team, despite operation promotion supposedly making them stronger then last season!

Out of interest though, the distances between the clubs are as follows- Braintree to Grimsby 181.3 miles, us to Dover 190.2 miles.

One key difference in that though is that our route to Dover went via the M4 and M25 during rush our, which is another reason many struggled to make it for a 7pm kick off. All play off games should be at weekends imo.

 

[veggieeater]

As a side note, who was that massive lump in the Forest Green technical area kicking the ball away whenever it came near him and "warming up" for the entire second half? I thought only the manager was allowed in the technical area?

If you are referring to Jon Parkin he is our assistant player manager, and they indeed are allowed into the technical area

 

[Chris FGR]

Or maybe Lenny Pidgeley, our new player goalkeeper coach who is also a big unit these days, although not as big as Glyn Jones was.

More likely to be The Beast though, although not sure how often he'd want to be getting up, it's hard work when you're big boned.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Though like the Titanic once he is up takes him two hours to turn back round and sit down.

 

[LeWhites]

Definitely wasn't Jon Parkin unless he has the ability to be in two places at once. No - the assistant is only allowed in the technical area if the manager is sat on the bench. Two people are not allowed to be in the technical area at any one time which is presumably why Lenny Pidgeley was being a prick under the guise of 'warming up'

 

[FGRJC]

Definitely wasn't Jon Parkin unless he has the ability to be in two places at once. No - the assistant is only allowed in the technical area if the manager is sat on the bench. Two people are not allowed to be in the technical area at any one time which is presumably why Lenny Pidgeley was being a prick under the guise of 'warming up'

Stop moaning -_- trying to find every excuse possible. We've had terrible reffing, us cheating, injuries, now kicking balls away... What next? Match fixing being the reason we won? Get over it and move on! The better team won.

 

[LeWhites]

Stop moaning -_- trying to find every excuse possible. We've had terrible reffing, us cheating, injuries, now kicking balls away... What next? Match fixing being the reason we won? Get over it and move on! The better team won.

Already said the best team won - should've probably won by more.

The ref had a shocker and you benefitted from it - should have had 2 red cards but that's football.
You were cheating, by kicking balls away and wasting time - I can deal with the goalkeeper taking his time on a goal kick but a coach kicking balls away is too far, but again it comes down to the referee.
Are we supposed to pretend that we didn't have our two best defenders out injured and never mention it?

 

[veggieeater]

Interesting one, the rules of the game arent actually specific on the number, only on the number giving instructions at any one time. There may well be rules for the National League but I cant find them.

"the number of persons permitted to occupy the technical area is defined by the competition rules • the occupants of the technical area are identifi ed before the beginning of the match in accordance with the competition rules • only one person at a time is authorised to convey tactical instructions from the technical area"

Of course the 4th is right there, its up to him to keep this rule properly, they are all miked up, so I can only assume that the infringement wasnt considered much by the ref. Quite how subs can get out of their seats if this rule is followed as tightly as you wish is beyond me