Promotion thread

[kieran_vale]

For the teams who have a chance of finishing in the play offs, is there any team in particular you definitely don't fancy?

I have to say that Northampton would worry me, despite them being awful both times this season, as they seem to be hitting some fine form and they're churning out result after result. Mansfield would be the other one I'd be weary of as you never know what team is going to turn up. Vale I would have, but after our recent game and today's result - less worried, but still a few games to go

It’s hard to say without knowing what players will be available for each team. I would give us a better shot of stopping yourselves for example with James Gibbons at RWB against Anderson than Worrall who has been run into the ground.

They’re outside the playoffs at the moment but the club who have given us more trouble than any in the last few years is Tranmere and while they are pretty average away at Prenton Park I wouldn’t particularly fancy that.

 

[Gassy]

We look dead on our feet to be honest. We're not going to be much of a threat as it stands. Over 2 legs, Mansfield, Bristol Rovers would beat us easily. We might have a chance against Sutton and Salford as both teams have been dog awful when we've played them.

Win your last 2 though and you'll feel completely different. As you've recently found out, a lot can happen in 2 games

 

[Trapdoor]

can we not just beat you and piss Devon_Lad off?

It doesnt work like that. He would just say "we will beat Northampton 0-8."

 

[kieran_vale]

Going to be an interesting challenge for Northampton. Now they’re back into third and the finishing line in sight it’s a totally different pressure they will face now. If they handle it then fair play but their last two games against Exeter and Barrow are not exactly easy. I think it will go to the final day regardless and who knows what can happen then.

 

[valefan16]

Going to be an interesting challenge for Northampton. Now they’re back into third and the finishing line in sight it’s a totally different pressure they will face now. If they handle it then fair play but their last two games against Exeter and Barrow are not exactly easy. I think it will go to the final day regardless and who knows what can happen then.

More twists to come but the issue now is we almost certainly will have to win at Exeter, obviously of Northampton lose to Exeter and we win Monday then a draw would have been potentially enough but the GD has closed that it would then be extraordinarily tight unless we wallop Newport!

Northampton have two tricky games though so it’s not over by a long shot and we’ve seen how the pressure has hit us since getting third spot but we’ve only ourselves to blame if we don’t go up now. 5 clear with 4 to go with a better GD you’ve got to be getting promoted from that position really.

9 days off, give the lads 4 or 5 days off now and then come back fresh for Newport, should get Gibbo up to speed.

As for the question of play offs, doesn’t really matter who you play does it? All relatively equal sides and to go up you need to beat them. On paper I’d fancy us against Salford or Sutton and we beat Mansfield 4-2 over two games this season, Swindon have had a hoodoo on us all be it less so recently as have Tranmere.

But our last play off final we lost 3-0 to a WBA side we’d done the double over so!

Take whoever we get and hope the Vale side of a couple of weeks ago turns up rather than the one the last 5 days!

 

[EricSabin]

More twists to come but the issue now is we almost certainly will have to win at Exeter, obviously of Northampton lose to Exeter and we win Monday then a draw would have been potentially enough but the GD has closed that it would then be extraordinarily tight unless we wallop Newport!

Northampton have two tricky games though so it’s not over by a long shot and we’ve seen how the pressure has hit us since getting third spot but we’ve only ourselves to blame if we don’t go up now. 5 clear with 4 to go with a better GD you’ve got to be getting promoted from that position really.

9 days off, give the lads 4 or 5 days off now and then come back fresh for Newport, should get Gibbo up to speed.

As for the question of play offs, doesn’t really matter who you play does it? All relatively equal sides and to go up you need to beat them. On paper I’d fancy us against Salford or Sutton and we beat Mansfield 4-2 over two games this season, Swindon have had a hoodoo on us all be it less so recently as have Tranmere.

But our last play off final we lost 3-0 to a WBA side we’d done the double over so!

Take whoever we get and hope the Vale side of a couple of weeks ago turns up rather than the one the last 5 days!

I agree with you and Kieran, it’s a different type of pressure. Although when word went round Walsall had scored today the away end erupted and it reminds you why you love football and being involved at this end of the season.


Like Jord said it feels a bit more United, and god we were good today. Just in from London and I cannot wait for next week already.

 

[ExeterDan]

Sorry chaps, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope of us beating Northampton. I think we only have 3 wins in our last 20 meetings.

 

[leedsvaliant]

To me, Exeter are promoted already and certainly will be by next Saturday. I don't think they'll have much chance of the title and is anybody really bothered who wins the league? Northampton are at home, are hitting form at exactly the right time and have suddenly started to score for fun.

In some ways, I think Barrow away might be more of a challenge. Still can't see past 6 points for Northampton if I'm honest. We had our chance and blew it. We'll make the playoffs I think but every other team in them will be in far better form.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Whether FGR win title or not they have the satisfaction knowing that they have equalled last season's Cheltenham title winning points total.

 

[denzel ecfc]

We aren't there yet. I feel we have to win on Tuesday because if we don't we will be up against it at Northampton, who will be rested and raring to go at home, where our record is atrocious.
I really don't want it to go to the last game.

 

[Moomin]

Congratulations FGR. Really good team and they deserve it.

We’re so close now and it would take something insane for us not to make it. I’m so nervous for Tuesday but think we’ll do it.

Feel for Vale, but there’s plenty of twists and turns to go. Northampton are on great form but if we beat them next week, it opens the door for the others. Such an exciting end to the season.

 

[Conker]

I think our lot would shit themselves in the play-offs to be honest.

 

[Devon_Lad]

Just ease off a bit and beat northampton and vale

We'll do that anyway as we go onto win the title..

 

[Devon_Lad]

Sorry chaps, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope of us beating Northampton. I think we only have 3 wins in our last 20 meetings.

Literally makes zero difference of past results on what a different squad of players do against a different squad of players, weirdo

 

[valefan16]

Interestingly if worked out correctly in the relatively unlikely scenario Tuesday that Exeter fail to beat Barrow (draw would do) it would then put promotion back in Vale’s own hands.

This would be because Exeter and Northampton would both not be able to get maximum points.

Vale winning both would mean Exeter would be caught it they lost to Northampton as one of those we’d have to win would also be against Exeter. Despite their +3 goal difference that would be wiped out by the results if they were all by 1 goal margins.

Vale winning both would mean Northampton would be caught if they don’t beat Exeter and Barrow.

Unlikely outcome Tuesday I would think but another caveat to this mad race!

 

[chipmunx]

Interestingly if worked out correctly in the relatively unlikely scenario Tuesday that Exeter fail to beat Barrow (draw would do) it would then put promotion back in Vale’s own hands.

This would be because Exeter and Northampton would both not be able to get maximum points.

Vale winning both would mean Exeter would be caught it they lost to Northampton as one of those we’d have to win would also be against Exeter. Despite their +3 goal difference that would be wiped out by the results if they were all by 1 goal margins.

Vale winning both would mean Northampton would be caught if they don’t beat Exeter and Barrow.

Unlikely outcome Tuesday I would think but another caveat to this mad race!

it's mad that our last 6 (and 7 of the last 8) matches this season were/are against teams in and around the play offs or going for Automatic promotion;- FGR, Exeter, Northampton, Port Vale , Sutton, Salford and Swindon (all in the top 10) - the exception being Crawley who before yesterday were one of the in form teams....
That being said we might have up to 4 players missing Tuesday;- Arron Amari-Holloway went off holding his groin yesterday so is unlikely to play, Josh Kay got sent off so will be banned (is it next game or a week after for 2 yellows?), Tom Beadling missed yesterday with a knock (dunno if he'll be back) and John Rooney played strapped up yesterday so there's a chance he could be rested...

 

[Sydney Posse]

Congratulations to Forest Green for securing promotion, hopefully we will be joining them on Tuesday

 

[Conker]

Win Tuesday and it’s going to be very interesting before the ultimate let-down for Mansfield.

 

[Spanishstag]

Win Tuesday and it’s going to be very interesting before the ultimate let-down for Mansfield.

If we win on tuesday ,sorry when we win its gonna put pressure on both of them ,now we have oates ,maris and lapslie back its going to the final day ,my monies on stags

 

[shoddycollins]

Surprised Dale Vince hasn't been a part of the coverage I've seen so far on FGR's promotion... thought there'd be photos of him on the pitch covered in organic English sparkling white wine. Is this maybe him stepping back from the limelight having announced he's looking to sell up.

 

[FGR Stroud]

Dale Vince . Is this maybe him stepping back from the limelight having announced he's looking to sell up.

Apparently he is retaining ownership & chairmanship of FGR.

 

[FGR-Star]

Surprised Dale Vince hasn't been a part of the coverage I've seen so far on FGR's promotion... thought there'd be photos of him on the pitch covered in organic English sparkling white wine. Is this maybe him stepping back from the limelight having announced he's looking to sell up.

In a word.

NO.

 

[Essex2Wessex]

DV is putting Ecotricity up for sale , not FGR. Moreover, my understanding is that he transferred the formal majority stake in the ownership of FGR away from Ecotricity to one of his other companies, which he is retaining control of, some time ago: so, in a word, no.

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

We could still finish 2nd or 8th, mad isn't it?

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Now suddenly, Northampton suddenly become world beaters after their fans showed zero enthusiasm for them only a couple of weeks ago.

TBH, we have been like that for most of the season, especially since we had the allergic reaction to our COVID outbreak. We couldn't believe how we stayed in the auto's for so long.

 

[northstandexile]

So how many points do you think the third position club get this season?

78, 79, 80, 81 or 82

 

[Trapdoor]

So how many points do you think the third position club get this season?

78, 79, 80, 81 or 82

81

 

[Devon_Lad]

81

That's literally impossible. Bristol Rovers can only get 80. Northampton and Port Vale only can get a maximum of 3 more points because they have us as 1 of their last 2 games each. So they can only get a maximum of 79 and 78, respectfully.

It's a shame we are finishing on 89 though, really thought we'd hit 90

 

[Spanishstag]

That's literally impossible. Bristol Rovers can only get 80. Northampton and Port Vale only can get a maximum of 3 more points because they have us as 1 of their last 2 games each. So they can only get a maximum of 79 and 78, respectfully.

It's a shame we are finishing on 89 though, really thought we'd hit 90

But we haven,t so its possible

 

[Devon_Lad]

But we haven,t so its possible

I stand corrected, I didn't even look as far down the table as you. In which case, with your guaranteed win last game of the season, perhaps indeed third place will finish on 81.