Promotion Thread

[Roly]

I will miss the lot. I thought we were going to do poorly after seeing the pre-season friendlies so after tomorrow I'm abroad. At the moment there is a small chance I'll be back in time for the last game of the season.

I've still not quite managed to forgive myself for being abroad for the last game at Underhill.

Anyway, let's hope my lack of an all inclusive jolly up this year is worth a day in the likes of Alfreton, Kiddy and Dartford...

 

[Gladders]

Its getting a bit serious now, can't believe we were 15 points behind on the 1st Jan

 

[The_Boss]

We're going to miss out completely I think now. That Eastleigh win today is massive for them.

 

[Sledge FGR]

Having been in 5th since the end of January, I think we can claim it, possession being nine tenths of the law, squatters' rights and all that.

 

[Cardsfan]

Having been in 5th since the end of January, I think we can claim it, possession being nine tenths of the law, squatters' rights and all that.

 

[Roly]

Football. Bloody football.

 

[rudebwoyben]

It's your fault Roly!

 

[springerbfc]

Having been in 5th since the end of January, I think we can claim it, possession being nine tenths of the law, squatters' rights and all that.

I agree.

We must have been top for something silly like 35 out of the 41 game weeks.

Same rules apply, right?

 

[BeesKnees]

Grimsby now favorites based on form but it's got really interesting
http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/form/confprem?count=4

 

[Gladders]

http://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/form/confprem?count=8

That's some last 8 form guide, 22 points from 24 and made up 5 points on Bristol and 11 on Barnet!

 

[springerbfc]

I suspect you will now do what Bristol Rovers did and go into meltdown now that top spot is within touching distance.

That would be a shame...

 

[miagsygas]

As much as today I thought we'd be out of it should Barnet win, we have just got out of the way our hardest game on paper. Only two clubs have won at Macc I believe. Still think we need to win the next five but we're in with a shot.

 

[CrazyImp]

Seriously, think there's only one conclusion now. Grimsby are on one of those corny waves of destiny with a bit of Bette Midler playing in the background.

I hope Paul Hurst is sat back with a massive Cuban steaming out of his gob after all the shite he's took this season.

 

[pontoonlew]

Seriously, think there's only one conclusion now. Grimsby are on one of those corny waves of destiny with a bit of Bette Midler playing in the background.

I hope Paul Hurst is sat back with a massive Cuban steaming out of his gob after all the shite he's took this season.

He's rightfully taken shite on occasions this season and i'd say large parts of the fan base don't trust the bloke. But I can't fault how we've caught up lately.

Still a way to go.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

Posted about Hurst in the match thread, probably would've been better suited here.

Basically his tactics are frequently baffling and sometimes costly but can't fault his excellent signings and man management.

 

[Aber gas]

As much as today I thought we'd be out of it should Barnet win, we have just got out of the way our hardest game on paper. Only two clubs have won at Macc I believe. Still think we need to win the next five but we're in with a shot.

We would've taken

Posted about Hurst in the match thread, probably would've been better suited here.

Basically his tactics are frequently baffling and sometimes costly but can't fault his excellent signings and man management.

i thought he'd forced out thomas and Nielsen with his poor man management. Your on a great run but this is fickle beyond belief

 

[Roly]

I've just woken up at the end of an undisclosed underground line, and I'm still gutted.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

We would've taken

i thought he'd forced out thomas and Nielsen with his poor man management. Your on a great run but this is fickle beyond belief

Go on then, go back and quote me on that because I said from the day they left that is was the RIGHT decision. I'll await your reply.

 

[pontoonlew]

I love how fans are quick to come and say how wrong everybody is about Hurst when he's not the man managing their club.

Yes we're doing well and he deserves credit for that. However many fans will still tell you that with the squad of players we have (that in fairness he's built) a different manager could've well helped us run away with it. I'd even go so far as to say even with a promotion there would still be an element that would like to see us have a fresh start next season.

It's hard not to get overly excited right now but with Hurst in charge it is still a fine fine line and you always know there's something infuriating round the corner. Hopefully we can go the rest of the season without another Chester episode.

 

[Gladders]

That's the unfortunate thing most fans don't like Hurst, I've said all along he will eventually get us promoted and changing manager at the start of the season like many wanted would have put us a step back.

The main criticism he has had is the second half of the season hasn't been good enough, this year its been more than good enough in fact its been almost perfect and more than even the most optimistic would have expected yet even if we won the title it still wouldn't be good enough for half our fans.

If we don't get promotion this season I would be the first to say that we need to start fresh next season but only because all but one of our players are out of contract so its the perfect time for a new manager to come in not because I don't think Hurst is good enough.

I still think Hurst will get us promoted even if its not this season, he is learning all the time and as this season has proved getting better even if he does make the odd mistake. got to remember he is still young (only 40) and we are his first full time club and also his first as lone manager and have high expectations.

 

[Gas Go Marching In]

Barnet 6/5
Grimsby 9/4
Bristol Rovers 9/4

I personally thinking Barnet are a bit short and that it is even closer than the betting suggests. All 3 have a serious chance of winning it. Barnet are the most likely to slip up IMO. Grimsby have the most momentum but we have the best set of fixtures.

Could go to the wire!!!

PLACE YOUR BETS PLEASE.

 

[miagsygas]

The Grimsby fan who regularly attends wwe ppv's at wrestlemania last night has placed his bet.

Tbf, I'm a fan of his work. Hope he's wrong though!

 

[Luke Imp]

I've got Barnet going up on GD with Grimsby 3 points behind.

Mind you, I'll do it again in an hour and it'll be different.

 

[springerbfc]

One more slip up from Bristol Rovers or Grimsby could put them out of it, as that would mean we would need to slip up twice.

The Easter programme looks pretty kind to all involved but I suspect we won't see all three teams pick up maximum points;

Barnet v Nuneaton
Bristol Rovers v Chester
Grimsby v Gateshead

Alfreton v Grimsby
Dartford v Barnet
Kidderminster v Bristol Rovers

Too close to call at the moment.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Grimsby to be top after Easter I reckon with Barnet and Rovers getting 4 points.

 

[CrazyImp]

Two very soft, nice games for Barnet there.

Suspect they'll retain top spot for the time being.

 

[immariner]

What I find ridiculous is supporters saying 'I think the manager should have gone at the beginning of the season and even if we get PROMOTED I still stand by that'. What planet do you live on??

And to say a different manager could have helped us run away with it is ludicrous. Countless other hypothetical managers would have had us in mid-table! Obviously there is no way I can prove this but as he's the manager of my club I alone feel suitably qualified to make such ungrounded statements. 'But he makes decisions that are baffling and infuriates the fans'. Welcome to the world of being a football supporter!!

 

[ComeOnIrene]

I can see both Barnet and Grimsby winning both their Easter matches so I don't think there will be any let-offs for potential slip-ups this weekend. We have to win both of our games, although I'm slightly wary about both our opponents.

Chester won't make it easy for us at The Mem and away from home we struggle to create many goalscoring opportunities, and that may cost us against Kiddy.

The fixtures are very kind to Barnet and Grimsby have a nice away game on the Monday, but I take some optimism from the fact they both play Saturday-Monday while we play Friday-Monday. Great move by the club to move the game forward several months ago, as it gives us more time to rest up. We played Saturday-Monday last year and it killed us fitness-wise.

 

[BeesKnees]

Two very soft, nice games for Barnet there.
Suspect they'll retain top spot for the time being.

Hopefully,
If we can't dispatch Nuneaton at home then we really have blown it, while Dartford's two games before playing us sends them to Torquay and back and will have to play 3 games in 6 days so will hopefully be more tired than we are.

 

[Gashead]

The fixtures are very kind to Barnet and Grimsby have a nice away game on the Monday, but I take some optimism from the fact they both play Saturday-Monday while we play Friday-Monday. Great move by the club to move the game forward several months ago, as it gives us more time to rest up. We played Saturday-Monday last year and it killed us fitness-wise.

Which is exactly why Barnet and Grimsby will win on the Monday, Dartford and Alfreton will be knackered I imagine. You never know with Gateshead I suppose, and Nuneaton aren't conceding too many at the moment either, so if there are to be any 'shocks' I think they'll happen on Saturday.

I agree that we have to win both games, otherwise realistically automatic promotion is looking like a long shot.