Relegation Thread 2017/18

[BlackHaddock]

I sometimes hate supporting my team, my children hate me for making them support Grimsby too. However the 'good time' was great while it lasted (please note I didn't say 'good times').

 

[Soup Ladle]

I sometimes hate supporting my team, my children hate me for making them support Grimsby too. However the 'good time' was great while it lasted (please note I didn't say 'good times').

Very similar to me mate. I hate supporting Hartlepool with a passion to be honest, I don't know why I still bother, it's just a miserable experience. I can't let go. I could've supported someone better but then all the NE sides are crap really, just some have more fans than others. We had our 'good time' as well for 7/8 years but it's just been total despair and agony for the other 20 years I've followed them. Probably the same for most lower league sides. Admittedly some are *marginally* bigger than others, some had a stint for a couple of years in the Championship or one season of getting bummed in the top flight but the common denominator is we are all, with very very few exceptions, absolute dog shite. That's why we're lower league or even non league. But we make our life choice and we have to honour that.

 

[SkyBluesRose]

Grimsby is all but down now. Yeovil's run-in to the end of the season is horrendous - they're playing everybody in the top 8 - lose that and their game vs FGR and they could see themselves down as well.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Definitely some parallels to be drawn between Grimsby and ourselves from last year, deep disconnect between fans and board, appointment and ultimate dismissal of a dinosaur of a manager, can't really speak to player sales as I haven't a clue if those sold were any good, but it's a frigging slippery slope when everything around you is looking tits up.

At least if you do drop you'll get to visit Havant and Waterlooville next year wherever the fuck that is?

 

[Soup Ladle]

Definitely some parallels to be drawn between Grimsby and ourselves from last year, deep disconnect between fans and board, appointment and ultimate dismissal of a dinosaur of a manager, can't really speak to player sales as I haven't a clue if those sold were any good, but it's a frigging slippery slope when everything around you is looking tits up.

At least if you do drop you'll get to visit Havant and Waterlooville next year wherever the fuck that is?

It's in Havant.

 

[BelizeHatter]

Havant got a clue?

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Met their Waterloo(ville)

 

[denzel ecfc]

It's rare that the same team goes down to the Conference twice. This season we could have two who have been there before. Still think there will be lots of twists yet

 

[valefan16]

Plenty of twists, yesterday's result changes a lot.

Crewe - Seem to think they are safe a possibly are but with yesterday all of a sudden its less certain, defeat against Barnet coupled with a Vale defeat to Chesterfield would drag them right back in ahead of our meeting with Chesterfield's games in hand. They seem to drift from decent to dire inconsistently so you never quite know what you will get.

Yeovil - Seriously tough run in, games in hand though (although one against Accrington), they seem to pick up the odd win unexpectedly but will need one or two shock results to avoid potential disaster.

Morecambe - Game in hand, seem to pick up wins to keep above danger, think they will be ok.

FGR - Seem to go from good to bad similar to Crewe, seem to win at home which should keep them up, believe they play Grimsby and Chesterfield still so those could be crucial.

Port Vale - Draw specialists, 1 defeat in 6, 1 loss at home in 4 months and 3 unbeaten away, some impressive performances of late but failure to make dominance and chances count is hurting us big time. Massive weekend ahead for the Valiants and the return of Tom Pope will be key. IF we create the chances we have been in his absence results will surely come. The next three are critical, three games (Chesterfield, Crewe, Crawley) that are probably the easiest on paper of the last 7. 5-6 points minimum to avoid being sucked in. Defeat Friday would be disaster.

Grimsby - Seem doomed but have key games against Chesterfield and Barnet. With the bottom 3 to play each other this could decide the fate of the one who comes off worse. Have a fairly kind run in but can they turn it around in time?

Chesterfield - Picked up a good result, have been dire away though and face 6 away games from their last 9 I believe, play Vale, Grimsby and Barnet which is critical for their hopes. Huge game Friday but a defeat isnt as terminal as it could of been. Need to get some consistency.

Barnet - Easy run in but running out of games and seem less likely than Chesterfield to survive. Think they are gone and would need a miracle... but they have done it before.

 

[Habbinalan]

I still think Grixit is a near certainty but Barxit only a probability.

Can't look beyond Vale for the other place but punning fails me - Burxit? Vaxit?

 

[valefan16]

I still think Grixit is a near certainty but Barxit only a probability.

Can't look beyond Vale for the other place but punning fails me - Burxit? Vaxit?

If we go it wont be at Barnet's reprieve. We played them a fortnight ago away and they were beyond dire.

 

[BeesKnees]

Its now us and Grimsby for the drop by the looks of it.

Up until last weekend I was thinking we needed to catch one team and if we did then we would also finish above Chesterfield.

Having watched yesterday's game its clear that Chesterfield have enough about them to catch and overtake several teams just ahead of them which makes our task almost impossible. We need 2ppg from here on and that just isn't going to happen.

 

[Habbinalan]

If we go it wont be at Barnet's reprieve. We played them a fortnight ago away and they were beyond dire.

If you think you'll win another game before the end of the season, I'll agree.

Despite shit performances (which we've all got in us) I think that Barnet have the players and manager to win a few and my pre-weekend guess was they (and you) might get to 41 points. Looking at it match by match, I couldn't see you, Chesterfield or Grimsby getting another win but this is L2 so it might well happen.

I think safety might be even lower than JJ's stats driven 44 points.

 

[springerbfc]

We will probably beat Crewe on Friday to rekindle some glimmer of hope that we can pull this off, and then lose at Stevenage in dire and depressing fashion to all but finish us off.

We haven't scored more than once in a game since 16th December and we've kept 4 clean sheets all season. Even being extremely optimistic, I can't see us picking up more than 10 points from our remaining games, meaning we would be relying on two others losing virtually every game. At best, Grimsby might continue their capitulation but everyone else is picking up points.

We're down.

 

[Habbinalan]

We will probably beat Crewe on Friday to rekindle some glimmer of hope that we can pull this off, and then lose at Stevenage in dire and depressing fashion to all but finish us off.

We haven't scored more than once in a game since 16th December and we've kept 4 clean sheets all season. Even being extremely optimistic, I can't see us picking up more than 10 points from our remaining games, meaning we would be relying on two others losing virtually every game. At best, Grimsby might continue their capitulation but everyone else is picking up points.

We're down.

Although you are probably right, if you get anything at Stevenage, it could be the start of a roll.

I'm probably being over-influenced by your performance against us at the Hive (or our lack of performance) but, in the context of an end of season wind down, you should be capable of getting something from each of your remaining fixtures. I can't say that about the 3 above you.

Momentum is everything at this stage - so I agree, deflation at Broadhall Way would be hard to deal with.

 

[valefan16]

If you think you'll win another game before the end of the season, I'll agree.

Despite shit performances (which we've all got in us) I think that Barnet have the players and manager to win a few and my pre-weekend guess was they (and you) might get to 41 points. Looking at it match by match, I couldn't see you, Chesterfield or Grimsby getting another win but this is L2 so it might well happen.

I think safety might be even lower than JJ's stats driven 44 points.

That assuming the three matches between the three of us end in draws?

We are playing well enough just need to start scoring... the return Friday of the Pontiff hopefully (if we carry on creating with the new formation change) see us scoring.

Plus with the end of season games things go out the window, for example you will be on the beach by the time we visit and likely Carlisle the same when they come VP... these games then are even harder to predict.

 

[MrGloverLover]

Grimsby is all but down now. Yeovil's run-in to the end of the season is horrendous - they're playing everybody in the top 8 - lose that and their game vs FGR and they could see themselves down as well.

It is a terrible run-in but a win over FGR will do us the world of good. I think we'll then cobble together enough draws to stay up.

 

[Habbinalan]

That assuming the three matches between the three of us end in draws?

We are playing well enough just need to start scoring... the return Friday of the Pontiff hopefully (if we carry on creating with the new formation change) see us scoring.

Plus with the end of season games things go out the window, for example you will be on the beach by the time we visit and likely Carlisle the same when they come VP... these games then are even harder to predict.

Hope you're right. Haven't seen Vale play since the '60s, so would welcome another chance to visit Burslem next season.

That said, I hope you have a good supply of cotton wool. Our own experience of 32+ yr olds returning from injury is not exactly encouraging over the years.

 

[Dave-Vale]

We’ve been playing better but we can play as well as we want, if we don’t win a couple of games before the end of the season then we are going down.

I echo the sentiments of hating being a Vale fan. Both on and off the pitch has generally been a completely depressing experience for the vast (almost all) majority of my 20 odd years of going. I resent my dad and all of his family for being from the north of the city and forcing this irritating, frustrating and absolutely mental fuckng football club upon me; my 7 year old is already starting to resent me for forcing the same tinpot club upon him. Would I have it any other way, though? No thanks!

If we go down then I’m quite certain Gorman will fuck off and I’d hope that somebody with some common sense and decorum will buy us and rebuild us.

Can I ask, out of the fans here, how many of you cried when you got relegated from the football league?

 

[valefan16]

Hope you're right. Haven't seen Vale play since the '60s, so would welcome another chance to visit Burslem next season.

That said, I hope you have a good supply of cotton wool. Our own experience of 32+ yr olds returning from injury is not exactly encouraging over the years.

Hopefully, its been timed and managed (he had been playing through injury for weeks) to ensure he was ready for this weekend as these were felt the most crucial. The worry is we have been creating chances galore in his absence which may be down to the way we have to change the way we play without him (i.e. not resorting to long ball).

 

[valefan16]

We’ve been playing better but we can play as well as we want, if we don’t win a couple of games before the end of the season then we are going down.

I echo the sentiments of hating being a Vale fan. Both on and off the pitch has generally been a completely depressing experience for the vast (almost all) majority of my 20 odd years of going. I resent my dad and all of his family for being from the north of the city and forcing this irritating, frustrating and absolutely mental fuckng football club upon me; my 7 year old is already starting to resent me for forcing the same tinpot club upon him. Would I have it any other way, though? No thanks!

If we go down then I’m quite certain Gorman will fuck off and I’d hope that somebody with some common sense and decorum will buy us and rebuild us.

Can I ask, out of the fans here, how many of you cried when you got relegated from the football league?

I've made this crazy life for myself by choice... no links to Stoke, just fell in love with the 90's side on TV as a young lad...

Had I supported my local side I'd have seen a miracle Premier League Title and the quarters of the Champions League rather than watching us trying desperately to avoid the FA Trophy and Harrogate Away!

I'd love my son to be Vale on one hand, go games with him but then is it fair on him?

I wont cry if we go down, il be too angry that we've allowed it to happen!

 

[Chief Rocka]

Can I ask, out of the fans here, how many of you cried when you got relegated from the football league?

I didn't cry last year when we went down cos you know, I'm not 12 years old but it was a definite gut punch feeling leaving the ground, especially as we were safe before Newport scored and won in the 88th minute.

The Conference is certainly an eye opener, it's actually pretty funny at times, strikers are shite and miss absolute sitters several times in a match, the tin potter's especially seem to employ defenders that look like fat Barry from the over 40's park league and don't get me started on the standard of reffing, if you think League 2 is bad you ain't seen nothing.

 

[Dave-Vale]

Oh Christ!

The crying question was based upon me seeing a few older Vale fans over the last few weeks mention that they will shed a tear if we lose our football league status. I’m going to be totally gutted if we do go down.

That said, non league sounds pretty funny.

 

[Wiinotfit]

Oh Christ!

The crying question was based upon me seeing a few older Vale fans over the last few weeks mention that they will shed a tear if we lose our football league status. I’m going to be totally gutted if we do go down.

That said, non league sounds pretty funny.

it's funny the first couple of times but it wears thin when it happens every game!

 

[BeesKnees]

.Can I ask, out of the fans here, how many of you cried when you got relegated from the football league?

Which time?

Never,
First time was shock, we'd come off the back of being play off challengers started the season reasonably well, and beat blackpool 7-0 in November and then fell apart. No one saw it coming.

Second time was bitter, the focus had all been on the last game at Underhill. The final game away at Northampton was almost an afterthought, the team looked jaded and the fans didn't really get behind the team. Walked away from the game slightly relieved that 5 years of constant relegation battles had come to an end.

Thoroughly enjoyed our couple of seasons in the conference. Winning games again and new grounds.

This time is more like the first. Money has been spent on this team and it has failed when the expectation was to push on rather than fall back.

 

[valefan16]

Oh Christ!

The crying question was based upon me seeing a few older Vale fans over the last few weeks mention that they will shed a tear if we lose our football league status. I’m going to be totally gutted if we do go down.

That said, non league sounds pretty funny.

If the strikers are shit assuming as hes one of our own Pope stays we might actually have a chance of challenging again I guess!

 

[MrGloverLover]

Not that I want it to happen but it would be interesting to see how the Conference (can't get out of the habit of calling it that) has changed in the 15 years sine we were there. There are a lot more ex-league clubs than there used to be, and a lot of smaller clubs that have risen quickly. Back in the day it was mostly the same clubs every year with a few yo-yo ones from the Southern/Northern/Isthmian leagues.

 

[#Beebot]

Not that I want it to happen but it would be interesting to see how the Conference (can't get out of the habit of calling it that) has changed in the 15 years sine we were there. There are a lot more ex-league clubs than there used to be, and a lot of smaller clubs that have risen quickly. Back in the day it was mostly the same clubs every year with a few yo-yo ones from the Southern/Northern/Isthmian leagues.

The NL is piss poor this year.

 

[Luke Imp]

I actually quite like Barnet as an away day. Easy enough to get to, booze is readily available and the new stand has a decent view. Plenty of worse days out in this league.

A favourite away day of us Imps, too. Not a patch on Underhill, though.

Not that I want it to happen but it would be interesting to see how the Conference (can't get out of the habit of calling it that) has changed in the 15 years sine we were there. There are a lot more ex-league clubs than there used to be, and a lot of smaller clubs that have risen quickly. Back in the day it was mostly the same clubs every year with a few yo-yo ones from the Southern/Northern/Isthmian leagues.

It changed a lot from our first to final year so you'll notice a massive change.

Basing this purely on points totals, it looks a poor one this season. Going to end up miles of historical title win and PO point totals.

 

[Luke Imp]

If Grimsby do drop, Fenty's going to have another decision to make r.e. Jolley. Historically, those who take on the bigger jobs without experience of NL football don't fair well and get sacked - Tilson, Davis, Harrison, Woods etc

Those who do have that experience fair ok - Mellon, Cowley(s), Johnson, Hurst, Cooper etc

I know those who do have NL experience can falter as well, but for a Club like Grimsby, they'll obviously be wanting to be at the top end quickly.