The L2 Playoffs

[PuB]

Nuts!

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He’s so well camouflaged there I can’t even see him

 

[valefan16]

Already a huge queue snaking up onto Hamil Road, imagine the 2200 tickets will be sold pretty swift.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

It feels like Swindon are in a fairly good place and are sure of their team. Our end of season wobble has given me the jitters a bit and I don't feel as confident. Feel like Swindon's midfield is better than ours but as a collective in terms of running and pressing, we have the edge. If we can stop them knocking it about in midfield then we have a chance. Wilson will cause problems because he's technically very good and Proctor will cause problems physically.

It's a shame we can't exploit Swindon's supposed weakness at set pieces as our free kicks and corners are invariably terrible!

I’m surprised at your last paragraph as I thought that your two left backs delivery was pretty good. If that’s not the case then I’m a bit more confident

 

[kieran_vale]

I'm sure the club will use the images of the queues to show "look how great our support is" but it's 2022 can we not be a bit more modern and sell them online? That's not to mention it's not especially fair on those who live out of town. I expect they will all sell out by mid-afternoon.

 

[Chief Rocka]

I'm sure the club will use the images of the queues to show "look how great our support is" but it's 2022 can we not be a bit more modern and sell them online? That's not to mention it's not especially fair on those who live out of town. I expect they will all sell out by mid-afternoon.

Perhaps I'm old fashioned but I prefer to queue, had an hour and half queuing for playoff final tickets, but I had them in my hand at the end of it, I'd be having kittens trying to get them online, too many variables for shit to go bad and miss out altogether.

 

[valefan16]

I’m surprised at your last paragraph as I thought that your two left backs delivery was pretty good. If that’s not the case then I’m a bit more confident

Gibbons has, he has been out for months but returned at the weekend to play 90 against Exeter.

Worrall usually has been seems to be carrying a hip injury.

Benning is more defensive.

 

[valefan16]

I'm sure the club will use the images of the queues to show "look how great our support is" but it's 2022 can we not be a bit more modern and sell them online? That's not to mention it's not especially fair on those who live out of town. I expect they will all sell out by mid-afternoon.

Yes, if we get through I’m dreading with only probably 5-6 days sales period how we will cope flogging Wembley tickets!

 

[Agombar stool]

Some fans camping outside Vale ticket office overnight for tickets for Sunday! The Exeter ticket situation causing nerves I guess! Fair play to them!

Having no work must make these things easier for Vale fans!

Joking aside, not having an adequate online ticketing system for a professional football club is a little bit on the tinpot side. That said, there is something quite traditional about going to the ground to buy tickets, all part of the experience.

 

[Agombar stool]

Moving onto the actual games themselves I note from Bet365 that we are the 4th favourites to be promoted and Vale favourites - albeit miniscule of a difference between the odds.

It will be interesting to see how Vale setup against us, at the CG as I don't believe there is much pace in the Vale backline I reckon they will adopt a deep defensive line and try and restrict the pace and trickery of Barry and Mckirdy. They might not adopt a heavy press and allow us to keep the ball a lot, forcing us to try and break them down. Jack Payne and Louis Reed are on great form and they both have ability to unlock defences. We've also added Manny Egbo at RWB/RB who is very good and looks good both going forward and at the back.

Given how good we are away, and looking at how big Vale's pitch is, I think the game will be settled at Vale Park. As in, I reckon it will be a low scoring close game at the CG.

 

[kieran_vale]

Moving onto the actual games themselves I note from Bet365 that we are the 4th favourites to be promoted and Vale favourites - albeit miniscule of a difference between the odds.

It will be interesting to see how Vale setup against us, at the CG as I don't believe there is much pace in the Vale backline I reckon they will adopt a deep defensive line and try and restrict the pace and trickery of Barry and Mckirdy. They might not adopt a heavy press and allow us to keep the ball a lot, forcing us to try and break them down. Jack Payne and Louis Reed are on great form and they both have ability to unlock defences. We've also added Manny Egbo at RWB/RB who is very good and looks good both going forward and at the back.

Given how good we are away, and looking at how big Vale's pitch is, I think the game will be settled at Vale Park. As in, I reckon it will be a low scoring close game at the CG.

My expectation is our strategy will be to keep it tight and wait for a Swindon error at some point and then break quickly. I'd expect Hussey and Gibbons at wingback who are the better players defensively than either Benning or Worrall. Am hoping Brad Walker will be available for at least one of the ties certainly the one at VP. His long range passing particularly his ability to switch play quickly has caused visiting teams no end of problems.

 

[valefan16]

Moving onto the actual games themselves I note from Bet365 that we are the 4th favourites to be promoted and Vale favourites - albeit miniscule of a difference between the odds.

It will be interesting to see how Vale setup against us, at the CG as I don't believe there is much pace in the Vale backline I reckon they will adopt a deep defensive line and try and restrict the pace and trickery of Barry and Mckirdy. They might not adopt a heavy press and allow us to keep the ball a lot, forcing us to try and break them down. Jack Payne and Louis Reed are on great form and they both have ability to unlock defences. We've also added Manny Egbo at RWB/RB who is very good and looks good both going forward and at the back.

Given how good we are away, and looking at how big Vale's pitch is, I think the game will be settled at Vale Park. As in, I reckon it will be a low scoring close game at the CG.

We do lack pace but its not as much of an issue if Gibbons and Hall are playing (and both should be) in terms of defensively.

Can't second guess DC really we might go to stifle you like we did Exeter and rely on a moment of quality from someone like Wilson or we may high press with Hall and Gibbons back to help cover.

Be interesting to see how we set up as we changed the formation for Exeter with Edmondson as a third striker and Wilson sat deeper. We don't concede too many so as long as we defend well that's probably going to be pivotal to our chances but we need to try and avoid defeat away I would say to have a good chance ass chasing the game at Vale Park against a side good away from home will be difficult.

 

[Agombar stool]

My expectation is our strategy will be to keep it tight and wait for a Swindon error at some point and then break quickly. I'd expect Hussey and Gibbons at wingback who are the better players defensively than either Benning or Worrall. Am hoping Brad Walker will be available for at least one of the ties certainly the one at VP. His long range passing particularly his ability to switch play quickly has caused visiting teams no end of problems.

If that's the case it will be interesting to see Walker v Reed as statistically Reed has the best long range passes in the 4 leagues. So we could see a passing masterclass next Thursday! Especially as Vale Park is so wide!

 

[valefan16]

If that's the case it will be interesting to see Walker v Reed as statistically Reed has the best long range passes in the 4 leagues. So we could see a passing masterclass next Thursday! Especially as Vale Park is so wide!

If Walker hadn't got crocked at Hartlepool we would have been in league one by now... everything that wen't wrong with us was through that position with him not there, although Pett is back now and was outstanding at Exeter but he is more cute through balls.

 

[valefan16]

Only taken 50 minutes to order a pair of home leg tickets online... jesus christ! I envision smoke coming out the server if we get to wembley!

 

[Indian Dan]

I’d be perfectly happy with a draw at the CG.

5-0 would be better, mind!

 

[valefan16]

I’d be perfectly happy with a draw at the CG.

5-0 would be better, mind!

With our record at your place I can't see us suddenly hitting 5!

 

[kieran_vale]

Perhaps I'm old fashioned but I prefer to queue, had an hour and half queuing for playoff final tickets, but I had them in my hand at the end of it, I'd be having kittens trying to get them online, too many variables for shit to go bad and miss out altogether.

Yeah that's fair to say but I just think for those who live outside S-O-T such as myself for example it's basically just putting up a huge barrier to get a hold of a ticket if was to try.

Mind you to back up your point have just had a painstaking hour or so using our online ticketing system for the home leg which has basically resulted in me swearing a hell of a lot at the screen.

 

[Agombar stool]

Our tickets went on sale as general release and are pretty much all gone. Looks like a full house on Sunday

 

[valefan16]

Yeah that's fair to say but I just think for those who live outside S-O-T such as myself for example it's basically just putting up a huge barrier to get a hold of a ticket if was to try.

Mind you to back up your point have just had a painstaking hour or so using our online ticketing system for the home leg which has basically resulted in me swearing a hell of a lot at the screen.

I didn't bother trying, I live in Leicestershire so would have had to have driven up to collect them anyway but with work that wasn't feasible and will be all gone by tonight.

 

[kieran_vale]

I didn't bother trying, I live in Leicestershire so would have had to have driven up to collect them anyway but with work that wasn't feasible and will be all gone by tonight.

Nah same, I live about 100 miles away and given the extreme lengths some who live locally have gone to just to get a ticket then I would have had no chance. Be a Sky job on the Sunday and just hope the tie is still in the balance for next Thursday.

 

[valefan16]

Nah same, I live about 100 miles away and given the extreme lengths some who live locally have gone to just to get a ticket then I would have had no chance. Be a Sky job on the Sunday and just hope the tie is still in the balance for next Thursday.

Yeah hopefully we can sort this out, its the last major problem from the neglect of previous ownership to get right.

 

[Indian Dan]

Thundery downpours forecast for Sunday!

 

[valefan16]

Thundery downpours forecast for Sunday!

At least it isn’t January like Gillingham that season!

 

[coronakopite]

Yes, if we get through I’m dreading with only probably 5-6 days sales period how we will cope flogging Wembley tickets!

Only taken 50 minutes to order a pair of home leg tickets online... jesus christ! I envision smoke coming out the server if we get to wembley!

If I remember right, we didn't sell our play-off final tickets ourselves back in the day.

With the allocated seats and progressive sale of blocks, you'll probably be stuck with buying from Wembley's online site - if you get there. Get your fuckin'finger out, I want oatcakes back on the awayday menu.

 

[Indian Dan]

20 minutes this morning - 8000 tickets that were on general sale sold. All gone!

 

[valefan16]

20 minutes this morning - 8000 tickets that were on general sale sold. All gone!

Cracking effort!

 

[leedsvaliant]

Took me an hour this morning to buy my ticket for the home leg. In fairness to the club, even when I've bought tickets for international music acts it's always a farce trying to get a ticket online with high demand.

I suspect both legs will be sold out, with around 13/14k at each. Pretty damn good for league 2.

 

[valefan16]

If I remember right, we didn't sell our play-off final tickets ourselves back in the day.

With the allocated seats and progressive sale of blocks, you'll probably be stuck with buying from Wembley's online site - if you get there. Get your fuckin'finger out, I want oatcakes back on the awayday menu.

Works for me!

 

[The Evil Dead]

Now I've sorted tickets for both legs, it's actually starting to set in. I got a half day finish from work at 2am this morning and bagged tonight off too, so a nice chill for the rest of the weekend. Nervous as fuck if I'm being honest. I don't care what happens on Sunday, just please don't get smashed Vale and make the second leg worthwhile. I'd rather lose in the semi finals than the final though, I'll be honest. I love Swindon as well, great club with decent supporters and I fucking hate Oxford too which helps so I won't be throwing any abuse via social media platforms should they beat us like loads undoubtedly will do. Pretty sad if you ask me. As long as the tie isn't decided by a poor refereeing display, I'll be content as long as we put in two good performances and leave everything out on that pitch. May the best team win.

 

[valefan16]

Now I've sorted tickets for both legs, it's actually starting to set in. I got a half day finish from work at 2am this morning and bagged tonight off too, so a nice chill for the rest of the weekend. Nervous as fuck if I'm being honest. I don't care what happens on Sunday, just please don't get smashed Vale and make the second leg worthwhile. I'd rather lose in the semi finals than the final though, I'll be honest. I love Swindon as well, great club with decent supporters and I fucking hate Oxford too which helps so I won't be throwing any abuse via social media platforms should they beat us like loads undoubtedly will do. Pretty sad if you ask me. As long as the tie isn't decided by a poor refereeing display, I'll be content as long as we put in two good performances and leave everything out on that pitch. May the best team win.

For me its been a success now regardless that we've made the top 7 after some bad luck in recent seasons mixed with some crap.

I will be gutted if we dont go up of course but its only a 25% chance if you make the play offs so never a guarantee. Like you, I just hope we are well in the tie Thursday and it should be a good night.