The play-off thread

[Luke Imp]

Another good PO game.

Notts games are exciting to watch but you can't go through a season needing two or three goals. Admittedly I've only watched them twice this season but they've not given *that* many chances away yet conceded five. More legs in midfield and pace at the back will improve things but whether that's enough to sustain that type of football for a full season I'm not sure.

Are Torquay usually as direct as that btw? They were looking for balls over the top like Chesterfield were in the second half of the first PO game but some of it was pretty aimless.

 

[Jerry]

Are Torquay usually as direct as that btw? They were looking for balls over the top like Chesterfield were in the second half of the first PO game but some of it was pretty aimless.

No we're not. We're not a tippy tappy side by any means but today was a lot more direct than usual, I think Johnson saw the stature of Notts back line along with their better players being in midfield and decided to bypass the middle more than usual. Cameron is a centre half by trade but played left midfield today and second half he was pushed right up on Kelly-Evans.

Good old fashioned spirit and will to win is what got us over the line today, emphasised by the third goal, Hall simply wanted it more than the Notts players and was willing to get hurt in the process.

Lemonheigh-Evans had his quietest game for us in an age although you couldn't fault his effort and other than the goals Wright was actually dealt with well by Ellis.

One big difference for me was in the subs, ours had an impact with the additional pace of Waters and Kimpioka whereas the Notts subs did nothing to change the game at all in my eyes.

Can't comment on the pen as it was down the other end from me but was really well taken by Moxey who I don't think anyone would have suggested as the guy for that task!

Our goalscorers today were 36, 34 and 35 years old so the extra time in that heat may have taken a toll on them for next week.

 

[Wooderson]

No we're not. We're not a tippy tappy side by any means but today was a lot more direct than usual, I think Johnson saw the stature of Notts back line along with their better players being in midfield and decided to bypass the middle more than usual. Cameron is a centre half by trade but played left midfield today and second half he was pushed right up on Kelly-Evans.

Good old fashioned spirit and will to win is what got us over the line today, emphasised by the third goal, Hall simply wanted it more than the Notts players and was willing to get hurt in the process.

Lemonheigh-Evans had his quietest game for us in an age although you couldn't fault his effort and other than the goals Wright was actually dealt with well by Ellis.

One big difference for me was in the subs, ours had an impact with the additional pace of Waters and Kimpioka whereas the Notts subs did nothing to change the game at all in my eyes.

Can't comment on the pen as it was down the other end from me but was really well taken by Moxey who I don't think anyone would have suggested as the guy for that task!

Our goalscorers today were 36, 34 and 35 years old so the extra time in that heat may have taken a toll on them for next week.

Our bench was pretty weak today, we need more depth next season. Miller who I thought was one of our best players at LWB was replaced by Barnett who I don’t really rate at all. And Knowles the striker was ineffective. But I think the heat and a long season meant we had to make changes, Miller gets up and down so much he must have been knackered.

We were always chasing the game somewhat after Wright’s opener on 35 seconds but thought we showed decent character to come back twice, instead of conceding again like last year’s playoff final. Shame Wootton had an off day in front of goal, missing a good chance to make it 2-3 and then an absolute sitter to make it 4-3 - that would have made the 2nd period of ET very interesting, I imagine we’d have laid siege to the Torquay goal.

 

[Fyldefan]

Pretty football and nice teams don’t get promoted, horrible bastard teams get promoted. Notts manager needs an evil streak about him for next season, principals are spot on but you need that other side and I don’t see it at present.

Harrogate shattered that myth I’m afraid

 

[GTFCfish]

John Askey too. Despicable human and played awful football.

He is flattered that you have mentioned him.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Cracking to see VAR in the Euros. Fuck knows what score it would have been at Torquay had it been in action at our game today, but not 4-2 to the home side.

 

[GTFCfish]

Harrogate shattered that myth I’m afraid

From what I saw in our 2 games against Harrogate last season it describes them to a T, dirty cynical horrible bastards.

 

[jacobncfc]

Can't comment on the pen as it was down the other end from me but was really well taken by Moxey who I don't think anyone would have suggested as the guy for that task!

It was as bad a decision as will have been given all season tbh. Just a good tackle from Ellis.

 

[Master D]

There was nothing between the teams IMO. And you could have easily seen Notts score again when it was 3-2.

If there’s no fans in that ground he probably doesn’t give that pen.

 

[sadgull]

i was at game today and what a game we saw . With Scott Boden out injured it was great having Wright back to lead the line. Notts had a lot of possession in first half but didint create anything until the goal which was well taken. Second half we score again early but Little gave his second goal away and its 2-2. we missed two chances from defenders and unfrotunately Cameron hit the keeper but he is a centre half. Oddly enough when it went to extra time most of us thought we would win as KImpioka was always come on and run at the defence . Crap marking for our 3 goal . The penalty did look soft but we were in front by then so not like scores were level and then you could moan. Ellis was on his ass before second period and couldnt cope with himup there. I was a bit worried with us not playig for two weeks and Notts having a game last week.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

i was at game today and what a game we saw . With Scott Boden out injured it was great having Wright back to lead the line. Notts had a lot of possession in first half but didint create anything until the goal which was well taken. Second half we score again early but Little gave his second goal away and its 2-2. we missed two chances from defenders and unfrotunately Cameron hit the keeper but he is a centre half. Oddly enough when it went to extra time most of us thought we would win as KImpioka was always come on and run at the defence . Crap marking for our 3 goal . The penalty did look soft but we were in front by then so not like scores were level and then you could moan. Ellis was on his ass before second period and couldnt cope with himup there. I was a bit worried with us not playig for two weeks and Notts having a game last week.

I appreciate drink may have been taken, but can you only ‘moan’ about a ridiculous penalty when you‘re drawing or winning then?

 

[GTFCfish]

The penalty did look soft but we were in front by then so not like scores were level and then you could moan. Ellis was on his ass before second period and couldnt cope with himup there. I was a bit worried with us not playig for two weeks and Notts having a game last week.

I think the Notts fans are quite within their rights to moan about the penalty decision whether it was at 2-2 or 3-2 as a decision like that can knock the stuffing out of teams.
At 3-2 they could quite fathomably have got back into it whereas at 4-2 it becomes a mountain.

 

[Wooderson]

I think the Notts fans are quite within their rights to moan about the penalty decision whether it was at 2-2 or 3-2 as a decision like that can knock the stuffing out of teams.
At 3-2 they could quite fathomably have got back into it whereas at 4-2 it becomes a mountain.

Aye, it was effectively game over thanks to the pen - although big Kyle did miss a sitter right after. However if none of that had happened and it was still only 3-2, I wouldn’t have ruled out us scrambling home another equaliser as it was clear both sides were knackered. Ah well.

 

[Chief Rocka]

The playoffs are the single best thing created in football if your not involved and worst thing when you’re in them.

Feeling pessimistic about our chances today, just hope we don’t put out another Sutton away day performance.

 

[Wooderson]

May the best brother win. Sorry Pools, got to fancy the home side to just nick it with a few thousand in (we saw in our games yesterday and last week how refs who have forgotten what it’s like to have a crowd can be swayed).

Stockport 1-0 Pools (Rooney pen)

 

[Jerry]

If there’s no fans in that ground he probably doesn’t give that pen.

We were at home with fans due to our finishing position in the league. So you're saying we deserved that penalty as a reward for finishing 10 points ahead of Notts (but really 13 as they lost to Dover)? Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Kenneth Dodd]

The playoffs are the single best thing created in football if your not involved and worst thing when you’re in them.

Feeling pessimistic about our chances today, just hope we don’t put out another Sutton away day performance.

Still remember losing in the final to Doncaster on pens and having to live with the stupid idea of a golden goal in extra time for any team would win the game, heartbreak doesn’t cover it.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Getting nervy now

 

[ForzaCounty]

Btw whoever decreed that this game should kick off at 12 should be hanged, some people have to get into the ground at 10.15am cos of restrictions. Sod international football, this is important.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Btw whoever decreed that this game should kick off at 12 should be hanged, some people have to get into the ground at 10.15am cos of restrictions. Sod international football, this is important.

Agree, we have to go to a pub and get pissed up at 11am on a Sunday, it's a hard life

 

[B2TF]

Harrogate shattered that myth I’m afraid

Harrogate played REAL football.

 

[B2TF]

i was at game today and what a game we saw . With Scott Boden out injured it was great having Wright back to lead the line. Notts had a lot of possession in first half but didint create anything until the goal which was well taken. Second half we score again early but Little gave his second goal away and its 2-2. we missed two chances from defenders and unfrotunately Cameron hit the keeper but he is a centre half. Oddly enough when it went to extra time most of us thought we would win as KImpioka was always come on and run at the defence . Crap marking for our 3 goal . The penalty did look soft but we were in front by then so not like scores were level and then you could moan. Ellis was on his ass before second period and couldnt cope with himup there. I was a bit worried with us not playig for two weeks and Notts having a game last week.

Called it at half time (not on here), home advantage would see them through, later on it became apparent that while Notts had the better players Torquay had the better team. At one point Notts had 5 players pressing one home player by the corner flag- all very well and shows commitment, but they left the midfield completely empty. Torquay maintained their shape, throughout.

 

[Stocky]

Madden fit for us. His link up should be a big boost and he's our best finisher by a mile really. I'd have gone for Newby in there and dropped Rooney deeper but apart from that no complaints.

 

[Ellis]

Madden and Collar starting is big.

 

[Stocky]

Madden and Collar starting is big.

I don't mind Collar, he's usually tidy but I think he and Croasdale are quite similar and we end up with two players who play quite safe in midfield. I'd have dropped Rooney back and gone for Newby number 10 to buzz around and create space. Probably be our first sub if we need an attacking chance.

 

[B2TF]

I'm calling it- STOCKPORT, by 2 clear goals.
HAHAHAHartlepool have no chance.

 

[Soup Ladle]

No Cass for us. Killip on the bench. Same XI from the Bromley win.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

I don't mind Collar, he's usually tidy but I think he and Croasdale are quite similar and we end up with two players who play quite safe in midfield. I'd have dropped Rooney back and gone for Newby number 10 to buzz around and create space. Probably be our first sub if we need an attacking chance.

Yeah that was the one choice - whether to go more attacking or look to get more control.

I would have also picked Bennett over Cardwell but that was never going to happen.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Glaring miss. Should be 1-0 Stockport

 

[JaredSUFC]

Nice to see Hartlepool pay tribute to the champions in their choice of away kit