The play-off thread

[chipmunx]

Nerves are starting to hit now, 6am set off tomorrow, early start on the drinks, I'm gonna need it, I hate the playoffs, just evil.

Only been through the play offs once way back in 2007/08 when we were in the National League North;- we sneaked in the play off's in the last week of the season (we were bottom 4 or 5 at Christmas) finishing in 5th (the last play off place back then). Wasn't nervous for the semi-finals despite playing Telford who finished 2nd, just getting to the play offs was an achievement - we beat them 2-0 at home and the same away....
The final at Burton was different - nerves a plenty.... Staylebridge Vegas were a decent team back then. We went 1-0 up after about an hour and the last 30 mins were the most nervous i've been at a football match ever. Somehow we kept them out and won 1-0 - but I felt like I aged about 10 years in that last 30 mins....
The feeling at the end was as much relief as celebration..

 

[Soup Ladle]

Nerves are starting to hit now, 6am set off tomorrow, early start on the drinks, I'm gonna need it, I hate the playoffs, just evil.

I've just got up, be at work for 5 am. Barely slept all night. Nervous as fuck. But we can do this.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Good luck to both clubs today. Proper clubs who, for most of the 20th century, often stunk the Fourth Division out just like us.

Torquay is the best awayday in the country in my opinion and I've many happy memories of our last visit there. The famous police dog game was before my time but we were the opponents that day which kept Torquay up. Whereas I've always had a soft spot for Pools. Our first game in the modern Gresty Road was against Pools and for nearly 70 years we were in the same division for all but one season. I felt sorry for them when they cruelly went down to non league but they can right some wrongs today.

I'm not a fan of Gary Johnson but I won't tar Torquay with the same brush. Just hope it's a great game today and whoever goes up will deserve their warm welcome back in the 92!

 

[John Still]

Yeah good luck guys, get a few drinks down you and enjoy it.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Good luck today for those going, hope you have a great match to watch and enjoy. But as I would like three EFL teams back in Devon, up the gulls (And I hope Randell has a match winning stormer).

 

[Huntsman94]

Good luck to both clubs today. Happy with either coming up but leaning more towards Hartlepool. Should be a decent game

 

[B2TF]

Good luck to both clubs today. Proper clubs who, for most of the 20th century, often stunk the Fourth Division out just like us.

Torquay is the best awayday in the country in my opinion and I've many happy memories of our last visit there. The famous police dog game was before my time but we were the opponents that day which kept Torquay up. Whereas I've always had a soft spot for Pools. Our first game in the modern Gresty Road was against Pools and for nearly 70 years we were in the same division for all but one season. I felt sorry for them when they cruelly went down to non league but they can right some wrongs today.

I'm not a fan of Gary Johnson but I won't tar Torquay with the same brush. Just hope it's a great game today and whoever goes up will deserve their warm welcome back in the 92!

What's Gary Johnson ever done to offend you apart from being a very successful manager?

 

[Wooderson]

May the best brother win!!

Both proper clubs with decent fans on here - genuinely no preference. Well, maybe a slight one for Hartlepool given we played a part in them getting relegated from the league and literally broke Jeff Stelling’s live on TV:

But that’s it. Good luck lads!

 

[B2TF]

I'm giving the Kiss of Death to Torquay today, it's time to forget What They Did, for now. The resilience and mental strength they showed against Notts will see them through. I just don't think HAHAHAHartlepool are all that, really.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

What's Gary Johnson ever done to offend you apart from being a very successful manager?

Treated one of my favourite players of all time, Steve Phillips, like absolute shit at Bristol City and basically humiliated him. And Phillips isn't the only other player to suffer from his poor treatment of players.

Ryan Gilligan, a Northampton player under Johnson, was very vocal on social media a few years back about how Johnson's mistreatment of him severely affected his mental health. Other players don't speak of Johnson too fondly on podcasts either.

Phillips said that Johnson was a total bully and his son is a carbon copy of him from what he's heard in the game. Gary Johnson comes across as a friendly old man in his interviews but he's anything but.

Nothing against Torquay as a club though, as I said before it's my favourite awayday in England and I love the town in general. A really good fanbase on their visits up to here too. So even if they have Johnson in charge, I wouldn't be unhappy if he took them up because they're a top lower league club.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Pissing it down, not serving alcohol in the ground, pubs turning footy fans away, Bristol is cack for a final for future reference!

 

[Aberstone]

Good luck to both sides today. Personally I’d rather Torquay go up as I’ve not had the chance to do Hartlepool away yet.

 

[GEORGE]

We are all Torquay today -- From the GAS

 

[Shrimper92]

When can we expect fixtures to be released?

 

[DarkSithLord]

When can we expect fixtures to be released?

Just a guess but I would say Monday July 5th

 

[Master D]

Is that DC big enough on Challinor’s top?

 

[Master D]

Being filmed from space this is.

 

[JaredSUFC]

When can we expect fixtures to be released?

August 16th

 

[Luke Imp]

You can't rule that out.

 

[#Beebot]

What on earth was that disallowed for?

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Torquay having a perfectly good goal disallowed is…ironic.

 

[chipmunx]

good shot by Oates there

 

[B2TF]

Being filmed from space this is.

To give it a Wembley feel ......

 

[Boz]

Terrible decision to disallow the goal. Is Mr Mather always this clueless, given the ref who does the final will inevitably end up on the FL list?

 

[Soup Ladle]

Got away with that. Criminal defending.

 

[chipmunx]

good save by Torquay keeper

 

[Haxbyreds]

That’s embarrassing by ref never a foul should be 1-0 Torquay,

 

[chipmunx]

1-0 Pools

 

[kieran_vale]

Great work from Armstrong that.

Enjoying this game, good to watch for a neutral.

 

[Master D]

Great finish to dig that shot out.