Promotion Thread

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Macc aren't so bad with this, but when they have some injuries or suspensions they struggle (as seen when they lost 4-0 at our place). That might affect them later in the season

This. We have a good set of players but were we to lose a couple for a few games then our lack of a large squad would be exposed.

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

Still feel very comfortable at the moment. 5 points (6 with goal difference) and none of the chasing pack putting a sustained run of wins together to really take advantage of the rare occasions we do slip up.

I thought 90 points would be required, but now I think it might not take that many.

Play-offs look almost impossible to call at this stage.

 

[Roly]

Beat Southport next week and Bristol are in the same position as they were when they beat us at their place, eight behind with a game in hand. They've been unable to make gains but we've not pulled away.

Bar two heavyish away defeats we'd won five and drawn one prior.

Can't say I'm in the end is nigh camp at the moment. Watch how we now lose to Southport.

 

[Roly]

Will probably get the usual suspects calling me an idiot with this but here goes...

Yesterday finally proved me right in that we have had an incredibly easy start to the season which we took advantage of. We have about 2/3 games left this season which based on our seasons record so far I'd class as expected 3 pointers. We have over 10 matches left which again, based on this season so far and our recent run of form, will be a struggle to win.

Rovers aren't losing enough games to not catch us with our run in, while we have performed so poorly in our matches against most of the playoff group at the moment that I won't make us likely to progress there, either.

It's all well and good beating Welling, Dartford, Telford 3/4/5-0 but when you go to Lincoln and Grimsby and put in those performances you can't expect to be champions.

We've beaten Rovers, Macclesfield, Torquay, FGR, Gateshead and Eastleigh at least once so far and sill have to play the latter three again. All of whom are in in or around the playoffs.

We've also got Grimsby at home to play.

I'm by no means an optimist, but am not judging a season on two bad away defeats. Yet...

 

[springerbfc]

WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOOMED!

 

[MaxBRFC]

I still firmly believe we won't be winning the league. Our early season form coupled with our inability to see out matches will prove to be costly. Play Offs are another matter, it's hard to call at the moment, end of season momentum can play a huge part in it. We've held are own against sides in the spots - drew with Grimsby on opening day, beat Macclesfield, and drew with Eastleigh despite being down to 10 for majority of the game and then down to 9 for the final minutes. - although the huge pressure of the Play Offs can really discount previous meetings.

 

[Dan_Macclad]

The race continues, Grimsby slipping up again opens up the playoffs if Halifax and Eastleigh win their games in hand.

Barnet, Rovers and us still knocking out wins and we have an opportunity to reduce the lead to 5 points on Tuesday night.

Still a long way to go although I think the lead for Barnet is a decent one at the moment and although I believe they will slip up, I don't think it will be enough to lose the title.

Barnet
Bristol Rovers
Macc
Eastleigh
Grimsby

 

[DarkSithLord]

The race continues, Grimsby slipping up again opens up the playoffs if Halifax and Eastleigh win their games in hand.

Barnet, Rovers and us still knocking out wins and we have an opportunity to reduce the lead to 5 points on Tuesday night.

Still a long way to go although I think the lead for Barnet is a decent one at the moment and although I believe they will slip up, I don't think it will be enough to lose the title.

Barnet
Bristol Rovers
Macc
Eastleigh
Grimsby

You can add Gateshead in the mix too. They have plenty of games in hand and some fixtures against sides at the bottom

 

[BeesKnees]

We have a list on our forum of clubs who could reach 90 points and how many points they can afford to drop
Barnet 17 points
Macclesfield 12 points
Bristol Rovers 10 points
Halifax 9 points
Grimsby 8 points
Gateshead 8 points
Eastleigh 6 points

 

[springerbfc]

Halifax and Gateshead will have a massive say on the final promotion shake up and both very much in play off contention.

Points on the board are always preferable but Halifax in particular could jump into the top five over the coming weeks.

 

[dan_wrexhamafc]

Think Barnet will win in now, Bristol to beat Macc in the PO final,

Bristol, Macc, Grimsby, Chester in play offs

 

[Dan_Macclad]

Halifax and Gateshead play each other on Tuesday, that shall be interesting.

 

[BeesKnees]

Macc are the best placed to catch us at the moment. Closer on points, on a good run and with the easiest run in of the teams involved. If they could slip up Tuesday and Grimsby draw at the weekend then that would be ideal.

Forest green will be in the playoffs, not Chester

 

[GEORGE]

Think Barnet will possibly go up as champions -- But also think the size of the squad will play a major factor in the run in.

 

[CrazyImp]

Said it for months, Barnet and Bristol Rovers will win promotion.

 

[Railway Blue]

Think Barnet will win in now, Bristol to beat Macc in the PO final,

Bristol, Macc, Grimsby, Chester in play offs

Chester ......I think you're having a laugh.

 

[BeesKnees]

Think Barnet will possibly go up as champions -- But also think the size of the squad will play a major factor in the run in.

Our squad size is fine, we now have players like Vilhete and Gambin who struggle to make the bench. Conor Clifford is a real high quality midfielder that having now seen him will be first choice from now on and Gash gives us decent cover up front.
Losing Akinde would be a blow to any team regardless of depth.

 

[dan_wrexhamafc]

On a decent run of form, think Burr will keep you ticking over nicely and you'll just sneak in there, beating us again on the way

 

[yellow]

Actually feel Rovers will choke it in the playoffs. Fancy Barnet to win the league and whichever side sneaks in 5th place to win the playoffs.

 

[ShrewdBlue]

Think Barnet will win in now, Bristol to beat Macc in the PO final,

Bristol, Macc, Grimsby, Chester in play offs

Would be nice but can't see it happening as we would have to win almost all remaining games.

Much better chance next season.

 

[Gashead]

Halifax and Gateshead will have a massive say on the final promotion shake up and both very much in play off contention.

Points on the board are always preferable but Halifax in particular could jump into the top five over the coming weeks.

They could, but the 'games in hand' idea very rarely works out due to added fatigue and added pressure. Forest Green's form at the moment suggests the play-off teams will stay as they are, Eastleigh's inconsistency (particularly away from home) rules them out for me. Halifax too have had the odd blip this season, Gateshead maybe have a shout if they rediscover their early season form.

 

[Railway Blue]

Our squad size is fine, we now have players like Vilhete and Gambin who struggle to make the bench. Conor Clifford is a real high quality midfielder that having now seen him will be first choice from now on and Gash gives us decent cover up front.
Losing Akinde would be a blow to any team regardless of depth.

I think he means that the bigness of your squad will win it for you.

 

[PBBee]

I'm surprised Gateshead are getting mentioned - they haven't beaten a top half side once this season!

I think we will drop points over the next month or so but then our run in gets a lot kinder, we just need to stay ahead of the pack until that point. Hopefully!

 

[The_Boss]

I'm surprised Gateshead are getting mentioned - they haven't beaten a top half side once this season!

I think we will drop points over the next month or so but then our run in gets a lot kinder, we just need to stay ahead of the pack until that point. Hopefully!

I think you'll hold on now. Our next few games may be kind but we've also got a number of very tough away games to come. Plus we're away at Torquay final day, only one of the contenders to be away.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

Are we forgetting that Rovers can't go up? It's their first season down here

Now that Luton's gone it's our turn.

 

[Sempre Rossoblu]

After yesterday's defeat I'm starting to think that our automatic promotion hopes are over for this season.

I think Barnet have the league sewn up and I don't really mind who wins the play offs, as long as it's not Woking.

 

[Greenacres]

I think Barnet have the league sewn up and I don't really mind who wins the play offs, as long as it's not Woking.

I think you are right about Barnet, they are easily the best team I have seen this season, we gave them a game at our place but there was only likely to be one winner. If Rovers can't go up via the play-offs, and I think we will just miss out on a top five finish, then I'm not too bothered who goes up with the Bees. I was hoping that Gateshead would go up last season, not just because it is so far away, but because I like the way they play the game and Tyneside could probably support a second League side.

 

[GTFC1979]

The thing with Barnet is they can have a poor game or two, then they always follow it up with good results, and none of the chasing pack seem able to do this as well as them, which is why I now think that they will just about cling on, despite thinking they were awful when we beat them and that they had no chance!
The way they come back from a poor performance shows to me that they have the bottle for the run in.
And I see the play offs staying as they are but not necessarily in that order.

 

[ComeOnIrene]

It's getting quite exciting, isn't it?

I don't think we'll catch Barnet as we've given ourselves too much to do. Having said that, we outplayed Barnet at our place and I think other teams could inflict defeat on them if they are prepared to put pressure on their defence and attack - as their recent defeats on the road prove.

It certainly isn't over yet but I think the play-offs is where we will end up.

 

[Greenacres]

It's getting quite exciting, isn't it?

Indeed it is.

I don't think anyone will catch the top three, they are just too far ahead, as long as they don't implode completely. Below that you can make a very good case for at least ten clubs to fill the other two play-off positions, even Chester and Altrincham in mid-table have won a few games on the bounce and a good run to the end of the season might see them feature. I expect this to go to the wire, we could have a very exciting end to the season with something resting on almost every game, hang on to your hats!