[Devongone]

As Dover are refusing to play when every other club is playing I can't see much alternative to them being kicked out of the National League, which will prompt a legal battle, which Dover also will not be able to afford. They have a choice of being burnt or scalded.

That should I think leave us 4 points off the play offs with a game in hand over Eastleigh in eighth place and two in hand over Halifax in 7th. The big gainers will be Sutton, never having played Dover, Notts County and Eastleigh who lost to them, whilst big losers are Torquay, Stockport and Wrexham who beat them and Woking and Aldershot will feel aggrieved having banged in five goals.

If Aldershot retain play-off ambitions they will now be 8 points off with two games in hand over Halifax. That means they need to beat us on Tuesday as much as we need to beat them.

I hope this is right.

[SaltergateBorn]

Having games in hand is okay, but the drawback is there`s no guarantee we`ll win any or all of them. Having 3 points taken off 4 teams above us is a definite; it`s like having 4 games in hand that we are guaranteed to win. I`d still take that as the better option, personally.

[Devongone]

The trouble with games in hand is they are wins until you actually have to play them.

[Dancingwilldoit]

Up to 9th and 1pt off the playoffs thanks to Dover. Anything is possible now.

[SaltergateBorn]

Subject to appeal, of course. Having said that, I wouldn`t have thought that Dover has even half a leg to stand on.

I`m not sure that "anything is possible", Dancing. Unless Sutton implode fairly spectacularly over the next dozen or so games I can`t see them missing out on top spot now, given their current position. If we don`t make the play-offs now, though, we will only have ourselves to blame.

[spireitematt]

Just seen the news, I don't think Dover can complain if they are refusing to play games. We just need to keep winning games.

Right back to playing Football Manager. I'm trying to take Truro City into the Football League, currently 3rd in the National League and 10pts behind the league leaders.

[spireitematt]

14 games left and 42 points on offer. Another 20-25pts will probably secure a playoff place. 74-75pts with this 6 team playoff normally will secure a place in 6th or 7th.

In the 2017-18 season when these 6 team playoffs came in Tranmere finished 2nd and won the playoffs.

2017-2018 - Tranmere (2nd)
2018-2019 - Salford (3rd)
2019-2020 - Harrogate (2nd)

It does help to finish 2nd or 3rd as you play one less game than 4th-7th and because there is no 2 legs each game is a cup final. As it stands we are 6pts behind Torquay in 3rd so there is a possibility that we could still finish 3rd.

[SaltergateBorn]

When you say that 74-75 points will "normally" secure a play-off place, Matt, is that based on a 46-game season? Should it be adjusted this year as we`re playing only 42 games?

Presumably the higher-placed finishers get home advantage, do they? That would make a hell of an incentive to finish as high as possible.

[spireitematt]

When you say that 74-75 points will "normally" secure a play-off place, Matt, is that based on a 46-game season? Should it be adjusted this year as we`re playing only 42 games?

Presumably the higher-placed finishers get home advantage, do they? That would make a hell of an incentive to finish as high as possible.

Yes that's correct SGB, 74-75 pts is normally off a 46-game season. For a 42 game season you could be looking at 65-72 pts for a playoff spot, that's going off the North/South tables over the past few seasons.

Yes you are correct the teams which finish higher get home advantage and the final is normally played at Wembley but because the Euro's are on it will probably end up at a neutral ground like Old Trafford or Villa Park.

[SaltergateBorn]

Well, that`s taken care of ONE of County`s games in hand.........and I see they`ve got Wrexham on Friday so at least one of them will be dropping points. Mind you, I don`t think Eastleigh will be a pushover by any means; 3 points would very nice, though.