Posts: 5,112
Threads: 633
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
No doubt some will see Saturday's game as pivotal for us with Bromley in second place behind us. Truth is it doesn't matter a damn. We might as well send out the Academy lads. as we did at Welling in the FA Trophy, to avoid any injuries on their artificial monstrosity.
We are sitting on 81 points, they have 58. That means they are gathering points at around 1.8 a game. Even if they up their game to the end of the season (and currently they are on a point a game from their last 6) and reach two points a game, that will get them just 28 more points, for an excellent total of 86 points. Just TWO wins from our remaining 14 games will exceed that, and remember Bromley are also trying to win the FA Trophy as they have in the past.
No, I'm not saying we shouldn't try, but I am saying we shouldn't risk anyone about whom there is the slightest fitness doubt. Dobra and Jacobs have to be side lined and I can't see the point of risking Grigg unless we have to. Give Boot a game, he's just the sort of keeper who'd accept the challenge to keep a clean sheet under pressure. And sit Chadwick on the bench for safety.......
Let Bromley know we are full of respect for them and we wish them well in the play-offs, but our aim is to win this league. We've made that more than clear so far. Let's take that logic to its obvious conclusion, especially as Barnet will be preparing to lose at Fylde.
Posts: 2,197
Threads: 184
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
0
17-02-2024, 10:14
(This post was last modified: 17-02-2024, 10:15 by Dancingwilldoit.)
You know my opinion Dev, I would never advocate sending out a weakened team for any game
At least it should give some of our younger players a chance to show us what they can do. If we win today then I think it's game over for the rest of the teams in the league. I just hope that we don't take our foot off the gas before the last game. The fat lady isn't singing just yet but she is warming up her vocal chords.
The home end is sold out for the Maidstone game with over 2 months to go which is going some.
Big Bore Exhaust = Small Dick
Posts: 741
Threads: 25
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
2
If anybody`s expecting to play Maidstone this year, it`s going quite a bit more than some. I`m hoping we won`t be playing them again for quite a few years to come!
Posts: 5,112
Threads: 633
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
The rest of the league are already playing for second place. Bromley want to beat us so they can stay in front of Barnet and Altrincham, that's all.
In the grand scheme of things this match doesn't matter a damn. This time next season we want to be where Mansfield are now.
Posts: 2,197
Threads: 184
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
0
Sorry Salts yes it should read Maidenhead but no matter, it's going to be some celebration. I would say that this one eclipse's all our previous promotions. I've lost count of how many years we have been in this league but to get out of it the way we seem to be doing is just outstanding.
Big Bore Exhaust = Small Dick
Posts: 741
Threads: 25
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
2
No need to apologise, Dancing. It`s good to know I`m not the only one around here that has senior moments - although mine are probably more `senior` than most, to be fair.
I`m inclined to agree that this season is a done deal, despite our time-honoured capacity for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Personally, I`m hoping that it doesn`t come down to the last game (I don`t think my blood-pressure could cope with it) but would like us to seal promotion sometime after 23 March as I would really like to be at the match that sees us do that and I`m going to be away for a few weeks before then. (Warning to Matt: I may be sending you a few weeks` predictions and asking you to store them for me in a couple of weeks or so, as I`m not sure how much internet access we`ll have whilst we`re away.)
I don`t know that I would go as far as `doing a Welling` and putting out our youth team - winning is a good habit to maintain - but I can sort of see the point, Dev.
Posts: 5,112
Threads: 633
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
19-02-2024, 14:47
(This post was last modified: 19-02-2024, 16:29 by Devongone.)
I agree about winning being a good habit .............. but now we have the benefit of hindsight. We played them all and lost ....... and on Tuesday we have every chance of setting ourselves up for a wobble with a trip to Halifax on the National League's idiot fixture list.
I would never have actually played the youth team as we did at Welling. It is disrespectful to ANY competition. BUT my first six names on the team sheet would have been our five subs from Saturday with Boot in goal. We'd still have had a decent side. I might have supplemented them with a star youth player but I'd have been aiming for a win.
Bromley aren't going to get anywhere near 100 points, nor or Barnet, despite their impressive comeback at Fylde. I'd be amazed if either reach 90 points. I wish I was as sure of a few results at the Cheltenham Festival.
Posts: 5,112
Threads: 633
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
And so the National League's ridiculous fixture list rides to our aid. Whilst Halifax's pitch played its part, Saturday's recent exertions were clearly too much for both Bromley and Barnet. Bromley faded and Barnet, after a glut of goals, came up dry, illustrating just why it will be difficult for either of them to overtake us if we manage just two more wins this season.
Posts: 5,110
Threads: 610
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
9
I think 3-4 more wins will get us the title. 90pts should see us get the title and promotion.
CHESTERFIELD PREDICTION LEAGUE WINNER 2015/2016
More to Football than the Premier League and SKY
Posts: 5,112
Threads: 633
Joined: Sep 2014
Reputation:
6
I'd go so far as to say that if we beat Dagenham and Redgates Toy Shop on Saturday we'll have as many points as the second place team will finish on this season and we have a massively superior goal difference. It's all over. But it is compulsory to keep shouting .....
