Looking at play off qualification, I keep thinking of the potential financial benefits to the club regardless of whether we progress from these stages or not.
There will be a fair few quid coming to the club from Sky TV coverage and increased crowds and profile nationally.
There are no negatives as far as I’m concerned, we just need to qualify first!
Im not aware there is any TV coverage of the play offs except the final. Maybe the semi-finals are on ifollow?
Looking at play off qualification, I keep thinking of the potential financial benefits to the club regardless of whether we progress from these stages or not.
There will be a fair few quid coming to the club from Sky TV coverage and increased crowds and profile nationally.
There are no negatives as far as I’m concerned, we just need to qualify first!
Im not aware there is any TV coverage of the play offs except the final. Maybe the semi-finals are on ifollow?
L2 semi-finals 1st and 2nd legs both going to be shown live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports channels schedules are already showing the ties advertised for the 6th and 9th of May.
So, for us a draw COULD be enough if Mansfield beat Barrow by 3 clear goals. A win and a Barrow draw is OK A win and a Crewe loss is OK A win and a Donny loss is OK
So, for us a draw COULD be enough if Mansfield beat Barrow by 3 clear goals. A win and a Barrow draw is OK A win and a Crewe loss is OK A win and a Donny loss is OK
Place you bets!
We couldn't - could we?!
This is what I'd worked out too. But sorry to bear bad news, but if we draw Bradford could actually still sneak in with a win, even if Barrow lose by 2 😳
So, for us a draw COULD be enough if Mansfield beat Barrow by 3 clear goals. A win and a Barrow draw is OK A win and a Crewe loss is OK A win and a Donny loss is OK
Place you bets!
We couldn't - could we?!
This is what I'd worked out too. But sorry to bear bad news, but if we draw Bradford could actually still sneak in with a win, even if Barrow lose by 2 😳
After tonight (Tues 23/4/24) and going into the final day of the season
Crawley lose = Crawley not in play offs Crawley Draw, Bradford not win and Walsall not win and Barrow lose by 2 goals = Crawley in Play offs Crawley win and Barrow draw = Crawley in Play offs Crawley win and Crewe lose = Crawley in Play offs Crawley win and Doncaster lose = Crawley in Play offs
I actually think there’s a real good chance at least one of those teams around us does what we need them to do on Saturday, but by far my biggest concern is us.
At the moment we don’t look like we’re going to beat anyone, too nervy and hesitant and letting teams dictate to us.
Artell has Grimsby ticking over well at the moment and they’ll see Saturday as a pressure free game moving further towards their development as a team for next season.
They’ll be dangerous and if we’re not careful, they may turn us over.
This morning is the first time I have checked on this, as the pool team I play in was busy getting slaughtered by a team two divisions higher in a cup game last night. Realistically, a win (by any score) is the only chance we have of a play-off spot. A draw could do it but would need Barrow to lose by two goals or more (not impossible against Mansfield) and for Bradford to not win. Walsall would need to win by five. I think we have to assume that Bradford will win at home to Newport.
So, go for the win and hope Barrow fail to win. A win for us and a draw for Barrow would do it and that is quite possible. Also, a win for us and a defeat for Doncaster or Crewe would do it too. Incredibly, we could still finish 5th.
The dream is still alive.
As for Sutton United, amazingly, they are still not out of the league. They must win at MK Dons (who have nothing to play for). Anything can happen in a one-game shoot-out. Meanwhile, Colchester are up against Crewe, who still need something to ensure a play-off spot (as do Doncaster). A four-goal swing is only two at each end, but it's probably five in reality as Sutton have scored fewer goals.
I am so glad that Crewe and Doncaster aren't paired up on the final day: it would be the biggest stitch-up since the Bayeux Tapestry.
EDIT: Talking of stitch-ups, what's the odds on Colchester v Crewe finishing 0-0?
I think Bradford will beat Newport at home (Newport have lost their last seven). I therefore expect Bradford to finish on 69 points, meaning we MUST win to get in the playoffs. I see Barrow or Crewe most likely to slip up, but if Crewe draw, they will finish above us.
As others have said, I think winning may be the hardest part of the equation. We need to treat this as the second leg of a play-off where we are one down from the first leg. We need to ensure we get to 2-0 as soon as we can and ensure we keep that margin.
If i was Scott I would treat this as an away game, training down at Falmer Friday afternoon, and actually stay overnight down there so the team comes in together on a bus and you have longer with the players to ensure good team spirit.
I said it before, I'll say it again. We just need to win. If we'd done that recently (and we were on a great run for a while) we'd already be safe in the playoffs, possibly as high as 5th. But the team have lost confidence at the worst possible time, 2 points from 12, and we've finally slipped out of 7th.
We had it in our hands, and we blew it. Perhaps to be expected as it is such a young, inexperienced squad, but still a real shame. Not over yet by any means, but it's not in our hands now. So never mind anybody else and what they do, the lads just need to go out there, give 100% and fight for the win. End the season on a high, even if ultimately we do miss out on the playoffs. Send the fans home happy.
Then, next season, IF we can keep Lindsey, and IF we can keep the majority of the squad, I believe we have a genuine chance of promotion. If SL and all the out of contract players depart........not so much.