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Post by jay on Mar 9, 2007 20:25:35 GMT
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Post by shadwellarmy on Mar 10, 2007 17:00:12 GMT
Well, we have, and it is (was?). Mind you, the same can be said for every single game from now to season close.
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Post by maz on Mar 10, 2007 17:07:02 GMT
And the double against the leaders
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Post by Trevorfuggle on Mar 12, 2007 22:53:57 GMT
I see Eastleigh have beaten Newport this evening which means our two matches against Newport will be very important.
Realistically we are probably in a better position now than we were two years ago when we reached the play-off final at Stoke. Then we put together a superb run at the end of the season which helped us clinch the final play-off position.
With many of the teams above us still to play each other (and us!) if we can continue to get an average of two points per game then we should make it. Also Lewes still fancy their chances despite the number of games they have played and with a lot of their injured players now returned who would bet against them.
We may have a small squad this season but I believe the quality is much greater than it has ever been before and I am sure all players will get their chance in the weeks to come, especially when we have three games in a week. With cover for almost all positions this will help us in the long run in.
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Post by shadwellarmy on Mar 13, 2007 15:21:18 GMT
Looking at the league table and how things are going, we definately have a real chance of a play-off place.
My estimate of how it looks at present is that Salisbury, Histon, Havant and Bishop Stortford have a big enough lead to be near as makes no odds dead certs for a play-off place or better (Bishop Stortford possibly not) , and we don't really have much chance of overtaking them in the closing stages of the season. Certainly, if we do get above any of them it will almost certainly be Bishop Stortford, and then it will be down to them dropping points rather than us taking them, so I would say that four of the five potential promotion places are taken. Maybe one of them will lose all remaining matches (here's hoping) but it seems unlikely.
Nobody below us has a chance in Hell of making the play-offs.
Of the remaining teams above us, it looks very much like Fisher are on their way to a 'safe mid-table place', they have a lot of problems both on and off the field, and recent shows have been terrible. Lewes are playing well now, but it's a case of too little, too late, and their form is patchy to say the least. Two points above us, and us with five games in hand? All Lewes can do now is battle for the glory of Sussex by taking points off the teams above us. But at least they now have a settled team (it seems), which must help after having a higher staff turnover than KFC so far this year.
Newport County seem to be going through a rough patch, and we still face them home and away. Their supporters seem to think that the club has blown it, if we can get six points from them (or even four) then they will probably be out of the running. However, I certainly wouldn't rule them out, they have a quality team, but need to get a string of wins together or it will be too late for them as well.
Same goes for Welling. Current form lousy, don't seem to be able to get things together, even the points they have got (ie, from us) have been pretty lucky. I notice that they are also piling on the disciplinary points and are likely to be without a few key players as the season closes.
That leaves Braintree - above us (but not by much) but in form (top of the current form table) and the ones to catch. Seven points clear of us, but we have a game in hand, as well as a better goal difference (which may be what decides 5th place this season).
So, unless somebody has a massive drop or improvement in form, I say that the top five places are going to Salisbury, Histon, Havant, Bishop Stortford and Braintree/Eastbourne, and probably in that order. As our next three home matches (weather premitting) are against three of the teams that I think have already got their places reserved (Havant, Histon, Bishop Stort), and as we still need to play Newport twice and Braintree once it is probably about 60-40 in favour of Braintree getting that spot at the moment, but we play them at home on April 28th, last match of the season, and it looks very much that it might go to the wire.
If so, what odds that that match will set a new club record for a league match attendence at Priory Lane?
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Post by markcritchlow on Mar 22, 2007 12:29:49 GMT
I think if we can win the matches that we should be winning (i.e. bedford) then we have a chance but despite the fact we have the meanest defence in the league we dont exactly have the greatest attck do we. i think if we are to make the playoffs it will be an incredible feat.
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Post by maz on Mar 22, 2007 20:33:11 GMT
last 8 league games WDWDWDWD lets keep the run going 2pts average per game 16 in the last 8 games is play off form. Wouldnt it be great if we finish 5th and Lewes 6th and play them in the Conf. South Final
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cliff
Full Member
Posts: 124
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Post by cliff on Mar 22, 2007 20:52:08 GMT
It would be brilliant Maz and knowing how ell you get on with Mr King we'd reserve you a spot next to the dug-out.
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Post by maz on Mar 23, 2007 9:30:18 GMT
He spends most of his time outside the dugout castagating the linesmen and hiding the balls ;D
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Post by shadwellarmy on Mar 24, 2007 15:16:03 GMT
Havant lost today, so if we win we'll be eight points behind them and three games in hand. If Bognor can beat Stort we'll be seven points behind with two games in hand. Most of the top teams are playing each other, or a newly-inspired Lewes, and we still have six points to take from Newport. Probably a little less than 50-50 for us to make the play-offs, but the top teams seem to be having a bad case of the jitters, and at the moment I'd say we have every chance so long as we don't lose valuable points at the likes of Bedford again.
Wouldnt it be great if we finish 5th and Lewes 6th and play them in the Conf. South Final
It would be great, but unlikely to happen as the team that finishes 6th isn't in the play-offs! I must admit that I'm hoping that the last game of the season (home to Braintree) will be a play-off decider; the atmosphere would be electric. Mind you, we would probably lose to a final-minute dodgy refereeing decision.
I don't think EBFC making the play-offs would be a miracle, but winning them would! Four consecutive games without fouling up at least one of them? That really would be a miracle!
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Post by Ollie on Mar 25, 2007 20:32:21 GMT
Its only two matches in the playoffs, check out Tony Kempster www.tonykempster.co.uk/playoff0607.htm. Also if a side who is in a playoff place doesn't have a ground up to standards it goes to the next placed team but only down to 7th place. Welling seem to have a problem with their floodlights at the moment so that could cause a problem for them but they probably have plans in place for them.
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