Rival Watch

[Mr Angry]

WTF is it about Wrexham and injury time winners?

Regarding injury time winners, Bolton jumped ahead of Reading today with a 4-3 win over Crawley Town thanks to a 90'+9 minute own-goal by Crawley Town on a total of 13 minutes added time.

Bolton were 3-1 down too.

having been 0-0 at half time.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Gary Monk has left Cambridge, looking difficult for them to stay up whoever comes in.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Although the sides around us all won, those in the play off spots (4th-6th) all lost so we've actually gained a point on the top six today.

Next week Charlton play Orient and Wrexham play Bolton so points will be dropped.

IF we win at Wigan (big if) could get interesting with Exeter and Crawley to follow.

[Crowbar6753]

Although the sides around us all won, those in the play off spots (4th-6th) all lost so we've actually gained a point on the top six today.

Next week Charlton play Orient and Wrexham play Bolton so points will be dropped.

IF we win at Wigan (big if) could get interesting with Exeter and Crawley to follow.

Howdy Sussex Royal, now that barring any points deductions we are safe i would like to see Noel adapt a more positive approach as really we have nothing to lose and with a few players getting back to fitness then a few less square pegs in round holes!!

Now that Abrefa and Yids are pretty much fit again lets push Craig into his natural DM position and move Wing further up the pitch and get Knibbs playing off the shoulder of either Wareham or Big Kelvin. This should really help with the balance of the team and further aid our play-off push.
Losing Smith is really going to hurt our chances as Big Kelvin isn't a striker in my view however, Wareham is and may be an extended run in the team might settled him down a bit.

Elliot is also back on the grass and he will be a huge bonus to have back and will allow rotation and maybe allow Wing a bit of a breather as I'm sure he's not 100% fit.

[stealthpapes]

Fit wing backs mean Craig moves up and central means Wing nearer the goal.
Elliott back means less pressure on wide players, especially with Campbell slumping a wee bit.
Ok, we don't appear to have a striker but.

[tidus_mi2]

Fit wing backs mean Craig moves up and central means Wing nearer the goal.
Elliott back means less pressure on wide players, especially with Campbell slumping a wee bit.
Ok, we don't appear to have a striker but.

Striker hasn't really been our strength in the past couple of seasons anyway, Smith did a fantastic job but we definitely have relied on the contributions of a very strong midfield, so, having to compensate for gaps in the team means players like Wing not in his best position, Craig missing in midfield, Elliott's injury meaning we lack the depth.

If we get good luck with injuries in the remaining games, we have a very real chance of making the play-offs.

[WestYorksRoyal]

A few teams recently have stopped us playing by man marking Wing out of the game. That tactic is dead when Elliott returns; he is the most important injury.

I would personally continue with Craig at RB, as I don't think Yiadom or Abrefa have enough minutes to start regularly. Good to have a stronger bench though.

[Crowbar6753]

A few teams recently have stopped us playing by man marking Wing out of the game. That tactic is dead when Elliott returns; he is the most important injury.

I would personally continue with Craig at RB, as I don't think Yiadom or Abrefa have enough minutes to start regularly. Good to have a stronger bench though.

Howdy Yorks Royal, agree with Wing however, Both Yids and Abrefa are now fit, just lacking match time. Start Abrefa and then change with Yids, now both are getting gametime which free's up Craig to play in his natural position as are Yids and Abrefa plus eliminating a few of the square peg round holes situation.

[tidus_mi2]

Will be interesting to see how Wigan do at home to a team just above us in the League ahead of our game on Saturday. Hopefully the extra days rest will go in our favour.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Wigan turning up tonight

[windermereROYAL]

Huddersfield and Orient both got beat tonight, helps our play-off push.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Huddersfield have sacked Michael Duff after slipping out of the top 6.

[Sutekh]

Huddersfield have sacked Michael Duff after slipping out of the top 6.

Obvs. Desperate to go up, wonder what their financial state will be like if they miss out.

[Hound]

Big game in div1 tonight - if Hull can beat Oxford, Oxford getting dragged right into that relegation battle with Derby and Luton starting to pick up form

Be cheering on Selles tonight

[andrew1957]

Just had a look at the last 10 games for the other play off contenders and we have a relatively easier run in. Charlton's looks ok but Stockport, Bolton and Huddersfield look to have harder games. If we can win v Stevenage and Peterborough at home and hopefully Shrewsbury A (if its not postponed) that would put us in a strong position.

I think Stockport will fade. Their next two games away to Bolton and Wrexham could be season defining. Huddersfield have a few tough games coming up too. I thought we were done after the Crawley game but amazingly there is still hope.

[Stranded]

Just had a look at the last 10 games for the other play off contenders and we have a relatively easier run in. Charlton's looks ok but Stockport, Bolton and Huddersfield look to have harder games. If we can win v Stevenage and Peterborough at home and hopefully Shrewsbury A (if its not postponed) that would put us in a strong position.

I think Stockport will fade. Their next two games away to Bolton and Wrexham could be season defining. Huddersfield have a few tough games coming up too. I thought we were done after the Crawley game but amazingly there is still hope.

Soccer Stats do a good run-in analysis: https://www.soccerstats.com/table.asp?l ... nd3&tid=10

The strength is based on the Points per game of the teams left to play calculated on a home/away basis - i.e. it takes a teams PPG at home in to account if playing away and vice versa.

Based on this the clubs with the "easiest" run ins are:

Brum
Bolton
Cambridge
Northampton
Orient
Wrexham/Us

Our remaining opponents have picked up an average of 1.31 PPG - with the following tricky games on paper:

Wycombe (have picked up 1.83 PPG away from home
Barnsley 1.72 PPG away from home
Bristol Rovers 1.72 PPG at home

Outside of those 3, the remaining games are against teams with average to poor records.

For comparison we are picking up 2.16 PPG at home and 1.05 PPG away.

[Hound]

All the analysis of our opponents league positions etc feels a bit pointless when we’ve just outplayed Wrexham and Birmingham at home, complacently threw away 2 points at Crawley and stunk the place out against Shrewsbury and Exeter at home mind you

Basically we’re in a handy spot and on good form with a bit of momentum. That gives us a decent chance

[morganb]

Barnsley sack boss Clarke and put Hourihane in charge

The Reds have lost seven of their past 11 matches

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... 2gwxv13ypo

[morganb]

Wigan appoint ex-Preston boss Lowe as head coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... rn1xn4d8ro

[Sutekh]

Wigan appoint ex-Preston boss Lowe as head coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/ar ... rn1xn4d8ro

That’s where Rupert’s gone