It's the time of the season when you start looking at other teams results, after the bit of the season where you were convinced Rovers would get automatic promotion. Top of the table is as tight as it can be, can't get a cigarette paper between the top 6, and the Gumps have started throwing away points.
I'm now spending more time looking at other teams fixtures rather than our own.
Here's who has to play who (there are other games, but these are the ones where promotion or relegation matters might be settled)
Northampton Town have to play Bristol Rovers (h), Mansfield (a), Bradford City (h), Oldham (a), Exeter (h) and their final game is away to Barrow.
That's not easy as Bristol Rovers and Bradford have improved recently, Bradford might even have a slim chance of the play-offs and players will be trying to impress new manager Mark Hughes
Newport County have Exeter (h), Swindon (a), Sutton (a), Port Vale (a) and a final home game against Rochdale.
Not sure what has happened to Vale? They are on the edge of the play-offs but could damage a few teams prospects.
Exeter City have Oldham (a), Port Vale (a), Stevenage (a), Newport (a), Carlisle (a), us (a), Northampton (a) and their final game is Vale at home.
Lots of long distance journeys for them, with a high number of juicy crunch matches against their rivals away from home.
Swindle have Forest Green (h) and Newport at home for their final game. On paper they have a pretty undemanding end to the season.
Bristol Rovers have Northampton (a), Carlisle (a), Bradford City (a), us (a), Vale (a), Forest Gump (h), and a final game away at Scunthorpe.
I have a theory that the Pirates have done well recently because they haven't come up against top 6:opposition. I also wonder if the game against the Gumps will see the away team crowned as Champions?
Sutton United have us (h) Oldham (a), Newport (a) and a final fixture at Harrogate Town away. They have also got a trip to,Wembley and you have to hope that the players get distracted by that rather than concentrate on the League. Some hope!
Tranmere Rovers have a toughish run in. I was tempted not to list our key fixtures on the basis that our hardest opponents are ourselves. For the record though we have Sutton (a), Carlisle (h), Bristol Rovers (h) Bradford (a), Exeter (h), Stevenage (a), Oldham (h) and a final away game at Orient.
People have said we have an easy run in. I don't see it myself.
There you have it. Loads of football to come, if I were you, I'd watch out for Swindon & Bristol Rovers.
Certainly not an easy run in for us. But taking into account other teams run in’s i will be a case of who blinks first. Hopefully we gain momentum again that either takes us up automatically or gives us the monentum heading into the playoffs. SWA
We needed 8 wins for the autos before last night, 1 down 7 to go, hopefully we get them in the next 7 in which case with FGRs current form the championship might be on. I don't see anyone going on an unbeaten run over the last 9 games 11 for some and at this stage of the season Id much rather the points in the bank than counting up our games in hand as Everton are finding out. So if we get those 7 it's on conversely if we only manage 7 draws I doubt that will be enough for a playoff place.
Good point. Worse than Harrogate, only three outfield subs last time. Used just one despite losing the match and had the skipper replaced in injury time following some form of clash involving an opponent being red carded. He will be doubt for Saturday.
We'll see but Micky insisting on having a squad seems to be a card for us yet again in the run in?
It's all ifs and buts .the only thing we need to do is just keep winning we have done it before and we will do it again the wheels came off after that fgr thumping but we now seem to be a little more confident yes we still have to rely on teams around us dropping points but that's out of our hands .but beat Bristol rovers Sutton and Exeter is in our hands so yes agree win 7 out of the remaining games should see us through .and if its another wembley play offs so be it .its always nice to go back to prenton Park South I think I am right in saying it would be our 11th time there
Newport's surprise loss today gives further rise to hope that we can make automatic promotion.
Even though FGR are stumbling right now, it's hard to imagine them not taking top spot.
Of the two automatics remaining, Exeter look to be in pole position to take one of them, while the other spot is wide open. And while Port Vale and Mansfield are lurking, they're in the unenviable position of having to gain points from games in hand.
I'm stating the obvious in saying that a win or even a draw tomorrow at Sutton would be massive for us, but still not tragic if we were to lose. Onwards and Upwards.
Summerlander Newport's surprise loss today gives further rise to hope that we can make automatic promotion.
Even though FGR are stumbling right now, it's hard to imagine them not taking top spot.
Of the two automatics remaining, Exeter look to be in pole position to take one of them, while the other spot is wide open. And while Port Vale and Mansfield are lurking, they're in the unenviable position of having to gain points from games in hand.
I'm stating the obvious in saying that a win or even a draw tomorrow at Sutton would be massive for us, but still not tragic if we were to lose. Onwards and Upwards.
Losing at home to Pools would be met with utter hysteria here, it is anyway a very poor result at this stage of a promotion fight. There are so many teams in this fight, standards appear to be so evenly spread that I am thinking results could get very varied.
It maybe down to who holds their nerve best, we could win today but lose to a no hoper at home later. It should always be down to the overall picture.
Not going to be easy on the nerves!!!
Games in hand can take their toll given that players nowadays have to have all the scientific recovery periods and playing every three or four days is a nightmare for them…. So Mansfield and Exeter may suffer as a result.
Just read that Sutton United have ten players injured , including the first choice goalkeeper. That rings alarm bells! They could only field three outfield players on the bench last game.
[quote TRSince1968]Just read that Sutton United have ten players injured , including the first choice goalkeeper. That rings alarm bells! They could only field three outfield players on the bench last game.[/quote
And the skipper, defender, went off injured last minute after a red card offence?
dave-p With that kind of injury toll they're bound to be massively depleted. So of course we'll lose...
I see even less reason to respond to their system which they may not even be able to put out. The last away match cunning plan was dreadful.
Why not dictate with what we have. I'd start with Nevitt and Foley behind. The usual eight behind that. Looking to bring Hemmings on, his legs were shot both the last matches and Jolley to try his speed out. Macca can lock up the right side if needed.
Take them into the trenches with energy and use our strengths out wide.
Drop Morris, Spearing and Maynard into the 18, we could have enough.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net