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Post by garethl on May 12, 2021 8:15:17 GMT
Barring something catastrophic we are almost certain to now be a home win away from Wembley in the worst case. Dreamland without thinking of the possibility of being champions. I don’t make us favourites yet but hope to change my mind after the weekend. This is quite simply an outstanding effort. Need to have calm heads, whilst continuing to fight and scrap for every point. Discipline has been unbelievable this season, keep that going under the intensity of these last 3. Maidenhead is almost bound to be tight, give them nothing, we are overdue winning a tight one against one of the divisions better teams (he writes hopefully). Agree with almost all of this apart from the statement that we are not yet favourites. The bookies disagree and so does the logic. If anyone had told us at the start of the season that the title is in our hands with three games to go, one of those against the bottom club in the division and another against a mid table team without their first choice goalkeeper then we would surely have been amazed. Furthermore the second placed team still have to play away at the third placed team.... I have a theory (without having done any statistical analysis whatsoever) that COVID has given us a unique opportunity this year because the ‘big’ clubs have not had their large home crowds to intimidate away teams. Clubs like ourselves have always had a lesser home advantage because we aren’t able to generate the hostile atmosphere that the ex league teams can do - of course we may well be able to provide an exception against Hartlepool but I suggest we have definitely been beneficiaries of having no crowds this season. in any event I think this is a once in a generation opportunity for us to become a league team and we need to seize it with both hands. Of course I attach the normal boring caveats here about ‘taking one game at a time/ focus on our own results etc etc. Just my opinion not the bookies and it’s not without logic (though arguably flawed logic). Don’t get me wrong we obviously have a great chance (and I agree it’ll likely be our only one of a NL championship) but I think it’s easier to see us dropping points in 2 out of 3, I can only see Torquay dropping in 1 of them maximum. I can also see Torquay being fresher having rested midweek and beating Stockport on Sunday, especially if Madden is out (he hobbled off). Torquay did a number on us on our patch and can do so at Stockport (who have struggled vs better sides). Even a draw may be enough for them. Just my glass half empty look at things. I think Maidenhead is the key, if we can pick up a vital win there I’d be more confident (at least for 24 hours!) but we’ll need to play really well. |
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jr
1st team skipper
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Post by jr on May 12, 2021 8:22:36 GMT
I think Saturday is a must win as it will put pressure on Torquay. They will have to win at Stockport to have a chance. If we fail to win and Torquay win then it will be Torquay's title. All ifs, buts and maybes. I'm still pinching myself that we're in this position.
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Post by sufc1898 on May 12, 2021 9:41:07 GMT
Still so many if, buts and maybes, but one thing is for certain........we can win the league in front of our own fans against Hartlepool. Wouldn’t that be the best thing ever.
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Post by Andy K on May 12, 2021 10:05:27 GMT
Still so many if, buts and maybes, but one thing is for certain........we can win the league in front of our own fans against Hartlepool. Wouldn’t that be the best thing ever. Whilst I love your sentiment, sadly we can't do unless we beat Maidenhead this weekend and Torquay lose to Stockport. |
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Post by sufc1898 on May 12, 2021 10:39:37 GMT
You are right
I missed out the crucial statement.
If results go our way this weekend 🤞
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Post by garethl on May 12, 2021 12:08:27 GMT
Not an impossible scenario by any means. I prefer your thinking to mine 😀
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Post by Andy K on May 12, 2021 13:38:28 GMT
As it stands:
Sutton - champions
Play offs
Torquay v Notts County/Chesterfield
Stockport v Hartlepool/Halifax
On a PPG basis
Torquay v Notts County/Wrexham
Stockport v Hartlepool/Chesterfield
Based on the FWP prediction
Torquay v Wrexham/Chesterfield
Stockport v Hartlepool/Notts County
Obviously there are 3 games left so it could all change, but based on those 3 scenarios, it's 5 "northern" teams against 2 "southern" teams. Although less relevant due to no relegation, the bottom 7 clubs currently show the opposite - 5 "southern" and 2 "northern". That would be more skewed towards the south if Dover completed the season.
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Post by Del on May 12, 2021 14:54:43 GMT
That was a roller coaster ride last night. Cursing at the TV at times. Oh those missed chances and seems like Harry can't hit a barn door with a banjo at present. Barden conceding a last minute free kick. What seemed on paper like the game to improve the teams goal difference didn't quite turn out that way.
I thought considering Woking's weakened team that they gave us a good game. I did have reservations about the ref at times . Anyway 3 points taken which was essential.
Maidenhead got thumped by Notts County effectively taking them out of any play off contention. How will they respond on Saturday ?
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Post by sol on May 12, 2021 15:17:54 GMT
DEL:
Hope all’s well and Rodney too.
In answer to your final paragraph:
Maidenhead got thumped by Notts County effectively taking them out of any play off contention. How will they respond on Saturday ?
BY GETTING THUMPED AGAIN
👋🎈⚽️
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Post by cheshire on May 12, 2021 16:30:26 GMT
If Matt and the team need any more motivation: the mood of the Torquay faithful is that we cannot win our final 3 games...pin this up in big letters in the changing room!!
"Sutton will not handle the pressure of knowing they have to win their 3 remaining games to stay top. They will wilt. One slip is all that is needed....and that being on their mind will lead to the slip.
We will be deserved champions. Put the champagne on ice."
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Post by sallycat on May 12, 2021 19:05:57 GMT
Bold of them to assume they'll get the results THEY need! That doesn't even seem to be a factor in their thinking. Don't need to win all our games if we do better than them over the three matches!
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Post by os on May 12, 2021 19:14:25 GMT
Torquay just trying the old 'Fergie' mind games bit, desperate times calls for desperate measures. We need not worry about them, we have a job to do at Maidenhead, a place where we don't normally do that well, but this time we must. Win it and we may just be one win away from the EFL, end of  |
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billy
1st team skipper
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Post by billy on May 12, 2021 19:27:37 GMT
If only we'd beaten them at GGL the other week it would be almost all over.Even a draw would've done.As has been said,we only have to match their results ! Ain't it exciting ? Back to The Oval next week as well.....  |
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Post by pinewalker on May 12, 2021 21:13:12 GMT
I have a theory (without having done any statistical analysis whatsoever) that COVID has given us a unique opportunity this year because the ‘big’ clubs have not had their large home crowds to intimidate away teams. Clubs like ourselves have always had a lesser home advantage because we aren’t able to generate the hostile atmosphere that the ex league teams can do - of course we may well be able to provide an exception against Hartlepool but I suggest we have definitely been beneficiaries of having no crowds this season. in any event I think this is a once in a generation opportunity for us to become a league team and we need to seize it with both hands. Of course I attach the normal boring caveats here about ‘taking one game at a time/ focus on our own results etc etc. The same phenomenon of away team success can be seen in the EPL. I think in the EPL it is not the away team who is intimidated by the home crowd it is the referee who is intimidated. With all games televised I have watched most of them. My impression is this year the away team is not getting more penalties and cards awarded against them by refs who favoured the home team when crowds were present. |
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