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Post by Del on Apr 2, 2023 8:54:01 GMT
I'm still shocked by the fact that with a minute to go we were so open at the back that we needed a desperate tackle to stop a forward in acres of space. Yes Jack made a mistake with the free kick but where were our defenders to clear the loose ball. Play off hopes not over yet but we probably need 6 wins to get there.
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Post by Andy K on Apr 2, 2023 10:22:36 GMT
Whilst I totally understand the collective pessimism, especially after not coming away with 3 points, I really hope that collective pessimism isn't a manifestation of "if we don't make the play offs this season will be a failure". For me, with the resources we have and the bad luck with injuries we had from Sept to Nov, where we are already is a superb achievement.
I'm pretty sure the players have not given up and have no intention of giving up fighting for a play off spot until mathematically it can't be done. Certainly in Matt's post match, he hasn't. Yes, we have a tough run in, but pull a decent string of results out of that and get into the play offs on the last day of the season probably puts us in a stronger position, as play offs can easily be decided by what team has the best momentum going into them.
I'm sure Bristol Rovers didn't give up on automatic promotion last season, and got into that position in the last 10 mins of the season for the first time. It's where we are at 2.30 on May 8th that matters. Wherever that is, just being a league side for a 3rd season is already a huge achievement.
As for the match, one reason we didn't win was the quite superb save their keeper made from Eastmond. Watch it back, it's one of the best I've seen all season. As for the Rose "mistake", the soft free kick we gave away (which I'm still in 2 minds whether it was a free kick) was in the worst possible place on the pitch. It gave the free kick taker a choice. Any close and it would have been a shot on the keeper. Any further away it would have been a float into the box. The fact that where it was could have been either would have left Rose trying to prepare for 2 totally different scenarios. He stopped it, we reacted slower than they did. For me, not a Rose mistake, but a team one. Overall though, I really can't fault the team. I thought we played really well against a side who are difficult to beat on their own turf, and in addition to that, I thought especially in the first half Ajiboye had his best game for us in a while.
The fact that we're in April and still in with a shout for the play offs is enough for me. Remember we are as far away from the play offs as we are from the two teams directly below us in 11th and 12th (Swindon and Doncaster)
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Post by is4 on Apr 2, 2023 10:30:49 GMT
Over time we have our differences. But Andy I quite agree with your last post. Good one!!
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Post by paz on Apr 2, 2023 11:32:32 GMT
Its a shame we had that bad run with injuries that had us slumped for a while. As now we have two decent away results but are disappointed with them. Any other time we would be pleased.
Cant give up all hope just yet but I get the feeling we are just left with a bit too much to do, given the hard games we have coming up and players out.
But this team has kept us comfortably in this league for a second season which I am proud of.
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Post by brisfitboy on Apr 2, 2023 11:54:53 GMT
Absolutely amazing the 90+ minutes goals scored yesterday and the outcomes from them and the one that made me swear the most - apart from ours - was bloody Barrow🤬, let’s hope those 2 points don’t make the difference with the playoffs although I do think that we are still in with a chance. And as Andy k says it’s what the team has achieved this season that has to be congratulated upon irrespective of reaching the playoffs.
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Post by davep on Apr 2, 2023 13:13:36 GMT
Agree with many of the comments of others:
1. Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, the focus should be a positive one on what we have achieved - not disappointment regarding what we may fall just short of achieving.
2. Walsall's equaliser was disappointing from a team perspective - it wasn't all down to Jack.
3. The league table shows that the current top 7 have scored more goals than us this season and have vastly superior goal differences. In 9 league games so far this season against the current top 7, we have drawn 3 and lost 6 (although there is scope for this record to improve between now and the end of the season - starting next weekend). Having (and keeping) goal scorers like Andy Cook, Sam Hoskins and Kyle Wooton costs money (Tanto currently isn't in the starting X1 for Stockport) - although I'm hopeful that if Lee Angol is available for us for most of next season, our goal return will improve.
Finally, on the presumption that Coby missed yesterday's game due to injury, does anyone have any news on how serious this might be?
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