I didn't go to yesterday's game (can't go on Tuesday either) so there's no match report or player ratings from me this week. I did however speak to plenty of folks in the pub last night who went, and I have seen almost every game recently. With that in mind, let's look at how we are looking in terms of the playoffs.
Firstly our form. The good news is that it's better than it looks, which is just as well because we ain't the prettiest watch right now it's fair to say. To me, we kind of resemble a really good batter who is completely out of nick, digging in and trying to get something going. We're squirting it down to fine leg, mistiming drives, ducking bouncers, playing and missing, blocking straight ones and generally sending the crowd into a deep trance. The great thing is though, we ain't getting out. We are hanging in there and as all cricket fans know, sooner or later if we do that it will all click.
Being able to pick up points when you aren't playing great has always been the hallmark of a serious football team, that's what we're becoming.
A quick look at the table tells it's own story.
To my mind, the top four have gone over the horizon. Behind them, I think that there are eight teams competing for three spots (below Bradford I think the teams are getting the holiday brochures out). I am pretty sure that of those eight, we are playing with the least amount of fluency when we have the football. We are grinding it out and staying in there, and what's more I'm beginning to really like our chances of making it in.
It's worth remembering that we are getting points and results despite the fact that we are barely scoring any goals. Not only that, we have been without BOTH members of the best centre half pairing in the league for quite a few weeks now. That we've just kept three consecutive clean sheets with a patched up back four is an absolutely huge feather in the caps of the lads who have come in, a truly monumental effort. They all deserve massive credit (as do the coaching staff), but I must give special mention to Lee Brown. He has been absolutely inspirational as a converted centre half, I hope he's enjoying playing as much as we are watching him. Not only is he defending and organising like a demon, he's also got that Sunday League (Takes one last drag then flips his ciggie to the ground) "Hold me coat lads, I'm going UP" which is brilliant to watch. There aren't many hairy arsed centre halves who go on random rampages down the left wing, but this warrior does with great effect.
And every game now is a vital one. We don't have to win all of the last nine, but we can probably afford no more than two defeats. If we DID get beat twice, we'd probably have to win six of the other seven. The minus for us is that our last nine games don't at the moment come against any totally "on the beach" teams (teams which have bugger all to play for), but that may change in the next fortnight. Notts County for example were sent to look for some deckchairs by us yesterday, their playoff hopes in my eyes now being dead.
But I like our chances. We are dogged, determined and becoming pretty dangerous. Nobody likes playing against us, and we can attack all of our remaining games (arguably with the exception of Stockport) knowing that we are at least the equal of our opponents.
I don't think we can grind all the way into the playoffs, at some point we are going to need to click and start scoring goals. What we CAN do and ARE doing though is grind our way into contention. From there, when we DO click (and we have too many good players for it not to happen) that momentum might just carry us over the line.
I've a hunch we finish seventh and get MK who will be fourth in a two leg do or die encounter. Hashtag Oh Em Gee.
COYD
No comments:
Post a Comment