Can we do it?

[BillyStubbsTears]

I think there's some reality checks needed here.

If we make the playoffs, we'll have had to win something like 42 points from the last 17 games.

That's equivalent to 113 points over a full season.

It's better than even Penney's juggernaut of a team managed in the best spell of form I have ever seen from a Rovers side in Autumn 2003.

We have improved a lot, but we are a long way off being that good.

Do you still think we’re a long way off being that good?

Probably, but let's hope I'm wrong, eh?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think there's some reality checks needed here.

If we make the playoffs, we'll have had to win something like 42 points from the last 17 games.

That's equivalent to 113 points over a full season.

It's better than even Penney's juggernaut of a team managed in the best spell of form I have ever seen from a Rovers side in Autumn 2003.

We have improved a lot, but we are a long way off being that good.

Do you still think we’re a long way off being that good?

Probably, but let's hope I'm wrong, eh?

It's really hard to make the comparison. At the time, we didn't know how good we were as each game was still in the balance and had to be won. There was no arrogance feeling it was easy and thinking winning was a formality. Only hindsight tells us how good that run was. The pressure was on to keep at the top of the table in the promotion places.

The disadvantage this team has, is we're running out of games. Only at the end of the season can we really look back to assess how good this run is, particularly considering the first half season.

Always worth a look back.

https://youtu.be/zQGn4LZzirM?si=D5PNZ541hU-OYA20

Note our first introduction to our long time friend Mr Kitson.

[streathamdave]

I'm maybe going to upset a few people here, but I don't want promotion this season. There's been so much whining and rubbish talked that I'd rather have a solid promotion season, next season (I know that isn't guaranteed), rather than creep up and then have the same whining and anger on here because we're not throwing millions at getting promoted into the championship.

Let's continue to build, it looks like it's been working behind the scenes, for most of this season.

Got to just take promotion when it comes. If beyond all odds it is this season then great. We all start back at 0 next season and anything can happen.

[TonySoprano]

Model says 7th place points now down to 71.

I'm thinking it might end up a bit lower than that, looking at fixtures.

Wouldn't surprise me if it ended up as low as 69. In which case, a draw or even, perish the thought, a defeat on Tuesday wouldn't be the very end.

Any update on the model ?

[Chris Black come back]

Of our remaining six games, half of them are against sides genuinely competing for seventh spot. Beyond this, the Barrow game probably won’t fall into this category given their point position, but not absolutely out of the question. We have some chance here to influence events very directly.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Of our remaining six games, half of them are against sides genuinely competing for seventh spot. Beyond this, the Barrow game probably won’t fall into this category given their point position, but not absolutely out of the question. We have some chance here to influence events very directly.

That's the other beauty of this. In effect, each game is like a play off game, to get into the playoffs. The best way to gain on our rivals is beat them head to head. We know of course it still might not be enough. Unfortunately Creepy Crawley bounced back from their loss against.

[Chris Black come back]

Vague point of interest - best that McCann did last time with us was a four game winning run in the league (twice). In one run beating Luton and in both runs beating Plymouth.

[Colin C No.3]

Vague point of interest - best that McCann did last time with us was a four game winning run in the league (twice). In one run beating Luton and in both runs beating Plymouth.

Not even a vague point of interest.

He’s managed 200+ league games at a higher level since then.

And yes, we can do it.

[Ian Nimmo]

A couple of weeks ago, I was not giving any thoughts of the playoffs, but just happy that I was enjoying matches again.
However looking at the table now, apart from our own game there appears to be 2 critical games at Mansfield and Tranmere and if both these teams win and we do, the last place is wide open

[karldew]

We need to win ourselves, but the following teams in CAPITALS would help us out if we do.

Wimbledon v SALFORD
ACCRINGTON v Crewe
BRADFORD v Gillingham
GRIMSBY v Newport
MANSFIELD v Crawley
NOTTS COUNTY v Harrogate
TRANMERE v Walsall

Only Crawley who actually play against a team above them in the league.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We need to win ourselves, but the following teams in CAPITALS would help us out if we do.

Wimbledon v SALFORD
ACCRINGTON v Crewe
BRADFORD v Gillingham
GRIMSBY v Newport
MANSFIELD v Crawley
NOTTS COUNTY v Harrogate
TRANMERE v Walsall

Only Crawley who actually play against a team above them in the league.

Not sure I want to see Accrington getting a lift at this stage of the season, just before we play them. Keep them down. Probs a draw or Crewe win would be the best outcome.

Definitely fingers crossed Mansfield get their act together v Crawley

[BillyStubbsTears]

We need to win ourselves, but the following teams in CAPITALS would help us out if we do.

Wimbledon v SALFORD
ACCRINGTON v Crewe
BRADFORD v Gillingham
GRIMSBY v Newport
MANSFIELD v Crawley
NOTTS COUNTY v Harrogate
TRANMERE v Walsall

Only Crawley who actually play against a team above them in the league.

Not sure I want to see Accrington getting a lift at this stage of the season, just before we play them. Keep them down. Probs a draw or Crewe win would be the best outcome.

Definitely fingers crossed Mansfield get their act together v Crawley

No, no, no, no.

If Crewe lose that, they are slipping badly and might not make much more that 70 points.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

We need to win ourselves, but the following teams in CAPITALS would help us out if we do.

Wimbledon v SALFORD
ACCRINGTON v Crewe
BRADFORD v Gillingham
GRIMSBY v Newport
MANSFIELD v Crawley
NOTTS COUNTY v Harrogate
TRANMERE v Walsall

Only Crawley who actually play against a team above them in the league.

Not sure I want to see Accrington getting a lift at this stage of the season, just before we play them. Keep them down. Probs a draw or Crewe win would be the best outcome.

Definitely fingers crossed Mansfield get their act together v Crawley

No, no, no, no.

If Crewe lose that, they are slipping badly and might not make much more that 70 points.

Yes, yes, yes. I understand your point, but we don't want to be coming up against a rejuvenated Accrington next week  We only need access to one play off spot. To get there we need to win games and we can't do anything about Crewe.

[BillyStubbsTears]

We need to win ourselves, but the following teams in CAPITALS would help us out if we do.

Wimbledon v SALFORD
ACCRINGTON v Crewe
BRADFORD v Gillingham
GRIMSBY v Newport
MANSFIELD v Crawley
NOTTS COUNTY v Harrogate
TRANMERE v Walsall

Only Crawley who actually play against a team above them in the league.

Not sure I want to see Accrington getting a lift at this stage of the season, just before we play them. Keep them down. Probs a draw or Crewe win would be the best outcome.

Definitely fingers crossed Mansfield get their act together v Crawley

No, no, no, no.

If Crewe lose that, they are slipping badly and might not make much more that 70 points.

Yes, yes, yes. I understand your point, but we don't want to be coming up against a rejuvenated Accrington next week  We only need access to one play off spot. To get there we need to win games and we can't do anything about Crewe.

1) If there's the possibility of Crewe slipping, we should want that. Then we could still make the top 7 even if Crawley and Walsall don't slip up.

2) 1 win isn't a rejuvenation.

[dickos1]

Yeah I think we want Accrington to win, Crewe are faltering badly and could be struggling to get 71 points

[dickos1]

We’ve just beating Wrexham who’s just beat Mansfield so I don’t think what’s happened in previous games matters

[BillyStubbsTears]

And today's half times are why we want Crewe to lose.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Fair do's.

Looking at Mansfields game, they've been battering the Crawley goal but it's not going in.

Time yet.

[NewDonny]

Lower mid table will be alright given where we have been. I’ll take that. I agree we’ll finish on somewhere towards 60ish points, maybe just short. Again that’s okay and we have a platform from which to build for next season.

I agree with all of that. Sadly the side has hit form just a few games too late!

Bodes well for next season if Grant can keep the side together however!

[Jonathan]

Lower mid table will be alright given where we have been. I’ll take that. I agree we’ll finish on somewhere towards 60ish points, maybe just short. Again that’s okay and we have a platform from which to build for next season.

I agree with all of that. Sadly the side has hit form just a few games too late!

Bodes well for next season if Grant can keep the side together however!

I’m happy to revise my estimated points total up slightly though. Wherever we finish, this run is great and as you say bodes really well for next season. We just need to enjoy it.

[Jonathan]

Crawley form shows how well we did to go and win there.

[Nudga]

The Walsall match is now set up to be an absolute cracker.

[streathamdave]

We need to win ourselves, but the following teams in CAPITALS would help us out if we do.

Wimbledon v SALFORD Think Crewe are the team to catch. Expect Crawley to finish above them.
ACCRINGTON v Crewe
BRADFORD v Gillingham
GRIMSBY v Newport
MANSFIELD v Crawley
NOTTS COUNTY v Harrogate
TRANMERE v Walsall

Only Crawley who actually play against a team above them in the league.

Not sure I want to see Accrington getting a lift at this stage of the season, just before we play them. Keep them down. Probs a draw or Crewe win would be the best outcome.

Definitely fingers crossed Mansfield get their act together v Crawley

No, no, no, no.

If Crewe lose that, they are slipping badly and might not make much more that 70 points.

[Padge_DRFC]

Thanks Mansfield for ending the dream

[Chris Black come back]

Not like them to avoid putting in a shift.

[Fal]

Thanks Mansfield for ending the dream

Wrexham beat them on Tuesday and we beat Walsall and it’s only 4 points behind. Crewe aren’t exactly flying either

[Chris Black come back]

Superb performance today. Other results not helpful sadly.

[colincramb]

It’s still on if we win ALL of our last 5 games. Thats what it will take I reckon. Surely not…

[belton rover]

I have a number of goals in my head for our run in, to chalk off one by one:
1. Climb above Notts County
2. Climb above Bradford
3. Top half
4. Top 10
5. 7th

One step at a time.

No 1 crossed off.

No 2 crossed off.

No 3 crossed off.

[drfchound]

Thanks Mansfield for ending the dream

Wrexham beat them on Tuesday and we beat Walsall and it’s only 4 points behind. Crewe aren’t exactly flying either

But only four games left after that and we have an inferior goal difference, so effectively five points.
Still needs a massive shift to get there.