Permutations
By Patrick Thompson
March 16 2022
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.
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We'll see but Micky insisting on having a squad seems to be a card for us yet again in the run in?
That said, as stated, probably a good time to play them, we have to be positive and go for 3 points.
Quote:Eric01 Tranmere
Permutations? How about winning lots of our remaining matches and those teams around us either loosing theirs or drawing 0-0?
Duh π€¦ββοΈ
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
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.
Quote: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.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.
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!!!
And the skipper, defender, went off injured last minute after a red card offence?
Quote: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.dave-p
With that kind of injury toll they're bound to be massively depleted. So of course we'll lose...
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.
Quote:ZintQuote:Eric01 Tranmere
Permutations? How about winning lots of our remaining matches and those teams around us either loosing theirs or drawing 0-0?
Duh π€¦ββοΈ
My point exactly. π