Barling Magna
President⭐🦐
Quite often, those who do not believe that we can make the play-offs (quite yet) comment about our lack of consistency. Early on in the season, we were admittedly pretty consistent, 21 points from the first 18 games indicates that. That 18th game was the 2-0 defeat at Altrincham, a sign perhaps of how we were failing to measure up against teams battling for the play-offs.
We have had too many draws, some have said. We don't attack enough, others (perhaps the same people) have said. Maher will never get us out of this division, etc, etc.
Well, here we are this evening, in 8th spot, one point (and a few goals, admittedly) outside the play-offs. And on a 9 match unbeaten run. Ah, but too many draws.... (oh, hang on, we have had that one already).
So, back to that consistency thing. Over the last 20 league matches, starting with the entertaining and deserved home draw against Forest Green Rovers, 4 months ago tomorrow, we have won 9, drawn 8 and lost 3 (admittedly all abject in their way versus York City, Barnet and Maidenhead). But that is 35 points in 20 matches, which equates to 80 points over 46 games. To me, that is pretty consistent "higher reaches of the play-offs" form over the last twenty matches.
Another often-stated comment in these pages. "Well, we have played mainly teams we should be beating". Yes, that 20 game spell included wins against Ebbsfleet, Braintree, Fyle and Dagenham, and some draws in matches we may have felt we should win, but it also includes wins against Halifax (twice), Altrincham and Eastleigh (all play-off rivals) and Aldershot who are on a decent run of form, and 3 draws against other play-off rivals (Forest Green twice and Rochdale) and another against Tamworth, who again are in good form. So that form is pretty good, as well.
And set against that consistency at the business end of the season, some of our rivals are imploding. Here is the latest "last ten game" form guide.
View attachment 36070
Where are Oldham, Gateshead, Altrincham, Sutton United, even Forest Green Rovers? In the bottom half of the form table is where....
View attachment 36071
We are in a far better run of form than a number of our rivals, in particular Gateshead and Altrincham, and potentially, if we can win on Tuesday against Boston United (who despite their good recent form, have a home record of played 18, won 2, drawn 7, lost 9), and Rochdale fail to beat York City, that would take us above them in the table, into the play-offs for the first time this season. If Barnet continue their winning run against Gateshead on Saturday, we could be kicking off against Oldham with the chance of going above Gateshead, which seemed incredibly unlikely a few short weeks ago.
I have said before that I am generally an optimist, although realistically, I thought the play-offs were a long shot. But the odds are improving. Here's the latest projected points and positions, based on points per game over the last ten matches.
View attachment 36072
It is already looking better than when I first posted a table like this, a week ago. Play-offs are looking possible.
Then all we have to do is stay there.
Oh, and win them....
Enjoy your weekend!!! Up the Blues.... E-I-E-I-O....
Thanks for the post, it's a good one but could you add some stats to back up the optimism.....
