Play-Offs

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

Everyone who voted no, hang your head in shame lol

I voted ‘No’. And I certainly won’t hang my head in shame. We’ve literally sleep walked into the play off’s with the help of other teams (mainly Gateshead) being determined to throw it away.


Of course I am happy that I was wrong and I would love us to get to Wembley. But a 2nd half like Monday against a better team will make that a difficult task.

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

Where's Wiggy and the criticism of Hayes too? Oh it must be another clean sheet ! Theyre all missing Supa eh

Hayes did have a good game. But he still makes me nervous with the catching.

So I’m still here!

 

[Maroon Blue]

From the Rochdale fans forum:

Spoke with a Southend fan today and was surprised he wasn’t more upbeat. He said they will simply sit and try and grab a goal out of something. I hope not because that is the worst scenario for us. Come the day the first goal will be vital. He mentioned they only have one fit centre half right now.

​

That seems like a cut and paste from our game at their place in October. We duly did score through Walker and won 1-0. If I remember correctly we were struggling at centre half with injuries and loaned in Taylor Foran. Quickly forgotten such was the minimal impact he made in his short time with us.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

That seems like a cut and paste from our game at their place in October. We duly did score through Walker and won 1-0. If I remember correctly we were struggling at centre half with injuries and loaned in Taylor Foran. Quickly forgotten such was the minimal impact he made in his short time with us.

Foran was indeed on the bench but here was the starting 11:

Andeng-Ndi
Taylor, Crowther, Gubbins,
Wind, Husin, Morton, Coker, Ralph
Walker, Pepple

We are definitely stronger as a unit now.

The key to the next game will definitely be our third midfielder. Rochdale play a 3-4-3, so we will have a spare man in midfield. This will be a huge game for KAF. We have to get him into those pockets. That's where the game is going to be won or lost imo.

 

[GBJ]

Foran was indeed on the bench but here was the starting 11:

Andeng-Ndi
Taylor, Crowther, Gubbins,
Wind, Husin, Morton, Coker, Ralph
Walker, Pepple

We are definitely stronger as a unit now.

The key to the next game will definitely be our third midfielder. Rochdale play a 3-4-3, so we will have a spare man in midfield. This will be a huge game for KAF. We have to get him into those pockets. That's where the game is going to be won or lost imo.

This might be controversial, but I’d swap KAF for Leon. I feel like he would do more damage in those pockets. His movement is more unpredictable than KAF, which means Rochdale are more susceptible to being drawn out of position, plus he’s got the ability to create something out of nothing.

KAF’s dynamic battling and closing down - alongside Miley’s experience - would be ideal for seeing out the last 15-20 mins.

Again, I know some people will rubbish the idea of dropping KAF, who has been playing well recently - I’ve warmed to him more and more myself - but we need to pick a team to win this game, not the last few games.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

This might be controversial, but I’d swap KAF for Leon. I feel like he would do more damage in those pockets. His movement is more unpredictable than KAF, which means Rochdale are more susceptible to being drawn out of position, plus he’s got the ability to create something out of nothing.

KAF’s dynamic battling and closing down - alongside Miley’s experience - would be ideal for seeing out the last 15-20 mins.

Again, I know some people will rubbish the idea of dropping KAF, who has been playing well recently - I’ve warmed to him more and more myself - but we need to pick a team to win this game, not the last few games.

He is indeed an option to play from the start and I can see your reasoning.

I just feel like the balance is good at the moment and our high press with our current midfield 3 will reap the benefits. KAF has contributed massively in us being more productive in the final 3rd because his energy and ball running ability has allowed others to get forward.

It's a real tough choice but isn't it just great to have this debate? I wouldn't be against either option and I'm sure you're not either.

One thing's for sure, Kev can't say he hasn't got enough time to think about it!

 

[PIERS]

Some one needs to tell Kendal to take a calm pill n look up. He could have put us in a couple of times, the ball to Kaf being the most obvious one. Still Kaf nearly got the ball, eventually

 

[dusterman]

He is indeed an option to play from the start and I can see your reasoning.

I just feel like the balance is good at the moment and our high press with our current midfield 3 will reap the benefits. KAF has contributed massively in us being more productive in the final 3rd because his energy and ball running ability has allowed others to get forward.

It's a real tough choice but isn't it just great to have this debate? I wouldn't be against either option and I'm sure you're not either.

One thing's for sure, Kev can't say he hasn't got enough time to think about it!

Also think Leon is susceptible to an error overplaying more than KAF, which is why KAF is starting to keep it secure until the game opens up. Also think KAF is playing more right side and LCP would be great playing with Jack down the left?

 

[GBJ]

He is indeed an option to play from the start and I can see your reasoning.

I just feel like the balance is good at the moment and our high press with our current midfield 3 will reap the benefits. KAF has contributed massively in us being more productive in the final 3rd because his energy and ball running ability has allowed others to get forward.

It's a real tough choice but isn't it just great to have this debate? I wouldn't be against either option and I'm sure you're not either.

One thing's for sure, Kev can't say he hasn't got enough time to think about it!

Yeah I don’t mind too much which one starts tbh. As you say, our midfield press has been very good in the last few games, and we’re limiting teams to very few opportunities.

Too many times this season we’ve looked unbalanced in that area & of course there has been games when the midfield have gone AWOL completely, so it’s nice to not only have a decent starting point, but options off the bench as well.

 

[Tommy2holes]

They scurry like cockroaches when the light goes on. Don't worry they are hovering over the keyboard salivating at the prospect of a negative result.

Not really. At times this season it's been awful to watch and the football seemed to lack effort.

That, being said. Kev has managed to get us into the play offs, which should be the minimum aim for this club at this level.

I'm happy we are there and hope we get promotion.

Next season there can be no excuses of poor pre season and hands tied on transfers. We will need to be far better in the final third to be in with a shout of a top 3 finish.

We can properly judge Kev at he boys at that time.

Kev is a legend and I really hope it works out but I still have doubts about his managerial mindset, but never his commitment to this club.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

In keeping with the thread, plus tying in with Tommy 2holes post, i believe we'll stand just as good a chance away from home. I do fancy us against Dale, against Gateshead we were quite unlucky not to get a goal, add in more possesion which we wont concede against Dale, i'm feeling more bouyant about things. In particular, i go back to what i was trying to say back in November, that i can see a turning point has been reached with this team, and then a few months later i felt sorry for home fans as they seemed to under perform at Roots Hall. The Sittingbourne fiasco was a turning point for home performances, after that we tightened up at the back and managed to bury the ball in oppos nets, turning the screw on teams.
I think people that watch on DAZN dont always get the true picture, the live games show in front of your eyes who is putting in the work off the ball for example and the general mood of the team and certainly the fans.
I have seen fans pick that bloody team up away from home and give them that invincible feeling, thats the feeling of being a winner, the support of so many, the barracking of opposition players, all this goes into the psyche of our players who feel like nothings going right for them that day/week.
We've taken away over a 1000 for so many games this season, whilst we slap our backs you have to realise that players in this team have never experienced anything like this, let alone 9.5k at home.

I feel we are playing some great stuff throughout the squad, Maher has undoubtedly played on the support we get, to reinforce the standards required. Twice in interviews he has mentioned the North bank how he's never seen it like that and many times has he complimented the unrivalled support (yes half of them wanted him gone in January lol) but what i'm getting at, is the BIG game mentality needed to go away from home, in a pressure container of a match, big crowd, and beat the other team who have already finished well above Southend in the league.

Never in my wildest dreams did i think we could restrict Gateshead to barely a shot on goal, if this was a month back. Even our strikers who have struggled in front of goal, its almost like Kev has found other ways of getting shots on target, by the rest of the team! His centre backs are scoring, Golding and now Goodliffe, his right back is top scorer, KAF and Coker are always in the mix to nick one and along with Leon, even Ralph at the far post (by the way how close was he to nodding it in on Monday).

Just some things i thought i'd mention, all my own views of course i'm sure some of you know i dont get carried away UTFB

 

[londonblue]

Foran was indeed on the bench but here was the starting 11:

Andeng-Ndi
Taylor, Crowther, Gubbins,
Wind, Husin, Morton, Coker, Ralph
Walker, Pepple

We are definitely stronger as a unit now.

The key to the next game will definitely be our third midfielder. Rochdale play a 3-4-3, so we will have a spare man in midfield. This will be a huge game for KAF. We have to get him into those pockets. That's where the game is going to be won or lost imo.

Don't worry, he'll easily fit.

 

[RHB]

According to the Dale forum, the Bookies are offering these odds at the moment:

York 11/8

Forest Green 5/2

Dale 15/2

Oldham 9/1

Southend 16/1

Halifax 20/1

 

[tottenham541]

According to the Dale forum, the Bookies are offering these odds at the moment:

York 11/8

Forest Green 5/2

Dale 15/2

Oldham 9/1

Southend 16/1

Halifax 20/1

If I can get 16-1 then I’m having a few ££££ on us

 

[Barling Magna]

Another post from the Rochdale forum:

I am more worried about the Southend game than I would be against FGR. As mentioned they may come and park the bus, and I would fear 1-0 result. Also we should get a good crowd which seems to be a market for poor performance too !!
York clear favourites overall but a Wembley final is 50/50.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

According to the Dale forum, the Bookies are offering these odds at the moment:

York 11/8

Forest Green 5/2

Dale 15/2

Oldham 9/1

Southend 16/1

Halifax 20/1

We are 9/1 with William Hill.

 

[tottenham541]

Got 12-1 with bet 365 a little while ago so few quid on that.

 

[Barling Magna]

Those long odds are there for a reason and I guess most of us think in our heart of hearts that York will win the play offs, but we are hard to score against and are in good form - I think we will win or draw against Rochdale. FGR hold no threat to us. I reckon we will get to Wembley and then it's just a lottery but the odds are strongly in favour of York. And after finishing 28 points above us they unquestionably deserve to win.

BUT, it's a funny old game Saint.....