The Crunch Time Cometh

[Arblasterfromthepast]

There's no doubt about it, the coaching staff have done a superb job. I've used the words on another thread; we looked like an efficient unit against Portsmouth. The coaches have the players well drilled. Stendel did have better players, a bit more flair maybe. Apart from the goal we gave away, we looked confident and players knew their own jobs. A well oiled machine and if we keep at it like that every game in terms of effort we'll be very difficult to beat.

[perkytyke]

We are having a better season than anyone, including me thought was possible!!! In the last 8 games we have scored 19 goals and conceeded 4, not shabby by anyone's standards which has massively improved our goal difference.
This team gets stronger together with each game, now they know how each other play.
I have been a critic of Cole from the moment we signed him, however he is trying his hardest now and is winning me over, Norwood runs about like he's 18 years old, I can't believe how much work that lad gets through!
We look like we have the tough mentality that is needed to get us through these games, with everyone knowing their jobs.
Hopefully passing rather than shooting in some cases will yield even more goals in these big games? I think we have a great chance of automatic promotion! April worries me more than March as we seem to struggle against the Lincoln's and Morcambe's rather than the Pigs and Ipswich's which has to be a mentally switch off thing.
Even if we didn't make the play off's I would still be proud of them all, they and the Manager and backroom staff have worked wonders to get us in this position.

[Young_Nudger]

Comparing the Stendel squad.
Just had a look at that squad.
Who would you swap ?
I’d swap ….
Mads for Pinnock.
Cole for Kieffer.
Brown has gone on to prove himself a good player - but at the time he was with us he was still young and wasn’t that good.
And that’s it !!!
No one else.
Would anyone swap for example Connell for Mowatt - because I wouldn’t.

[SBRed48]

I think if Duff had the Stendel squad in the Third Division we would be challenging Wednesday for the Champions spot.

Duff has achieved more than i expected with his good coaching of a group of mainly free transfers and players who had been relegated the season before with a record low points total.

The context is that the Third Division below the top eight or so is a lot poorer than I thought but Duff has drilled into players what to do to win games at this level and how to manage the game to protect a lead. The last few games has seen the signs of some free flowing football and we are probably at our peak in form, a level above the routine stuff of earlier in the season.

# Promotion SB

[Young_Nudger]

My thoughts before the start of the season was - if we could keep Collins, Helic and Morris and add to that a good experienced central midfielder ( ie build a strong spine in the team) then we would finish in the top 2.

Of course Helic and Morris wanted to go and we didn’t get that experienced midfielder - but we got Luca Connell - and what a brilliant acquisition that has been.

I thought once Mr Conway had stepped aside and normal service had been resumed then top 6 was achievable.
So I’m not that much surprised where we are now.
But even if we don’t make the playoffs it’s been a remarkable season considering what happened last season.

Regarding costs if we don’t get promotion.
Either way - 1st Division or Championship - it’s going to cost.
Because if we do go up then it’s still going to cost as a few more players would need bringing in.
Probably way out of our reach - but Tedic would be top of that list.

[POGGYWELL]

Because if we do go up then it’s still going to cost as a few more players would need bringing in.
Probably way out of our reach - but Tedic would be top of that list.

Tedic currently earning £13k a week !!

[animallittle3]

My thoughts before the start of the season was - if we could keep Collins, Helic and Morris and add to that a good experienced central midfielder ( ie build a strong spine in the team) then we would finish in the top 2.

Of course Helic and Morris wanted to go and we didn’t get that experienced midfielder - but we got Luca Connell - and what a brilliant acquisition that has been.

I thought once Mr Conway had stepped aside and normal service had been resumed then top 6 was achievable.
So I’m not that much surprised where we are now.
But even if we don’t make the playoffs it’s been a remarkable season considering what happened last season.

Regarding costs if we don’t get promotion.
Either way - 1st Division or Championship - it’s going to cost.
Because if we do go up then it’s still going to cost as a few more players would need bringing in.
Probably way out of our reach - but Tedic would be top of that list.

Thank goodness your not anywhere near the boardroom or technical area on Grove Street .

My best guesstimate is that we'd be half way down league two , playing hoof ball and completely bankrupt due to moving to a 30k stadium with 27k empty seats every week .

[Shadrack the Red]

Thank goodness your not anywhere near the boardroom or technical area on Grove Street .

My best guesstimate is that we'd be half way down league two , playing hoof ball and completely bankrupt due to moving to a 30k stadium with 27k empty seats every week .

Animal can you please edit your post to add a last sentence of " & paying a centre forward 13k a week on the proviso that he does not score any goals but looks the part "

[Young_Nudger]

Hahahaha !!!
Same guy predicting at the start of the season that we would be top 6 maybe top 2.
That these directors were the real deal - which everyone seems to agree with now.
And at the start of the season these 4 players would come good even tho vast majority were absolutely slating them at the time ….
Benson
Thomas
Cole
Odour
Only Oduor has yet to shine.

Also now predicting that Tedic is a player to watch - but as I’ve said - probably way out of our reach but if we do go up the club should at least enquire about him.

[SBRed48]

That these directors were the real deal - which everyone seems to agree with now.
.

Not quite everyone Nudge.