Wrexham tonight...and previously!

[Willie-Wotsit]

Wxm fan coming in peace!

Just got back from the Scunny match and listening to the convo's walking back into town, the general consensus seems to be;

We were sh!t tonight (which we were) plus the last few weeks tbh, County not just winning...but winning easily/well, and that you will NOT fade away before the season's end (you haven't yet, nor will you - you would have started to already)

Yes, I KNOW there's a fair few games still to go, and your form may dip slightly, but the fact is, Parky-Ball is keraap, and we're only scraping wins purely due to the individual quality of the players - NOT teamwork, tactics or anything other.

TWO players are key; Mullin for us, and Langstaff for County. If either get nobbled, yes we'll both still score goals, but there's no doubting it could well be a game-changer for the run-in.

As has been said elsewhere, if there were 2 auto-promo positions, this would be SUCH an enjoyable battle to the end. As it is, it's going to be a 'mare for both sets of fans until it's eventually decided who's 1st & who's 2nd, because looking back over previous seasons, it's not very often that the team finishing 2nd, also goes up with the winners via the PO's...been there, got the t-shirt (more than once)!

Anyway, just like to congratulate you on the magnificent season you've had so far. As CLUBS, we're both far too big to be in this league tbh, but as we know, that means Jack Schitt - you get out, when you deserve to get out. Unfortunately, we BOTH deserve to this year, but only one - might actually do so!

Oh, well, there's always next year...

[the_anticlough]

We're clearly the best two teams by far.
One will have a home match and a final on a great pitch against lesser sides. That team has to make sure class tells by being mentally strong enough on the day. Them's the rules and there shouldn't be much sympathy if it all goes tits up.

[jackal2]

Welcome. Fair and honest comments throughout your post in my opinion.

Ultimately I think both teams will go up this season, one way or the other, but you're right that it seems unfair there's even a doubt. The biggest risk, I feel, is if the title battle went right to the wire, and the negative emotional effect that could have on the team that finishes 2nd if they then barely have time to gather their thoughts before the play-offs. I'd prefer the battle to be over earlier, whichever way it goes, so the 2nd-placed team can properly ready itself for the play-off battle ahead. In that circumstance, there's no reason why either team should fear the other play-off competitors. Yes there's always a 'lottery' element, but the top two teams this season are significantly better than the rest and should be able to show it, as long as they keep a strong mindset.

Regarding any possible injury to Langstaff, I don't underestimate the ability of Cedwyn Scott to replace a good number of his goals if he was moved into Lansgstaff's centre forward position. Scott has scored 14 goals playing some of the season from a wide forward position, and last season at Gateshead he was only 2 goals behind behind Macauley, so I think he's our best bet to step up from a supporting role if Macauley was unavailable.

Regarding Phil Parkinson, I do think Wrexham could have found a better manager to make best use of the depth of talent you have available, at least in terms of performances, but the counter argument is that Parkinson's style grinds out results, so if Wrexham finished top he would rightly claim 'job done'. I think you'll need a manager upgrade as you inevitably travel further up the leagues though, because the expectation on such a well-resourced club will be to win with style. Even with fewer resources, we've got a manager who is showing it can be done.

[the_anticlough]

The biggest risk, I feel, is if the title battle went right to the wire, and the negative emotional effect that could have on the team that finishes 2nd if they then barely have time to gather their thoughts before the play-offs.

The coaching staffs, playing squads, club top brass, both sets of fans even, should be well-prepared for this scenario. They will have been looking at it for 6 months at least. So no excuses I think, Jackal. No talk of 'emotional effects' as a get out. As the price of coming second, they just got to do the business

[jackal2]

The coaching staffs, playing squads, club top brass, both sets of fans even, should be well-prepared for this scenario. They will have been looking at it for 6 months at least. So no excuses I think, Jackal. No talk of 'emotional effects' as a get out. As the price of coming second, they just got to do the business

Hence my reference to keeping a strong mindset. There won't be another team in those play-offs that either Wrexham or Notts should fear.

[meoldlaner]

Good post Willie-Wotsit and you are right about it being a 'mare' for the fans.
I have enjoyed promotions with Notts over 50 years but I have to say this one is stressful and far from enjoyable.
Going into matches knowing a draw might not be a good result anymore.
As someone said, it would be better to get the issue sorted before the last game because it is going to be mentally draining for the second pla ed team.....and me!

[the_anticlough]

Yeah, correct. Promotion is the goal, isn't it? Not a trophy. There are 2 great teams, and 2 routes...Both squads have pursue both tracks, go like hell for the first, but be ready for the second.

[the_anticlough]

Hence my reference to keeping a strong mindset. There won't be another team in those play-offs that either Wrexham or Notts should fear.

Yeah, correct. Promotion is the goal, isn't it? Not a trophy. There are 2 great teams, and 2 routes...Both squads have pursue both tracks, go like hell for the first, but be ready for the second.

[OP67]

Regarding any possible injury to Langstaff, I don't underestimate the ability of Cedwyn Scott to replace a good number of his goals if he was moved into Lansgstaff's centre forward position. Scott has scored 14 goals playing some of the season from a wide forward position, and last season at Gateshead he was only 2 goals behind behind Macauley, so I think he's our best bet to step up from a supporting role if Macauley was unavailable.

Agreed, the fact that Scott played in the same postion for Gateshead that Langstaff is playing for us makes me believe he can step in if needed.

We've not been at our best since the new year, don't let the 4-1 wins make you think we were. Last night had that early season feel to it again where we would completely control games. Plus we are now mixing it up a little to react to high presses.

I have no idea who will be crowned Champions at the end of the season but it's not good for my greying hair!

[MAD_MAGPIE]

Yeah, correct. Promotion is the goal, isn't it? Not a trophy. There are 2 great teams, and 2 routes...Both squads have pursue both tracks, go like hell for the first, but be ready for the second.

Completely agree. It's a similar scenario to a normal game in which there has to be a Plan A - Automatic Promotion and Plan B - Promotion via the playoffs. One of the two teams will have to implement Plan B and both should have preparations in place for such an event. It should not come as neither shock or surprise and just be accepted as part of the course and be embraced for what it is. Two more games to win against teams played twice already this season one at home and another at Wembley.