Match Thread vs. Barnet 08.02.22 [NL]

[Killerkline]

I’ve not seen anyone ‘write the season off’, but I think what the recent 3 games confirmed for a lot of people is that we aren’t good enough to win the league. If you think we are fair enough, but it’s still disappointing that we aren’t proper contenders at this stage of the season in this league.

Also I don’t think being physical doesn’t mean we have 3 Arnies in midfield, it means we can win the second balls, win the 50/50s and attack with some pace and power occasionally rather than the more dainty football we’ve become more used to.

Maybe we did all that last night and we’ll continue to do it when we come up against better opposition.

In terms of writing the season off, couple of points;

1. Old Pie ‘We're out of top spot contention as noted in an earlier post. We're pretty well out of 2nd spot contention too’. Maybe not writing the season off, but very negative at best. Why are we out of contention? I’m not saying we will, but it’s by no means beyond the realms of possibility.
2. You’ve suggested ‘We aren’t good enough to win the League’. As above.

Again, with just under half the season remaining, I would say we are contenders.

Matt Palmer has demonstrated he can win 50/50’s.

The pace note I acknowledge. Maybe Sam will give this option moving forward. Definitely capable.

[Carlton_Pie]

In terms of writing the season off, couple of points;

1. Old Pie ‘We're out of top spot contention as noted in an earlier post. We're pretty well out of 2nd spot contention too’. Maybe not writing the season off, but very negative at best. Why are we out of contention? I’m not saying we will, but it’s by no means beyond the realms of possibility.
2. You’ve suggested ‘We aren’t good enough to win the League’. As above.

Again, with just under half the season remaining, I would say we are contenders.

Matt Palmer has demonstrated he can win 50/50’s.

The pace note I acknowledge. Maybe Sam will give this option moving forward. Definitely capable.

Why are we out of the running for top spot? 10 points behind Stockport with 2 games in hand is not out of it. Yes others have games in hand on Stockport but we're not completely out the running yet

[Killerkline]

Why are we out of the running for top spot? 10 points behind Stockport with 2 games in hand is not out of it. Yes others have games in hand on Stockport but we're not completely out the running yet

That’s my view. Particularly with so much football left to play.

[upthemaggies]

Who would take 3rd (and a single home match to reach the play off final) if offered it now?

I would.

We've been 4th to 8th all season and that's where we're most likely to end up. Of course there is hope and the possibility that we might do better, football can and does throw up surprises, but probability insists it will be 5th or 6th.

[laddo]

I would also. I'd fancy us to beat anyone below us at home in a play off semi final. With a bit of luck

A 3rd place finish is obtainable and would be a good result IMO from out present position. That's not to say currently we shouldn't be aiming for top spot.

[Killerkline]

Who would take 3rd (and a single home match to reach the play off final) if offered it now?

I would.

We've been 4th to 8th all season and that's where we're most likely to end up. Of course there is hope and the possibility that we might do better, football can and does throw up surprises, but probability insists it will be 5th or 6th.

That’s a bloody good question. I’m afraid I’m going to take a backside full of splinters.

The optimist in me genuinely believes we can do this. On the other hand, 3rd in an incredibly competitive league would be good achievement.

I’ve got off the fence, no. I’m going for the title😬

[BigFatPie]

In terms of writing the season off, couple of points;

1. Old Pie ‘We're out of top spot contention as noted in an earlier post. We're pretty well out of 2nd spot contention too’. Maybe not writing the season off, but very negative at best. Why are we out of contention? I’m not saying we will, but it’s by no means beyond the realms of possibility.
2. You’ve suggested ‘We aren’t good enough to win the League’. As above.

Again, with just under half the season remaining, I would say we are contenders.

Matt Palmer has demonstrated he can win 50/50’s.

The pace note I acknowledge. Maybe Sam will give this option moving forward. Definitely capable.

You’re not writing the season off if you think we can still get in the playoffs. As for top spot we were at best 8/1 pre Wealdstone you can now get 25/1, so fill your boots if you’re in any way a betting man.

We’re definitely still in the running for the title points wise and games left wise, I just don’t think we are ability wise. The football this season hasn’t been much more successful, but luckily for us it has been much more entertaining. Unless we have a disastrous run in I’m quite happy to give Burchnall next season at least.

[SaltySeaDog]

Fair play to the gaffer last night for switching things up with the formation & personnel.

He got some stick on here in the last week for playing people that are out of form. But with Taylor, Brunt & Lacey out of the team last night, it shows that he does see these things, and isn't afraid to change.

Sounds like Barnet didn't offer much resistance, but credit where it's due.

[durhampie]

I would also. I'd fancy us to beat anyone below us at home in a play off semi final. With a bit of luck

A 3rd place finish is obtainable and would be a good result IMO from out present position. That's not to say currently we shouldn't be aiming for top spot.

There are 19 games left and 57 points to play for. Remember Rochdale who were 14 points ahead of us...

[Killerkline]

You’re not writing the season off if you think we can still get in the playoffs. As for top spot we were at best 8/1 pre Wealdstone you can now get 25/1, so fill your boots if you’re in any way a betting man.

We’re definitely still in the running for the title points wise and games left wise, I just don’t think we are ability wise. The football this season hasn’t been much more successful, but luckily for us it has been much more entertaining. Unless we have a disastrous run in I’m quite happy to give Burchnall next season at least.

Possibly contradicting myself now. I did say in the post ‘possibly not writing the season off’. But, in terms of winning the league, it reads like a write off.

In terms of the odds, I’m sure they’ll change again. Although I’m no expert, those odds look decent. I’m not a betting man.

I do believe we have the ability.

Id love to see a comparison between this season and last, actual league stats.