It looks an interesting mix, there are 11 teams in with a shout for the four spots available, including us. Its going to be right down to the wire. We can all assume its going to be Cheltenham or Forest Green for the top spot, and looking down the league its down to 12th spot who have a chance for the play off positions. I guess it could be in our hands near the end of the season who we could play. Now, the leading question ; If you was in Paul Hursts shoes, would you just play the games out going for 3rd spot, or would you do the maths and try to get the position to play against the choice team in the semis?.
This could be a planned promotion in our eyes, and maybe we could have a double Wembley visit with the F.A. trophy... maybe there is hope yet !!

I'd rather win the league to be honest.

Quoted from ginnywings

I'd rather win the league to be honest.

Ditto

Finish 3rd, get the home leg second. 90%* chance of this happening anyway.


* not statistically analysed

Quoted from dicko995

It looks an interesting mix, there are 11 teams in with a shout for the four spots available, including us. Its going to be right down to the wire. We can all assume its going to be Cheltenham or Forest Green for the top spot, and looking down the league its down to 12th spot who have a chance for the play off positions. I guess it could be in our hands near the end of the season who we could play. Now, the leading question ; If you was in Paul Hursts shoes, would you just play the games out going for 3rd spot, or would you do the maths and try to get the position to play against the choice team in the semis?.
This could be a planned promotion in our eyes, and maybe we could have a double Wembley visit with the F.A. trophy... maybe there is hope yet !!

There is 3 places up for grabs, one of the run away 2 will more than likely finish 2nd.

Play like we did today and you can kiss goodbye to even getting into the playoffs, never mind winning them

Build up momentum between now and the end of the season. 99% certain we won't win the league but play to capitalise on any slips higher up. All being well go into the play offs with a home second leg and go into it fearing no-one.

Getting to the final is only half the job.

Finish as high s we can to get the home leg second.

The play-offs are not a lottery.  Penalty shoot-outs are not a lottery.  They are spressure-control ituations that we're more than likely now going to face, so need to start preparing.

As part of that, I would also recommend PH start identifying penalty-takers for any potential shootout and working out a strategy to get those people technically and mentally prepared.  The act of doing this can even be part of the psychological "goal visualisation" that helps them focus on the end goal and prevent the season petering out.

Stuff the playoffs!

After the Gateshead defeat, most accepted that it was the play offs anyway and that we just had to win as many games as we could and try to keep up our form going into them. Today doesn't change that but if you were to ask our esteemed manager, he will tell you that it doesn't make any difference if we play away first or second. I think it does myself but it's not my worry.

Had to laugh today on my way out of the ground when i heard a fan say the the excitement of possibly getting to Wembley in the Trophy had got to the players.

I haven't seen a team we cannot beat in this league, so it's all about getting it right for three games and maybe the rub of the green on one or two key decisions.

Boo hoo. Missed out on the league so we'll just give up on the season even though we've got a good chance of being promoted through the play offs.

Realistic or not, I refuse to engage in a conversation about tactics for the play offs in mid f***ing February, for no better reason than sheer sulkinesss on my part. Balls to the play offs. This should not be happening in the winter of a season! (rant)