Eddie

Now this would be a perfect set of results (ignoring Luton)

4th game in a row he’s been there. I’m not sure they stay in the play offs if that stays the same for the rest of the season. If it stays like it is then they will be seriously looking over their shoulder, game in hand or not.

Mansfield 👀

Draw then? 😂

Yes please! We all know from the Oxford experience that ‘easiest’ doesn’t always work. But Stevenage in the semis and then for me Bradford in the final would be the best outcome (although they’d have more fans than Stockport and if Stockport still had Wooton at centre back I think I’d prefer them).

As much as this is the case - there’s also a responsibility of the centre mids to get over and help out where they can see that Gale is out of position / know he’s not the best at tracking back. It’s a consequence of having Sheehan and Rodrigues in a midfield 2 - they’re brilliant together and have many positives, but if you have Erhahon as your left centre mid then he’d pull over and help GJ out more as it’s more natural to him. The pros / cons and balancing act of setting the team up. In an ideal world you have another ACD on the left who offers genuine cover to the full back and therefore your midfield 2 can focus on what they’re good at. But we’re league 1, it’s unlikely you’re going to have that perfect set up and that’s where SS has to work out his best set up that reduces risks whilst maximising other areas.

3 home games for them now but still playing Tuesday / Saturday for the next couple of weeks. To be fair to them, their form is holding up in the league - I just think the fixture pile up and injuries they’ve got are far from ideal to be hitting the play offs with. Cant get away from their main striker playing centre back - it’s proper old school. Imagine us heading towards the play offs with Dalby turning out at centre back 😂 (and just conceding 3 to Exeter). We’d be wondering whether there’s even any point in getting in them in the first place. Meanwhile, in very different circumstances to Tuesday, we’ve just had a massive shot in the arm confidence boost. I know I’m picking the positives to suit our own situation, it’s obviously biased and might count for fuck all in a couple of weeks. I just think Stockportways will be very worried right now!

That reminds me. That Mumba nearly pulled ACD’s shirt off his back after about 10 mins. The most obvious professional foul you’ll see, one of those that you usually see after 80 mins or so when players are knackered. Ref gave the foul but no yellow card - ridiculous decision, one of those where it differed just because of the time on the clock, absolutely no other reason to keep the card in the pocket.

He’s a very very good footballer. I love watching him play. He’ll absolutely dominate on a Wembley pitch (as we’ve already seen to our peril)

Also means that he’s not the automatic choice for every player to give the ball to. He’s the easy out ball but means he gets it in all situations and positions, regardless as to whether he should. With Rodrigues (and ACD) in the team, there is someone else for players to trust with the ball which means Sheehan is often receiving it when he’s genuinely the best option, rather than the only option. Still think it leaves us too open to hit our weak back line, but there’s a lot to like about them two playing together.

This team has no idea when it’s beat. It’s a far cry from what we’ve had over the past few seasons and will terrify anyone we come up against in the playoffs offs. Like others have said, defensive issues are there for all to see, but the way the attacking unit - and more than just one of them - is now firing is frightening. We’re a very difficult team to stop when we get going because it’s coming at you from all angles.

No real damage done. Looked a lot worse at one point. Would have preferred Stevenage to have held on (still prefer them than either Plymouth or Luton) but not too arsed either way. Bradford will be fuming having played 10 men for 80 mins. Stockport have thrown away a 2 goal lead, conceded in injury time and conceded 3 to a terrible Exeter team. Meanwhile they’ve all spotted that we’re never out of it and have yet another goal in injury time. That’ll do

Exeter!!!

You never fail to amuse me/ bemuse

I’d rather have Ritchie on the pitch than McAtee. Genuinely

We aren’t dropping out of the play offs - that concern is gone post Stevenage. It’s all about securing 3rd or 4th now and that’s a big enough incentive in itself

Good point. I hadn’t realised the goal difference effect. To be honest, I was just surprised at how poor that half was, they looked lost. Blackburn were all over them to be fair, not sure how long they’ll be able to keep that up. That lad on loan from Arsenal on the right is a handful!

Cov look shite! Based on this half, and drawing at home to Wednesday last weekend - looks very much like the pressure is getting to them. Good job they’ve got such a lead because they’ll go up regardless of nerves

I know Stockport got the win on Tuesday but I really wouldn’t want to be in their shoes going into the play offs. Riddled with injuries to the extent their centre forward is playing centre back and having to squeeze 5 games in (compared to our 3) before the end of the season, which can only make that squad situation harder. Maybe overly positive but with us having 3 games to go and key players coming back from injury, I think I know which position I’d prefer to be in.

That’s what they’re trying to argue. If they didn’t have to pay him then their offer would be over the 25p in the pound threshold. Unfortunately he’s a secured creditor so you can’t just bypass him and pay everyone else 25p in the pound.

Imagine the panic we’d have if we were playing Sam Dalby at centre back with the play offs on the horizon! Kenny would have a field day if he’s still there and we meet them in the play offs.

I think I agree for the home leg and possibly the final. It also helps having GJ at left back, Forino back there and Tutu looking far more comfortable with ACD ahead of him - suddenly the back line doesn’t look as weak and therefore the need for midfield protection is slightly reduced. I’m sure across the 3 games we’ll see a mix, but I’d be very surprised if we don’t see Erhahon start the away leg at least. Probably next to Sheehan with RR ready to come on for the last half an hour.

This is the bit I can’t figure out how it will go. I agree - Sheehan and Rodrigues midfield 2 worked well last night, but we were at home, Stevenage don’t have the same quality of some of the other teams up there and obviously we played against 10 for 60 minutes. In a play off away leg, or the final (fingers crossed), I’m not sure we can afford to set up so attacking. But - I’m not sure you can drop Rodrigues for the biggest matches, he’s too good and you can’t drop Kenny to play Rodrigues behind Dalby. You also can’t go to 5 at the back to fit 3 centre mids in because ACD is back and your best player has to play in his best position. There’s only 1 option to bring Erhahon into midfield with all that in mind - he comes in for Sheehan. Personally I don’t like that idea, Sheehan is the heartbeat of the team and is too important to drop, but for the balance of the midfield if you’re playing a 2 in an away game / Wembley final then I’d say it’s Erhahon plus 1. Tough call!

Early goal makes such a difference. Half time 0-0 and it’s a completely different game. Once shithouse teams like them haven’t got a lead/point to hold onto, we’re a completely different beast (especially at home). ACD makes that happen, he’s the difference. Said it earlier but ACD, Kenny and Rodrigues fit to start all 3 play off games and we’ll go up.

I don’t care if it’s 10 men, this is a proper confidence boost all round.