Johnnyrotten

Definitely. It was very sparse, definitely lowest this season. In comparison when cup games are played and we all buy tickets, the official attendance is a true reflection. 10k v Luton but ESL and WSL were much fuller than for evening league games (not many in NSL and top tiers shut obviously).

Southgate had the same blind spot with Deli Alli, I've nothing against him but for a couple of years he was bobbins and still getting picked in big games. It must be hard to get into the England squad but if Gareth likes you its even harder to get out of it.

I don't recall lumping a tenner on Maidstone to win at Ipswich either, or Carlisle to win at Peterboro or Bolton. Its a game of football, that referees have a say in, hence Derby fans will be having the odd panic this week however unjustified that is.

As much as I'd rather avoid Blackpool, I'm grateful Wigan haven't had a sniff of the play offs this season. They won at Pompey, Peterboro, Derby and here, scoring 11 goals, and did the double over Posh as well as us. if we'd done half of that we'd be up now. Thank god they aren't coming to us for a semi final 2nd leg, I'll take playing any of the others.

Nobody does but I'd like to think Derby fans will have a few sleepless nights, not helped by knowing Peterboro have given up.

If you're in Derby's shoes (and of a nervous/pessimistic nature), you'd now be thinking that there's every chance Posh Peterborough United can lose by 3 to us on Saturday. Maybe they are just 5% more worried than they would have been, that they really can't afford to go a goal down on Saturday because its no longer as far fetched that we get the result we need, if Posh are only concerned with avoiding injuries.

Those current points are if they win tonight BTW

Bradford had 50 points from 39 games. Now on 66 from 45. Donny had 49 from 38, now 70 from 45. They were a point behind 17th placed Bradford with a game in hand.

I read today the national league play off between Solihull and Gateshead that was meant to be today was called off and Gateshead chucked out because they don't have a lease on their ground lasting 10 years. So the EFL won't let them in. First I've heard of this type of thing, seems unbelievable bad luck for their players to play all season for no reward, it would be like Oxford being told on Sunday they aren't allowed in the championship with a 3 sided ground or whatever.

Its mad isn't it. In March they had 3 consecutive home games: lost 5-1 to Mansfield, 3-0 to out of form Notts County, and 2-0 to relegated FGR. Then lost 3-0 at Harrogate. Bradford were 17th, Doncaster 18th a month ago today, now they could both be in the play offs.

I know how I'd be feeling if I was Burton or Cambridge, they will be fuming. Especially Cambridge being local rivals of Posh, probably equivalent of someone like Blackpool playing their reserves v one of our rivals, it will be perceived as just trying to relegate a team they don't get on with.

Unbelievable Jeff. The BEN shirt sponsor on Gowling dates that as 1981-82 season. So she'd done 1k games 42 years ago and still has a S/T!

You're probably right, Blackpool also one to avoid. I was just considering the new manager effect and our poor record v Barnsley. And we did beat Blackpool at home, I'd expect to beat them again, and we couldn't have that ref (or GK howler) again at Blackpool, I'd fancy us for a draw as much as I would at Barnsley. Just hoping for Oxford or Lincoln TBH 😀.

It seems very logical really, he's cocked up their promotion chances, they now have (potentially) a 4 game mini season, they could get anyone in and new manager bounce gives them a great chance. No point potting him at end of season when its too late.

The common denominator is they try to find ways to not allow goals to stand, it makes them seem really important when they find an "offence" that the naked eye wouldn't spot. There aren't many benefits to staying in L1, but I can think of 2: Going to games expecting to win most weeks, and no VAR for the foreseeable.

Agreed, this isn't good news for everyone else aiming to win the play offs. Our record against them (fear of them?) added to new manager bounce makes them the main team I'd want to avoid in the semi. Less concerned about them if they get to the final as that would be preferable to Posh.

Its very rare, but 2 in a week following Collins v Pompey. The other 2 were Toal at Lincoln and Ashworth v Barnsley.

I've no idea, but every manager makes some strange signings, it happens; if IE thinks he's capable of playing in the championship, ever, I'd be worried 😀.

If they can have that rule of the pizza cup, surely they can have the same rule for league games, given that league games affect other teams in the league unlike cup games which only affect the 2 teams involved. Seems wierd if this rule isn't already in place. From our point of view, we might want Posh to play their "normal" team on Tuesday so that they can potentially pick up a couple of injuries or suspensions, as seems to happen to us most weeks.

Just need a draw at Cheltenham, if they beat us they finish 3rd.

Agree with that. I remember her with her husband in the 80s (who died a long time back) and I've always been in awe of her stoicism and support despite failing health. Last away game I saw her at (not that I go to many) was WBA when we won in last minute, also she was selling programmes upto a few years ago, and I saw her at Athy Colls 2 or 3 years ago. Totally deserves recognition, up there with Dave Higson as best fans that I'm aware of in my lifetime (there will be loads I'm not aware of).

We won't be outnumbered for the play offs (for a change), but we'll be nearer 25k than 35k - with the prices for play offs compared to the cup, and only just over a week to sell tickets/arrange travel. Maybe 20k for the opposition, who would all have less distance to travel unless its Blackpool but they'd fetch 20k easily. Hardly like a home game, we aren't at the levels of a Derby or Sheff Wed for support and none of the potential opponents are tiny unlike if Stevenage had got there.

You're probably right, I may have got carried away with talk of sell outs, if its bottom third territory, its not happening, although the early season games if against big clubs may be 25k etc. The other factor is how many games may get switched for TV, which is going to alter the atmosphere and effect the habit of folk expecting to attend most games. A discussion for another day, hopefully!

I don't think anyone is counting games in that cup are they? Not sure why they would, literally men against boys. The point of the two 5s and a 7 is that it shows a relentless streak which I've been wanting for years, it was always our habit to go maybe 2 goals up then sit on it and it became boring (I'm going back years, pre-IE). Taking some teams to the cleaners per season (we had two 5-0's last season too) is refreshing and makes for great memories in a season of very few "memorable" results/games and zero late winners in home games to send the crowd into raptures, which has to be almost unique in my time as a fan.

Not disputing the impressive levels of support generally - another superb turnout yesterday for a nothing match really - but not sure the levels have fluctuated any more in previous seasons have they? Some very poor turnouts midweek, its just we don't get to hear it officially, its all based on educated guesses on the night. And mid winter Saturdays were definitely less attended than some eg Bristol Rovers/Orient - but the only concrete figures we can compare with previous seasons are S/T sales, which with the benefit of reduced prices have clearly increased. More £10 community days another boost to average crowds. Overall its a great positive vibe currently and long may it continue, if/when we get back to the championship we will surely be looking at sellouts in some of the bigger games assuming we are competitive on the field.