One home game per week

[Coffin Ender]

Bizarrely, with four months of the season left, that is what we face.

 

14 home league games still to play, plus at least one cup tie in 16 weeks. Poor Bally's fingers will be red raw by the end of March! Oh, and I reckon seven reserve games to play at Hartsdown (though I think the Kent League extend their regular season into May).

 

Couple of things could happen:

 

1) We string together some decent results which, in a very tight league, could give us the momentum to move into the top half.

 

2) People find they cannot afford to go to so many home games and crowds are disappointing. Or indeed they will become bored (Margate home games being like buses...another one will be along in a minute).

 

.

[michael]

Interesting post CE.

 

Personally-i reckon its gonna be great-just wished i did not live so far away -but will still make a few.

 

So often post christmas when there are no cup runs to talk of,everyone loses interest.(9 home league games between jan and april last year).

 

Ironically of course-last year 2 of those games-Dover and Ramsgate pulled in over 2300 people combined; but this year it will take 6 matches to get the same number of people through the gate; so despite the fact thst there are more games-revenue may be similar from 14 games to that achieved from 9 games last year.

 

 

The weather normally averages out-so maybe this winter the cold snap is now-whereas last year i think it was in feb)

 

I reckon the fact that there will be lots of home games-and we all trust-ever improving results-nothing spectacular-but slow and steady progress and pulling away from relegation zone -will stimulate interest.

 

(CE-whats the home cup game-i thought chatham was away match-maybe i'm wrong)

 

Up the 'Gate

[Porka]

To continue to stimulate interest towards the back end of the season we're going to need to be pushing for the play-offs. Not as unrealistic as it may seem. One or two personnel tweaks, and rebuilding of our home form could do it. I make it two points a game required from here on. We've played Hastings and Canvey away. Two of the tougher away trips in the division. Clearly, our home form needs to improve drastically if we are to push on.

 

Last four seasons points tally for 5th placed

 

2008/9 - 67

2007/8 - 68

2006/7 - 77 (5th place AFCW officially had 75 (deducted 3 from their 78). Ricay 'earnt' 77 for 4th place)

2005/6 - 75

 

This season seems to be shaping up much like the past two seasons. One team building a mammoth total and the rest all very close. So I reckon 70 should be enough for a play-off place. 14 home games, 10 away.

 

So 70-22 = 48 points required from the remaining 24 games. Achievable? Maybe

[Coffin Ender]

Most people would say Canvey are play-off contenders, yet we are six points behind them with two games in hand! Teams may not even need 70 points for play-offs this year.

[Porka]

Most people would say Canvey are play-off contenders, yet we are six points behind them with two games in hand! Teams may not even need 70 points for play-offs this year.

 

I think you may well be right although it remains to be seen who pushes the boat out in strengthening their squad in the new year. At the moment, the only team that stands out from the chasing pack are Wealdstone. I'd be surprised if they don't finish in a play-off place. Everybody else is well within reach, if we want it enough.

[Iris's Tea Hut]

Add on the 6 points we gave Cray this season, and look where it puts us.

[michael]

Despite their current position, i now reckon the 3 strong teams in the division are Dartford,wealdstone and billericay !

 

I still expect Billericay to be up pushing for a play off spot come end of season.

 

Why-simply because they concede so few goals.All they have to do is maintain that and score one or to more (i seem to recall they signed a couple of strikers in early december )and they will accumulate alot of points in second half of season