all down to.......

[Guest]

......the last blinkin' game!!!!! Gonna be a great finish to whats been a thrilling season for 2 fantastic clubs! May the best team win next week.!! <img src="graemlins/icon26.gif" border="0" alt="[icon26]" /> <img src="graemlins/achso.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/angel.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/coolsmoke.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/cooked.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/cheeburga.gif" border="0" alt="[cheeburga]" />

[GazzaBTFC]

Being lazy and not being arsed to look at the fixtures, what's the last games Canvey and Gravesend have got to play?<p>And any match predictions?

[Guest]

Canvey -v- Braintree

G & N -v- Bedford<p>Canvey 6-1 Braintree ( Greggors 2, Boylan 3, and an own goal by crow, if he's still there )

G & N 1-3 Bedford

[cangull]

Steady up Billy me boy; its one thing to be confident but I feel you may get some bad banter on the Canvey result, possibly be right on the G&N

result though (one hopes! nay one prays!!).

[Merv]

Have to say a big thank you to G&N. They have done everything possible to give us the title, but it seems we haven't wanted to take it. I am very confident we will beat Braintree next week (they are 'off-form' at the moment) but I also have a feeling that G&N really want it and will do the business at Bedford.<p>Whatever happens, let's not forget what a fantastic season this has been for The Gulls. I do like cherry on the top of my cake though

[Essy]

Au contraire Merv...think Hitchin, Grays, yesterday...we're both trying to give it to eachother! I personally think your 'secret pact' theory is closest to the truth...it's killing me either way <p>There is no way the last few weeks could have been scripted, but that's football (unfortunately).

[Guest]

I would'nt be surprised if we both drew or lost next week, seems both teams are feeling the presure now! Can't be easy knowing that one mistake may cost them the title! Just hope that we look more like scoring next week!! Think its just too tight to call at the moment! <img src="graemlins/images/icons/confused.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/dark3.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/diskussion.gif" border="0" alt="[diskussion]" /> <img src="graemlins/gld_md_wht.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/help.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="graemlins/klo.gif" border="0" alt="[klo]" />

[Guest]

Seems neither team wants to win it, its hard too know who'd be more pleased or disappointed at last Saturdays results. I think G&N's one point advantage could be crucial as the way things are going both teams could well get beaten next Saturday, can only be nerves/pressure getting to the players. Whatever happens surely Canvey's paltry attendance figures must be a cause for concern to them, against Sutton it was 800 and something whilst G&N got 1,800 plus against Borehamwood, even that is not particularly good, to draw a comparison both Tamworth and Kettering, who are neck and neck at the top of the DM Premier both pulled in well over 2,000 last Saturday. Anyway whoever goes up is going to have to strengthen their squad in the summer if they want to survive in the Conference.

[GazzaBTFC]

I think Braintree will be tough call. Considering they have quite a few ex Billericay players and beat us 4 - 2, I can't see them being intimidated by the Park Lane "roar", sorry, whisper.<p>I predict Canvey 2 - Braintree 2.

Gravesend 1 - Bedford 1.

[Pages]

All we can do against Braintree is try our best and just hope that G&N slip up again. I dont think anyone can predict the score line really for Saturday because of the amount of pressure involved. <p>Would be good if as many people as possible could make the journey up the A130 and give our lads some support, as they do say if there is a big crowd its sometimes like having another man on the pitch.<p>Come on Canvey, do us all proud.

[Tom S]

This run-in has been almost as tense as between Enfield and Hayes a few years ago.<p>The lead had changed hands several times and coming into the final Saturday the two were level on points with Enfield 2 ahead on goal difference.<p>At 5 o'clock Enfield had won 1-0, Hayes had won 3-0. The goal differences were equal and Hayes had scored one more goal and were promoted.<p>I suppose what I'm trying to say is that Canvey shouldn't give up hope and G&N shouldn't count their chickens. You never know.<p>All Enfield (and now Town) fans who were at Yeovil that day still remember the sheer numbness at the final whistle.

[David Holden]

Trust me we haven't started tabulating the eggs yet let alone counting the chickens

[Guest]

Well who knows what twists and turns we have to come on Saturday. Im just glad its the last game dont think my nerves could stand anymore of all this.

The only game in the last few months i havent felt nervous about was the gravesend game, i always thought we could win that one.

Whatever happens on Saturday there have been Two outstanding teams in this division both should be playing in the Conference next season.

[Ryan.c]

Disagree with you there old chap! More like two average sides in a [****!!****] division. Whoever goes up will need to drastically revamp thier squads to survive in the Conference.

[Guest]

Well if both gravesend and Canvey are average sides what does that make Billercay?????

The only good thing abouot not going up is seeing us totally taking the p**s when we play you next season.

Farnbourough have done well in the Conference and dont forget Dagenham were in the Ryamn two years ago.

I think both Gravesend and Canvey will do well next season.

One things for sure Billercay dont need to worry about suviving in the conference as they will never get near it.

[Ryan.c]

Why do you Canvey/Southend type thingys get so defensive when somebody from another club posts a message? Both Farnborough and Dagenham were far better sides than Canvey. The standard of football in this league is the poorest it's been for many a year. Billericay are currently a pretty sorry side at the moment, but still maintain a top half standing. That in itself just about sums up the Ryman Premier. This of course is only temporary and when the mighty 'Ricay rise again we'll be back to put the record straight. Enjoy it whilst it lasts.

[Phil Old Boy]

This thread is off track now from its title. To add my thoughts though is that all this talk of Gravesend/Canvey not being good enough for the conference is untrue. All I can say about the last six games for both sides have been topsy-turvy. Just look at Boston/Daggers though. The same has happened to them. You have to look back to what the clubs have achieved this season. On Canvey’s side, reaching the 3rd round of the FA Cup and believe me they had Burnley worried. In fact, it was only Daggers and Canvey who got to the 3rd round so does this mean that the conference overall was not as strong. On Gravesend’s side, beaten by Huddersfield in the last minute and both teams reached the 5th Round of the trophy. The reason that Billericay have maintained a top half standing is because the other teams are much of a muchness but hasn’t this been the case in most recent seasons. The top two are way out in front. Last season, it was clear that although Farnborough won promotion, Canvey were the better team. When teams get promoted, they will look to strengthen their squads anyway so comparisons are hard from season to season. As CanveySouthendBoy mentioned, Farnborough and Daggers have done well so why would'n’t Gravesend or Canvey?

[Merv]

I would have thought that being defensive when a supporter of a rival (local) team comes onto your own message board is within the bounds of reason. I'm surprised that you're surprised.<p>I'd like to hear more of your reasoning behind the statement that the Ryman Premier is a s****e division. The examples quoted of Farnborough and Daggers are good ones but your point of view is worthy of further discussion.<p>I think that both Canvey and G&N are better than average and play football with different styles, but both being effective. Remember that 95 points after 41 games would have had most other leagues sewn up.<p>You also have to look at both Canvey's & G&N's records against teams from other divisions to see that RPL isn't bad. You can look up G&N's record yourself but Canvey did very well against; Dagenham (drew then lost on penalties in the Essex Senior Cup at the start of the season), Halesowen, Stafford, Wigan, Northahmpton, Grantham, Yeovil (very unlucky to lose that one - spendid performance as confirmed by Yeovil fans) and Chelmsford.<p>As for your assertion that Billericay are a sorry at the moment, (looks like they could finish 8th) this seems to be about their general level, having finsihed 8th last year, 7th the year before and 12th the year before that. I don't see any particular downturn in form from those statistics, simply a better than average side for the league they are in, but not achieving anything memorable.<p>I do hope Billericay do better next season as I think the state of Essex football is very good and I would like to see it even better. If it doesn't happen this season, it won't be long before we have Daggers in the league, Canvey in the Conference and Billericay, Grays, Purfleet, Braintree all knocking on the door, eagerly chased by Heybridge and Harlow.<p>Merv CIFC

[Simon BTFC]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Merv CIFC:

<strong>

As for your assertion that Billericay are a sorry at the moment, (looks like they could finish 8th) this seems to be about their general level, having finsihed 8th last year, 7th the year before and 12th the year before that. I don't see any particular downturn in form from those statistics, simply a better than average side for the league they are in, but not achieving anything memorable.

</strong><hr></blockquote><p>Surely that's the point? Despite having a pretty dire season (compared to previous seasons our performances have been far worse) our league position hasn't suffered - we've only dropped 4 places in the league since the end of October despite only winning 7 games in all competitions!!! Tell me that's the hallmark of a competetive league? Not sure how whoever wins will do in the conf - the advantage that both Dagenham and Farnborough had was that they both had been in the conf in recent history and knew what to expect. They also had the financial clout to go out and bring in new players - and also don't forget that Sutton and Kingstonian both made rapid returns to the Ryman.

[Ryan.c]

My view of the poor standard in the Ryman League this season is based on having watched hundreds of games over many years with Billericay. This season only Gravesend's performance at New Lodge, in my opinion, can be classed as impressive. Both Dagenham and Farnborough's success in the Conference doesn't automatically mean that either Canvey or Gravesend will find the going as comfortable. Kingstonian, Sutton, Enfield and now Hayes have all been only to return. Canvey and Gravesend are the 2 best sides this season, but take a look at the opposition. Take a look at both Gravesend and Canvey's recent form. You can't blame every defeat on nerves, both have lost to average opposition. Gravesend have drawn 4 successive blanks at home and are still top. Canvey's own inability to take advantage may suggest they are not as good as they are billed. Of course only time will tell. If Canvey do go up, then this time next year either one of us will be telling the other 'told you so'. Would also like to say that this is probably the best year to get out of this league, as next year is going to see a flood of quality players entering the non-league arena (thanks to ITV). The standard should be higher and the league tougher.