The final play-offs spot

[Shredding Green]

I will be following the Good Friday and Easter Monday fixtures with considerable interest.

I forecast that the other eight clubs competing for the final play-offs spot will drop 16 points on Good Friday and 12 points on Easter Monday.

Whilst my favourite for the final play-offs spot is Havant & Waterlooville, will they drop points aganst Bath City (A) and Eastbourne Borough (H)? 

[Curtis]

OK, I will play this game, those 8 clubs will drop 19 points on Friday & 11 points on Monday.

Havant will lose at Bath & draw with Eastbourne, & I think you are unfortunately correct in that they will just about make the play-offs.

[Reading Rebel]

Looking at it game by game I think it will be tight between St Albans, Hungerford and Havant.

Goal difference could be the deciding factor with St Albans getting the final play off spot. 

[3spirit]

6 hours ago, Reading Rebel said:

Looking at it game by game I think it will be tight between St Albans, Hungerford and Havant.

Goal difference could be the deciding factor with St Albans getting the final play off spot. 

Hungerford have had a brilliant season,haven't they? Considering they had a whole host of new players and a new manager at the start of the season, they have really turned around their form. Their manager Danny Robinson deserves the plaudits as he has put together a team pretty much from scratch,other than a couple of experienced players from the previous regime. His appointment could have easily backfired.

Can't see them making the play offs,though.  

[Reading Rebel]

3 hours ago, 3spirit said:

Hungerford have had a brilliant season,haven't they? Considering they had a whole host of new players and a new manager at the start of the season, they have really turned around their form. Their manager Danny Robinson deserves the plaudits as he has put together a team pretty much from scratch,other than a couple of experienced players from the previous regime. His appointment could have easily backfired.

Can't see them making the play offs,though.  

Based upon size of club, town and resources there is certainly an argument that the Hungerford manager is the NLS manager of the season.

The only proviso to that is the amount of money they received from the NL due to covid was way more than they should have got being based on attendances.

They have obviously benefited greatly from this enabling them to sign players like Ryan Seager who is currently the leagues top scorer with 26 goals.  

[View from the Boundary]

St Albans won't make the playoffs, Levy will see to that. Does this year in year out, they're flying up until Christmas, then come down with the decorations. He just wants a new ground and spin off benefits, he couldn't give a monkeys about the club or its fans.

[Shredding Green]

On 13/04/2022 at 07:29, Curtis said:

OK, I will play this game, those 8 clubs will drop 19 points on Friday & 11 points on Monday.

Havant will lose at Bath & draw with Eastbourne, & I think you are unfortunately correct in that they will just about make the play-offs.

I went for 16 points dropped and you went for 19. The actual points dropped by the other eight clubs competing for the final play-offs spot was 17.

There are people around who say that I'm just a statistics man who doesn't know much about football but I am enjoying this end of season game ... particularly when Rebels win!!! And if Tyler's feeling well again on Monday I will be enjoying it even more!!!

It's getting close (3 points allowed for games in hand) :-

Havant & Waterlooville				+5
-----------------------------------------------
Hungerford Town				+4
St Albans City				+4
Concord Rangers				+3
Hemel Hempstead Town				+3
Chippenham Town				+2
Dulwich Hamlet				0
Hampton & Richmond Borough				0
Slough Town				0

Concord Ranges on a Tuesday evening ... I might yet be tempted to my first ever visit to Canvey Island!

[Reading Rebel]

On 13/04/2022 at 21:10, View from the Boundary said:

St Albans won't make the playoffs, Levy will see to that. Does this year in year out, they're flying up until Christmas, then come down with the decorations. He just wants a new ground and spin off benefits, he couldn't give a monkeys about the club or its fans.

After the shocking performance and result against Chelmsford you could well be right.

Edited April 16, 2022 by Reading Rebel

[Shredding Green]

On 12/04/2022 at 21:33, Shredding Green said:

I will be following the Good Friday and Easter Monday fixtures with considerable interest.

I forecast that the other eight clubs competing for the final play-offs spot will drop 16 points on Good Friday and 12 points on Easter Monday.

Whilst my favourite for the final play-offs spot is Havant & Waterlooville, will they drop points aganst Bath City (A) and Eastbourne Borough (H)? 

Eastbourne Borough had had three men sent off by the 65th minute. Havant & Waterlooville scored all three of their goals in the last ten minutes of the match! 

 

[Shredding Green]

I have purchased my train ticket to Chelmsford for next Saturday.

The Clarets Bar at Chelmsford City football ground is highly recommended for both beer and baguettes. So I hope to have a rare beer or two before the match.

My only disappointment was that Havant & Waterlooville supporters travelling by train next Saturday will alight from the train at Welling.

I note that on Good Friday, Manny Duku hit the crossbar with a 90th minute penalty at Bath City so The Hawks only came home with a point.

After the Welling United match, Havant & Waterlooville have Hampton & Richmond Borough (H), Hemel Hempstead Town (A) and Chippenham Town (H).

Jack Barham had a penalty saved at Dartford today but Maidstone United still ended Dartford's unbeaten home record with a fine 0-1 away win.

[Curtis]

I’m surprised there’s not more chat about the interesting end to the season.

Just four matches left and nine clubs still in with a shot at the final play-off place, including us. An enormous amount of credit should go to the managers & players for continuing to keep this season alive this long.

Havant still look the favourites, but they could slip up with those remaining fixtures, and with two wins & two clean sheets we would appear to be in good form.

[Reading Rebel]

2 hours ago, Curtis said:

I’m surprised there’s not more chat about the interesting end to the season.

Just four matches left and nine clubs still in with a shot at the final play-off place, including us. An enormous amount of credit should go to the managers & players for continuing to keep this season alive this long.

Havant still look the favourites, but they could slip up with those remaining fixtures, and with two wins & two clean sheets we would appear to be in good form.

I'm not sure anyone really believes it Curtis.

Yes, it's still possible but in reality I don't think it is.

[3spirit]

On 19/04/2022 at 07:23, Curtis said:

I’m surprised there’s not more chat about the interesting end to the season.

Just four matches left and nine clubs still in with a shot at the final play-off place, including us. An enormous amount of credit should go to the managers & players for continuing to keep this season alive this long.

Havant still look the favourites, but they could slip up with those remaining fixtures, and with two wins & two clean sheets we would appear to be in good form.

As Slough aren't fighting it out at the top, I can't say I'm bothered who goes up !

I know the spin about Slough going for the play offs but I have not for one minute believed this season Slough would get promotion [despite Shredding Green chewing my ear off that our team is going for the play offs].

Getting in a play off match to then lose is not much of an accomplishment in my book. This season it's better for Slough not to make the play offs. The reason I say this, is because this season I see the squad being about evolution rather than revolution, and that it is developing and finding it's feet. It hasn't nailed down it's identity to get among the best but the glass is half full with me and I'm optimistic that we're seeing the green shoots of recovery but we have some way to go before we are ready to seriously challenge for promotion. I just don't fool for the hype.

[Reading Rebel]

49 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

As Slough aren't fighting it out at the top, I can't say I'm bothered who goes up !

I know the spin about Slough going for the play offs but I have not for one minute believed this season Slough would get promotion [despite Shredding Green chewing my ear off that our team is going for the play offs].

Getting in a play off match to then lose is not much of an accomplishment in my book. This season it's better for Slough not to make the play offs. The reason I say this, is because this season I see the squad being about evolution rather than revolution, and that it is developing and finding it's feet. It hasn't nailed down it's identity to get among the best but the glass is half full with me and I'm optimistic that we're seeing the green shoots of recovery but we have some way to go before we are ready to seriously challenge for promotion. I just don't fool for the hype.

I think the point about getting into the play-offs even to then lose is to drum up interest in the club to hopefully improve and grow attendances.

Nothing like success to get people through the gate and to reach the play-offs in any year would be a major achievement for the club.

 

[3spirit]

52 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

I think the point about getting into the play-offs even to then lose is to drum up interest in the club to hopefully improve and grow attendances.

Nothing like success to get people through the gate and to reach the play-offs in any year would be a major achievement for the club.

 

I understand that notion but it is like those who can see the wood through the trees, and those that cannot.

The Slough attendance has tailed off this season and while a play off match hasn't been forthcoming I don't believe next season our crowd can't grow if, and it is a big if, the club make a statement with one or two 'star signings' for the commencement of next season. 

Edited April 21, 2022 by 3spirit

[Reading Rebel]

19 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

I understand that notion but it is like those who can see the wood through the trees, and those that cannot.

The Slough attendance has tailed off this season and while a play off match hasn't been forthcoming I don't believe next season our crowd can't grow if, and it is a big if, the club make a statement with one or two 'star signings' for the commencement next season. 

Not sure why a 'star signing' especially a striker would come to Slough when they could get a lot more money at another club.

Top strikers are in demand and some clubs are willing to pay silly money to get them on board.

It would be great to get in a star signing or two but I think we are shopping in a different market to a lot of other clubs at this level.

 

 

[Shredding Green]

36 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

Not sure why a 'star signing' especially a striker would come to Slough when they could get a lot more money at another club.

Top strikers are in demand and some clubs are willing to pay silly money to get them on board.

It would be great to get in a star signing or two but I think we are shopping in a different market to a lot of other clubs at this level.

 

 

The non-monetary attractions are good facilities, good management and a good ground. 

Oh for the day when I can add good crowds to the list.

[Reading Rebel]

16 minutes ago, Shredding Green said:

The non-monetary attractions are good facilities, good management and a good ground. 

Oh for the day when I can add good crowds to the list.

You can add top vocal support to that list.

Unfortunately in most cases money wins.

 

[Ian g f]

What do you consider a good avarage gate? Back in the conference days our gates were less than 900 with a great  successful team and at least 3 great strikers Slough Vs Southport semi final 1100 correct me if I'm wrong

[SloughFlyer]

I dont think putting an actual number on it is the way to go Ian. The most important thing for me is to see year on year growth. If we can keep doing that as a club (from this season as a benchmark as we all have to accept certain things post pandemic and comparing prior to that is almost apple's and oranges) then that should be seen as successful. 

If people are desperate to put a number, I think you pointing out the conference days at 900ish is a decent aim for a couple of seasons time.