I think we are 3 points behind Barnsley with 2 games in hand and have a 3 or 4 worse Goal Difference? I am ignoring Luton, cos unless they lose the next couple of games we are unlikely to catch them As has been said it is in our own hands...win all our games remaining and we are up. The win last night might have helped by the loss in the Tinpot cup final. Mcgeady seems the man of the moment, he went off at half time...not injured I hope Presumably same team again on Saturday?.
Jack will rotate his squad now and pick each team for that days opposition. He's said the squad are all up for it and has a great togetherness which hopefully will get us over the line. Rochdale have just appointed their stand in manager on a full time basis so hoping they don't get a lift that this scenario often does.
Rochdale wont be easy. Caretaker manager has just received the job full time on the strength of 2 wins and 2 draws.
Its another pressure game coming up, they wont lie down, but who does in this league, these points are more vital to us than them, and this should be enough to get the right response from our TEAM, and the FANS, if so another win is on the cards. OaU.
This is a massive opportunity. Although we've been hoping for a while, my gut feeling is that this is the day Barnsleys unbeaten run ends. I may even put my hard earned cash on Barnsley to win, just to make sure.
Rochdale are in the relegation zone and two points away from climbing out. They'll be desperate for a win. Having said that, I can see our quality being too much for them and another comfortable win for the lads.
When you look at the league there are few games left for anybody where there is nothing at stake. Teams all the way down to 10 have at least an outside chance of the play offs. Teams generally below 10th could still easily go down. Theres no mid table. In fact I would say that there is only Burton at this point who have nowt to play for. ie. there are no easy games at this stage.
On paper we have a more difficult run in than Barnsley. Hoping that when Barnsley play their easier games those teams still have something to play for. Then again, teams with suddenly no pressure on them anymore often turn on the style. Swings and roundabouts really.
A real emotional game for me this one. One of my best mates in Rossendale was an avid Rochdale fan but unfortunately passed away last year with cancer only 60. We used to go to a couple of Sunderland games a couple of Rochdale games plus a couple of guest fixtures every year until he got ill. I even used to go to Rochdale's Christmas.parties so I developed a soft spot for them. My heart tells me I would like it to be cracking game ending in a high scoring draw. My head tells me he will be looking down on me hoping for a Rochdale big win so he can tek the piss out of me in front of our mates for the rest of the weekend and more. So thinking that I have to go with my gut and a 4-1win for the lads. I can then raise a glass to him Saturday night with a huge big fat grin. Also think Barnsley will drop points at weekend
Have said all season the strength we have on the bench would see us get promoted. Sterling & Morgan to come on with their pace in the 2nd half is a massive boon imo. I expect a similar result as last night AND Barnsley to drop points again. I had said on an earlier post would you prefer the points on the board or games in hand. Most said points, understandably, but have they changed their mind since last nights result?
**** that's a hard one, Gil. I said I'd just favour Barnsley's position. We've got momentum but at the same time we are one week away from a dodgy result and scores going against us to making it look like probable playoff with games running out. 51/49 in favour of being in Barnsley's position due to their better goal difference.
I'll stick with us in the belief that we will get the necessary points. Slight concern about the Donny n Coventry games, but I also think Barnsley are bottling it.
Donny, Cov and Portsmouth will be tough we can win 5 so win 5 draw 3 so 92 points that should be enough, meaning we draw at Peterborough as well, we have to have the best away record in my opinion so might need a 12-9-2 plus 12-11-0 at home=25-19-2 a fantastic record of 92 points. Luton to get to 96-100 points Barnsley 90-92 points, Portsmouth about 88.
