National League Play-off Thread 2017/18

[Joe.]

Still need 3 wins from 4 I think. Tough ask, but the form side over the last ten games.

Massive result today.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Win on Tuesday guarantees us 3rd. Win on Saturday as well or Sutton losing and Aldershot dropping points Tuesday guarantees us 2nd.

Would imagine we will rotate players for the final 2 games if Macclesfield have won the league on Saturday.

 

[Leewilson]

Update 4

Confirmed

2nd) Tranmere - 79
Chester (A) WON
Gateshead (H) WON
Aldershot (H) WON
Dover (A) WON
Halifax (A)
Hartlepool (H)
Solihull (H) (TBA)
Initial verdict: Will be absolutely fine. Games in hand a fairly favourable run in. Expect them to finish strongly in either 2nd or 3rd.
Update1: Looking very comfortable for 2nd or 3rd.
Update 2: Flying.
Update 3: All but mathematical now
Update 4: In the Play Offs at least. Can they keep winning and chase down Macc?

In the race

3rd) Aldershot - 74
Maidenhead (H) WON
Tranmere (A) LOSE
Gateshead (H) WON
Barrow (H)
Sutton (A)
Initial verdict: Bang out of form and with 2 very tough looking away games. Important they get a win or two at home but could get dragged into a battle for 7th if they're not careful.
Update1: Essential late win. 2 more wins to make sure.
Update 2: Night off. Other results weren't too bad. Still in their hands.
Update 3: Other results have helped them massively. Two winnable games to come before the final day and should make the play offs
Update 4: Pretty much there now. Win against Barrow would give them the best chance of 3rd and a game less.

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4th) Sutton - 73
Hartlepool (H) DREW
Maidenhead (A) LOST
Ebbsfleet (A)
Aldershot (H)
Update 2: Well I have to include them now that they're making a pigs ear of it. Should be fine but it's tight enough to be uncertain.
Update 3: Need 1 win or a few draws to be sure. Limping into the play offs.
Update 4: Big trouble now. Away to an in-form Ebbsfleet next and could well lose on the final day too. Wrexham will be eyeing 4 points to jump above them.

5th) Boreham Wood - 72
Halifax (A) LOST
Macclesfield (H) LOST
Chester (H) WIN
Bromley (A)
Guiseley (H)
Initial verdict: No problem for these lot. Probably a 4th/5th finish on the cards.
Update1: Damaging loss. If they lose to Macc, it’ll be a nervy end.
Update 2: Lost form at the wrong time. In real danger of missing out. Need 2 wins to get in. I think they'll squeak it.
Update 3: Massively important win. A win against Guiseley on the final day should seal it if they stumble next week.
Update 4: Night off with not much change. Avoiding defeat away to Bromley should all but confirm them in the top 7.

6th) Fylde - 71
Sutton (H) WON
Torquay (A) WON
Maidstone (A) LOSE
Solihull (H)
Wrexham (A)
Initial verdict: Have taken advantage of other's failings to be right in contention. Could go down to the final game vs Wrexham for a play off spot. Gut feeling is they'll just miss out.
Update 1: Cracking win gives them a great chance. Final game vs Wrexham is looking like the decider.
Update 2: Hit form at the right time. Might not even need the final game vs Wrexham now.
Update 3: Surprising defeat. Two tough games to end. A win against Solihull basically gets them in. A loss and it's all on the final day with Wrexham.
Update 4: Another with a night off. Win Saturday and they're there. If not, it comes down to the Wrexham match on the final day.

7th) Ebbsfleet - 70
Macclesfield (H) DRAW
Wrexham (H) WON
Barrow (A) WON
Eastleigh (A) WON
Sutton (H)
Gateshead (A)
Torquay (A)
Initial verdict: They have the games in hand but have been inconsistent all season. Some very tough games in that run in at home to the pace setters and away to teams fighting for their life. Will just miss out.
Update1: Little margain for error now. Need to win 5/6 ideally. Looking too big an ask.
Update 2: Shut up Lee. Beating Wrexham has put them right back in it now. Still a big ask with 4 away games but with others out of form, they have a chance (until update 3 where I look a back and forth ****).
Update 3: Still looks hard with 3 away games to come but they're in form whereas others aren't, plus they have 4 games compared to others who just have 2. 2 more wins could do it.
Update 4: String some wins together and this is what happens in an inconsistent league. An out of form Sutton next. Looking more secure than a few in the 4th-7th spots. Surely can't mess it up now?

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8th) Wrexham - 69
Eastleigh (A) DRAW
Ebbsfleet (A) LOSE
Daggers (H) LOSE
Orient (A)
Fylde (H)
Initial verdict: Tricky run in. May need to scrap and scrape a few draws and the odd win to be sure of their spot. 6th/7th most likely.
Update1: Will too many draws cost them?
Update 2: Really struggling now. Luckily for them, they play Daggers next. They will likely need a win on the final day. I think they'll finish 8th now.
Update 3: Still in on the basis of Dover slipping up. Looking tough now though. Anything less than 4 points and I think they're missing out.
Update 4: Same applies as in Update 3. They have to beat Fylde on the final day to have any chance. Nick a draw against Orient also and they may just pip Sutton too. Out of form though so looking unlikely.

9th) Dover - 67
Torquay (H) WON
Maidenhead (A) LOSE
Tranmere (H) LOSE
Gateshead (H)
Woking (A)
Initial verdict: Had a real chance to surge into the play offs but may have missed their chance after losing a few games. Games against relegation candidates will decide their fate. May just sneak it.
Update1: Vital win. In their hands looking at their fixtures.
Update 2: Night off. Will be happy with other results largely. Right in their hands now.
Update 3: They keep blowing their chance to get in the top 7. Need to win the next 2 or else I think they'll miss out to Ebbsfleet.
Update 4: Lost form at the wrong time. Still in this courtesy of two kind final games. Win both and they could well nick a spot if others falter. Form table suggests otherwise though.

10th) Bromley - 66
Gateshead (H) DRAW
Chester (A) LOSE
Woking (A) WON
Daggers (H) WON
Boreham Wood (H)
Barrow (H)
Maidenhead (A)
Initial verdict: A hard one to call. They have the games in hand and not the worst run in. If they can navigate the Chester/Woking games, 3 home games in a row could be the momentum they need to surge for 7th. I think they could sneak it.
Update1: Damaging draw. Need 5/6 now. Possible due to fixtures but looking more unlikely now.
Update 2: Think they're gone now. Need 5 wins which is possible but recent form is too up and down to be realistic.
Update 3: Win today keeps their small hopes alive. Winner of Bromley vs Daggers on Tuesday gives themselves a chance. Draw kills both.
Update 4: Won the battle of the outsiders to give themselves a fighting chance. Ideally need 7 points from their final 3. That would probably be enough due to their goal difference. Win on Saturday and they'll believe!

OUT OF THE RACE!

11th) Daggers - 62
Woking (H) DRAW
Wrexham (A) WON
Bromley (A) LOSE
Guiseley (A)
Maidenhead (H)
Macclesfield (A)
Initial verdict: The most unlikely but a run would give them every chance of 7th. Have to be on 64 points following the Woking/Guiseley games, then the next two against Play Off rivals will decide their fate. Will need to win at least 5/6.
Update1: Blew a golden chance to move into contention. Looking too big an ask now.
Update 2: Same problem as Bromley except they have a much harder run in. Too up and down and the squad is too small to go on a run.
Update 3: Win today keeps their small hopes alive. Winner of Bromley vs Daggers on Tuesday gives themselves a chance. Draw kills both.
Update 4: Well it was bound to happen really. Threadbare squad and a mess in the board room. We did well to keep our faint hopes alive this long. Hopefully we have a club next season to have another try.

 

[Master D]

National League will ref Tranmere into these. Expect a few dodgy calls against them on Saturday, they are getting too close for comfort and dangerously close to getting out which means less income for tinpotters. Any one of the other tinpotters involved in it could get reffed up in the final against Tranmere, they aren't fussy who goes up so long as it isn't a big side.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

National League will ref Tranmere into these. Expect a few dodgy calls against them on Saturday, they are getting too close for comfort and dangerously close to getting out which means less income for tinpotters. Any one of the other tinpotters involved in it could get reffed up in the final against Tranmere, they aren't fussy who goes up so long as it isn't a big side.

A few glances at the national league twitter confirm this. Almost embarrassing how desperate our form is making them.

 

[Joe.]

Despite being the better side and probably deserving the win, we looked massively tired at Eastleigh tonight.

A win on Saturday will be huge. Club's annual community day so should be a 2,000+ crowd. A loss and I think we could struggle to get back in. Both Gateshead and Torquay away in the final week is tough on a relatively small squad.

 

[The_Boss]

Can we join in yet?

 

[Mark kavanagh]

A few glances at the national league twitter confirm this. Almost embarrassing how desperate our form is making them.

It was horribly bias last night..

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Can we join in yet?

No. This isn't the league two forum....

 

[Tranmerewhite]

No. This isn't the league two forum....

Not sure Macc will have it in them to win the playoffs after the disappointment of finishing 2nd.

 

[The_Boss]

Not sure Macc will have it in them to win the playoffs after the disappointment of finishing 2nd.

Absolutely no chance. We'll have begging buckets out by half time of the semi final.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Tranmere have given up on the title race...

https://tranmererovers.co.uk/news/unique-sponsorship-package/

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Important permutations for tomorrow.

Aldershot win - see you in the playoffs.

Aldershot don't win - see you in the playoffs if Bromley and Wrexham fail to win.

Everything else can wait until next weekend.

 

[Leewilson]

Update 5

Confirmed

2nd) Tranmere - 82
Chester (A) WON
Gateshead (H) WON
Aldershot (H) WON
Dover (A) WON
Halifax (A) WON
Solihull (H)
Hartlepool (H)
Initial verdict: Will be absolutely fine. Games in hand a fairly favourable run in. Expect them to finish strongly in either 2nd or 3rd.
Update1: Looking very comfortable for 2nd or 3rd.
Update 2: Flying.
Update 3: All but mathematical now
Update 4: In the Play Offs at least. Can they keep winning and chase down Macc?
Update 5: Will finish 2nd

3rd) Sutton - 76
Hartlepool (H) DREW
Maidenhead (A) LOST
Ebbsfleet (A) WON
Aldershot (H)
Update 2: Well I have to include them now that they're making a pigs ear of it. Should be fine but it's tight enough to be uncertain.
Update 3: Need 1 win or a few draws to be sure. Limping into the play offs.
Update 4: Big trouble now. Away to an in-form Ebbsfleet next and could well lose on the final day too. Wrexham will be eyeing 4 points to jump above them.
Update 5: Indifferent form but a big win away at Ebbsfleet confirms their spot. Match vs Aldershot on the last day is for the important 3rd place and a game less to play.

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In the race

4th) Aldershot - 75
Maidenhead (H) WON
Tranmere (A) LOSE
Gateshead (H) WON
Barrow (H) DREW
Sutton (A)
Initial verdict: Bang out of form and with 2 very tough looking away games. Important they get a win or two at home but could get dragged into a battle for 7th if they're not careful.
Update1: Essential late win. 2 more wins to make sure.
Update 2: Night off. Other results weren't too bad. Still in their hands.
Update 3: Other results have helped them massively. Two winnable games to come before the final day and should make the play offs
Update 4: Pretty much there now. Win against Barrow would give them the best chance of 3rd and a game less.
Update 5: 99% there. Only a defeat to Sutton and wins for all the teams down to Bromley could deny them a spot.

5th) Fylde - 72
Sutton (H) WON
Torquay (A) WON
Maidstone (A) LOSE
Solihull (H) DREW
Wrexham (A)
Initial verdict: Have taken advantage of other's failings to be right in contention. Could go down to the final game vs Wrexham for a play off spot. Gut feeling is they'll just miss out.
Update 1: Cracking win gives them a great chance. Final game vs Wrexham is looking like the decider.
Update 2: Hit form at the right time. Might not even need the final game vs Wrexham now.
Update 3: Surprising defeat. Two tough games to end. A win against Solihull basically gets them in. A loss and it's all on the final day with Wrexham.
Update 4: Another with a night off. Win Saturday and they're there. If not, it comes down to the Wrexham match on the final day.
Update 5: Will be kicking themselves for not securing the spot already. Their goal difference could be crucial if they lose/drew to Wrexham.

6th) Boreham Wood - 72
Halifax (A) LOST
Macclesfield (H) LOST
Chester (H) WIN
Bromley (A) LOST
Guiseley (H)
Initial verdict: No problem for these lot. Probably a 4th/5th finish on the cards.
Update1: Damaging loss. If they lose to Macc, it’ll be a nervy end.
Update 2: Lost form at the wrong time. In real danger of missing out. Need 2 wins to get in. I think they'll squeak it.
Update 3: Massively important win. A win against Guiseley on the final day should seal it if they stumble next week.
Update 4: Night off with not much change. Avoiding defeat away to Bromley should all but confirm them in the top 7.
Update 5: Dropped form massively. Easiest game available on the final day though which should confirm them in the Play Offs.

7th) Dover - 70
Torquay (H) WON
Maidenhead (A) LOSE
Tranmere (H) LOSE
Gateshead (H) WON
Woking (A)
Initial verdict: Had a real chance to surge into the play offs but may have missed their chance after losing a few games. Games against relegation candidates will decide their fate. May just sneak it.
Update1: Vital win. In their hands looking at their fixtures.
Update 2: Night off. Will be happy with other results largely. Right in their hands now.
Update 3: They keep blowing their chance to get in the top 7. Need to win the next 2 or else I think they'll miss out to Ebbsfleet.
Update 4: Lost form at the wrong time. Still in this courtesy of two kind final games. Win both and they could well nick a spot if others falter. Form table suggests otherwise though.
Update 5: Have given themselves a chance on the final day. A win vs Woking would take them very close to getting in.

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8th) Ebbsfleet - 70
Macclesfield (H) DRAW
Wrexham (H) WON
Barrow (A) WON
Eastleigh (A) WON
Sutton (H) LOSE
Gateshead (A)
Torquay (A)
Initial verdict: They have the games in hand but have been inconsistent all season. Some very tough games in that run in at home to the pace setters and away to teams fighting for their life. Will just miss out.
Update1: Little margain for error now. Need to win 5/6 ideally. Looking too big an ask.
Update 2: Shut up Lee. Beating Wrexham has put them right back in it now. Still a big ask with 4 away games but with others out of form, they have a chance (until update 3 where I look a back and forth ****).
Update 3: Still looks hard with 3 away games to come but they're in form whereas others aren't, plus they have 4 games compared to others who just have 2. 2 more wins could do it.
Update 4: String some wins together and this is what happens in an inconsistent league. An out of form Sutton next. Looking more secure than a few in the 4th-7th spots. Surely can't mess it up now?
Update 5: Just when you think the momentum's with them, they go and lose to an out of form side. Game in hand could prove crucial. 4 points should be enough.

9th) Bromley - 69
Gateshead (H) DRAW
Chester (A) LOSE
Woking (A) WON
Daggers (H) WON
Boreham Wood (H) WON
Barrow (H)
Maidenhead (A)
Initial verdict: A hard one to call. They have the games in hand and not the worst run in. If they can navigate the Chester/Woking games, 3 home games in a row could be the momentum they need to surge for 7th. I think they could sneak it.
Update1: Damaging draw. Need 5/6 now. Possible due to fixtures but looking more unlikely now.
Update 2: Think they're gone now. Need 5 wins which is possible but recent form is too up and down to be realistic.
Update 3: Win today keeps their small hopes alive. Winner of Bromley vs Daggers on Tuesday gives themselves a chance. Draw kills both.
Update 4: Won the battle of the outsiders to give themselves a fighting chance. Ideally need 7 points from their final 3. That would probably be enough due to their goal difference. Win on Saturday and they'll believe!
Update 5: Here comes the late surge predicted (ignore update 2....). Decent goal difference could mean 4 points are enough.

UNLIKELY

10th) Wrexham - 69
Eastleigh (A) DRAW
Ebbsfleet (A) LOSE
Daggers (H) LOSE
Orient (A) LOSE
Fylde (H)
Initial verdict: Tricky run in. May need to scrap and scrape a few draws and the odd win to be sure of their spot. 6th/7th most likely.
Update1: Will too many draws cost them?
Update 2: Really struggling now. Luckily for them, they play Daggers next. They will likely need a win on the final day. I think they'll finish 8th now.
Update 3: Still in on the basis of Dover slipping up. Looking tough now though. Anything less than 4 points and I think they're missing out.
Update 4: Same applies as in Update 3. They have to beat Fylde on the final day to have any chance. Nick a draw against Orient also and they may just pip Sutton too. Out of form though so looking unlikely.
Update 5: Blown it. Even a win vs Fylde on the final day probably won't be enough now unless Bromley, Ebbsfleet and Dover all fail to win again this season.

11th) Daggers - 68
Woking (H) DRAW
Wrexham (A) WON
Bromley (A) LOSE
Guiseley (A) WON
Maidenhead (H) WON
Macclesfield (A)
Initial verdict: The most unlikely but a run would give them every chance of 7th. Have to be on 64 points following the Woking/Guiseley games, then the next two against Play Off rivals will decide their fate. Will need to win at least 5/6.
Update1: Blew a golden chance to move into contention. Looking too big an ask now.
Update 2: Same problem as Bromley except they have a much harder run in. Too up and down and the squad is too small to go on a run.
Update 3: Win today keeps their small hopes alive. Winner of Bromley vs Daggers on Tuesday gives themselves a chance. Draw kills both.
Update 4: Well it was bound to happen really. Threadbare squad and a mess in the board room. We did well to keep our faint hopes alive this long. Hopefully we have a club next season to have another try.
Update 5: Credit where it's due. To in 3/4 when you have 4 games in 7 days and a tiny squad is a fantastic effort. Middle of the season uncertainty will cost Daggers and it will probably be mathematically impossible after midweek.

 

[Joe.]

A win up at Gateshead will leave us needing a point away at Torquay on the last day of the season. Providing Bromley lose to Barrow that is.

Big ask IMO, after yet another injury blow yesterday, but not impossible. Sean Shields left the ground on crutches, so can't see him playing again. He joins Sam Magri, Jack Payne and Darren McQueen out. Kedwell looked like he was struggling with his hamstring too.

Trying to get a lift sorted for Gateshead, could be massive.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Hope daggers get in the playoffs few extra quid for the coffers

 

[Fyldefan]

Wrexham may as well play a few of the kids next week

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Wrexham may as well play a few of the kids next week

They have enough sheep supporting them, without playing some.

 

[doveranddover]

If the play offs went only went down to 5th as in previous seasons everyone down to 9th could still qualify going into the last week

 

[Tranmerewhite]

If the play offs went only went down to 5th as in previous seasons everyone down to 9th could still qualify going into the last week

I’d love to see them justify it when we finish around 16 points ahead of 7th.

 

[doveranddover]

That's nothing its currently 22 points in the north

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

Brilliant result yesterday, real boost winning like that heading into next week. Still feels like we’re not quite being taken seriously which hopefully works in our favour.
Trophy run this year gives us the confidence when it’s all or nothing we can get it done. When we hook it up going forward we can trouble any team in the division, unfortunately can be a bit sloppy at the back (just watch first 25 mins yesterday). Feeling positive that we’ll get ourselves in the Play Offs from this position, Barrow won’t be a push over and we’ll have to be on our game from the off.
P.S. Take enthusiasm with pinch of salt, even after Chester loss I backed us to finish 5th

 

[Shotsfan1993]

We're finally confirmed in the playoffs! Massive relief!

 

[Luke Imp]

Remind me how these new PO's work?

4th vs 7th and 5th vs 6th? One leg?

Then 2nd vs 4th/7th and 3rd vs 5th/6th? Two legs?

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

4th v 7th & 5th v 6th
2nd v 7th unless they lose, then it’ll be winner of other P.O. Quarter final.
3rd v 4th unless they lose, then it’ll be winner of other match as above.
All games one leg

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

4th v 7th & 5th v 6th
2nd v 7th unless they lose, then it’ll be winner of other P.O. Quarter final.
3rd v 4th unless they lose, then it’ll be winner of other match as above.
All games one leg

That’s how I understood it but could be wrong anyway

 

[doveranddover]

Semi-final also 1 leg

Wednesday 2nd May 2018
Qualifying Round - Match A - 5th place vs 6th place
Thursday 3rd May 2018
Qualifying Round - Match B - 4th place vs 7th Place
Saturday 5th May 2018
Semi Final - 2nd place vs winner of Match A
Sunday 6th May 2018
Semi Final- 3rd place vs winner of Match B
Saturday 12th May 2018
Promotion Final - Wembley Stadium

 

[The_Boss]

Yeah, maybe not too bothered about joining this after all. You lot enjoy yourselves though!!

 

[Luke Imp]

4th v 7th & 5th v 6th
2nd v 7th unless they lose, then it’ll be winner of other P.O. Quarter final.
3rd v 4th unless they lose, then it’ll be winner of other match as above.
All games one leg

Semi-final also 1 leg

Thanks.

As I thought, a load of bollocks.

 

[iesty wfc]

So, for Wrexham to sneak back in:

we must win at home to Fylde by at least 3 goals

AND

Maidenhead to win or hold Bromley to a draw

AND

Woking to win or hold Dover to a draw.

AND

Boreham Wood to lose by 3 goals (against Guiseley!) to make up the 5 goal difference

even the most optimistic of Wrexham fans arent liking these odds! see you next season