PLAY-OFFS CONFIRMED!

[diamonds82]

1 more win. To secure a play off place. Lets do it toz. 8-)

Bag the 3 points. And all celebrate.

[Three of Diamonds]

I'd dearly love us to gain the points we need on Saturday. I think our whole squad is knackered at the moment and Justin needs to be able to rotate the squad and give certain players a much needed rest. We've looked jaded recently and need to be fresh for the play-offs..........IF WE MAKE THEM ;)

I don't understand why our squad should be anymore knackered than any other teams' squads though. They've all played about the same number of games and going through the same backlog of fixtures. To be honest we had our squad take an extra days rest before Kiddiminster, and brought in fresh legs, but it didn't seem to make that much difference fitness wise. JEMS were correct to rest Tommo, Faz and Byrne for the Kiddy game, BUT it must pay dividends tomorrow.
COME ON LADS !!

[Formic]

I think Justin's interview - http://www.thediamondsfc.com/page/NewsD ... 68,00.html explains a lot. We had two high pressure games in three days - Dons and K*ttering - which were bound to have an impact.

[Pigman]

I'd dearly love us to gain the points we need on Saturday. I think our whole squad is knackered at the moment and Justin needs to be able to rotate the squad and give certain players a much needed rest. We've looked jaded recently and need to be fresh for the play-offs..........IF WE MAKE THEM ;)

I don't understand why our squad should be anymore knackered than any other teams' squads though. They've all played about the same number of games and going through the same backlog of fixtures. To be honest we had our squad take an extra days rest before Kiddiminster, and brought in fresh legs, but it didn't seem to make that much difference fitness wise. JEMS were correct to rest Tommo, Faz and Byrne for the Kiddy game, BUT it must pay dividends tomorrow.
COME ON LADS !!

Well, after the Kiddy game we had played 5 games in 13 days, all of them against sides (at the time) in the top 10 - Oxford, AFC Dons, scum, Crawley and Kiddy and all of which were vying with us for places in the play-offs. With a smallish squad, the physical demands on the players were quite hard, let alone the mental pressure, especially the first 3 games in that series. Anyone at the scum game will testify how much the players put into that game, thats why I was so annoyed with the people I heard on the PDB not only moaning constantly throughout of the Crawley game, but who booed the players (and yes, the people I saw were aiming it at the players). We also had some players who were obviously carrying injuries but playing through the pain.

I just think this showed most in the Crawley game, they looked sooooo tired and jaded. I wasn't at Kiddy, so can't really comment on the overall performance, but I fully expect us to be back to full form tomorrow.

Win tomorrow and its then time to rest a few players and rotate the squad a tad - I don't want to have to go into the Wrexham and Luton games still needing a point - I don't think we will.

[Formic]

I quite agree - the Crawley game was clearly an issue of tiredness. With respect to the Kidderminster game, the issue wasn't so much one of tiredness, but of players coming into the side, adjusting to playing 4-3-3 up front, and Kidderminster doing a good job suppressing any attempt to get width in our attacks after the first five mins.

I'd be happy if we saw a draw at Nene Park, alongside draws for the Dons and Crawley today, as that would push us into the playoffs, and reduce the temptation to try to catch York or Oxford, allowing key players to be rested ready for the playoffs.

[BartonRaz]

I'm genuinely scared today, and i haven't felt like that in a while.

I'm being exceptionally pessimistic here, but if we don't win today, our remaining 3 games are by no means easy.

Why on earth are Ebbsfleet where they are in the league? They have players like Cronin, Charles, Vieira and Ashikodi, i do think today will be a difficult game.

[rushdenman]

I'd be happy if we saw a draw at Nene Park, alongside draws for the Dons and Crawley today, as that would push us into the playoffs, and reduce the temptation to try to catch York or Oxford, allowing key players to be rested ready for the playoffs.

It's difficult to know what would be the best approach to these final 4 games. We saw at Kiddie that resting several key players disrupted the flow of the side.

Whilst it is good that some players have now been rested I think it would be very risky to upset the "team" too much. We have built our incredible run on consistancy through the team - some of the passing and movement has become almost telepathic. It may be difficult to recover this for the play-off games if we lose the continuity.

The other issue, of course, is the potential for picking up further suspensions. I think Tomlin, Stuart and Terry are all on at least 11 cards. If they reach 15 they may miss the play-offs.

[jimbobjaw]

I'd be happy if we saw a draw at Nene Park, alongside draws for the Dons and Crawley today, as that would push us into the playoffs, and reduce the temptation to try to catch York or Oxford, allowing key players to be rested ready for the playoffs.

It's difficult to know what would be the best approach to these final 4 games. We saw at Kiddie that resting several key players disrupted the flow of the side.

Whilst it is good that some players have now been rested I think it would be very risky to upset the "team" too much. We have built our incredible run on consistancy through the team - some of the passing and movement has become almost telepathic. It may be difficult to recover this for the play-off games if we lose the continuity.

The other issue, of course, is the potential for picking up further suspensions. I think Tomlin, Stuart and Terry are all on at least 11 cards. If they reach 15 they may miss the play-offs.

I think you are right, and tbh i dont think JEMS will make any more changes. I think the Wombles and Scum games being so close was bad for the team, and will have taken a lot out of the players, probably shown by a below par performance v Crawley. However, after a bit of a rest, and possibly a small kick up the backside for some, i think the team will come out stronger, and we will see almost our strongest available side for the run in.

Having said that, however, as BartonRaz said, Ebbsfleet should not be taken lightly, despite their lowly position. I think today will be a tough game, but if we want to be considered in the play off race, and possibly winning it, today is the day we must stake our case. I think they will score, so we will have to play well to score at least once. But we are a good enough team to beat anyone in this league on our day, so hopefully a good performance will yield the result we crave. COME ON YOU WHITES.

[Oundle Diamond #2]

Haven't seen any clarification yet of todays scenarios, so I thought I'd have a go!

If we win, Play-Offs are guarenteed.

If we draw, and Wimbledon don't get 3 points, that is them out the equation.
If Wimbledon get 3 points, they will be 9 points behind with 3 left, with an inferior Goal Difference.

If we draw, and Crawley don't get 3 points, that is them out the equation.
If Crawley get 3 points, they will be 11 points behind with 4 games left. (It's a good job they didnt beat us)

If we lose, and Wimbledon don't get 3 points, that is them out the equation.
If Wimbledon get 3 points, they will be 8 points behind with 3 left.

If we lose, and Crawley get a draw, they are 12 points behind with 4 left, with an inferior Goal Difference.
If we lose, and Crawley get a win, they are 10 points behind us with 4 games left.

If we lose all our games, and K*ttering win all their games, we will still be ahead of them, doesn't that feel great ladies and gents

Lets avoid all the complicated stuff and win!!! Come on, Youu Whites, You Whites, You Whites!!

[jimbobjaw]

Don't think we need this thread any more then