Drawn [ Sat 2nd Apr ] v Leiston FC, KO 3pm SLPDC HOME

[rossco]

Wasn’t there yesterday but always disappointing to concede 3 at home regardless of how many we score!
Fingers crossed about Collard, some mixed messages being thrown around so just wait and see I suppose.

Agree with the fact play offs are not a guarantee no matter what certain journalists and others are saying.. us and Alvechurch both got similar run ins so could come right down the the last game!!

[Dazzler]

Highlights from AFCRDTV

[sussexdiamond]

As much as i would like us to clinch that 5th place ASAP I seriously doubt that we will. We have to go Coalville next week where we have a terrible record then play 3 relegation threatened teams who alll won yesterday and will be battling like mad. Alvechurch are playing doomed Lowestoft, 2 mid table teams with nothing to play for and Banbury who will no doubt ease up ow they have won the league. I am hoping/expecting it to go to the final game which suits me as it is only game I can get to in the next 3 weeks.

[TheIncognitoKid]

As much as i would like us to clinch that 5th place ASAP I seriously doubt that we will. We have to go Coalville next week where we have a terrible record then play 3 relegation threatened teams who alll won yesterday and will be battling like mad. Alvechurch are playing doomed Lowestoft, 2 mid table teams with nothing to play for and Banbury who will no doubt ease up ow they have won the league. I am hoping/expecting it to go to the final game which suits me as it is only game I can get to in the next 3 weeks.

I wouldn't read into it too much about our or Alvechurch's opponents, just worry about what we have to do and well be fine. As tough as it will be to come out victorious in the play offs, just finishing in there will be a successful season. Not sure who we'd rather face as all opponents will be hard to beat, but we didn't think we would get past Royston about 6 seasons ago and were 2 minutes away from defeating st. Ives. So as long as we're in there then we're in with a chance!

[Olly]

Not sure it is always the case that a team with something to play for is automatically harder than a team without anything to play for is it? Having something to play for like relegation puts added pressure on a team, while having nothing to play for can allow a team to play without fear, it's not always black and white.

Take for instance Lowestoft, they are in a dreadful run of form, but in that poor run of form somehow they managed to beat Coalville and P'boro Sports no less, and Banbury might ease off for sure, but they're not going to stop being a very tough team to beat at home. It isn't a forgone conclusion for sure and I think it may go down to the last day, but I still think we'll do it, don't see Alvechurch picking up enough points to finish above us really.

Our defensive frailties since Burge took over are certainly a concern though, I appreciate he's trying to get us to be more threatening up front and the new signings have promise, but it has been mainly our defence that has got us into the position we are in and we will seriously struggle in the playoffs defending like we did yesterday, it was poor.

[real diamond]

Different day same negative posts from Sussex.

Burgess, Playoffs, attendances the list goes on and on….

We have a chance, a very good chance to end the season in the play offs using a budget that probably should put us in the bottom half of the league, it’s been an incredible effort from the squad to this point, one last push and we are in a position that nobody believed at the start of the year we would be in.

Enjoy the ride!!

[sussexdiamond]

Er, where am I negative? I am hopeful for the play offs but realise it is not so cut and dried as it might have seemed 2 weeks ago. I do believe we will play Coalville in semi and PS in the final. No I am not yet convinced about Burgess but I doubt even the board are yet. As for attendance point nothing negative in that at all. Are you happy with crowds of 400? I very much want to see us work on improving crowds and increasing income via the lottery. We have crowds of 400 plus but only about 200 subscribers playing the lottery. Several such as myself have multiple tickets which accounts for the 250. We need to promote this. It was unfortunate that the lottery was launched the very month lockdown commenced. But now we need to come up with a way to boost sales.Am I expected to agree with everybody else. I have the right to criticise or question as does anybody else. I think most people know me unlike those who only post very occasionally. My unquestionable contribution both physically and financially over the past 10 years bear comparison with many. How about you?

[Brownie]

and Banbury who will no doubt ease up ow they have won the league.

Disagreed with a few things you’ve said over the years Sussex but I would put this right up there at the top of the pile of ridiculous comments, having been around the Banbury team for 95% of the season I can assure everyone the will be no easing up!! In fact within 30 minutes of Saturday’s game ending with the players still on the pitch the conversation was already about the 100 points target they have set themselves. Now the pressure is off and they can relax and play the football that has got them where they are I would except Alvechurch to both get no favours on Easter Monday or any points.
I’m confident I’ll get the opportunity to see many of you at a playoff game in a month but would agree getting Big Al back could be crucial, and with or without him the defensive situation as a team will have to improve.

[Three of Diamonds]

For me, Leiston came and made it scrappy and TBH I thought a draw was a fair result. Our midfield didn't control enough of the game to make it comfortable and we did do some poor stuff in defence, but that's a rarity this season.
I must say though that our team can find a way back into a game, and is tough to beat. I don't want to see Jesse at right back ever again though thanks, it'd be much better for Hughes to play centre defence and put Paddy right back.
Don't forget, we have beaten Coalville this season with a poor side (at the time) - ok they blew the same team away in the cup but we're a different beast now, and I'm expecting them to have one eye on the play off picture on Saturday so let's go there and find a way to get at least 1 point.

[sussexdiamond]

Pleased to hear that they are going for the 100 points, I am sure a word in the ears of the ex Diamonds would be appreciated. It does still leave Alvechurchs other opponents to give 100 %. Past experience tells us that once Champs crowned however unintentionally they do drop off in intensity. At the end of the day we just have to win 2 or 3 games, it still in our hands. Congrats to the worthy champs I am sure they will be even better having Snedker in their ranks next season.