theAnticlough

I thought Matty Palmer was almost average so he's my MotM

Absolutely right @Chris. They're a top L2 side. Any numpty saying Salford are more of a problem doesn't know football.

Our limitations were exposed today. It was the perfect storm really - top side, in a tiny ground and pitch, awful wind, vulnerable sub-standard(for L2 promo) personnel, mainly down to injuries, and as I bang on about too much, MP refusing to play Iorpenda in CM, always preferring to go negative with the totally ordinary Norburn. We need a fit Jatta, Jones and Tsaroulla to have any chance at all. Somehow the last 3 games have to be used to get some confidence back before the play-offs.

As I alluded to in my first post in this thread, I saw this coming - the real danger of being blown away in the first 30mins, just like Swindon were (they were so lucky it was only 1) I don't agree with our backline being blamed. A midfield line of Kouhyars-Palmer-Norburn-Bennetts is nowhere no good enough, and MP should know that... with 2 non-goalscoring AMs ahead of them, it's a poor side we put out today. At least Jones, Luker and Dennis on for the dreadful Bennetts, Norburn and Grant might give us an outside chance of getting into this in the second half

Charlton Athletic 2-1 PNE Southampton 1-1 Derby County Bradford City 2-0 Stevenage Huddersfield Town 2-0 Wycombe Wanderers Joker Grimsby 2-1 Crewe Alexandra Newport County 1-1 Harrogate Aldershot 1-2 Gateshead Altrincham 1-0 Eastleigh

I can't see Bromley getting promoted at MK Swindon can get back in it with a win at home to Accrington next, especially with the teams above playing each other. We can't write them off just yet.

That's all good stuff, thanks @Chris I'll give it some time. I can remember having similar exactly 10 years ago - that was worse, I couldn't get out of a car. I went to the GP and was told it was arthritis. It went away and didn't hear a peep from it since then. I'm sure now that that time was from doing far too much time on a certain exercise bike. I'll take care and see someone in a couple of weeks if there's no progress. Agree with you that the weight loss is important on all fronts. Will definitely work on getting that off (prompted by weeks of a very specific new stress I think)

Back pain is the worst, cos it's not just the pain it's the impact on mobility and the frequency therefore... I'll join the club - for almost a week I've had a mystery groin strain. Getting up from anywhere and certain pissoir functions are the worst. Maybe I was carrying something that pulled it. My worry would be the onset of hip problems. But I googled, and had confirmed, another theory based on recent weight gain, and am happy to tell myself it's that for now! A relaxing weekend and I'll take it from there. Very best wishes to everyone else battling against health issues, minor and major, to bear and overcome

It makes sense, but apart from feeling great for one of my all-time faves Capt Kyle Cameron, who got the winner on Tuesday, I'm not keen on Bromley. I'd prefer it to be us, Cambridge and even the franchise. Credit to them though and it'd be fitting to see KC as a League 1 player. They're not there yet, but 2 draws, if one of them is MK and Cambridge, should do it. Or just beat Walsall at home - that would do it too.

What a fantastic game we have lined up. Couldn't be more meaningful or crucial. Full, tight little ground, top atmosphere. Either them or us could take a giant stride towards League 1 with a win. After watching them V Swindon, I thought they were way better than Salford. Definitely could see why they're 20 goals better than them in GD and lost 8 fewer games. They maintained their breakneck speed by and large, but they put so much effort into the first 30mins that they did inevitably flag later in the game. Only then could Swindon get a foothold in the game, they were mauled in the first half. Knight, Brophy and Mpanzu were the dangermen on that night. Like we just about managed at Salford, we have to avoid being blown away in the first 30mins. I say that because we're still missing a big chunk of our spine - Platt, McDonald, Robertson, Jatta plus creative players in Jones and Tangan.

Yes, has to be Lucas Ness - what a day for him. He's been doing really well since he got the job in the centre of defence. Who else to mention? I thought Kouhyar had his best starting game for the club. Macari, Iorpenda were good, as usual - two of our best, most consistent players. Ndlovu was good and Luker gave us the impact sub performance we don't always get.

An unnecessarily stressful second half...some players were doing their best to lose it for us. In the end it's a fantastic day, especially with the MK and Cambridge results. Onto the big one on Saturday

Get a penalty. Give it to Ness

I could see Jatta calling time on English football, upping sticks and going somewhere else. I have sympathy for him. He’s a danger man and also a target for provocation. Channeling aggression the right way when you’re being provoked is easier said than done. It doesn’t come naturally to everyone. We’ll see if it’s a challenge he wants to take on and overcome. Starting with Colchester, Bristol Rovers and probably Salford again in the playoffs!

Just logged in and found out....are we cursed or something? This is unbelievably frustrating and maddening. Jatta is one that hasn't learned how to get back at opponents by hurting them with his play. In terms of threat to Newport, Ndlovu or Dennis (the way he's been playing) are downgrades. But let's see if they can prove they aren't. It was definitely a wind-up though and what success - eliminate a rival's best player for the vital run-in games. Crewe have suddenly become my second team - Salford are a poisonous bunch

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 WBA Bristol City 1-2 Sheffield Utd Barnsley 1-1 Plymouth Argyle Mansfield Town 2-0 Burton Albion Joker Gillingham 1-0 Accrington Swindon Town 2-0 Walsall Eastleigh 1-2 Yeovil Town Hartlepool 0-2 Rochdale

We could be in for a surprise or two with tomorrow's team selection. Salford away was probably seen as not the place to risk a returning player. If you could pick just one of the injured or returning players to have back, who would you choose? (Not Platt, obviously) I'd go with Jodi Jones....we need to roll the dice with someone capable of goals and assists.

We'll need some players back - Jodi at least. Norburn back in the matchday squad of course. For me that'd mean the bench. Just footballing reasons, we don't need both him and Palmer to beat Newport at home.

That's true. I actually went thru the game-by-game projections with my youngest this morning. I actually have us being promoted! Then I did it again and put us down to lose at Cambridge and draw at Colchester and we miss out to MK Dons on goal difference at 83pts.That sounds like Notts, doesn't it?! Then as 4th place team I have us in a 2-leg play-off v Salford. If it's not them it's Oldham or Chesterfield who both have tasty run-ins. We better get some players back and be ready for 2-legs v either Salford, Chesterfield or Oldham 'cos that's what it's heading for as far as I can see. Oh and the play-off cut-off mark could be an unbelievable 80pts this season I think

Wouldn't that be 82pts @menzinho ? Even then, maybe not enough.... Personally, I'm not interested in projecting totals. I just want us to perform, be brave and give it our all. Yesterday, considering all the injuries, I thought we fought hard and we're unlucky not to get something. The individual lapse let everybody down. Maynard lost game 41 away too and followed up by losing game 42 at home. Monday is a 'must-win'. Newport have to be dispatched. The players have to perform and MP has to make sure that they do

I'll give my vote to Belshaw. Pretty clear cut I'd say. I feel sorry for him. Ness and Iorpenda were good, not sure anyone else was (apart from Browne of course, another to feel sorry for). We needed better from Jatta. Grant was especially poor, but his replacement Hall was even worse! Especially with his absolute uselessness when the ball popped out for their winner.

Tragic game We have some liabilities though and they continue to hurt us

Charlton 1-1 Bristol City QPR 2-1 Watford Huddersfield Town 2-1 Reading Stockport County 1-1 Wycombe Bristol Rovers 2-0 Fleetwood Town Joker Newport County 1-0 Crawley Aldershot 1-2 Sutton United Tamworth 2-1 Solihull Moors

Agree with that for sure. A draw would increase our overall odds slightly I think. A win/loss at this stage of the season would swing the odds a lot in either direction. All I ask is better matchplay than at the corresponding stage of last season. After 40 games (68pts), Stuart Maynard was talking about the 'business end of the season'. We never heard the phrase again. Game 41 Colchester (A) Lost, 42 Salford (H) Lost, 43 Bradford (A) Draw 44 Cheltenham (H) Lost. 1pt from 12 broke our hearts. The team just couldn't respond when it mattered. That Colchester game (the same as today - Game 41) was a total capitulation and a sign of how we'd go out in the play-offs, with an absolute whimper as Stall said this week. Hopefully MP's team can perform, show some real spirit and fight and in that case, que sera sera

The football gods were listening @StarkMallard It wasn't a 1-1 game at all, Cambridge were miles better. But we'll take it! Cambridge played with an intensity that we don't see in Notts games. We've really got to be on our mettle when we go there.