36 minutes ago, gtownjohnno said:

KC doing the pre match presser just now....No sign of the BT man...... What's going on???????? . 

Oh.... Iam surprised.... He's still with us.      Same old same old.     Why can't he include a summary of the players that likely to be considered for inclusion in Saturday's team... Surely he's going to make some changes from Tuesday night s... show?????? 

It's not going to happen. We might only be four points adrift, but the number of teams in with a chance of a play-off spot is huge and it'll be those with the best form between now and the end of the season that will make it. What does our form look like?

I know things can change quickly in football, but I think we've got too many problems to solve. We've got no business in League One until we fix them.

16 minutes ago, DangerousSausage said:

It's not going to happen. We might only be four points adrift, but the number of teams in with a chance of a play-off spot is huge and it'll be those with the best form between now and the end of the season that will make it. What does our form look like?

I know things can change quickly in football, but I think we've got too many problems to solve. We've got no business in League One until we fix them.

We just have to take one game at a time from now till the end of the season.

Until it is mathematically impossible to make the playoffs, it is still possible.

We were 30 seconds from staying in the National League last season so things can change quickly in football.

 

Also very true. We're currently 14, so we have to outperform at least seven of the teams above us to make it. I can't see it, but it's certainly not impossible.

The momentum and confidence from last season seems to have worn off now, that was probably always going to fade at some point though wasn’t it? I think it’s slightly over-exaggerated about how easy the step-up is and maybe we were a tad blindsided by our record-breaking season achievements. The bottom half of the NL would really struggle in this league and I’m not sure some of the better teams would do that well either. Mansfield might finally get promoted this season and they’ve spent 7 seasons trying, by no means will I consider this season a massive failure if we don’t finish in the play-offs, it's about progressing, by basically not getting relegated we’ve done that. Then it becomes about making sure that progression continues each season and we’ll get promoted when we're ready.

Now to actually answer the question, no! But like you say never say never in football…

Its anyone's game as to who gets 6th and 7th. With the way our form and performances have been since November, we won't be there. They just aren't sustainable enough to go on a good run of form. Player injuries, neglection of the defence in both transfer windows, players downing tools and Luke leaving (meaning we probably had to reassess our transfer window as certain targets may have been off the table.

I said after the Mansfield game, to a mate of mine, it would probably be better if we don't finish inside the play-offs, because we are just simply not ready for that next step yet. A few too many squad players who have got another year on their contract are still here and investment is needed in the defence and more squad depth.

The problems were here before SM got here. Our record since November is PLD 18, W 5, D 2, L 11, GF 36, GA 38. 17 points taken from a possible 51. When you have one thing that is good (the attack) and one thing that isn't (the defence), you need to focus on the one thing that isn't good (the defence) which may mean taking some focus off of the attack for a bit. That balance will be struck over time

There are still many points up for grabs, and despite our poor form, we haven’t slipped too far. Not as far as the club could have, which is a silver lining. Being just 4 points away from a turnaround and considering how tight the League Two table is, there’s a chance for things to improve under Stuart Maynard. Sadly, a lot of this hinges on whether Notts can keep most fans on board and steer clear of the looming cloud of doom. I believe the team still has the potential to secure victories, but the recurring issue of conceding goals is a concern. There seem to be more factors working against the club’s chances of reaching the playoffs than in favour. Regardless, we should be grateful to be back and feel more content than most teams that have just returned to the English Football League.

56 minutes ago, upthepies said:

There are still many points up for grabs, and despite our poor form, we haven’t slipped too far. Not as far as the club could have, which is a silver lining. Being just 4 points away from a turnaround and considering how tight the League Two table is, there’s a chance for things to improve under Stuart Maynard. Sadly, a lot of this hinges on whether Notts can keep most fans on board and steer clear of the looming cloud of doom. I believe the team still has the potential to secure victories, but the recurring issue of conceding goals is a concern. There seem to be more factors working against the club’s chances of reaching the playoffs than in favour. Regardless, we should be grateful to be back and feel more content than most teams that have just returned to the English Football League.

I couldn't have said it better myself.????

I don’t believe we’re in the running for the playoffs, I could be wrong but at this point, I just want to see improvements in our defence and results. I don’t want the club to chase the playoffs in theory, but continue to struggle with results and consequently slide further down the table due to nerves and a combination of what’s actually happening. We need to ease the pressure on Stuart Maynard and hopefully, the board will heed his suggestions on how to enhance the playing squad because I doubt he would have wanted to sign Jatta himself.